In a team that has performed with so much quality and consistency all season, it’s hard to go past Neil Kilkenny the leader of Perth Glory’s outstanding 2018/19 campaign so far.
The 33-year-old midfielder was at his devastating best against on Sunday night in Glory’s methodical 3-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners.
Glory, beaten 2-0 by Melbourne Victory a week earlier, headed to Gosford looking to bounce back immediately to keep their Premiership charge on the right track.
In Kilkenny, they had a player who ensured there would be no complacency against a Mariners side with little more than pride to play for.
The former Leeds United playmaker set the tempo from the outset, controlling the match with his accuracy and speed of passing to get his team into excellent positions on the field.
Kilkenny thrives on being the conductor for Glory.
It’s why against the Mariners he had the most touches (89) and most passes (77) of any player on the pitch, most of them of the highest quality.
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And as he has done on numerous occasions this season, Kilkenny also had the end product.
It was his pinpoint delivery from a corner just shy of the half-hour mark that allowed Dino Djulbic to head in his first goal in more than four years.
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Kilkenny then got his name on the scoresheet, calmly converting from the penalty spot after Diego Castro was felled in the box by Jacob Melling.
That was his fifth penalty scored this season – more than any other player – and Kilkenny has yet to miss one from the spot.
He also has six assists for the campaign as well, underlining just what influence he’s had on Tony Popovic’s men.
If Glory is the achieve the ultimate this season and win the double (they are just one win away from securing the Premiership), Kilkenny will surely play a pivotal role.
