A-League Men Opta Team of the Week Round 24: Details

Catch up on the Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week, powered by Opta.

The Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season continued with plenty of entertainment and drama over the weekend.

Round 24 saw Newcastle Jets maintain their three point lead over Auckland FC at the top of the ladder after both teams secured draws over the weekend.

However this week’s star performer was Perth Glory midfielder Nicholas Pennington, who played a starring role in Perth’s 3-1 win over Macarthur Bulls at HBF Park.

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This season, Opta will power the Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week using Opta Points – a comprehensive player metric that evaluates a player’s overall contribution to the game. Each Monday, the Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week will be displayed in a 4-3-3 formation, highlighting the best-performing players.

*Editor’s Note: The Team of the Week features matches played from Monday to Sunday – some teams may play more than once.

Joining Pennington in the midfield in this week’s Team of the Week are Melbourne City midfielder Daniel Arzani, who featured in both of City’s wins this week, whilst Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer also earns selection.

Two more Perth Glory players feature up top as young guns Sebastian Despotovski and Gabriel Popovic earn their spots in the side after bagging goals in the Glory’s 3-1 win over Macarthur whilst Auckland FC striker Sam Cosgrove is once again selected in the side.

In defence this week are three full backs by trade as Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich and teammate Nathaniel Atkinson feature following two matches in the last seven days. Jets defender Daniel Wilmering is selected after scoring the crucial equaliser against Adelaide whilst Western Sydney Wanderers defender Anthony Pantazopoulos accrued enough points to earn selection.

And finally, Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares is once again selected after another assured performance in the Sky Blues’ 2-0 derby win over the Wanderers.

Opta Points is a system where points are given to players for certain on-field actions. Players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points. (View the full breakdown of Opta Points below).

Explained: Opta’s Team of the Week using Opta Points

The scoring system distinguishes only between field players and goalkeepers, assigning the same number of points to all field players for corresponding actions. A distinctive feature of this system is its exclusive focus on in-game actions, refraining from awarding points for post-game performances, such as securing a victory or allocating bonus points for maintaining a clean sheet.

Positive actions (goals, passes, tackles, etc…) will add to a player’s score and, conversely, negative actions (cards, own goals, goals conceded) will reduce a player’s points total. Theoretically, a player’s points value is unlimited, and players can conclude a game with negative points. However, players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points.

Goals, Shots on target, shots off target, blocked shots, own goal, assists, passes, crosses, tackles, interceptions, fouls won, fouls conceded, offsides, yellow cards, red cards, goals conceded, penalty won, saves, penalty saved are included in Opta Points.