Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse – Matchweek 4

A bumper Matchweek 4 drew to a close with an abundance of A-League stars in contention for the Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse.

Western Sydney Wanderers were the week’s big winners, collecting four points following a 1-1  draw with rivals Sydney FC and a 1-0 win to end the Central Coast Mariners’ perfect start, while Melbourne City claimed local bragging rights with a 2-1 triumph against Western United in another in-state feud on Saturday.

Macarthur FC made it back-to-back wins on the road, beating the rock bottom Newcastle Jets 2-1 in the Hunter, while Perth Glory wrapped up the round in dominant fashion in a thrilling 5-3 win against Adelaide United. But the question is which A-League aces make the up the all-star line-up? 

REPORT: D’Agostino nets double as Glory crush Adelaide in long-awaited opener
REACTION: Five-star Glory came out ‘all guns blazing’ says Keogh

Goakeeper

Daniel Margush – Western Sydney Wanderers 

Outstanding in Western Sydney’s 2-1 triumph over Newcastle Jets in Matchweek 3, Margush was required to keep the Red and Black alive early on in their 1-1 derby stalemate following a Sydney onslaught.

The ex-Adelaide man pulled off strong early saves to deny Kosta Barbarouses and Trent Buhagiar and impressed throughout. He might only had a handful of A-League appearances (10) under his belt but appears to generate calm in the Wanderers defence.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223390747001

Defenders

Tate Russell – Western Sydney Wanderers 

Russell is enjoying a great start to the season and looks nailed-on as coach Carl Robinson’s pick at right wing-back. He continued to repay the bosses faith by putting in a spirited and determined display in the Wanderers derby draw.

He created four chances on the night and will be credited with the assist for James Troisi’s equaliser after his pressure on Sydney ‘keeper Andrew Redmayne forced an uncharacteristic error from the Socceroo.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223393267001

Alex Wilkinson – Sydney FC

Wilkinson did not secure a historic 150th A-League win on Saturday but it was nevertheless a typically grounded and expert display from the Sky Blue skipper.

The veteran centre back’s timely intervention to stop Simon Cox stealing in at the near post early in the second half was the highlight of several fantastic pieces of defending.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223389661001

Curtis Good – Melbourne City 

Good is continuing to lead by example at the heart of Melbourne City’s defence and helped Patrick Kisnorbo’s side snuff out the considerable threat of Besart Berisha and Alessandro Diamanti in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Western United.

There were nervy moments for City but Good’s commanding organisation and swift, accurate passing from the back enabled the hosts to continue a match-winning spell of momentum in the second half that saw Jamie Maclaren net a late winner.

Curtis Good

Macaulay Gillesphey – Brisbane Roar

The Englishman stood tall and defended bravely to help Brisbane Roar withstand Newcastle’s aerial assault in their 2-1 win in the Hunter on Wednesday.

Gillesphey’s defence was breached by Valentino Yuel’s bullet header, but he was outstanding otherwise, making a game-high nine clearances and winning three tackles.

Macauley Gillesphey

Thomas Aquilina – Western Sydney Wanderers

Wanderers coach Robinson waxed lyrical about Red and Black starlet Aquilina after the Sydney Derby, following another impressive outing from the teenager.

Aquilina, who turns 20 next month, showed excellent energy on the night and looked comfortable in defending and attacking situations. He could’ve grabbed a late winner with a flying header and will likely keep the more experienced Daniel Georgievski waiting for a chance to displace the talented youngster.

READ: Wanderers boss Robinson lauds ‘exceptional’ academy gem

Aquilina

Midfielders 

Victor Sanchez – Western United 

Western United boss Mark Rudan says that Spaniard Victor Sanchez still needs more time to reach the peak of his powers and that is a very promising notion indeed for the Green and Black.

The 33-year-old veteran picked up an assist for Ivan Vujica’s opener and controlled the game impressively for the visitors in Saturday’s derby, before City swung the game late on.

READ: Rudan blames himself for Western United’s derby collapse

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223398251001

Neil Kilkenny – Perth Glory

Glory’s stand-in captain got the ball rolling on their season, scoring from the penalty spot in the 10th minute against the Reds, but the goal was the tip of the iceberg on his all-action masterclass.

A coach in the middle of the field, Kilkenny directed traffic and controlled the tempo as Perth opened up a 5-1 lead, while his pin-point delivery created a simple headed goal for Nick D’Agostino. The 35-year-old created five chances and led his team in interceptions, with four.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6224408007001

Loic Puyo – Macarthur FC

Puyo had his name up in lights with a wonderful acrobatic finish which gave the Bulls an early lead in their victory against the Newcastle Jets. 

He also provided the assist for Matt Derbyshire’s header, one of the five chances created by the Frenchman on the day.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223517773001

Forwards 

Jamie Maclaren – Melbourne City 

Maclaren snatched at an early chance and forced a wonderful stop from Filip Kurto late on but remained in the hunt to sniff out what could be a crucial match-winning goal.

It was his 80th in the competition, and his all-round game for Kisnorbo’s men was excellent.

READ: Maclaren’s late winner earns City bragging rights over Western United

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6223400727001

Andy Keogh – Perth Glory

The returning Keogh may not have got on the scoresheet in Glory’s stunning 5-3 win over Adelaide but the 34-year-old dominated as the focal point in Perth’s attack on his A-League comeback.

A constant threat to the Reds, Keogh pulled the Adelaide backline all over the HBF Park field and claimed a pair of assists, including an unselfish pass for strike partner Bruno Fornaroli. The Irishman won seven duels and came a fraction away from a scoring return when his header whistled over.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6224408734001

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