Players are starting to hit their stride this Hyundai A-League season and we’ve crunched the Opta data to pick the best performing players from a fascinating Round 6.
Based on a range of metrics provided by the Hyundai A-League’s official data provider, here’s the standout players from the weekend’s action.
GOALKEEPER
Vedran Janjetovic (Western Sydney Wanderers)
A real thorn in Ross McCormack’s side against Melbourne City, Janjetovic made a round-high seven saves with a save percentage of 88%. He also made 35 passes with an impressive accuracy of 89%.
DEFENDERS
Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets)
The Jets soared to the A-League summit on Saturday helped in large part to this man. With ten clearances, ten passes into the final third and three fouls won to his name, Hoffman was a rock at the back.
Jordy Buijs (Sydney FC)
He may have copped two goals against a motivated Mariners side but Buijs was at his blistering best moving forward making 55 passes at 91% accuracy and creating four scoring chances. Unfortunately for him, his side couldn’t make the most of them in a 2-0 defeat.
Rhys Williams (Melbourne Victory)
Victory may still be without a win but Williams clearly isn’t to blame. The 14-time Caltex Socceroo won five fouls, made 62 passes and took two shots on goal in his side’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar.
Jake McGing (Central Coast Mariners)
McGing sealed his side’s surprise 2-0 win over Sydney FC with a thumping header in the second-half in Gosford. That was his sole shot at goal as he contested 13 duels and made six clearances.
MIDFIELDERS
Andrew Nabbout (Newcastle Jets)
The current league leaders have Nabbout to thank for their 2-1 win over Adelaide United. Not only did he score the winning goal but he also had seven touches inside the opposition box, made three shots and created two chances: one of which Roy O’Donovan really should have finished!
Guilherme Finkler (Wellington Phoenix)
An incredible 5-2 win for the Nix over Perth Glory on Sunday and an equally incredible performance from the former Victory man. Finkler scored a goal, created a round-high five scoring chances and won three fouls.
Nikola Mileusnic (Adelaide United)
A real livewire in this Reds side, Mileusnic struck the only goal of the round from outside the box, made three crosses and contested 14 duels.
Andrew Hoole (Central Coast Mariners)
The former Sydney FC player found an extra gear against his former team and was the only player in Round 6 to get a goal and an assist. Hoole was lively across the pitch too making 41 passes and contested 13 duels.
STRIKERS
Brett Holman (Brisbane Roar)
Talk about a super sub! The veteran scored Brisbane’s equaliser, contested five duels, made 15 passes (including three into the final third) all within his 25 minutes on the pitch against Melbourne Victory.
Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
Back with a bang and a goal for the Hyundai A-League’s all-time leading goal scorer. As well as opening the scoring against the Roar, the striker created one scoring chance, won two fouls and contested nine duels.
