A third of the season gone and some top-drawer performers have emerged. Here’s John Greco’s best after nine round of Hyundai A-League Season 10 shoe-horned into an eye-catching 4-1-3-2 formation.
Vedran Janjetovic (Sydney FC)
Enjoying his best season in the Hyundai A-League. Has already amassed a pretty impressive highlights reel this campaign, pulling off a string of fine saves which has ensured the Sky Blues are among the early pace-setters in 2014/15.
Josh Risdon (Perth Glory)
A tireless worker down the right flank for Perth, Risdon has taken his game to a new level under coach Kenny Lowe. Has not only improved the defensive side of his game but has become smarter with his decision-making to get forward while the quality of his service into the box is also more clinical. This week, Risdon was picked in the Socceroos’ 46-man provisional squad for the Asian Cup.
Nigel Boogaard (Adelaide United)
Besides a forgettable night against Melbourne Victory a couple of weeks ago, Boogaard has been a pillar of strength for the Reds. Has improved his distribution markedly and is a huge reason why Adelaide possesses the joint stingiest defence in the competition.
Nikola Petkovic (Sydney FC)
Sydney FC also have conceded the fewest goals this season with Petkovic a star for Graham Arnold’s side. Not only a monster defensively but his range of both short and long passing adds another element to his game. Can strike a mean dead-ball also.
Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
The Macedonian international has settled quickly into the Hyundai A-League and has fitted into Victory’s intense, attacking style with aplomb. Has rarely been out-played in a one-on-one situations (apart from a rampant Mabil against the Reds at AAMI) while his stunning strike against Central Coast demonstrates his eye for goal.
Milos Dimitrijevic (Sydney FC)
Has benefitted from a full pre-season under Graham Arnold to become a key cog alongside Terry Antonis in Sydney’s midfield. Calm on the ball, able to play a killer pass and a hard worker, the Serbian is a real fan-favourite and would fit in well in this team.
Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
Been City’s most consistent player during a tough opening nine rounds. Has it all as a midfielder player and has benefitted from a consistent run of games in City’s midfield, which earned the 24-year-old a call up to the Socceroo squad last month.
Nathan Burns (Wellington Phoenix)
The attacker has lit up the Hyundai A-League over the opening nine rounds, not only leading the league scorers charts with eight goals but has weighed in with a couple of assists as well.
Marcelo Carrusca (Adelaide United)
The Argentine playmaker has arguably been the competition’s standout player over the first couple of months of the campaign. Has All-Stars experience as well, scoring the opening goal in July’s clash against Italian champions Juventus.
Andy Keogh (Perth Glory)
Keogh has filled the boots of prolific Shane Smeltz at Glory superbly, scoring six goals in nine appearances in the league as the club have surged to the top of the ladder. Not only able to hold the ball up as well as get in behind defences, Keogh is a clinical finisher and only needs one chance to pounce.
Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
You can’t have a best-of squad without the “Bes”, who’s given Victory a new dimension this season since joining from Brisbane Roar FC. He’s scored six times in their unbeaten start to the campaign, adding a new-found killer instinct to Kevin Muscat’s outfit.Berisha and Keogh working their magic together up front? How good would that be?
Bench:
Danny Vukovic (Perth Glory)
Storm Roux (Central Coast Mariners)
Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
Nebojsa Marinkovic (Perth Glory)
David Carney (Newcastle Jets)
Sergio Cirio (Adelaide United)
Tomi Juric (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)
You can still pick your star XI with the official Hyundai A-League Fantasy game. Click here to sign up!
With weekly prizes and new leagues starting every week it’s never too late to start playing!
