A-League Team of the Week: Round 1

Round 1 was a challenging one to choose the team of the week from, as there was a combination of outstanding football and some pretty average games.

Unfortunately, the game between the Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets was postponed as the weather conditions made the game unplayable, which meant that there were ten teams to choose the team of the week from, as opposed to the usual 12. The highlight of the Round was the Big Blue.

There were still plenty of good players that made it tough to select the A-League team of the week for Round 1:

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Jamie Young (Western United)- Jamie Young kept Western United in the game as made seven saves, with the majority of them world class. He put everything into the game and tried to inspire Western United to claim a point.

Right Back: Jack Hingert (Brisbane Roar)- Jack Hingert made many a marauding run forward down the Brisbane Roar right hand side. It was an inspirational performance as he was also solid defensively and still attacked with plenty of purpose and vigour. He was substituted off in the 72nd minute and it hurt the Brisbane Roar as Hingert played a key role in their system.

Centre Back: Jonathan Aspropotamitis (Macarthur FC)- Jonathan Aspropotamitis had a great game for Macarthur FC as he helped prevent the likes of Charlie Austin from scoring. He is a player that appears to be hungry for success and appears to have earnt his spot in the Macarthur FC starting line up, in what’s his fourth A-League club.

Centre Back: Tom Aldred (Brisbane Roar)- Tom Aldred didn’t have much to do in the first half. It was a typical Tom Aldred game, as he led from the front.

Left Back: Ivan Vujica (Macarthur FC)- Ivan Vujica delivered was a pivotal part of the Macarthur FC team in Round 1. It may be a case of third time lucky, as Macarthur FC is the third A-League club that he has played for.

Defensive Midfield: Joshua Brillante (Melbourne Victory)- Joshua Brillante was a key part of Melbourne Victory defeating Sydney FC. It was a great display of leadership from Brillante, which was capped off by him scoring what proved to be the winning goal in a 3-2 win for Melbourne Victory in the Big Blue.

Centre Midfield: Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar)- Jay O’Shea put in a solid display. He is a player for whom the sky is the limit. He never seems to have a bad game. He is a good passer of the ball and a hard worker.

Centre Midfield: Luke Brattan (Sydney FC)- Luke Brattan had a good game in a narrow loss for Sydney FC against Melbourne Victory. He passed the ball well in the middle of the park and tracked back to help the team in defence.

(Matt King/Getty Images)

Forward: Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City)- Jamie Maclaren can count himself unlucky that he only scored one goal as he had what looked a certain goal overturned for a foul by a teammate in the lead up to the goal. It’s a shame as Maclaren deserved to score at least two goals. The one goal he did score was due to him pressing high up the pitch. He was clearly playing with some fire in the belly with a World Cup spot in the Socceroos up for grabs with Graham Arnold watching the game.

Forward: Nick D’Agostino (Melbourne Victory)- Nick D’Agostino was an important part of the Melbourne Victory claiming all three points in the Big Blue. He scored from a header in the 31st minute, which meant that the score was 1-all. It was an integral moment in the game and one of the reasons why they claimed all three points in a game that they were second best in for much of the contest.

Forward: Chris Ikonomidis (Melbourne Victory)- Chris Ikonomidis was a brilliant substitute for the Melboourne Victory as he provided a goal and an assist when the game was on the line. It was difficult to find a fault in his performance.