There were plenty of epic performances from Aaron Mooy throughout his time at Melbourne City but these were our top 5 memorable matches from the Socceroo superstar as he departs for Manchester City.
2014/15 v Brisbane Roar, Round 5
Mooy was absolutely everywhere that night as the midfield maestro arguably set the tone for the rest of his City career at Suncorp Stadium. A 3-1 win away from home and a masterful through ball to James Brown who played a simple cutback for Marc Marino to settle the result, it was City’s first win for the season and Mooy’s first game where he made the midfield position his own, toiling in both defence and attack.
It was only until Round 15 that Aaron Mooy would have the chance for redemption against his old side at AAMI Park and you could tell it meant a lot him as he capped off a man of the match performance. An assist for Jacob Melling’s first A-League goal and a wonderful curling effort on the edge of the area capped off the 2-1 win where Mooy shone brightest, sending a message to the league that he was now Melbourne City’s Aaron Mooy.
It was Mooy to the rescue on a cold and difficult night at Magic Park as the midfielder showed his class, single-handedly pulling City over the line against Northern New South Wales National Premier Leagues side Edgeworth Eagles.
After the Eagles went up early from the spot, it was left up to Mooy to pull out two moments of brilliance from the dead ball to ensure his side would progress to the Round of 16 in regular time. Edgeworth made a match of the early season contest but with the last kick of the game, the set-piece specialist showed why he was to become the Club’s marquee man only a week later, netting in the 93’ minute.
A man at the peak of his powers, Mooy picked up an two assists and a goal to boot in City’s 4-2 win over Adelaide United and stamped his case for Socceroos contention with performances throughout the month. It was a pinpoint corner that set up the opener for Erik Paartalu and Mooy would make it 2-0 not long after, involved in a brilliant combination with Bruno Fornaroli and Jacob Melling to fire in off the underside of the crossbar. The result was rounded out by Fornaroli but Mooy was the man who shone brightest for City.
2015/16 v Newcastle, Round 10
Mooy was up to his usual tricks in Newcastle last December as he picked up a brace and an assist, looking unstoppable in the City engine room.
Goals either side of the half alongside another double for Bruno Fornaroli secured the result for the away side but the sheer grit and determination for his second goal, that saw him deal with bruised ribs for multiple weeks, epitomised the marquee man’s desire to give it all for his side.
