Impressive away day results dominated Hyundai A-League Round 3, but they wouldn’t have been possible without some stellar individual performances to match.
After an entertaining weekend, we’ve singled out the stars and assembled them into a 4-4-2 formation for our latest Team of the Week.
Did we get it right?
GOALKEEPER
Jamie Young (Brisbane Roar)
He was beaten twice and returned to Queensland empty-handed, but Jamie Young did absolutely everything in his power to keep Brisbane Roar alive against Perth Glory.
The 33-year-old’s efforts included a stunning first-half double save and there was nothing he could do about either Glory goal in his team’s 2-1 defeat.
Roar’s experienced number one finished with seven stops in total, his pride well and truly intact.
DEFENDERS
Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)
Just months after making a comeback from an ACL injury, Rhyan Grant is back in full flight for Sydney FC.
The extent of his hunger and drive was laid bare throughout the 3-0 triumph over Melbourne City on Friday night, his third match in six days.
The barnstorming right-back turned in a tireless 90 minutes and played a crucial part in all three goals, claiming an assist for Paulo Retre’s opener.
Tarek Elrich (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Eyebrows were raised when the teamsheet revealed Tarek Elrich to be partnering Brendan Hamill in the centre of defence for Western Sydney’s trip to Wellington.
Now, having helped keep Roy Krishna in check amid uncomfortable conditions at a wet and windy Westpac Stadium, the natural full-back will be difficult to dislodge.
He looked at home in the heart of the back four to help secure a welcome clean sheet in the 3-0 win.
Thomas Deng (Melbourne Victory)
Terry Antonis stole headlines that would surely have been scripted differently if not for Thomas Deng’s expert performance in the Grand Final rematch.
The newly capped Caltex Socceroo exuded calm amid an early onslaught from Newcastle Jets that would have undone lesser sides.
Deng remained a rock throughout and looks to have nailed down his spot alongside the accomplished Georg Niedermeier.
Jason Davidson (Perth Glory)
He might only have played 62 minutes at nib Stadium on Saturday but Jason Davidson did more than enough during the first 45 alone to warrant selection.
Brisbane had no answer to Perth’s constantly overlapping wing-back, who posed serious problems with his team-high seven crosses.
MIDFIELDERS
Chris Ikonomidis (Perth Glory)
Few players in the competition are more thrilling to watch than Chris Ikonomidis.
The 23-year-old Glory attacker looks to know his game inside out after a long stint abroad, with his skill on the ball and tactical acumen in strong supply against Brisbane.
His ability to breeze past defenders made Perth’s opener and tied into an entertaining left-sided partnership with Davidson.
Terry Antonis (Melbourne Victory)
Like the rest of his Victory teammates, Antonis was a bystander in the face of Newcastle’s first-half rampage on Saturday night.
But Kevin Muscat’s side have the 24-year-old to thank for escaping the Hunter Valley with three points and their title defence ignited.
Antonis was a crucial part in steadying the ship before he fired in an emphatic winner midway through the second half.
Jordan O’Doherty (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Markus Babbel made three changes to the Wanderers side that was beaten in the Sydney Derby and the grandest masterstroke was his inclusion of O’Doherty.
Deployed alongside Keanu Baccus in midfield, the attack-minded 21-year-old was positive in possession and didn’t shirk his defensive duties before getting on the scoresheet in stoppage time.
Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United)
There’s just no stopping Craig Goodwin at the moment.
Headers, free-kicks, right-footed rockets; it seems as though the left winger has brought a whole new bag of tricks back with him from the Netherlands.
He was sensational again away to Central Coast Mariners, picking up where he left off from the FFA Cup Final 2018 by scoring twice and assisting the other in a 3-0 victory.
FORWARDS
Adam Le Fondre (Sydney FC)
Four goals in three Hyundai A-League matches – Adam Le Fondre is on fire for Sydney FC.
The Sky Blues’ faithful might have spent some of the off-season lamenting the loss of Bobo, but the reigning Hyundai A-League Premiers have acquired a striker of similar dead-eyed efficiency.
Le Fondre underlined his importance to Steve Corica’s side with an expertly taken brace against City, with his first – a delightful dink over Eugene Galekovic – a sublime demonstration of the 31-year-old’s class in front of goal.
Andy Keogh (Perth Glory)
Perth Glory spearhead Andy Keogh is relishing life under Tony Popovic.
The experienced former Republic of Ireland international has three goals in as many appearances this term, with the latest coming early in the win over Roar.
He also played a key part in creating the second-half own goal that ultimately proved the winner at nib Stadium.
