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Was it the best goal in A-League history? That’s the question plenty of fans were asking in the wake of Tim Cahill’s long-range piledriver in the Melbourne derby.
There have been scores of significant goals scored in the A-League over the years – from Noel Spencer’s 30-yard stunner in the first ever A-League game to Erik Paartalu’s incredible 120th-minute equaliser in the 2011 A-League grand final.
And while Cahill’s sweetly struck half-volley deserves a place in the pantheon of great A-League goals, there are plenty of other worthy candidates.
What Cahill’s goal will hopefully do is remind Australian sports fans who aren’t invested in the A-League that the competition is worth their time and money.(Click to Tweet)
Like Alessandro Del Piero’s curling free-kick against Newcastle in 2012, Cahill’s derby strike was as much about the A-League’s desire to reel in new fans, as it was a means to thrill the 43,000 fans in attendance.
The key now for Melbourne City is how they use it, with the A-League’s latest glamour club hosting Perth Glory in their first home game of the season at AAMI Park tonight.
Will they attract more than the 11,000 or so fans they averaged last season? Here’s hoping.
But given how much promotion Cahill has done since joining City, popping up everywhere from the AFL grand final to Channel Nine’s Today show, he can hardly be accused of not doing his part.
In fact, with Fox Sports aiming to hold on to the A-League broadcast rights and Football Federation Australia simultaneously hoping to attract a new free-to-air partner, Cahill’s highly-visible presence on our TV screens makes sense from a marketing perspective.
It’s a bit like Jarryd Hayne’s short-lived stint in the NFL – when Australians everywhere suddenly found themselves discussing the intricacies of American football, despite previously having little interest in the game.
What FFA will hope to avoid is Cahill’s Australian career fizzling out like Hayne’s did in San Francisco, with the A-League’s newest marquee man the key to tapping into a mainstream audience.
Cahill can put the cool into Melbourne City the same way Dwight Yorke did for Sydney FC in season one, and hopefully attract a new generation of fans in the process.
The last thing the A-League needs is more Eurosnob fans turning their nose up at the local product, and it’ll be interesting to see how many fans turn up tonight given Melbourne’s reputation as the nation’s sporting capital.
With two massive derbies already done and dusted, the A-League now falls back into a more familiar routine minus the sugar-hit of derby attendances.
That’s likely to be of some concern to head office, not least because Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners are both at home this weekend – and neither have proved themselves to be popular box-office drawcards.
Instead officials will be hoping for a packed house at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night for the traditional grudge match between old foes Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory.
It was interesting to see referee Shaun Evans relegated to fourth official duties for tonight, with FFA no doubt keen to avoid a repeat of the contentious refereeing which marred Adelaide’s last-start defeat.
Western Sydney Wanderers fans will also be venturing into the unknown, as they get set to follow their team out to Spotless Stadium for the first time on Sunday night.
It’s an unusual kick-off time and an unfamiliar venue, but after a stunning come-from-behind win last week, the Wanderers will be keen to continue their winning ways at their nominal new home.
And Melbourne City fans will be hopeful of watching their team continue their blistering start to the new campaign.
Tim Cahill’s derby goal was undoubtedly one for the ages, and having already done much to dispel the notion he’s only interested in a pay cheque, Melbourne City will hope he can help put the cool back into the A-League.