We witnessed 409 goals in the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Season. But who netted the best one?
Watch the 12 goals we’ve picked out in the player above and vote for your favourite goal in the poll below.
1. Tim Cahill –Â Round 2 v MVC 0:00 – 0:27
It seemed written in the stars that the Caltex Socceroos greatest ever goalscorer would stamp an early mark on the Hyundai A-League, but few would have foreseen the long-range rocket he fired in the season’s first Melbourne derby.
2. Connor Pain – Round 4 v ADL 0:27 – 0:53
The former Melbourne Victory man scored his first goal for the Mariners with a memorable long-range strike earning Central Coast their first win in 14 matches.
3. Joshua Brillante – Round 7 v BRI 0:53 – 1:19
It’s doubtful a football was hit harder this season, the outstanding Queensland-born Sydney FC midfielder scoring his first ever professional goal with an absolute belter into the top corner at Suncorp.Â
4. Fernando Brandan – Round 10 v SYD 1:19 – 1:46
The Argentine produced a wonder goal to break open a thrilling contest, running deep into enemy territory before firing a viciously swerving volley just under the crossbar from distance. Â
5. Vince Lia – Round 10 v CCM 1:46 – 2:10
In the first game after Ernie Merrick’s shock resignation as Phoenix coach, the club’s only remaining foundation player gathered a half-clearance on the edge of the area before planting just his fourth A-League goal into the top corner.
6. Ivan Franjic – Round 14 v WSW 2:10 – 2:33
The winner in this round 14 clash came from an unlikely source with the fullback smashing a first-time volley past Vedran Janjetovic from outside the box to snap City’s five-game winless streak.
7. Dimitri Petratos – Round 15 v MVC 2:33 – 2:55
Free-kicks don’t come any better than this with Brisbane’s talented attacker lashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from thirty yards.
8. Tom Doyle – Round 17 v ADL 2:55 – 3:25
In searing South Australian heat, the All Whites fullback beat five Reds defenders before unleashing a red-hot piledriver in off the post.
9. Kosta Barbarouses – Round 20 v MCY 3:25 – 3:45
In the midst of a heavy home defeat, the Phoenix’s kiwi marquee produced a moment of magic – a rarely-seen triple-nutmeg to notch a consolation goal.
10. Nick Fitzgerald – Round 21 v SYD 3:45 – 4:11
With his side having fallen behind just a minute earlier, one of City’s breakout stars of the season curled an audacious volley past Danny Vukovic from 20 yards to square the ledger.
11. Marco Rojas – Round 21 v ADL 4:11 – 4:33
Renowned for his close control in broken play, the “Kiwi Messi” this time showed his set-piece ability, curling a free-kick over the wall to put the cherry on the top of a wonderful individual display.
12. Jamie Maclaren – Round 24 v MVC 4:36 – 5:06
Early in the second half of a tight encounter, the Roar’s master marksman stole between two defenders before unleashing a dipping volley over a helpless Lawrence Thomas to secure Roar all three points.
