Team of the Week | Round 16

It’s Team of the Week time and what an eclectic bunch we have this week, with a special mention to the master of the unshaven masses, Josh Brillante.

It’s Team of the Week time and what an eclectic bunch we have this week, led by the master of the unshaven masses, Josh Brillante.

GK: Mat Ryan – Is he going? Is he staying? Who knows. Mat Ryan-s mooted transfer to Europe has been on and off more times than the lights on a highway patrol car, but what we do know is that he delivered again for the Mariners making some crucial stops as they survived a trip to Tassie by the skin of their teeth.

LB: Adama Traore – Again the Ivorian proved he-s probably the best left-back in the competition. Smart, sharp and full of pace, he-s understandably flourishing under Ange Postecoglou and made a key contribution to Victory-s goal.

CB: Patrick Zwaanswijk – The big Dutchman is back and his class was undeniable, with countless vital interceptions for the Mariners. Graham Arnold is a lucky man to have so many high quality centre-backs at his disposal.

CB: Nikolai Topor-Stanley – In a match that was honestly devoid of many exciting moments a gamebreaker was necessary, enter the big defender.
So often an attacking threat in the air, the one-time Socceroo so often delivers nothing, but his low-diving header to beat Mark Paston gave the Wanderers the spark they needed, while his defensive display was once again extremely professional.

RB: Rhyan Grant – Again Grant was the saviour for Sydney FC, this time in an attacking role, while he was partially culpable for Richard Garcia-s opener, he did score the winner and it is hard not to be impressed with how well he has played on a weekly basis for a team who have been poor for much of the season.

DM: Mark Milligan – The Socceroo is proving to be an immense presence in the middle of the park for Victory, marshalling Melbourne-s sometimes dodgy defence and, in the absence of Gui Finkler, driving forward more often. Should have scored again this week – it-s just his finishing that lets him down.

LM: Iain Ramsay – Off contract for next season Ramsay showed John Kosmina and anyone else who might be watching just how effective he can be. When he’s on song ‘Rambo’ takes down anyone and sneaks past defenders like a green beret he can also hit a mean strike, which Perth found out first hand. His effort from outside the area rocketing into the top corner.

ACM: Dario Vidosic – He outpointed another one-time Socceroo in Jacob Burns with apparent ease on this night bossing the midfield and delivering plenty of intelligent passes and showing plenty of trickery. He may just be on track for the Johnny Warren Medal.

RM: Ruben Zadkovich – A top-notch performance from the Jets skipper, Zadkovic was a ball of energy, always on the move, harrying, pressing, tackling, passing, and showing his team just what they had to do to deny Roar any time on the ball and to push forward when the opportunity presented itself.

F: Jeronimo Neumann – Was thrown into the action early when Bruce Djite limped off with a groin injury and it didn’t take him long to make his mark, capitalising on one defensive error from Scott Jamieson to tap a goal in before beating Danny Vukovic from a very tight angle for his second. Had seemingly fallen out of favour with John Kosmina before this match, but we reckon he might be back in the starting line-up now.

F: Yairo Yau – He may not have found the net, but the Panamanian was still full of energy and spark as the rest of his team stood still and gave what may as well have been nothing for most of the match. His run to set up Brett Emerton in front of an open goal was inspiring, it-s just a shame Emerton in career-worst form missed everything when most teenage amateurs would have slotted it home. Still what we like about Yau is his run and the energy he always brings to the game. He may not be the most prolific striker in the league, but he does run to the right areas on most occasions

Josh Brillante-s beard – Maybe he-s a hipster, maybe he-s a lazy shaver, maybe he just kept going after Movember but as Fox Sports commentator Simon Hill said, “beards are under-rated in football. There-s just not enough of them.”