Oliver Sail – Wellington Phoenix
The Wellington gloveman was the round’s busiest keeper, showing safe hands as he made eight saves while Wellington were outshot 21-8 by Perth Glory, despite going on to win 3-0.
The 25-year-old made it back-to-back clean sheets on his 11th career start in the competition, a performance highlighted by an athletic low block from Brandon Wilson’s 12th-minute drive and a courageous triple save to deny Bruno Fornaroli twice and Daniel Stynes at close range.
CHANCE: Incredible chance Sail s away for the Glory
Defenders
James McGarry – Wellington Phoenix
Phoenix absorbed a lot of pressure in the 3-0 counter-attacking win against Glory and McGarry was a key component at both ends of the WIN Stadium pitch in Wollongong.
Tom Smithies 1615268147,1615329140
It took Matt Hatch just 25 seconds to make his mark on Australian football, but his historic goal was 18 months in the making.
The 20-year-old was back in training on Tuesday morning at the Mariners’ recovery session, still just another member of the squad for all his internet-melting exploits the night before.
Officially the owner of the fast goal on debut in Australian men’s football history (just 25 seconds), Hatch won’t be allowed to forget that it should be just a milestone in a burgeoning career.
A year and a half ago, Hatch was told to make a decision. The surf-loving teen from Woy Woy – who a decade ago was a ball boy for his beloved Mariners in the Asian Champions League - had to decide whether he truly wanted to be a professional footballer. His goal on Monday night to seal a home win over Macarthur rather confirms the answer was “yes”.