The Big V's big two are big talents

Much like Sydney's sensational forward line against Brisbane Roar, the Big V's two big names, Keisuke Honda and Toivonen, are hitting their peak at the perfect time.

Both have suffered injury-interrupted seasons but will be key to Melbourne's hopes come finals time, with their goalscoring of particular importance. 

While Kosta Barbarouses has led the line with aplomb, the backup brigade Kenny Athiu and Elvis Kamsoba, for their flamboyance, are clearly still too inexperienced to rest Championship hopes on.

Castro never capitulates

The old adage 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going' succinctly applies to Diego Castro, who is clearly going to be key to any hopes Perth have of sustaining an incredible season over the next two months, turning a Premiership into a maiden A-League Championship.

While the likes of Andy Keogh, Chris Ikonomidis and Joel Chianese can drift in and out of contests, especially when effectively man-marked, Castro's ability to always force his involvement, even in less-than-impressive team or personal performances, is just one of the reasons he's in contention for a second Johnny Warren Medal.