We pick our top five players from the opening weekend of the A-League season.
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Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
Delpierre was superb on his A-League debut in the heart of the Victory defence, and he won a majority of his duels both in the air and on the deck.
The Frenchman also scored the opening goal of the season with a well-taken volley from a Gui Finkler set-piece – and there’s no doubt he’ll prove to be a constant danger from free kicks and corners throughout the season.
Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
Scored on his Victory debut, even if it did come from a penalty.
He was a constant danger for the Wanderers defence all Friday night, and his assist for Archie Thompson’s second-half goal was excellent.
Isaias (Adelaide United)
Did his job perfectly.
The Spaniard broke down Brisbane’s attacks all game as well as maintaining possession in the middle of the park despite being pressured constantly.
Isaias is quickly emerging as Adelaide’s key player in a playing system that requires him to both create and defend.
Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
The former Chelsea and Fulham man was a constant danger for the Sydney FC defence, and his class shone through with an excellent assist for David Villa’s goal.
All the pre-match talk centered around Villa, but Duff was City’s key man in a match that City should have won on the balance of play.
Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
Not known for being a goalscorer, Broxham put the Victory 3-1 up with a well-taken goal at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
But it was his industrious work in the middle of the park that was most impressive, with the stand-in captain combining well with Carl Valeri to both stifle Western Sydney’s creative threats, as well as helping feed the Victory’s attacking quartet of Gui Finkler, Archie Thompson, Kosta Barbarouses and Besart Berisha.