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Newcastle Jets' Fabio Vignaroli (right) congratulates Jin Hyung Song. July 26, 2009. Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets drew 1-1. AAP Image/Paul Miller
Much of the attention on last weekend’s absorbing round of A-League action was focused on Etihad Stadium, but while Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC played out a scoreless draw, elsewhere a couple of clubs were making moves of their own.
One such outfit was Brisbane Roar, with Ange Postecoglu’s side recording their second win within the space of three days to establish themselves in the top six.
Brisbane’s midweek victory over North Queensland proved not only that fans will come out to see the right kind of marquee player – in this case the Fury’s Robbie Fowler – but also that there are plenty of other useful foreign signings to snap up.
Sergio van Dijk may have arrived in Australia as an unheralded Dutch journeyman, but the burly striker has vindicated the Roar’s scouting department with some devastatingly effective performances of late.
Just as impressive is the faith new coach Postecoglu has shown in some of his youngsters, with the pace of Michael Zullo, Adam Sarota and Tommy Oar set to cause constant headaches for opposition defences over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Branko Culina’s Newcastle Jets recorded their fourth win in succession in a thrilling 3-2 victory over the unlucky Fury, as the Novocastrians moved into outright fourth in the table.
Temperamental club owner Con Constantine must have been tempted to give Culina the flick following Newcastle’s dismal start to the campaign, yet his patience has been rewarded with an impressive surge up the standings.
All of which would be redundant were it not for the A-League finals.
Newcastle’s rise from the foot of the table to top four contenders has been impressive, but few would care were it not for the fact that the Jets can now actually win something.
There are plenty of purists out there who insist that the A-League champions should be decided solely on the basis of first-past-the-post.
That might be how it’s done elsewhere, but doing away with the finals series robs mid-table teams of the motivation to persevere at the back end of the season.
What incentive would Perth Glory have to continue busting their lungs if it weren’t for the fact that they could belatedly sneak back into the top six?
Yes, the current finals format somewhat rewards mediocrity – but if Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC have been as dominant as their points haul suggests, they should be able to account for whomever they come up against in the finals.
After all, Melbourne have twice lifted the A-League title after winning the premiership, and every club is well aware of the pitfalls of finals football.
The first-past-the-post school has merit, but whether it’s a short-term option for the A-League is a matter for debate.
How much longer the Asian Football Confederation continues to tolerate finals football is also open to interpretation – although I’m not sure where their new-found belligerence stems from, given that a few years ago they were about as organised as the Fury’s back four.
But with Brisbane and Newcastle now surging into form, I’d be happy to see them rewarded with the opportunity to play finals football.
I’m also intrigued whether the bottom four can conjure their own late surge towards the stop six – including last season’s runner-up, Adelaide United.
There are many fans who believe the finals should be discarded post haste – but I don’t think they’re such a bad idea, at least for the foreseeable future.
A run to the finals maintains interest until the final round of fixtures when there’s no relegation battles to mull over, and gives those who miss out on topping the table a second chance to win the main event.
But is that even something the majority of A-League fans want? Share your thoughts here and we’ll find out.