The Hyundai A-League regular season came to a close in staggering circumstances as 21 goals were scored across five games.
Perth Glory, Adelaide United and Melbourne City will all take a great deal of momentum into the Finals Series after hitting five each in big victories.
There were star performances aplenty across Round 27 and we’ve picked out the best to compile the latest Team of the Week!
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Goalkeeper
Matthew Acton (Melbourne Victory)
Lawrence Thomas starred in last year’s Grand Final but the gloveman looks likely to watch from the bench as Melbourne Victory defend their crown in this season’s Finals Series.
That’s due to the form of Matthew Acton, who rewarded Kevin Muscat’s faith with an excellent display in the 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
The long-time understudy made three smart stops and repeatedly picked the right time to advance off his line.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030584394001
Defenders
Scott Galloway (Adelaide United)
He may have been part of a defence guilty of conceding three goals but you just can’t look past the devastating impact Scott Galloway had in Adelaide United’s 5-3 win over Brisbane Roar.
The familiar sight of Galloway galloping down the right flank produced two assists in the ANZAC Day clash, first for Craig Goodwin’s masterful equaliser, and second after an inch-perfect delivery for Baba Diawara’s first goal in more than 12 months.
No player created more chances (three) at Suncorp Stadium.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6029718829001
Nigel Boogaard (Newcastle Jets)
It was telling that Sydney FC won the battle of possession at McDonald Jones Stadium while creating precious few scoring opportunities in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle Jets.
The Sky Blues simply couldn’t find a way through a defence that was expertly marshalled by Nigel Boogaard.
A stat sheet containing five clearances, two blocks and two interceptions goes some way to capturing the extent of the Newcastle captain’s excellence.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Newcastle Jets)
It simply has to be a Jets double in the heart of defence.
Like partner Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley was imperious in Saturday night’s home success, with four clearances and a game-high three tackles among his contributions.
The 34-year-old also assisted the opening goal – albeit inadvertently – when the ball bounced off him in the box and broke perfectly for Ben Kantarovski.
Jason Davidson (Perth Glory)
David Williams must be pleading with Mark Rudan to never again be deployed as a wing-back after his chastening experience on Sunday.
Asked to patrol the flank in Wellington Phoenix’s 5-0 loss to Perth Glory, the natural attacker was run ragged by a dominant Jason Davidson.
Glory’s marauding left-sided defender played more like a winger as he gave his opposite number a torrid time, providing five crosses, a game-high nine key passes and an assist for one of Andy Keogh’s two goals.
Midfielders
Diego Castro (Perth Glory)
Perth are near unstoppable when they’re in the mood, as Wellington found out at HBF Park.
And with Diego Castro in the side, the high standards demanded by Tony Popovic are almost always met.
The veteran Spaniard was simply mesmerising once more on Sunday, laying on seven key passes, registering an assist and grabbing a superb goal for himself with one of nine shots.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030769470001
Terry Antonis (Melbourne Victory)
Victory might not have needed to fully flex their muscles in Round 27, but Terry Antonis showed enough to suggest will he again be a major factor in the Finals Series.
The midfielder shone as he used the ball intelligently and combining well with the similarly influential Keisuke Honda.
Riley McGree (Melbourne City)
Melbourne City hit their groove in Friday’s rout of the Mariners, and Riley McGree was electric in their five-star performance.
The 20-year-old followed up Round 26’s double against Wellington Phoenix with a fine close-range first half volley.
McGree’s trusty left foot tortured an outclassed Central Coast side all evening.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030207177001
Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United)
When Adelaide need a piece of magic, Craig Goodwin is always the willing provider and the winger continued his remarkable campaign with a goal and assist in the Reds’ 5-3 triumph over the Roar.
Goodwin set up George Blackwood for a tap in and when the Roar equalised again through Eric Bautheac’s impudent penalty, the ex-Caltex Socceroo thundered in an unstoppable effort with his weaker right foot to swing momentum the visitors’ way.
He’s now accounted for 19 of Adelaide’s 37 goals.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6029718812001
Forwards
Andy Keogh (Perth Glory)
Now in his fifth season with Glory, Andy Keogh broke the club’s record for most goals in a single season when he nodded in the opener
Barely seven minutes later the Irishman had a second, and 15th of an outstanding season.
While he might have had a hat-trick by the end, Keogh’s first-half double set the platform for Perth’s ominous show of strength.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030763723001
Shayon Harrison (Melbourne City)
If this was Shayon Harrison’s last home appearance in a Melbourne City shirt the Englishman certainly gave fans something to remember him by.
The Tottenham Hotspur product was a cut above a sorry Central Coast outfit, highlighted when he broke the deadlock after waltzing through five Mariners defenders before slotting away the opener.
He clinched a double early in the second and was involved every piece of an exciting, free-flowing display from Warren Joyce’s side.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030208931001
Coach of the Round
Warren Joyce (Melbourne City)
It’s taken some time, but Melbourne City might just have found the right mix right on the eve of the Finals Series.
They produced a professional, lively performance to take care of Central Coast and climb up to fifth, which looked a remote possibility at the start of the round.
Joyce let his established stars run riot on home soil and then gave good minutes to youngsters Connor Metcalfe, Idrus Abdulahi and goal-scorer Ramy Najjarine.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6030273211001
