The Numbers That Matter
Winners and Losers
Winners: Jaiden Kucharski, Al Hassan Toure and Henry Gray
This trio are probably the three standout players of the competition so far, with Wanderers midfielder Dylan Scicluna perhaps the only one challenging them for consistent impact throughout the first month.
Toure slotted a hat-trick to become an early season Golden Boot leader, whilst Kucharski himself could have netted a third of his own had manager Adam Griffiths not already planned to substitute him shortly after half-time to carefully manage his workload.
Kucharski was our Player of the Match for a second consecutive week, rating 9.2 out of 10 following an 8.9 in Glory's 4-0 demolition of Adelaide United last weekend.
Undefeated league leaders Wellington have conceded just one goal so far this season and Gray has had a lot to say on that matter, saving ten of the 11 shots to come his way so far across the season.
Losers: Awer Mabil and Philipp Ziereis
These two lads are both facing some extended time on the sideline with suspensions to be served after the international break.
Victory's German centre back got send off for a second yellow card, and had nothing to complain about given it was a very loose challenge that earned him the second.
Mabil is likely to face disclipinary proceedings this week and could miss more than just the mandatory one game given he was sent off for violent conduct.
Say what you like how about easily Dylan Scicluna went to ground, but lashing out at the head or neck of an opponent is always going to get you in trouble.
Teams of the Week
Goals of the Week
Round 4 was probably the biggest toss-up of the season so far with three classic 'thunderbastards' all too difficult to split, so we've given them all the gong this week.
What the managers said
Ufuk Talay (Western Sydney Wanderers):
"Offside is black and white at the end of the day. Last week, I don't believe it was black and white - even the footage I got from the Head of Referees, it didn't seem black and white. Regardless of it being a goal or not being a goal, I've lost my trust in that space anyway, so it doesn't really matter."
Michael Valkanis (Brisbane Roar):
"Winners are grinners when you get three points, especially away from home against a team that were unbeaten. Today they showed how defensively organised they are. We knew it was going to be difficult. They were physical, they were aggressive and in the second half they played some good football. We're so happy to go away with the win. We had some big chances that we should have put away and maybe the game would have been a bit different, but overall I can't be happier."
Pedro Moreira (Auckland FC):
"Happy for the improvement from the boys but not happy for the result, because it was completely unfair what happened in the game, especially in the second half when we dominated the game ... If you analyse last week's game in Newcastle and today's game, it was completely different. We controlled this game and we didn't offer up chances. A lot of times I'll say to you I think it was a fair result, but I think today was an unfair result."
Click here to read post-match reactions from all 12 managers.
Upcoming fixtures
See you after the international break! The A-League does not return until Friday 20th when the Wanderers host Adelaide at Western Sydney Stadium.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
