Round 23 was an eventful one, with plenty on the line as all 12 teams can mathematically make the top six and feature in the finals. There were three draws in six games. In the other three games the winning margin was three goals and there were three players that scored a brace.
There were 17 goals scored in those six games, even though four out of 12 teams kept a clean sheet.
Here’s who made the cut in Round 23.
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper: Paul Izzo (Melbourne Victory)
Izzo kept the season alive for Melbourne Victory as he gave them a glimmer of hope of making the top six a possibility for the second round in a row. He may have only had one save to make, but it was instrumental in keeping their season alive. The save he made was from a header by Perth Glory substitute Luke Bodnar in the 89th minute. It was as good as scoring an equaliser from a Melbourne Victory perspective.
Centre-back: Jordan Elsey (Perth Glory)
Elsey put in a good shift for Perth Glory. He had a good game as he helped them keep a clean sheet. He finished the game with eight clearances and four interceptions. His team was under siege as Melbourne Victory had 61% possession, despite that, he limited their opportunities to score.
Centre-back: Nectarios Triantis (Central Coast Mariners)
Triantis helped Central Coast Mariners keep a clean sheet against Western United. He made five clearances and was pivotal in curtailing Western United’s attacking raids. He helped restrict their chances to get the ball in the back of the net. He helped restrict the opportunities for Noah Botic and Lachlan Wales, which gave the rest of the team confidence in what was an emphatic and morale boosting 3-0 win for Central Coast Mariners.
Centre-back: Scott Neville (Brisbane Roar)
Neville put in a good display against Newcastle Jets in what may be a season defining game for Brisbane Roar. He did well to concede two corners in first half stoppage time. His mind was always on the task at hand as his endeavour never wavered.
Right-midfield: Henry Hore (Brisbane Roar)
Hore opened the scoring for Brisbane Roar in the 34th minute; it was a goal that was difficult to execute, which shows the talent that he possesses in the final third. He won the penalty in the 66th minute, drawing a foul from Newcastle Jets midfielder Angus Thurgate. He also passed the ball around accurately and proved that he is a quality player.
Centre-midfield: Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar)
Jay O’Shea played an integral role in the Brisbane Roar keeping their season alive with a 3-nil win over Newcastle Jets. He is a quality player who works hard and is skilful to go with it. There was a moment where he was under pressure when he took the penalty in the 70th minute, due to Newcastle Jets goalkeeper, Michael Weier delaying the penalty deliberately. It didn’t matter as O’Shea is a player with composure and scored from the penalty spot yet again to give Brisbane Roar a 2-0 lead.
Attacking-midfield: Max Burgess (Sydney FC)
Burgess put in a fantastic shift and showed why he is such a quality player. He gave it his all in what was a tough game for Sydney FC against Adelaide United away from home. He made insightful runs and worked tirelessly. He provided the pass to Adam Le Fondre who made the score 1-1 in the 83rd minute. It was a game that ended in a 1-1 draw and Adelaide United right-back Javi Lopez summed up as a; “Tough game.”
Left-midfield: Jack Clisby (Perth Glory)
Clisby helped keep the Perth Glory season alive with a couple of brave goal saving interventions. He was the reason why they’re still in the conversation for finals. His miraculous clearances were inspiring and will lift the morale of the squad as they claimed a point and kept a clean sheet in a game that they performed poorly in for the most part, in what was a scoreless draw against Melbourne Victory.
Forward: Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Borrello continues to vindicate coach Marko Rudan’s decision to play him up front. He scored a brace in Round 23 with two quality finishes to help Western Sydney Wanderers salvage a point against Macarthur FC.
(Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Forward: Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City)
Maclaren was captain of Melbourne City in what proved to be a good decision. In Round 23 he scored a brace and was back doing what he does best, which is put the ball in the back of the net. He scored the opening goal of the game in the 34th minute and he was also clinical in the final third in the 52nd minute, which gave Melbourne City a 2-1 lead, which was a pivotal goal in the context of the game.
Forward: Marco Tilio (Melbourne City)
Tilio put in a superb display as he was involved in the moments that mattered for Melbourne City from an attacking sense. His vision and reading on the play were there for all to see. He scored the third and fourth goals for Melbourne City in the 57th minute and the 83rd. It was great to see him clinical in the final third. If he can continue this form the sky’s the limit.
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