Mile Jedinak starred in central defence in Aston Villa's win over second-placed Cardiff City, prompting claims he could be the solution to Australia's defensive problems.
In fact, it could solve a lot more than the Socceroos' defensive frailties.
Jedinak started as a central defender in the absence of John Terry for the Villans as they kicked Cardiff City out of the automatic promotion places with a 1-0 win at Villa Park.
The Aussie captain started alongside Wales' James Chester and was a rock for Villa against the nous-and-experience of Neil Warnock's Cardiff side, as coach Steve Bruce's decision - notorious as he is for defensive pragmatism - proved a masterful choice.
With Terry set to return, there's doubt over whether Jedinak will continue to fill the role. Although if he can prove his worth in the position over Chester, who's had a mixed career so far at Villa, it could prove a ligh-bulb moment for Bert van Marwijk.
The Socceroos boss has a serious selection dilemma on his hands between Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo and Mile Jedinak.
In van Marwijk's 4-2-3-1 formation, the two holding midfield roles would have traditionally gone to Mooy and Jedinak, however, Luongo's sensational performances for club and country have rocketed the 25-year-old into contention.
Luongo has four goals in his last eight appearances for Queens Park Rangers and was Australia's Man of the Match against Colombia; his acceleration, technical ability and crunching tackles the sole spark in an otherwise fortunate result.
Conversely, Jedinak was poor in both the Socceroos' recent friendlies. His passing was slow and easily intercepted and his lack of mobility, especially alongside a similarly slow midfielder in Mooy, presented a significant weakness for the Socceroos.
It's worth mentioning that Jedinak's positioning and aerial presence - as always - were on point.
Meanwhile, Bailey Wright, Milos Degenek and Mark Milligan all looked shaky at times as the lack of leaders in Australia's central defence was stark without Trent Sainsbury. Even alongside Sainsbury and Matt Jurman, Jedinak could be the force-of-nature Australia needs to maintain a defensive style against our World Cup opponents.
Whether he could fulfill the role permanently remains to be seen, but Bruce has provided van Marwijk some food for thought leading into June's friendlies.
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