Catch up with the latest Official A-Leagues Fantasy talking points from the weekend, brought to you by Liberty.
Another weekend of Official A-Leagues Fantasy action is in the books, and several high-scorers caught the eye, creating the big talking points at the end of Round 16 in both the Liberty A-League and Isuzu UTE A-League.
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Mariners star challenging Joe Lolley for title of fantasy king
Central Coast Mariners star Ángel Torres is closing in on Joe Lolley at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League Fantasy as he scores at a rate of knots.
Lolley and Torres went head-to-head on Saturday night in Sydney’s away win over the Mariners – and despite the 3-1 scoreline, Torres managed to put his name on the scoresheet as his superb individual form streak rolled on.
Torres has scored five goals and notched one assist in his last five games and as a fantasy player, his numbers are truly ridiculous. Torres has a 25-point three-round average and after scoring 18 points to Lolley’s four in Round 16, now sits just four points behind the Sydney winger at the top of the league’s fantasy scoring table.
The Colombian is in just 9.8% of teams which, considering his recent form, is mind-boggling.
Torres and the Mariners are back in action this weekend against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford, where the winger will try to keep his scoring form alive and take the lead as the A-League Men’s fantasy king.
‘That might be the best individual performance of any player this season’
A clean sheet and nine saves – including one from the penalty spot. Macarthur FC goalkeeper Filip Kurto was a player possessed in his side’s 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday, collecting the fantasy points to prove it.
The Bulls gloveman scored 26 fantasy points in Round 16, the equal-best of any player in the league (with Brisbane Roar midfielder Jay O’Shea) after a match-winning outing at AAMI Park described by commentator Teo Pellizzeri as maybe “the best individual performance of any player this season.”
Kurto and O’Shea led the Isuzu UTE A-League Fantasy Team of the Week in a lineup featuring plenty of Brisbane Roar firepower after a 5-1 win over Melbourne City.
Kai Trewin, Keegan Jelacic and Thomas Waddingham all joined Roar teammate O’Shea in the strongest fantasy XI from Round 16.
Isuzu UTE A-League Fantasy Team of the Week
GKP: Filip Kurto (26)
DEF: Rhyan Grant (20), Kai Trewin (18)
MID: Jay O’Shea (26), Keegan Jelacic (25), Anthony Caceres (24), Nicholas Pennington (20), Jake Hollman (20)
FWD: Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (24), Lachlan Brook (23), Thomas Waddingham (23)
43yo with 4% ownership becomes a strong option after masterclass
As Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto was busy putting on a goalkeeping masterclass in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday, Melissa Barbieri was doing the exact same thing for Melbourne City in the Liberty A-League.
Barbieri produced eight saves of her own in a clean sheet display against Sydney FC; the 0-0 draw featured a penalty to Sydney star Princess Ibini who was denied from the spot by Barbieri who finished the afternoon as the undisputed player of the match.
As a result, Barbieri collected 26 fantasy points as the league’s top scorer for Round 16.
Barbieri was joined in the Team of the Week by Matildas duo Michelle Heyman (25 points) and Chloe Logarzo (24 points), who both scored two goals apiece in starring roles for their respective sides in Round 16.
Liberty A-League Fantasy Team of the Week
GKP: Melissa Barbieri (26)
DEF: Vicky Bruce (23), Tyla-Jay Vlajnic (21), Jamilla Rankin (18), Peta Trimis (17)
MID: Chloe Logarzo (24), Adriana Taranto (18), Nickoletta Flannery (16), Libby Copus-Brown (15)
FWD: Michelle Heyman (25), Sharn Freier (23)
Newcastle Jets midfielder Libby Copus-Brown made her way into the Team of the Week off the back of another goalscoring performance; Copus-Brown has scored two outrageous goals in as many games to become a dependable fantasy option heading into the latter stages of the regular season.
