An intriguing penultimate round threw up more questions than it answered in terms of the final standings – here are the players who were amongst the magic.
An intriguing penultimate round threw up more questions than it answered in terms of the final standings – here are the players who were amongst the magic.
Player of the round:
Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC)
In the slop his 39-year-old legs glided around Allianz. Won pens (albeit controversial ones), scored pens and banged in an ADP set piece special. Majestic. Inspiring. Utterly brilliant.
Team of the week
Formation: 4-2-1-3
Goalkeeper: Vedran Janjetovic (Sydney FC)
In the mud he managed Allianz-s tricky conditions well.
Left defence: David Carney (Newcastle Jets)
Carney of old: a threat going forward with that sweet left peg and solid at the back. Looks fit again. Finally.
Central defence: Matt Smith (Brisbane Roar)
Solid as a rock against the tide of Wanderers attacks.
Central defence: Nigel Boogaard (Adelaide United)
Like Smith, consistently good without being flashy.
Right defence: Josh Brillante (Newcastle Jets)
Barnstorming display from the one-time bushy bearded gent. World Cup bolter?
Central mid: Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
Ignited Victory-s revival and bagged a brace. Can-t ask for more than that from your central mid, can you?
Central mid: Stefan Mauk (Melbourne Heart)
Instrumental in both goals and could-ve had one himself. Creative yet defensively sound. What a find he-s been. One for the future.
Winger: Awer Mabil (Adelaide United)
What an impact. Helped the Reds turnaround the game as a second half sub and set up the equaliser for a 10-man Reds in the final frantic minutes. Even got carried around by the celebrating Gombau!
Playmaker: Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC)
In the slop he glided around Allianz like the superstar he is. Won pens, scored them and banged in an ADP set piece special.
Winger: Sidnei (Perth Glory)
Lively for the Glory boys and put away his header with aplomb.
Central striker: Joel Griffiths (Newcastle Jets)
Was a threat all day and worked hard for the Jets in cahoots with Taggart and Heskey.
