Round 16 was action-packed with plenty of intriguing battles. The weekend started and finished with two six-goal thrillers. It was absolute chaos, with two red cards in the final game to the Wanderers.
There were two 3-all draws, 25 goals scored in six matches and only the Phoenix and the Bulls managed to keep a clean sheet.
Check out who made a difference.
Adelaide United
Zach Clough was calm and composed from the penalty spot as he gave the Reds a 2-0 lead in the 17th minute.
The former Nottingham Forest player was extremely impactful in his general play as he delivered pinpoint crosses; in the 53rd minute the corner he took should’ve resulted in a goal for Hiroshi Ibusuki, which would’ve made the score 3-1 in favour of Adelaide United, but it wasn’t to be.
Perth Glory
David Williams was the player that made a difference for the third week in a row!
The impact player accepts his role and continues to produce, as he scored just two minutes after entering the game, to make the score 2-2 in the 63rd minute.
His post-match comments were bittersweet: “Happy to play my part, but disappointing just at the end. It’s good to have the backing of the team. Taking a point away from Adelaide is very difficult.”
Wellington Phoenix
Bozhidar Kraev played well for Phoenix and helped his team score an early opening goal when he unselfishly put the ball on a plate for Nicholas Pennington who scored a simple goal in the third minute.
The Bulgarian worked hard for the team to have an impact on the game; in the 54th minute, a shot from him was well saved by Western United goalkeeper Thomas Heward-Belle. Along with that, he cleared the ball in the 67th minute and never shirked a contest.
Western United
Kane Vidmar stopped a goal being scored by Kosta Barbarouses on three separate occasions in the first half. Then in the 80th minute, he prevented a third goal for the Phoenix being scored by Nicholas Pennigton.
The son of a former Socceroo proved that he can live up to the hype and is a good prospect for the future.
Melbourne Victory
Zinedine Machach had moments of brilliance where he looked to change the game.
The Frenchman crossed the ball accurately in the 43rd minute, which gave Bruno Fornaroli a chance to score, but the Socceroo hit the bar with his header.
The 28-year-old was a threat in the final third, as he had two shots on target and created two chances, both for Fornaroli.
Macarthur FC
Filip Kurto played an incredible game and was the ‘difference’ between the Bulls and Victory.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper made nine saves with many of them top draw, including one save from a penalty in the 84th minute, from Bruno Fornaroli, which may’ve been over the line, but at the end of the day it was deemed not to be over the line and that’s all that counts.
The shot-stopper showed his humility post-match: “I’m glad I helped the team get the three points and that I have a clean sheet.”
It wasn’t a fluke that he saved the penalty as when asked about it he said: “I study him before the game and expect the ball down the middle.”
Brisbane Roar
Jay O’Shea showed his class as per usual; he was the architect of four of the five goals scored by the Roar.
The Irishman took the corner that led to the opening goal scored by Kai Trewin in the second minute. What followed was an incredible passing sequence by O’Shea in the 30th minute that led to the second goal for the Roar and a confidence booster for young Thomas Waddingham, who finished off a great team goal.
O’Shea scored the all-important third goal for the Roar from distance on his left foot. Along with that, O’Shea provided the assist for the fourth goal scored by the Roar from outside the box by Keegan Jelacic.
Melbourne City
Terry Antonis gave City some hope with a quality finish in the 73rd minute, which breathed some life into what was a disappointing day for his team.
Central Coast Mariners
Angel Torres got the Mariners back into the game with a sublime finish in the 56th minute, with a ball played through by Storm Roux, which made the deficit for them two goals.
The Columbian created five chances and was at the centre of the majority of the Mariners’ attacking raids.
Sydney FC
Anthony Caceres provided the assist for the opening goal of the game in the fourth minute through Rhyan Grant.
Rhyan Grant and Angel Torres. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The 31-year-old scored the second goal of the game in the eighth minute and his good work brought about the Sky Blues third goal through an own goal by Mariners centre-back Dan Hall.
In his post-match interview Caceres was philosophical: “satisfied with the performance overall. Firstly, we had to match their intensity. We’ve got a lot of growth left in us. I think we executed the game plan well.”
Western Sydney Wanderers
Marcelo got the Wanderers a point in the 92nd minute; it was a clinical header from a corner by the new signing Sonny Kittel and it was a remarkable goal, as it may be a season-defining point for them.
Newcastle Jets
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos scored a brace and gave the Jets a good opportunity to win the game, which they failed to do.
The 24-year-old scored from the penalty spot in the 50th minute, which made the score 2-2. He followed that up with a fantastic header in the 70th minute, that gave the Jets the lead.
The striker made some interesting comments: “It’s just the story of our season. It’s my job to put the ball in the back of the net. We just let it slip.”
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Hopefully the Bulls and Mariners is an entertaining game.
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
Another awesome weekend of football dished up by the A-League. The league is so entertaining and the standard keeps lifting. Good wins for the Bulls and Mariners last night. It’s a shame they now have to play each other.
Leon
Roar Rookie
I prefer O'Shea as captain. He is a class player. The fact that he may well take citizenship is also a plus factor. Commitment to Australia, and commitment to the Club make a clear statement that he wants to be here. I am not sure if Tom Aldred wants to make that same commitment. At centre back, Tom has shown to be no less error prone than the others, if I might put it kindly. I think we need to see what happens over the course of the season. Kai Trewin has a lot of experience for his age, and whilst arguably a defensive midfielder (a point highlighted by Ross Aloisi), he recently stated that centre back is his preferred position. If Trewin were playing in Melbourne or Sydney, I think the pundits would be talking him up more than they do. A good run in the Olyroos might bear fruit and an an overseas adventure for Trewin. Personally, I hope he stays and continues to develop. The Nikolovski project is ticking along nicely. If/when Scott Neville returns from injury, then despite Scott's age, I am leaning towards Scott rather than Tom, and bringing in another youngster if at all possible into the centre back frame. I believe that Dylan Meinicke may fit the bill though I do not know enough about him. At which point, with Trewin, Nikolovski, Neville, and a youngster in contention, I would wonder whether Tom Aldred could command the sort of salary he might look for.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Aldred is an average A League CB and a great leader/motivator. His form this year has been very poor to the point he’s been a liability - I suspect he’s been injured but all the same I would let him go. O’Shea has proven he can captain and perform - he’s the better captain imo.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Interested in your thoughts, as to whether the Roar need Aldred and if you think O’Shea is a better captain.
Waz
Roar Rookie
What led to Aloisi’s departure will become clear in time not that it matters, but it coincided with a string of injuries that led the club down the ladder. Hopefully they get some decent results but like you, consistency is an illusive thing for many clubs this year and Roar are no different.
Leon
Roar Rookie
After the dreadful 8-1 loss which I put down to key players being injured, Aloisi suddenly departing, and Luciano's tinkering, as much as anything, I commented about Jamie Mclaren who was on song that night. I said that he might care to look over his shoulder because the future is Waddingham, Brownlie and MacNichol. I was reminded of that on Saturday. Whilst I think the loose salary cap regulations entrench financial inequality (and I stand by my "easy riding" comments about Melbourne City), what it is has done is force clubs like the Mariners, Adelaide and more recently Roar to focus on provision of opportunities to young players and on creative and circumspect recruitment. A virtue born of necessity. All of which will benefit the game here in Australia. I am by no means convinced yet that Roar can achieve a run of consistent form, but I am enthusiastic about the young players coming through.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Agree with all that. Freke has had one bad game this season but other than that is solid and late in the game vs City made several excellent saves which we’d all be talking about if that had been a close game. Ruben seems to have the buy-in of the squad for the way he wants to play, if Cahn is not returning I’d like to see him given the gig full time. Young Waddingham got what we needed - a bit of luck and two goals. Interestingly Ruben said he’d “overloaded” the young lad in the build up to this game in an effort to improve his performance - hopefully he can have the same impact with all of them.
Leon
Roar Rookie
I agree with the consistency comment, and with more concerts coming I believe, Suncorp will continue to be a pot pourri of puddles and potholes which will make consistency hard to achieve given the way Roar try to play. I fear more injuries will come. If I had to pick a player it would be Freke who has surprised this season. Let's not forget City managed a few efforts of their own. I agree that Henry is something special. Burke-Gillroy. Waddingham. Trewin. Jellacic. Hard to pick. The way Roar handled Nabbout and Mclaren is a testament to the young guys. On that, I think it is time when we had an open discussion about the salary cap. Looking at a side maxed out with 5 imports (not all of whom played) and by my count, seven players with Socceroo pedigree, it seems to me that Melbourne City has driven a whole convey of trucks through the exemptions, exceptions and easy riding, and squeezed every last drop of a loophole out of the cap. Not that it helped them on Saturday. Perhaps that should be a concern for Arnie. Although after recent results, a part of me says the laugh seems to be on City.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Personally I thought Henry Hore drove this Brisbane performance, he had a superb game. Not knocking O’Shea who was again magnificent and is having a superb season (again) which is something in a team struggling for consistency.