It’s no surprise that the Team of the Week is choc-full of Wanderers and Roar players this time around. Their form has been hotter than a bun on Easter Sunday.
GK Eugene Galekovic: It-s getting boring writing about how good the Adelaide stopper is every week. But every week he makes top-class saves, just as he did against Perth on Saturday night. The Scout doesn-t know if the Reds- defence would be terrible without him or if he just makes everything look spectacular.
RB Tarek Elrich: The Wanderers vice-captain hasn-t had much game time all season, but against his former club he returned to haunt them. His solid performance saw him thwart Craig Goodwin at every turn, he should be commended for sticking with it when not a lot has gone right for him personally this season.
CB Michael Beauchamp: The skipper came back from a quad injury to lead the Wanderers to the Premier’s Plate. He was immense in the middle of defence and stood up to the strength of Heskey and the pace of Taggart.
CB Jade North: He might not have had a chance for the Socceroos midweek but North returned to Brisbane and showed all his qualities. Roar-s defensive record since North signed is exemplary and one of the major reasons in their resurgence in time for the finals.
LB Shannon Cole: The former Sydney FC man has been making every post a winner in recent weeks and did a great job at the back for the Wanderers as they took out the Premier-s Plate, showing his versatility.
DM Luke Brattan: The youngster was the metronome at the heart of Roar-s impressive display against Sydney, showing maturity beyond his years. Even with Roar in an attacking formation, Sydney found it tough to take control of the midfield with Brattan biting at their heels and starting Roar-s play.
AM Thomas Broich: Mike Mulvey has discovered the formula of getting the best out of the German just in time, and “Mozart” was extremely impressive against Sydney, terrorising the Sky Blues backline.
M Oli Bozanic: Stepped up in an under-manned Mariners line-up with an assured display, creating chances and putting the Heart defence under constant pressure.
M Ryo Nagai: The Japanese speedster is far from the finished product but he against Adelaide he showed why he could yet develop into a force in the A-League. Get him on the ball more often and get him running at defences. See what happens…
F: Mark Bridge: Had his aim or mind not have wandered, Bridgey could have had four at his old stomping ground, he missed an open net and sprayed a one-on-one, but with the Premier’s Plate in the hands of the Wanderers, we doubt he would have cared.
F: Jeremy Brockie: For a player who ended up with a wooden spoon, he didn-t deserve it. Brockie was again a threat for the Phoenix against the Victory and banged in a goal to give Daniel McBreen a good scare in the race for the golden boot, but he couldn-t get a second.
