Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse – Matchweek 13

Seven Matchweek 13 fixtures produced big wins for some, disappointing defeats for others and entertaining draws as a trio of title contenders closed in on Central Coast Mariners at the top of the A-League table.

Western Sydney Wanderers, Adelaide United and Melbourne City all moved a step closer to the Mariners with respective wins in Matchweek 13. The Red and Black defeated Perth Glory 3-0 on Friday night, Adelaide crushed Newcastle Jets 4-1 on Saturday before the Mariners succumbed to City 2-0 at AAMI Park in the blockbuster clash of the Matchweek.

Wellington Phoenix drew 1-1 with Brisbane Roar before defeating Melbourne Victory 4-1 on Tuesday night, while Macarthur FC secured a 2-1 comeback win over Western United.

In the final game of Matchweek 13, Perth hosted the Sky Blues in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Liam Reddy stole the show with a magnificent goalkeeping display which ensured the hosts took a share of the spoils.

Read on to see who made it into a 4-4-2 formation in our Team of the Week for Matchweek 13, presented by Bunnings Warehouse.

MW13 REPORT: Victory’s woes compounded by 4-1 Phoenix domination

Goalkeeper

Liam Reddy – Perth Glory

Perth Glory’s custodian was at his best on Wednesday night, making eight saves and 10 recoveries to keep an insistent Sydney FC strike-force from walking in a number of gilt-edged opportunities.

Reddy made five first-half saves to help Perth repel danger and score the opener against the flow of momentum to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Bobô was Reddy’s main nemesis on the night and Reddy kept him off the scoresheet for as long as he could before the Brazilian finally broke his guard just after the hour mark.

It was the only goal Reddy conceded in the 1-1 draw, which could have ended as a Sky Blue rout if not for his intervention.

MW13 REPORT: Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 Perth Glory
MW13 REPORT: Newcastle Jets 1-4 Adelaide United

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6243348582001

Defenders

Nathaniel Atkinson – Melbourne City

A goal for Atkinson in City’s 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners rewarded the full-back for his outstanding form of late. 

City sealed their fifth-straight win in style by beating the league-leaders at AAMI Park on Monday, March 22. Atkinson had 96 touches down the right flank, played 74 passes at an accuracy of 91.9%, created one chance, made four clearances and one interception to go with a well-taken goal.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6242592471001

Curtis Good – Melbourne City

Curtis Good’s exceptional individual form at the heart of City’s defence rolled on in Matchweek 13. Good took a game-high 106 touches, and played 98 passes at 91.9% accuracy.

The centre-back won five of his six duels, cleared four times and intercepted twice as he led City’s defensive line to a clean sheet against the table-topping Mariners.

Alou Kuol gives chase to Curtis Good at AAMI Park

Mark Natta – Western Sydney Wanderers

Western Sydney Wanderers impressed in a 3-0 win over Perth Glory on Friday night, and young defender Mark Natta was a key contributor to securing a clean sheet against a lethal Glory attack.

The 18-year old showed experience beyond his years playing alongside Dylan McGowan and Ziggy Gordon, taking 64 touches and laying 51 pass at 92.2% accuracy, winning three of seven duels to go with four clearances and an interception.

MW13 REPORT: Macarthur FC 2-1 Western United
MW13 REPORT: Wellington Phoenix 1-1 Brisbane Roar

Natta battles Glory's Andy Keogh for the ball at Bankwest Stadium

James McGarry – Wellington Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix backed up a 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar early in Matchweek 13 with a comprehensive 4-1 demolition of Melbourne Victory on Tuesday night, and McGarry produced a standout performance down the left flank in his side’s impressive display.

McGarry was up against Callum McManaman for the majority of the contest, and the pair produced an enthralling first-half battle with a number of committed challenges coming in from both players. But in the second half McGarry took the bragging rights, showing greater energy to lash one shot on goal which was pushed off the post, and assist Ulises Dávila for Wellington’s third goal of the night.

 McGarry played four crosses, created two chances including the assist, won five of his seven tackles, made four clearances and three interceptions in a tireless display. 

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6243325190001

Midfielders

Ben Halloran – Adelaide United

Halloran was at his dangerous best as Adelaide United destroyed Newcastle Jets in a four-goal display in the opening 45 minutes of an impressive Reds performance at McDonald Jones Stadium in Matchweek 13.

The wide man created four chances, laid in four crosses and passed 45 times at an accuracy of 86.7%, winning nine of 14 duels to go along with a well-taken goal to put his side THREE goals ahead.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6242361380001

Clayton Lewis – Wellington Phoenix

Lewis scored his first A-League goal in a 4-1 Phoenix win over Victory on Tuesday night, capping off a classy display by the midfielder. Lewis played a handful of errant passes in the first half but tidied up his efficiency as the game progressed, passing 68 times from 82 touches at 86.8% accuracy.

Lewis laid in nine crosses and created a game-high of five chances to go with his maiden A-League goal.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6243328372001

Keanu Baccus – Western Sydney Wanderers

Baccus bossed the Red and Black engine room against Perth, barely putting a foot wrong in a clean and clever performance.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a 97.9% accuracy from 47 passes against Glory. He made four interceptions, one clearance and created two chances, including an assist for Mitch Duke’s second goal with a lofted pass from deep in midfield which sent his teammate bursting in on goal to score.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6241881325001

Craig Goodwin – Adelaide United

Adelaide United romped to a 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets on the road on Sunday afternoon, and Craig Goodwin was the mastermind of his side’s first-half annihilation. 

Goodwin played 52 passed at 84.6% accuracy, laid nine crosses into the box and created five chances, including the assist for Stefan Mauk’s goal to put the Reds two goals up.

Goodwin scored his side’s fourth from the spot, after playing Javi López in to assist Ben Halloran as Adelaide took a 4-0 lead to half time.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6242360977001

Forwards

Tomer Hemed – Wellington Phoenix

Two goals in two games throughout Matchweek 13 ensured Tomer Hemed continued his incremental rise in form as Wellington picked up four points from two games to move into eighth on the A-League table.

Hemed struck cleanly to put his side ahead of Brisbane Roar on Sunday before finishing a brilliant Phoenix team move against Victory on Tuesday. The Israeli striker is beginning to find his feet in the league, with three goals in his last three games. 

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6243315101001

Mitch Duke – Western Sydney Wanders

The Duke of Western Sydney was at his very best in his side’s 3-0 win over Perth Glory in Matchweek 13. 

Duke scored two goals on either side of half time in very different ways to put the Wanderers on the road to victory. 

His first goal came from a towering header at the back post, before Duke secured his brace with a bursting run and clinical finish.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6241871693001