Catch up on the Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week, powered by Opta.
The Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season continued with plenty of entertainment and drama over the weekend.
Round 17 saw plenty of standout performances but it was Adelaide United keeper Joshua Smits who top scored following an excellent performance against Sydney FC.
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*Editor’s Note: The Team of the Week features matches played from Monday to Sunday – some teams may play more than once.
Team of the Week
Joining Smits in the side is Adelaide United defender Ryan Kitto, who features in the backline alongside Wellington Phoenix centre back Bill Tuiloma and Newcastle Jets duo Joe Shaughnessy and Daniel Wilmering.
In midfield it’s a mix of Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney players as Max Burgess features after helping the Jets beat Perth Glory whilst Wanderers duo Ryan Fraser and Dylan Scicluna make up the trio.
Meanwhile in attack Luka Jovanovic is the third Adelaide United player to feature after scoring the winner against Sydney FC whilst Wellington Phoenix’s Ifeanyi Eze and Melbourne Victory’s Charles Nduka earn their spots in the side.
Opta Points is a system where points are given to players for certain on-field actions. Players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points. (View the full breakdown of Opta Points below).
Explained: Opta’s Team of the Week using Opta Points
The scoring system distinguishes only between field players and goalkeepers, assigning the same number of points to all field players for corresponding actions. A distinctive feature of this system is its exclusive focus on in-game actions, refraining from awarding points for post-game performances, such as securing a victory or allocating bonus points for maintaining a clean sheet.
Positive actions (goals, passes, tackles, etc…) will add to a player’s score and, conversely, negative actions (cards, own goals, goals conceded) will reduce a player’s points total. Theoretically, a player’s points value is unlimited, and players can conclude a game with negative points. However, players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points.
Goals, Shots on target, shots off target, blocked shots, own goal, assists, passes, crosses, tackles, interceptions, fouls won, fouls conceded, offsides, yellow cards, red cards, goals conceded, penalty won, saves, penalty saved are included in Opta Points.
