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 – 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.
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.
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.
