Who stood head and shoulders above the rest for your Hyundai A-League team during Round 23?
We have crunched the numbers from another superb weekend of football to identify the strongest performing player from your club.
Thanks to Opta, here is every club’s best player from Round 23.
READ: How to watch Hyundai A-League Round 24
WATCH: Every goal from Round 23
INSIGHT: The unsung hero behind Wellington’s rise
VIDEO: Greatest save of Round 23
Adelaide United – Isaias
Adelaide United were holding out for a hero against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, and they found one in the form of their Spanish midfield maestro.
It was another stodgy offering from Marco Kurz’s men in Gosford, but a lovely volleyed strike from Isaias was enough to land the Reds their first win since their 4-3 comeback triumph over Brisbane Roar at the beginning of February.
Isaias made 67 successful passes, and created a scoring chance in addition to his first-half match-winner.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020872586001
Brisbane Roar – Eric Bautheac
For a short while, it seemed Eric Bautheac had inspired another late Brisbane Roar fightback against Sydney FC.
However, despite a nice consolation strike from the Frenchman to level proceedings at 1-1, the Siem de Jong-inspired Sky Blues would ultimately prevail 3-1.
Bautheac did everything he could in order to make a comeback possible though, as evidenced by the round-high 26 duels he contested and the three shots he unleashed at goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6019884777001
Central Coast Mariners – Matthew Millar
It is some measure of Matthew Millar’s talent that he has shone so impressively in what has been a decidedly dim campaign for Central Coast Mariners.
The former South Melbourne man of NPL Victoria fame has tallied the equal-highest assists in the competition this season and might have had more to his name after offering up three chances for Alen Stajcic’s side in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide.
In addition, the flying fullback won nine out of 14 duels and made five clearances. Another exemplary day at the office, despite the scoreline, for the Newcastle Jets-bound prospect.
Melbourne City – Ritchie de Laet
It is no exaggeration to suggest Ritchie de Laet has been the genesis of Melbourne City’s best moments this season.
Once again, the former Premier League-winning fullback was his side’s strongest in what was a dismal 3-0 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday evening.
In that loss, de Laet had a team-high four crosses from open play, won eight of 12 duels contested and launched two efforts at goal – with one coming off the foot of the post.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020694145001
Melbourne Victory – Ola Toivonen
What a night Saturday was for Ola Toivonen.
Melbourne Victory’s striker scored the Hyundai A-League’s 5000th goal with a beautifully struck free kick, putting Kevin Muscat’s side en route to a huge 2-0 win over Perth Glory.
Only midfielder James Troisi (20) contested more duels than Toivonen (15) for Victory. Not only was he his usual selfless presence at the forefront of the attack, but the Sweden international also played a huge part in assisting his defence when required too – highlighted by the five clearances he made on the night.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020706243001
Newcastle Jets – Roy O’Donovan
It was a miserable evening for Newcastle Jets, but Roy O’Donovan emerged from the team’s 4-1 defeat to Wellington Phoenix on Saturday with his head held high.
As well as scoring Jets’ consolation goal, five of O’Donovan’s 23 touches (22%) were in the opposition penalty box – the second highest percentage of any player who achieved a minimum of 10 touches.
Perth Glory – Shane Lowry
His Perth Glory side may have been eclipsed by Melbourne Victory in Saturday’s top of the table clash, but Shane Lowry was still rock solid despite the 2-0 defeat, with the goals arriving via an unstoppable Ola Toivonen free kick and a nerveless Keisuke Honda penalty.
A formidable presence for Tony Popovic’s Premiership-chasing side, Lowry won five of his seven duels, made 62 passes and even mustered two scoring opportunities for the men in purple.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020720023001
Sydney FC – Brandon O’Neill
The diminutive Sydney FC midfielder ran the show for the Sky Blues in Friday’s 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar.
O’Neill created five scoring chances, the second most of any player on the pitch, and unleashed four shots in total.
Wellington Phoenix – David Williams
It could not be any other Phoenix player, could it?
Deputising as Wellington’s central striker in the absence of Golden Boot leader Roy Krishna, David Williams had his name up in lights, with his hat-trick guiding Mark Rudan’s side to a comprehensive 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets on Saturday.
It was Williams’ first Hyundai A-League hat-trick since he scored three against the Phoenix, for Melbourne Heart, back in February 2014.
In doing so, he became just the sixth player in the competition’s history to score a hat-trick for more than one club.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020676020001
Western Sydney Wanderers – Oriol Riera
What a turnaround it has been for Oriol Riera.
The Wanderers striker has been a maligned figure for much of the season, but has now well and truly found his groove in front of goal.
That was illustrated by the Spaniard’s smoothly finished double in the 3-0 win over Melbourne City on Saturday night, in which Riera also created two chances and won a team-high 10 duels.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6020694908001
