The Scout casts his eye over the weekend’s best players and sings a special song for Danny McBreen.
The Scout casts his eye over the weekend’s best players and sings a special song for Danny McBreen.
GK: Mat Ryan
– Sometimes it-s not about the saves you make but how well you position yourself and your troops and just because Ryan isn-t forced to do the heroic doesn-t mean he hasn-t had a great game. Quick off his line as always he snuffed out chances before they happened and his positioning was as close to perfect as anyone could hope for. Aye, twas a great game before he jets off to Scotland.
LB: Adama Traore – An assured display from the Victory fullback, helping to slowly drain the life from what was a promising Wellington side. Huysegems, Brockie, Totori – it didn-t matter who Traore faced, they were all in his pocket.
CB: Zac Anderson – Again Anderson showed why he is a real player of the future. Sure he made a couple of loose passes throughout the match, but he more than made up for it with his physical strength, aerial ability and composure under pressure. It might just be hard for Patrick Zwaanswijk to get his old job back.
CB: Trent Sainsbury – The season-s just halfway over but if this guy doesn-t get the Mariners most improved award and doesn-t poll highly in the best and fairest then it might be time to start a riot. Holger Osieck was watching the Mariners at the weekend too. Lucas, Sasa – some young talent is rising in Gosford.
RB: Pedj Bojic – Who gets excited when Pedj darts out of defence? If you didn-t answer yes we-re not too sure you can call yourself a football fan! Bojic was up to all his tricks against the Wanderers and dominated the game in a Man of the Match performance. He is having a huge season for Graham Arnold-s side.
DM: Mark Milligan – The sometime Socceroo was a dominant force in the midfield for Victory, just what Ange Postecoglou needed after losing Gui Finkler for the season. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet a couple of times as he moved into a more advanced position, Victory always look better when Milligan-s on song.
MF: Steven McGarry – The Scotsman is a bit of an unsung hero for Perth and certainly not very fashionable – but he-s having a fine season in the middle of the park for Glory, full of clever running and energy, and creating space for his teammates and bringing them into play. It-s time to give him his dues.
MF: Jason Culina – The returning Socceroo is slowly starting to show that he could yet rediscover his best. His cracking diving header against Perth obviously meant a great deal, and it was just rewards for a tireless display, mostly as a makeshift striker. It-s a pleasure to see him back like this again.
MF: Richard Garcia – There might not be a more underrated buy in the competition this season than the Heart veteran. Garcia may have always been one of those guys that has flown under the radar and arguably should have had more Socceroos caps. He was quality all game and provided a level head when many about him were losing theirs. His assist for David Williams-s goal was of the highest calibre.
F: Shane Smeltz – What a return to form for the Kiwi hitman. He was actually on the periphery for most of the game but he had two chances and took them, clinically. If Ian Ferguson can get Smeltz scoring regularly again, expect to see Perth get back up the ladder fast – unless they continue to defend as they did against Sydney FC, that is.
F: Daniel McBreen – Oh Danny boy the goals, the goals are calling, from end to end and across Australia wide; Mariners fans they love you so. He had a different job this week and played deeper to work a combination with a returning Adam Kwasnik but still McBreen managed to score a brace and he created other chances too in a hard-working and utterly professional display. On a sidenote, The Scout hopes Mariners fans adopt that song!