Stats review: Oldest goalscorer in Australian national league history breaks titanic drought
If good things come to those who wait then Western United defender Andrew Durante must have the patience of a saint.
When the veteran centre-half towered above his marker in the 22nd minute at GMHBA Stadium, not only did it send shockwaves through the Western Sydney Wanderers defence, but the record books began to crumble.
Durante powered in a header to level the scores at 1-1 during the Remembrance Round clash to become the oldest goalscorer in the history of Australian national league football.
And awards should be handed out to anyone who can remember the last time the Green and Black’s skipper found the back of the net.
Durante’s last goal came during Wellington Phoenix’s 4-1 win against Newcastle Jets on October 26, 2014 - more than five years ago.
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The strike may have been half a decade in the waiting but when you break that down into playing minutes, the mind boggles.
Durante had played 10,580 minutes without scoring, in a stat quotes by Mark Bosnich during FOX Sports’ coverage of the match on Saturday.
That breaks down to 176 hours and 20 minutes or seven days, eight hours and 20 minutes.
Durante played football for more than a week, non-stop, without sleep, without scoring, until he headed Alessandro Diamanti’s corner past Daniel Lopar in United’s 2-1 win.
Good times roll for Melbourne City
That wait for a Hyundai A-League goal pales into comparison when compared against City defender Curtis Good, who snapped his own scoreless streak on Friday night.
As Melbourne City toasted their 10-year anniversary since being formed as Melbourne Heart, Good celebrated his second Hyundai A-League goal.
The first of which arrived some six and a half years ago.
The caveat for Good is that between 2012 and 2018, the 26-year-old plied his trade in England and Scotland - where he did get on the scoresheet - but it was still a momentous occasion for the Victorian native.
Good was the only player in Erick Mombarts’ starting line-up who was also present, as a 16-year-old scholar, when Melbourne Heart were established in 2009.
Three’sy does it for McGree
Riley McGree continues to surpass himself.
Once simply known as the ‘Scorpion King’, McGree delivered a breakout 2018/19 campaign, scoring seven goals and notching four assists in an otherwise uninspiring year for Melbourne City.
And the 21-year-old has taken his game to the next level since returning to hometown club Adelaide United, shooting to the top of the Golden Boot charts with his four goals through five rounds.
This week’s winning goal against Brisbane Roar marks the first time in his fledgling career that McGree has scored in three straight games.
Who would bet against him making it four in the Central Coast next week?
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Toivonen to the rescue
Where would Melbourne Victory be without Ola Toivonen?
Their talismanic captain netted a crucial equaliser against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday to become the fastest Melbourne Victory player to score 20 goals.
It has taken the Swedish marquee man 32 games, that’s four quicker than club icon Besart Berisha.
The 33-year-old has also been directly involved in Victory’s last eight Hyundai A-League goals dating back to last season’s Elimination Final.
Toivonen is fast on his way to achieving legend status in the Navy Blue jersey.
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City stay undefeated on Victorian pitches
Melbourne City are off to their best start in their 10-year history.
New head coach Erick Mombaerts has delivered 13 points from a possible 15 to start his tenure to get City fans dreaming.
But their strong run on home state soil goes way further back than the Frenchman’s arrival.
City have now gone 18 matches unbeaten in Victoria and the fact they have an extra away game in state perhaps plays into their hands.
Get warmed up, Matty
Whether it’s an enviable record or not, Matt Simon certainly has broken one.
His cameo in the Central Coast Mariners’ 3-1 defeat at Melbourne City was his 101st off the bench.
That now makes Simon the joint leader in substitute appearances in Australian national league history.
When Simon gets sent on one more time he will overtake Western Sydney Wanderers’ hero Brendon Santalab at the top.
Mariners leak remains unplugged
Simon’ sub appearance wasn’t the least wanted record racked up by the Gosford boys on Friday night.
The moment Good struck on 17 minutes made it the 37th straight away game where the Mariners have failed to secure a clean sheet.
That breaks their own all-time Australian national league record registered between 2015-16.
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City’s favourite Uruguayan
It was a day to remember for Adrian Luna on Friday, as the Melbourne City attacker notched his first Hyundai A-League goal.
That makes the 27-year-old the first Uruguayan to score in a City jersey since a certain Bruno Fornaroli departed in the off-season.
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Glory keep battling
Reigning Premiers Perth Glory may have only won one match from five in 2019/20 but it’s not for the want of trying.
Tony Popovic’s men have engaged in (543) and won more duels (263) than any other side this Hyundai A-League season.
McDonald on the podium
Scott McDonald climbed into the top three all-time Australian appearance makers on Sunday.
McDonald’s appearance for Western United brought him level third with Kevin Muscat on 530 games for teams around the world.
One more will take him outright into third spot, but the 36-year-old has some way to go to catch Mark Schwarzer or Timmy Cahill.
Chapman is king of the tackles
Not many come out on top of a challenge with Connor Chapman.
The Western United utility has now won 14 of his 16 tackles, notching the best tackle success rate of any player in the 2019/20 season at 88%.
Only players who made six or more tackles are included, but Chapman is not backing down. He also leads the Hyundai A-League with 14 tackles won.
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Pass master Donachie hits a seven-year high
James Donachie certainly had an eye for a pass on Sunday.
The Melbourne Victory defender kept the ball moving as the home side racked up 67% possession in the 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix.
Donachie logged a staggering 120 total passes. No Victory player has topped that total since 2012.
