The round opened with a much needed victory for the Jets on the road and ended with three points that kept Perth atop the A-League ladder.
In between, a few players stood out and led their teams with authority and skill. Here are the men that made the difference over the course of the weekend.
1. Lawrence Thomas (Melbourne Victory)
It was another stunning performance from the Victory shot stopper despite the limited chances that Sydney FC were able to create at Jubilee Stadium.
There was no recreation of the bloodied and bandaged last line of defence warrior that still burns in many people’s minds, yet Thomas was sharp, determined and clinical in his execution against Sydney FC.
Thomas is one of the best in the business and foreign clubs will come knocking it he keeps producing such form on a weekly basis.
(AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
2. Kye Rowles (Central Coast Mariners)
For the second time this season, 20 year-old Rowles has made the team of the week and people are surely starting to notice the young man from Kiama.
Andy Keogh was well and truly negated, as the rookie hustled and bustled against one of the cheekiest opponents in the league. There might just be an international career ahead for the young defender and watching his development will be a treat for all Australian football fans.
3. Jop van der Linden (Sydney FC)
Despite playing the role of villain in the second goal for the Victory, the Dutchman was one of Sydney’s best in a ‘big blue’ where the home side was well and truly outplayed.
Sydney look to be strong defensively in season 2018-19 and van der Linden appears to be a tower of strength at the back. It wasn’t enough against the Victory, yet his central defensive partnership with Alex Wilkinson will prove tough to crack throughout the season.
4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Newcastle Jets)
I’m not too sure of all the intricate details behind the tall central defenders departure from the Wanderers after the 2015/16 season, but if the Wanderers were in any way pleased to see Topor-Stanley leave, they were foolish.
Friday night was vital for the Jets and the fortress built at the back proved too much for Western Sydney to crack.
It was Topor-Stanley at his best, sweeping and stopping attacking forays; harking back to his sterling efforts during the Wanderers’ Asian Cup run.
(AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
5. Shane Lowry (Perth Glory)
Another one of the unsung heroes of the A-league. Lowry does his job time after time and found a rare yet deserved goal against the Mariners.
While not the most fashionable of players, Lowry grinds away in defence and pops up with a strike on goal every now and then. Despite something of a frustrating night for the Glory, Lowry was outstanding from the first whistle and deserved his goal mid-way through the second half.
6. Isaias (Adelaide United)
I felt bad not including one of the stalwarts of the A-League in the team of the week over the past month, yet there is an undoubted spot for the Spaniard in this week’s team.
Even though it took Adelaide some time to get on top of the Phoenix away from home, they eventually did and Isaias was instrumental in controlling the ball in defensive midfield and setting up much of the attacking play that eventually saw the Reds triumph three goals to one.
7. Neil Kilkenny (Perth Glory)
After a somewhat tense departure from Melbourne City, Neil Kilkenny has done exactly what a quality footballer should do. He has moved on to a new club with the intention of proving that his previous manger was a fool. With a hand in all three of Perth’s goals, Kilkenny was the main creative presence and played a superb game in midfield.
What Warren Joyce made of it, I do not know.
8. Alex Lopez (Brisbane Roar)
This man is getting me as excited as any other player in the A-League right now. The Roar needed a win, Taggart made a statement and the Spaniard was instrumental in Brisbane’s victory against a rather hapless City side that looked lost and bewildered.
Lopez is looming as one of the most valuable acquisitions in the league and when feeding Adam Taggart, threatens to become a major player come semi-final time.
9. Adam Taggart (Brisbane Roar)
My little mate is starting to show the Australian footballing public why he may well be the shrewdest signing of the off-season.
With all the talk around the dearth of home-grown striking talent, Taggart has hit the top of the goal scorers table with five from five games and with a little luck, could have had two or three more.
I predicted 20+ for the 25 year-old. At this rate, he may even eclipse that mark, after another excellent performance against City on Saturday night that produced another two goals.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
10. Chris Ikonomidis (Perth Glory)
Whilst much attention was placed on the return of Diego Castro, Ikonomidis was brilliant once again against the Mariners. The subtle touch and sheer skill that the former Wanderers man possesses is pure class and in a team threatening to take the A-League by the scruff of the neck, he looms as a vital cog in a potential championship run for the Glory.
11. Ryan Kitto (Adelaide United)
In a match where the Reds were well and truly under the pump throughout the first half, Kitto was the sole attacking threat for an Adelaide team on the road. As the game progressed, his influence grew and excellent runs down the left led to quality crosses and the creation of dangerous situations.
It was a slow kill for Adelaide, yet one that was executed with control and composure, with Kitto as a considerable contributor to the eventual victory.
Another great team to round out the week of A-league action. Have I missed a star deserving of their time in the sun or overstated the performance of a few members of this team? Who makes your a-League team of the week?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
It must have been difficult to not include Eric Bautheac. What an effort he puts in week after week, the major contributor to Roar's forward movement. Although he did go off injured with 20 minutes to run and I understand why you'd include the goal scorer Taggert (who needs to do better, missing too many I think) instead, plus Lopez of course, much more to come from him too. Stand back and watch MV rip this team apart next season.
Melange
Guest
Punter, I only got to see the highlights reel but O'Toole featured a few times. How did he perform over the full 90?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'm re-watching now and the Dutchman did a lot more than people are giving him credit for. A solid game. Perhaps the bumbling penalty tarnished it a little. Niedermeier was very good yet I felt Sydney's limp attack asked few questions. Van der Linden was under the pump a lot and did a mountain of work. I enjoyed calling the game, it wasn't the most tense of 'blues' but certainly had a lot on the line. I needed a central defender after struggling to find a stand out earlier in the weekend.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
The biggest three points of the round belong to the Victory, with an away win against one of the league's front runners. Victory now have three on the trot after losing their opening two games, and are now pretty much at full strength. Might be a bit unfair that only the keeper could force his way into the best XI.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Hard to disagree with Niedermeier, great for Deng to play alongside him & get more experience.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Look forward to it Stuart, they look good Brisbane.
Punter
Roar Rookie
I agree Demi was pretty impressive too. SFC was pretty aimless yesterday, they did dominate but did very little with this dominance, while did more via Honda hence why they won. Taggart will score a whole heap this year with this BR side, but much to BR fans, he miss quite a few as well, but I really hope he is the striker we are looking for. McClaren does do it for me, Juric has stagnated, only Leekie as a maybe. Nabbout a winger.
Nemesis
Guest
Of the 4 central defenders that played at Jubilee Stadium (5 if you include Nick Ansell's brief participation), I thought Jop van der Linden was the worst of the lot. He actually gave MVFC the 3 points. MV really didn't do enough to score a 2nd goal. The 1st goal was superb, but they rarely had any decent build up after that. Niedermeier was the best Central Defender in yesterday's match. Wilkinson was the better of the SydFC central defenders.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Ikonomidis looks the goods for the brief bits I’ve seen We always knew taggart was a gem from his time at Newcastle. I feel petratos is the forgotten man this season. Two more goal assists again this week. Dimi is waiting for the cavalry to return to have some more goal scoring options . I caught a bit of Sydney and Melbourne. Thought victory were looking ominous, Ryan Grant seemed to be playing incredibly high up the field and got caught out a few times first half especially in the early build up to the first goal . Thst sfc pen was a gift that we can only dream of . Van de linden didn’t impress me against Newcastle and another bad decision against mv . Not sure about him . Watching Sydney play around in circles and not threatening with forward passing . I can’t fathom this tactic . Surely with their quality they could be far more assertive in attack . Good to Ryan Kitto mentioned, a player that the old jets regim should not have let go.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
I'm sorry, where is Risdon? And Petratos?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Have written about this for tomorrow. Brisbane will only get better and better as this season unfolds.
alexgibb
Roar Rookie
Definitely. There best work is when brosque, Le fondre, and ninko link quickly around the edge of the box. They couldn’t seem to get these guys with the ball at their feet enough in those areas. The decision making from the two wing backs and retire seems too slow in the front third.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
That was a bit of a mystery bet wasn't it? Just working an a piece that features your main man right now. Should run tomorrow.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Yeah, I saw a few people frustrated with van der Linden online during the match, I thought he played strongly. I might have another look today. More alarmingly, Sydney looked impotent up front.
alexgibb
Roar Rookie
Pretty spot on with most selections there Stuart. However, I though Jop was poor. Not only in giving away the penalty but also some of his distribution. Sitting in the stands, I couldn’t believe the amount of time he limped a straight ball forward that Deng and Niedermeier just kept winning. And then both he and the other Sydney players kept doing it. Frustrating to watch. I would have picked Deng who I thought did a great job defensively again. Needs to work on his own distribution but is trying to do the right thing.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Can we see Taggart & Ikonomidis in the Socceroos squad soon? Agree Lopez what a player, also impressed with Connor O'Toole.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Great to see Lopez in there again, he’s an absolute star - some of his moves were breathtaking on Saturday night. Not sure about Taggarts inclusion though, maybe he gets in because few strikers performed well this weekend but really he should have scored more on Saturday. And Rowles gets a well deserved position, I thought he had a brilliant game yesterday. But I can’t believe you can’t find any room for Fornaroli Stuie, you’re as bad as Joyce lol.