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Riser Rankings: January edition

Thomas Deng with the ball during a match. (Photo by Ross Swanborough/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
3rd January, 2019
5

The January edition of Riser Rankings is here and we have some significant changes.

Now last week, I forgot to put Thomas Deng in the team so when I label the December Rankings, it will be based on Deng being in second.

The statistics here are based on all games since Round 7 to Round 10

1. Thomas Deng: Defender (Melbourne Victory) DOB: 20/3/97
December Ranking: 2nd
Thomas Deng has taken the number one place this week from Daniel De Silva. He bagged 347 minutes in four games, starting in all of them.

He’s been playing at Right Centre-Back in his playing time and I would say he’s got this number one position for a while now.

2. Daniel De Silva: Midfielder (Sydney FC on loan from Central Coast Mariners) DOB: 6/3/97
December Ranking: 1st
De Silva has lost his number one badge this week basically because he hasn’t been given enough game time. He has played 72 minutes plus a goal against the Perth Glory.

De Silva often comes on for Siem De Jong an Attacking Midfielder, and a similar month like this will probably make him fall further.

3. Riley McGree: Midfielder (Melbourne City on loan from Club Brugge) DOB: 2/11/98
December Ranking: 3rd
Riley McGree has played 339 minutes in City colours plus an assist usually at attacking midfield or on the wing.

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He has stayed in third this week and just missed out on being in second. Another month like this and I expect him to be in 2nd, or possibly 1st.

4. Aidan O’Neill: Midfielder (Central Coast Mariners on loan from Burnley) DOB: 4/7/98
December Ranking: 5th
As I’ve said before, Aidan O’Neill is almost the only positive for the Mariners.

He’s played 333 minutes for them, usually as a Central Midfielder. He been able to sneak over the injured Trent Buhagiar, and he’d have a similar position next month if he gets similar stats.

5. Trent Buhagiar: Attacker (Sydney FC) DOB: 27/2/98
December Ranking: 4th
Not a lot to say here. Trent Buhagiar disappointingly did his ACL right before the season started and is still recovering.

6. Nathaniel Atkinson: Defender (Melbourne City) DOB: 13/6/99
December Ranking: 7th
Atkinson has 225 minutes up his sleeve and is still playing in a more attacking role. He’s hopped up one spot this week, but he has been on the bench in the past two games. Another month like this might see him fall down.

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7. Lachlan Wales: Attacker (Melbourne City) DOB: 19/10/97
December Ranking: 9th
Wales has climbed 2 spots up the ladder from 9th this month. He played 334 minutes plus a goal, and is being played over Bruno Fornaroli at striker.

A similar month will put him around this same mark.

8. Jordan O’Doherty: Attacker (Western Sydney Wanderers) DOB: 14/10/97
December Ranking: 8th
O’Doherty has stayed still this time. I would have liked to place him higher, but didn’t find room. He has 325 minutes played, but only the 1 start.

Interestingly, Markus Babbel is playing him at Defensive Midfield. If he has another month like this he will be in a similar placing.

9. Jacob Italiano: Forward (Perth Glory) DOB: 30/7/01
December Ranking: 6th
Not a lot to say here either. As a Glory fan, I’m very annoyed that the club hasn’t said anything about whether he is injured, or has any other issues.

10. Keanu Baccus: Midfielder (Western Sydney Wanderers) DOB: 7/6/98
December Ranking: 12th
Keanu Baccus has played every minute and has scored a goal for West Sydney this month which pushes him into the top 10. He is forming a great defensive midfield partnership with Jordan O’Doherty. A similar month may send him to 8th or 9th.

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Ones to watch

11. Connor O’Toole: Defender (Brisbane Roar) DOB: 4/7/97
December Ranking: 13th

12. Apostolos Stamatelopoulous: Attacker (Adelaide United) DOB: 9/4/99
December Ranking: 10th

13. Sarpreet Singh: Midfielder (Wellington Phoenix)
December Ranking: N/A

14. Joseph Champness: Attacker (Newcastle Jets) DOB: 27/4/97
December Ranking: 11th

15. Johnny Koutroumbis: Defender (Newcastle Jets) DOB: 6/3/98
December Ranking: 15th

We had one new player entering this week being Sarpreet Singh, and a departure, being Brandon Wilson.

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If you feel that a player is a little lower or higher than they should be, leave a comment and I will consider.

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