There were 18 goals in six matches, some goal-of-the-season contenders and only the Central Coast Mariners managed to keep a clean sheet. Along with that, two draws, while all four teams that claimed three points, did so by a margin of one goal.
Check out who made a difference for their team in Round 11.
Adelaide United
Nestory Irankunda created chaos in the final third for the defence of Wellington Phoenix.
The up-and-coming talent with all the tricks proved me wrong, as he started the game and can no longer just be considered as an impact player off the bench, based on his display against the Phoenix.
The 17-year-old brought about the equaliser for Adelaide United, which made the score 2-all in the 55th minute and gave Hiroshi Ibusuki a brace.
Wellington Phoenix
Kosta Barbarouses looked the most likely for Wellington Phoenix and was rewarded for his persistence with a brace.
The 33-year-old was a constant threat and was arguably the reason why the Phoenix claimed a point.
Macarthur FC
Ulises Davila was sensational in the second half, as he worked tirelessly to endeavour to get his team at least a point out of the game.
The Mexican created five chances and was the reason that the Bulls controlled the balance of play in the second half. Along with that, Davila had a goal overturned by the VAR in the 51st minute, but that did not deter him from playing some delightful passes and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Newcastle Jets
Clayton Taylor played well and scored the opening goal of the game in the ninth minute with a clinical finish.
The 19-year-old displayed why he is a fantastic prospect that he is, as his youthful exuberance showed through. Unfortunately, in the 12th minute, Taylor hit the bar.
It was a game of two halves and the entire Jets team were off the pace in the second half.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Daniel Margush was thrown in at the deep end, as he has been third choice goalkeeper for the Wanderers; Lawrence Thomas was a part of the Socceroos squad and Jack Gibson was injured during the warm-up.
The 26-year-old took his opportunity with both hands as he made five saves, which included two top-draw interventions; the first came in the 59th minute with an outstanding save from Angel Torres and the second he cut out a chance for Jing Reec in the 79th minute.
Central Coast Mariners
Marco Tulio was the difference between the two teams, as his strike from distance in the 25th minute was the only goal of the game, in what was his last game in the A-League.
The Brazilian 25-year-old showed maturity beyond his years; the coach of the Mariners, Mark Jackson summed up what makes him such a special player: “he’s got the flair, but also got the work rate.”
He is now leaving the club after the game for his new career in Japan – and what a way to go out.
Brisbane Roar
Nikola Mileusnic scored a goal that changed the complexion of the game, as up until that point the Sky Blues were controlling the game, as he made the deficit one goal for the Roar. The 30-year-old scored in the fourth minute of first-half injury time.
Sydney FC
Fabio Gomes provided two moments of magic as the Brazilian scored a brace with goals coming in the first half.
The 26-year-old scored a stunning second goal with a goal in the 41st minute from a back heal that nestled into the back of the net and proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Perth Glory
Cameron Cook has taken his chance provided by Perth Glory coach, Alen Stajcic to be the number one goalkeeper, which was given to him in Round 3.
The 22-year-old was immense in Round 11 as he kept the Glory in the contest against the Melbourne Victory; Cook made six saves, with most of them top draw.
Melbourne Victory
Eli Adams came off the bench and scored a goal-of-the-season contender with a fantastic goal that gave Victory the impetus to go on and win the game against a 10-man Glory team in the second half.
The 21-year-old displayed his quality with a goal from distance in the 82nd minute. His coach Tony Popovic showed the belief he has in Adams: “he’s a special talent.”
Western United
Angus Thurgate was a pivotal cog in the Western United team in a game that they did not deserve to lose.
The 23-year-old provided the assist for the opening goal of the game for Michael Ruhs in the 13th minute. To go with that he had seven passes into the final third.
The current predicament of Western United was summed up well by Thurgate post-match: “It’s fairly frustrating. We’re working hard.”
Melbourne City
Terry Antonis showed great character given he didn’t play a single minute last season at Western Sydney Wanderers; the Melbourne City substitute scored what proved to be the winning goal of the game with a cracking strike.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Thanks for your opinion BT. Great to see Kucharski get some game time and have an impact.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
I watch all six games every Round, but BT always comes up with some 'insightful' analysis.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Hopefully Jake Hollman goes onto bigger and better things. Great to see that Aspro has gone overseas.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Watched the Arsenal V Liverpool game and what I found interesting, was the similarity in what the players were trying to do. There is an obvious difference in speed, time on the ball, and accuracy.... but the tenor of how many A-L teams play and how teams like Liverpool & Arsenal play I found refreshing... BTW no way am I implying the A-L is anywhere equal.... but that we are trying to play modern Football IMO is a good thing especially to watch.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
BT Always enjoy your post very insightful and often quite astute.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Against Adelaide for Wellington its line ball between Paulsen and Barbarouses. One scored two goals and one made a lot of saves. Jets were pretty ordinary Clayton Taylor might have been their best but you can hardly use the word exuberance to describe his performance, he started off the season like that but has been well below that level since after the Wellington match. Wanderers Mariners defence dominated the match, Margush made one good save and came out well to block off Reec but that was it. He gets it by default. Tulio great goal but that was about it, Tapp maybe should get the gong Vukovic had nothing to do this match. Brisbane Roar Miluesnic was lucky its his standard shot when he is in a 1 on 1 straight at the keeper only Redmayne did a limbo dancer impression going down so low. Miluesnic either needs to go for the far post, hit it over the keeper or nutmeg the keeper. I would go for Kurcharski , he made a lot of useful runs early his header was one of the best I have seen, and it was tipped by Freke on to the post so it was goal bound. Gomes he lost points that his first goal header put on a plate by Kurcharski , and he missed a free header after it. Victory I can see why you would give to Eli Adams the goal was superb and he did add energy. Normally one would give it to Machach as he a scored a good goal and he was on for longer, but I thought he was down on energy and should have done a lot more when Perth were down to 10. Cook the incredible save he made was off Machach header, but if you look at the replay the header actually hits Cook in the head it was involuntary. The next biggest save off Velupilay hits into his body. City I though Saki had good energy unlike Machach he also scores a big goal, what counts against him is his wayward passing, he had some poor giveaways. Antonis should get it also because he hit off a faster bouncing lay back that would normally end up at row z or the corner flag.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
good read
Grem
Roar Rookie
I was at the Macarthur v Newcastle game and absolutely agree with your choices. Clayton Taylor was great in the first half – fast and a great touch. Davila is amazing – regular class with the ball and extremely hard working. Jake Holman made a huge impact when he came on as well. It’s interesting how Fabio Gomez is picking up Sydney’s player of the match awards and he only played one half! His second goal was a pleasure to watch. Great summary Doran and I have another player to keep an eye on – Eli Adams. Thanks