Perth Glory midfielder Steven McGarry put his hand up for a permanent role behind the main striker with another dazzling display in the win over Brisbane on Friday.
McGarry scored the only goal of the game with a stunning 25m strike at Suncorp Stadium and provided an attacking threat in tandem with marquee man Shane Smeltz.
His goal was the highlight of a gritty performance, but McGarry also worked hard defensively as Glory held firm under a barrage of Brisbane attacks in the second half.
Coach Ian Ferguson has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation this season, and the versatile McGarry has been used in a variety of positions.
The 33-year-old was required to fill in as a defensive midfielder in the absence of captain Jacob Burns and Liam Miller earlier this season, but prefers playing up front.
"The manager told me to try and play off Smeltzy as much as I can and I managed to get the goal that way," McGarry said.
"I love playing in there (behind Smeltz).
"The last few weeks the manager has had me playing a sort of defensive midfield because Burnsy and Liam have been out, but I prefer playing that role off the striker."
Ferguson was pleased with McGarry's performance and is unlikely to change his attacking combination for the home game against Western Sydney Wanderers at Patersons Stadium on Thursday.
"McGarry is technically very good and he can see a pass," Ferguson said.
"As you can see, he can score a goal as well, so I'm delighted with him."
Western Sydney announced themselves as a genuine title contender with a shock 6-1 hammering of second-placed Adelaide United on Friday and will take confidence from their only previous encounter with Glory - a 1-0 win at nib Stadium in round seven.
McGarry said Wanderers had surprised the rest of the competition in their debut season.
"I don't think anybody imagined they'd do so well but they're very well organised and have very good players," McGarry said.
"We're going into the game full of confidence and it's going to be an intriguing fixture."
Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said his side would remain grounded despite the emphatic win over Adelaide and was not thinking about its championship potential.
"We don't talk that way at our club or in the dressing room. The firepower is the same as it was in round one," Popovic said.
"We always believed in our players and we'll continue to do so."
Asked what Friday night's result meant in terms of the rest of the season, Popovic said: "I'm just thinking about the next match."
·Glory women remain top of the W-League table after an entertaining 3-3 draw with reigning champions Canberra United at Inglewood's Intiga Stadium on Saturday.
Glory took a second-half lead through Lisa De Vanna, but Caitlin Cooper equalised for the visitors in the 71st minute.
"As you can see, he can score a goal as well, so I'm delighted with him.""Glory coach *Ian Ferguson *on *Steven McGarry *
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