There’s only one Archie Thompson and despite only playing 60 minutes he gets straight back into Team of the Week.
GK – Ante Covic: The Wanderers keeper more than did his job against the Mariners. Playing in a team that was under the pump he constantly came up with the big saves, culminating in him stopping Mat Ryan-s penalty.
LB – Adama Traore: He-s been a constant thorn in the side of other teams throughout the season and his runs down the left flank helped to cut Newcastle Jets to pieces as he delivered ball after ball into the channel.
CB – Nikolai Topor-Stanley: Again we-ll sing this man-s praises, but I-m running out of superlatives. He reads the play like scholars read literature. Sensing the danger is a big part of a central defender-s job and every week, Topor-Stanley does the job.
CB – Patrick Zwaanswijk: And on the other side of the field there was this tower of strength. Zwanny was strong at the back for the Mariners before becoming a real threat up front. He won the penalty, now if only he had of taken it, the result may have been different.
RB – Pedj Bojic: The excitement machine that he is Pedj tantalised and teased the Mariner s faithful with his many raids down the right wing, but alas despite the quality of the ball he played the Mariners couldn-t capitalise.
MF – Marco Rojas: After a few lean weeks #KiwiMessi was again at his best. Running at defenders, skinning them at will, delivering the final ball or finish as the Victory went on to a rampage against a young Jets team. Rojas was in the mood and his brace was well-deserved.
MF – Alessandro del Piero: Sydney may have lost but at least they tried and del Piero was their best. He gets a team of the week jersey simply because of his wunderstrike which left Danny Vukovic stranded. It was worth the price of admission alone.
MF – Paul Ifill: The Phoenix win when Ifill plays well and this was no different to any other time. Poor for much of the season Ifill suddenly found his mojo and started running at defenders, beating them almost at will. His link play with the likes of Leo Bertos, Stein Huysegems and Jeremy Brockie was superb.
S – Jeremy Brockie: Speaking of Brockie, could he win the Golden Boot in the team that wins the wooden spoon? He is surely a huge chance. Again he provided the spark for the Nix and while his goal was again of the unusual variety it could have been an even better afternoon if the woodwork hadn-t of gotten in his way.
S- Besart Berisha: He missed a penalty but his bustling, busy running is what got the Roar home. He gave the Adelaide defence fits throughout the match and lifted the Roar towards their best performance in weeks.
S – Archie Thompson: If there were any questions about just how much Archie means to the Victory they were answered in emphatic fashion at AAMI Park. The Qantas Socceroo is arguably in career-best form. His tail is up and the Victory got their confidence back immediately with him on the park. He took the pressure off the likes of Rojas and Pain and delivered a dominant display as Ange-s false 9.
