Round 28 produced just seven goals in six games, with three of the goals scored in the first game between Macarthur FC and Melbourne Victory.
Six out of the 12 teams that featured kept a clean sheet.
Central Coast Mariners were the team with a bye.
Let’s take a look at who made the difference for each team.
Macarthur FC
Luke Brattan played a brilliant long pass to Marin Jakolis, who provided the assist for the Bulls’ only goal of the game scored by Chris Ikonomidis in the 68th minute.
The Bulls had an opportunity to score earlier in the match, also thanks to their captain who put the ball on a plate for Jake Hollman who hit the bar in the 35th minute.
The experienced campaigner created three chances, won ten duels and played with fire in his belly.
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Melbourne Victory
Ryan Teague scored the first goal of the game in the fourth minute with a great strike from outside the box, which was reminiscent of his first goal for the national team.
Teague showed why he is a Socceroo when quizzed about playing for his country: “The only reason I got that debut was because I was playing well at club level. I go out there with the same mindset.”
Brisbane Roar
Jay O’Shea led the Roar well; the captain passed the ball to Asumah Abubakar who provided the assist for the only goal scored in the game, which was a quality finish from Florin Berenguer in the 58th minute.
The 36-year-old created the most chances of any player in the match, with six and worked hard defensively. The Irishman had the most tackles, with two.
Wellington Phoenix
Josh Oluwayemi made eight saves and kept the Phoenix in with a chance of getting a result, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
The Phoenix goalkeeper made some pivotal saves that kept the scoreboard respectable and the one-goal loss flattered them.
Newcastle Jets
Ryan Scott made four saves and performed admirably; the Jets vice-captain did extremely well to save an effort from Nicolas Milanovic in the 64th minute, which led to a Wanderers corner despite the ball looking destined for the back of the net.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Anthony Pantazopoulos did extremely well to help his team keep a clean sheet; the Wanderers centre-back did a fantastic job in defence, particularly in the 39th minute when he made a last-ditch tackle which prevented Jets striker Lachlan Rose from scoring an almost certain goal. Games are decided by key moments and Pantazopoulos showed that.
The 22-year-old had two tackles, won six duels, had 12 clearances and three-headed clearances and was up to the challenge in a game decided by one goal.
Melbourne City
Marco Tilio played with palpable passion; the Socceroo provided a case that he should be getting game time with the national team.
Marco Tilio. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
The 23-year-old created three chances and, remarkably, had the most tackles of any player in the match, with four to go along with winning eight duels.
Adelaide United
Max Vartuli played the game of his life; the shot-stopper made six saves with many of them top drawer. The Reds shot-stopper did well to make some tough saves and they have him to thank for claiming a point.
The 20-year-old showed he has a good head on his shoulders, speaking post-game: “Not the desired result. It’s a big step up from NPL.”
Nathaniel Atkinson of Melbourne City acknowledged Vartuli’s performance after the goalless draw: “The keeper had a blinder.”
Auckland FC
Marlee Francois broke the deadlock directly from a corner in the 62nd minute. Two minutes earlier, Francois nearly scored, but was denied due to a brilliant save from Glory goalkeeper Oliver Sail.
Perth Glory
Oliver Sail made four saves and kept the scoreboard respectable. The ball lived in the final third of Auckland FC for the majority of the game, as they had 28 shots. The shot-stopper was at his best when he saved a shot from Auckland FC substitute Jesse Randall in the 87th minute.
Western United
Riku Danzaki provided the pinpoint cross that resulted in the only goal of the game, which was scored by Matthew Grimaldi in the fourth minute. The game came down to that moment; a touch of class from an underrated Japanese import who goes about his business quietly and with no fuss.
Sydney FC
Wataru Kamijo played well; the 19-year-old was heavily involved in the game, winning the most duels of any player with ten.
The midfielder didn’t look out of place and performed admirably in a losing cause.
