GK: Mark Birighitti
His run of great form continued against Wanderers, pulling off a string of fine saves - including a reflex classic from an Ono shot - and assuring his team of three points their overall performance did not deserve. 

RB: Jerome Polenz
An industrious performance from the German right back. Linked well with Hersi in attack down the right flank and stifled any attacks that came his way. Unlucky to be on the losing side.
 
LB: Adama Traore
An outstanding performance for the full 90 minutes. He seemed irritated by errors from his fellow defenders - his own defensive performance was near perfect - and seemed determined to create the chances for his team to win the match. In white-hot form and rightly being talked up by Ange for a potential Socceroos berth - when he becomes eligible.
 
CB: Patrick Zwaanswijk
The big Dutchman is a big reason why the Mariners are back on top of the table. Forming an impressive partnership in the heart of the Central Coast back four with Trent Sainsbury - and that was in evidence again over in Wellington. Repelled all that was thrown at them.
 
CB: Patrick Gerhardt
Repelled the few attacks that a listless Brisbane Roar side could muster, and found opportunities to maraud forward and threaten in an attacking sense - and scored a nice goal past a lazy Matt Jurman.
 
CM: Dario Vidosic
Scored a wonderful goal to level the scores and was busy throughout, both creating chances and being on the end of them. Lots of Roar fans wishing he'd come home at the start of the season...
 
CM: Richard Garcia
There's no more keeping him out of this team. Scored from a terrific move, and was at the Heart of everything in the Heart attack. Showed a lot of Heart for the Heart, and Heart fans will be Heartened by the Heart Heart's Heart showed.  [insert further Heart references here]
 
CM: Liam Miller
Billy Mehmet this week called Miller the A-League's best player. While that may be up for debate, what is not is Miller's form right now, which is impeccable. Was great on Sunday both going forward and taking some of Jacob Burns' responsibilities on.
 
RW: Andrew Nabbout
The best performance by a substitute in a long time secured three points for Victory and Ian Crook's place in the Sydney Manager Hall of Shame. First goal an absolute belter from well outside the box, the other a bullet header to win it. Hope we see much more of this lad.

LW: Yairo Yau
In two poor performances he's looked great at the pointy end of Sydney's team. Scored a great goal, but that's not the image I'll take out of this game of him. At one point he outpaced Adama Traore by about ten yards - that's what is in his locker. Hope the new Sydney manager can use him better than Ian Crook.
 
ST: Josip Tadic
Fantastic all-around performance from the Heart attacker. Scored a penalty and laid on many more chances - including the magnificent lead-up play for Richard Garcia's goal.
 
Manager: Ian Crook
I wanted to use this space to mention a standout manager, and Ian certainly stood out by recognising that he was not the man for the job and standing down as Sydney FC manager. A brave move, a selfless move, and a move which gives Sydney more of a chance of being competitive this season.
 
Referee: Brenton Hayward
Got all the major decisions right, didn't make any clear errors. Was probably the best weekend for referees overall so far this season. Interesting to see Peter O'Leary going to the other extreme as most this season and barely booking anyone for anything.