Round 20 was an eventful weekend of football, with two draws, 17 goals in six matches, a four-goal thriller and two teams kept a clean sheet, a red card and a couple of penalties.
In three out of four games where a team claimed three points, the winning team had less possession than their opponent.
Check out who made a difference.
Nicolas Milanovic looked the most likely to score and proved it with a cracking strike in the 52nd minute, which broke the deadlock.
At the other end of the park, he stopped a shot from Angus Thurgate going into the back of the net, just three minutes later, with a goal-line clearance.
The 22-year-old gave an interesting insight post-match: “We lost our heads a bit in the second half. Not doing what we’re known to do. We went up 1-nil and looked like we were hesitant to go for the second. Scoring a goal is great, but if you don’t win the game, it means nothing.”
Daniel Penha put on a show with an outstanding performance. He was involved in all three goals Western United scored, which came within the space of 12 minutes.
The Brazilian magician displayed sublime skill; his quality was a sight to behold, as along with two assists and a goal, his general play was exquisite for the most part.
The 25-year-old showed the motivation within the group: “I’m still believing we can make finals. We know it’s a long way. They have a lot of good players. I’m so happy to win this game.”
Western United coach John Aloisi summed it up: “He was phenomenal again tonight, We’re just hoping we can keep him.”
Samuel Souprayen was in the right place at the right time when he tucked a header into the back of the net in the 58th minute from a pinpoint cross from Tolgay Arslan.
The Frenchman was at his best when he needed to be as he prevented Kosta Barbarouses from scoring a goal in the 93rd minute from scoring, as Souprayen cut out a long pass and conceded a corner. City goalkeeper Jamie Young appreciated it, as Kosta Barbarouses may well have scored if not for the Frenchman’s intervention.
The 35-year-old gave an interesting insight: “It was difficult to play in this weather. It was important to win this game today. So happy for the club.”
Finn Surman was there when he needed to be for the Phoenix.
The 20-year-old stopped a goal for Marin Jakolis in first-half stoppage time. In the 71st minute, the Kiwi international cleared a ball off the line from a shot by City youngster Max Caputo, which kept the Phoenix in the game and the deficit to one goal.
James Delianov made plenty of quality saves, which kept his team in the game.
The 24-year-old saved a shot that was intended to be a cross from Salim Khelifi in the tenth minute. Following that, Delianov saved two attempts from Nishan Velupillay, one of which came in the 12th minute and the second shot from the 22-year-old Victory player came in the 24th minute.
When Joe Gauci was away with the Socceroos, Adelaide United coach Carl Veart made a comment in reference to James Delianov: “He’d definitely be the best reserve keeper in the league at the moment.”
Zinedine Machach was involved in setting up both goals scored by Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli.
The Frenchman passed the ball to Nishan Velupillay whose shot was saved by Delianov, but Bruno Fornaroli was there for a tap-in. Also, Machach provided a great pass, which led to a penalty for Victory in the 55th minute, which Fornaroli slotted into the back of the net in the 57th minute.
The 28-year-old did well in his general play, as he created six chances and was a constant threat.
Adam Taggart delivered again with a brace and helped Glory claim a point.
The Socceroo scored a good goal, which got his team back into the game and made the deficit one goal in the 72nd minute, thanks to a great cross from substitute David Williams.
The 30-year-old made it 2-all in the 90th minute thanks to a pinpoint corner from Giordano Colli, which Taggart headed into the back of the net.
His comments were interesting: “We started off very poor. It’s disappointing to go in 2-nil down. Sometimes mentality wise we start off conservatively. Too many sloppy turnovers. We need to kick on and make sure we take off from the second half. I’m enjoying my time in on Glory and the leadership role.”
Lucas Mauragis was a constant threat in the Jets’ attacking raids down their left-hand side.
The Jets left-back created three chances and played a role in young prospect Clayton Taylor breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute, as Mauragis’s cross created havoc in the Glory defence.
The 22-year-old got his reward for his hard work in the 54th minute, as he scored his second goal of the season thanks to a deflection from a Glory player, which gave the Jets a two-goal lead.
Jordan Courtney-Perkins put in a good shift, especially considering they lost Jake Girdwood-Reich to a red card in the 25th minute, which made it tough for the Sky Blues.
The left-back provided a great cross, which Fabio Gomes hit the bar with a header in the 38th minute.
The 21-year-old won the ball back, which led to Robert Mak breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute. The goal came about due to the tenacity of Courtney-Perkins. He also contributed defensively to help Sydney FC claim a point.
Henry Hore played a key part in the Roar claiming a point; on a day where it looked like they couldn’t score, up stepped Henry Hore.
The 24-year-old scored the equaliser just three minutes after the 10-men Sky Blues took the lead, thanks to putting a pinpoint cross by Corey Brown into the back of the net.
Filip Kurto kept the scoreboard respectable, as pulled off six saves, with one save he made from a penalty taken by Central Coast Mariners attacker Angel Torres in the 49th minute, in what was a day to forget for the Bulls.
Josh Nisbet opened the scoring in the eighth minute with an exquisite finish, scoring with his left foot for the second week in a row.
The versatile 24-year-old followed the goal up with an assist for Brazilian Ronald Barcellos in the 19th minute and the game was all but over at that stage.
Nisbet wasn’t done then, as he started the fast break from defence, which produced the third goal in the 55th minute through Englishman Ryan Edmondson.
The sky is the limit for Josh Nisbet!
Leon
Roar Rookie
Nisbet is a stand out player in a stand out club. Kudos to him and Mariners.
Leon
Roar Rookie
I think RZ has a formation that he wants to implement and has inherited a squad of players with more options in some positions than others. The fact that HH is showing such versatility does not hurt his reputation one iota. The fact that he gets selected ahead of Caletti and Gomuka to play in that deeper role is a testimony to how much RZ values him. HH is one of those players who in a more successful team would be getting more plaudits than he does outside of Brisbane. If he continues to develop and stays at the club I see him as a future captain.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I reckon Rudan can turn things around, The big lose will be a wake up call to the players.
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Very good player having a great season.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
The deployment of Henry Hore at a No.8 CM role over the last couple of games has floored me. His is such an attacking weapon with a knack of cracking open a defence and getting into the box. I couldn't believe it when he was given the nod in the middle of the park to replace Caletti over putting Gomulka in. That would have been the obvious choice. Now I really like Gomulka. I dont feel he has been given the opportunity this season that he should have, but HH slotted so well into that role it is hard to believe he usually plays in the front 3. Perhaps RZ thinks he will add a bit more of an attacking mindset to the centre of the field, playing more forward balls and possibly beating a player or two in the middle to open up some gaps??? who knows, but HH seems to have taken to that role like a duck to water.
NickA
Roar Rookie
On the flip side, I thought Milanovic was a very average player when he came onto the scene at Western United and I was very wrong about that - he's been one of my favourite players to watch this season.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Exactly the opposite! I reckon I’ve been singing his praises since his very first game years ago. Super glad he is finally getting recognition. He’s brilliant.
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
Do you mean there is too much hype surrounding Nisbet?
NickA
Roar Rookie
Back after a hiatus for another "This is Nisbet's world and we're all living in it" comment. That is all.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Finn Surman clearance he was in the right position , it didnt require any great acrobatics or reactions. He was beaten for the header by Caputo that was a great save for Paulsen. I would go for Ben Old, that shot that hit the cross bar, it off a bouncing deflection from a tight angle. Girdwood Reich he did that pass to no one that led to Rojas getting the ball, and he also let Markovski sneak in on goal unmarked only for Markovski to not fluff the shot, Markovski should have got a yellow card for putting his foot in on Redmayne quite late. I would give it to Redmayne he positioned himself very well to stop all the one on ones.