New Western Sydney Wanderers’ keeper Daniel Lopar has taken out the award for Hyundai A-League Player of the Month for October.
Seven players were nominated for the monthly award, with Jamie Maclaren, Pirmin Schwegler, Milos Ninkovic, Milan Duric, Riley McGree and Mitch Duke also making the shortlist after their impressive displays during the season’s opening month.
But the Swiss shot-stopper mopped up 42% of the public vote to cap his first month in Australian football in the best possible way, after his stellar performances in the Red and Black kicked off the 2019/20 campaign with three straight wins.
What a start to life in Australia he's had.@wswanderersfc goalkeeper Daniel Lopar is the Hyundai #ALeague Player of the Month for October! pic.twitter.com/GQllYbvAxb
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 1, 2019
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Read on to review the nominees.
Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City)
After missing the Round 1 derby stalemate, Melboune City’s talisman forward scored doubles against Adelaide United and Western United as the Erick Mombaerts era began with seven points out of nine.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098211620001
Pirmin Schwegler (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Swiss international midfielder Schwegler made a superb start to life in the Hyundai A-League, adding steel and class to a Wanderers side which won all three matches in October.
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Daniel Lopar (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Lopar, like his Swiss compatriot Schwegler, has proven an outstanding signing for the top of the table Wanderers. He made nine saves in total in October, and came up with crucial, match-winning interventions in each of his side’s three victories over Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.
Milos Ninkovic (Sydney FC)
The Serbian maestro continues to produce the consistently sublime. Ninkovic, the beating heart of Sydney, was instrumental in wins over Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix, and did not deserve to be on losing side of last Saturdays derby with the Wanderers.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098035650001
Milan Duric (Central Coast Mariners)
An instant impact in Gosford. Duric has not been on the Central Coast for long but already looks a player capable of firing the Mariners to good things. In October, he scored two sensational goals and was the hub of all his side’s activity.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6096102278001
Riley McGree (Adelaide United)
The Australian youth international marked his return to Adelaide with three goals, including a match-winning double against Newcastle Jets in Round 3.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6097990350001
Mitch Duke (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Wanderers captain Duke fired a double to beat the Mariners on the opening day and his importance to the Red and Black cause was underlined by his diving header which won last Saturday’s Sydney derby.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6098003616001
