There were braces, a boilover and a demolition job in Gosford during Round 21 along with some excellent individual performances.
We’ve assessed the entire split round and picked out the best of the bunch to squeeze the Team of the Week into a lethal-looking 4-4-2.
What do you make of our side? Have your say on social media by tagging the official Hyundai A-League accounts!
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Goalkeeper
Glen Moss (Newcastle Jets)
Newcastle needed more than one top-shelf performance to topple Melbourne Victory and goalkeeper Moss played his part.
The veteran twice denied Keisuke Honda during the first half in Geelong, parried away a Kenny Athiu volley and bravely dived at Jai Ingham’s feet in the closing stages of the Jets’ 2-0 triumph.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6009244528001
Defenders
Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)
When Sydney FC were taking an early stranglehold against Adelaide United, Grant was right there providing the impetus.
The full-back quickly came to grips with Craig Goodwin, played an important part in the home side’s opening goal and put his endless energy reserves to excellent use throughout the 2-0 victory.
Brendan Hamill (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Western Sydney’s defence has copped criticism at regular intervals this season but Hamill was well and truly up to the task away to Brisbane Roar.
The centre-back was solid throughout at Suncorp Stadium as he made some key interceptions and clearances, including one off the line in the second half when Vedran Janjeotivc dropped the ball cold.
His assured distribution also enabled Wanderers to dominate possession en route to a convincing 4-1 triumph.
Daniel Georgievski (Newcastle Jets)
Big matches seem to bring the best out of Georgievski.
The former Joe Marston Medal Winner was among Newcastle’s standouts in Geelong, making material contributions in multiple departments.
Georgievski led his team’s count for tackles (three) and touches (74), played four key passes, and was responsible for the cross that led to the opening goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6009229852001
Scott Jamieson (Melbourne City)
Melbourne City were unable to protect a two-goal advantage against Perth Glory despite Jamieson’s best efforts.
The skipper delivered an excellent cross for Jamie Maclaren’s opener at AAMI Park and made a brilliant block on Diego Castro late in proceedings, though the Spaniard eventually got his goal.
Jamieson provided three crosses in total and made more passes than any other City player.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6009425942001
Midfielders
Diego Castro (Perth Glory)
He kept asking questions of City’s defence at every stage of the second half last Sunday and eventually the Glory captain got his reward.
On another day, Eugene Galekovic might have kept out the audacious stoppage-time strike, but there was no doubt that Castro deserved to be on the scoresheet.
The 36-year-old was the most influential figure in the leaders’ comeback in Melbourne, his equaliser in the 2-2 draw coming with his third shot of the game.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6009441826001
Milos Ninkovic (Sydney FC)
He’s a joy to watch in full flight and Ninkovic certainly found his groove last weekend.
Sydney FC’s star playmaker combined classy touches with intelligent passes as he put the Reds into a spin at Leichhardt Oval.
While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Ninkovic’s superb attempted lob of Paul Izzo in the first half would have well been worthy of a goal.
Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix)
Phoenix fans will be waiting in keen anticipation for their next chance to see Singh and Max Burgess in the same midfield.
The pair mesmerised Central Coast Mariners in Gosford with an eye-catching array of well-weighted balls in behind and clever attacking touches.
Singh was especially effective in the incredible 8-2 rout, scoring a second-half brace and notching two assists for good measure.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6011942694001
Roly Bonevacia (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Bonevacia continued his brilliant season by playing another pivotal role as the Wanderers made it four games without defeat by crushing Roar.
Picking up the creative slack following the axing of Alexander Baumjohann, Bonevacia played the final pass for the Wanderers’ three first-half goals.
He then put the icing on a very sweet cake for the visitors with a goal in stoppage-time, meaning he has now scored two goals and had five assists from his last four appearances.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6011540508001
Forwards
Roy Krishna (Wellington Phoenix)
Disappointed in the end not to leave Gosford with a hat-trick, Roy Krishna was able to take solace in a six-goal victory, an assist and a well-taken brace.
The Fijian flyer was the catalyst of the Mariners’ misery: he forced Sam Graham into conceding an own goal in the early stages, outfoxed Ben Kennedy with a delightful lob four minutes later and rounded off a jaw-dropping first half by coolly tucking away his second.
Krishna later teed up Liberato Cacace’s strike and now has 14 goals for the season, two more than his previous best Hyundai A-League campaign.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6011941957001
Oriol Riera (Western Sydney Wanderers)
The Spanish striker just loves playing against Roar and came back to haunt the Brisbane outfit in Friday night’s 4-1 drubbing at Suncorp Stadium.
Riera scored two goals – including a technically outstanding volley which is one of the strikes of the season – and was a handful all night.
He has now scored a brace on three different occasions in his last four matches against Roar.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6011518796001
Coach of the Round
Ernie Merrick (Newcastle Jets)
Newcastle desperately needed three points to stay in touch with the top six yet few would have tipped them to do the business against Victory.
At GMHBA Stadium, however, we saw the hallmarks of the Jets side that went all the way to last season’s Grand Final.
Rich in belief and not afraid to commit numbers forward, Merrick’s men attempted 22 shots on the way to a potentially season-saving result.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6009266174001
