TALL timber Nikolai Topor-Stanley has been promising to score goals seemingly since touching down for a second time at the Jets three years ago.
The 35-year-old defender stunned Perth - and the rest of the A-League - with a 30-metre thunderbolt in round 21 that was awarded the goal of last season.
It was Topor-Stanley's third for the campaign. In the previous four seasons, including two with Western Sydney, he had netted just one.
However, the 191 centimetre central defender has found his goal-scoring groove.
Topor-Stanley made it two-goals in two games when he powered a free header past keeper Jamie Young in a 1-all draw with Brisbane Roar in a friendly at a rain-sodden Coffs Harbour International Stadium on Saturday.
Jason Hoffman curled a freekick to the defender at the far post who was left unmarked.
Topor-Stanley also scored from a set piece in the 3-all draw against Melbourne City, heading home at the back post.
Central defensive partner Nigel Boogaard hit the target from a corner in the 3-all draw with Macarthur.
Given the duo's prowess in the air, interim coach Craig Deans expects more goals from dead-ball situations in the season proper.
"You have to make the most of set pieces," Deans said. "If you can get your centrebacks scoring five or six goals a year, that is half a striker's tally in the A-League.
"Topor has the ability. In the air, he is a weapon and he showed last year he can score with is feet as well.
"Boogs has a goal in the pre-season as well. It is an area I think we can improve.
"Sometimes the challenge is not the runs, it's the quality of the delivery. It's more about hitting a good area. Ramy [Najjarine] and Hoff are taking most of our corners and freekicks."
While set pieces are important, Deans wants to create more chances from open play before they kick off their A-League campaign against the Mariners in Gosford on New Year's eve.
"The weather had a big impact on the game against Brisbane," Deans said. "More than 120mm of rain fell overnight and there was constant drizzle all day. We had some good moments and played some good football. Val [Yuel] was one-on-one with Young and Roy had a couple of half chances. Still, we are not creating enough clear-cut chances. We need to take a few more risks with the ball. We are comfortable passing it around but we need to be effective, ask a few questions.
"Teams are now starting to know the way we are going to play. Brisbane, for example, went man for man to try and stop us playing. If we become too predictable, it's easy for oppositions to know what is coming. We need to have a couple of tricks up our sleeve."
Najjarine (calf) has missed the past two friendlies but has resumed full running.Johnny Koutroumbis (ankle) and Lewis Italiano (quad) also sat out the Roar clash. All three are expected to be right for the final pre-season hit out against Wellington at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
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