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It’s all to play for heading into the final round of the A-League, with the minor premiership up for grabs between three clubs, two equal on points, and Wellington still in contention for a top four spot. However, the intensity of the drama of the final round will be lacking with the games spread over three days.
The FFA should follow the example of other leagues and stage the games at the same time.
This will add intensity to the final round akin to the final day dramas of the major leagues around the world.
While it won’t have as much at stake, there are no relegation threats for the bottom sides and these aren’t the culminating matches with the playoffs around the corner, there is still the matter of who claims the first Asian Champions League spot available and winning a favourable finals draw.
If all the final round games were played at the same time there would be a real buzz at the matches with the crowds, players and teams on edge as results filter in from other grounds around the country.
The teams will have no choice but to go for a result, their destiny in their own hands.
Fans would relish such a scenario.
If this weekend’s matches were played at the same time, Melbourne fans would be eagerly listening to the proceedings at Central Coast against Adelaide, likewise with Wellington fans at the same game.
All the permutations and scenarios would play out right in front of us at the exact same time.
There is also the issue of fairness.
As the last teams playing in the round, Adelaide United and Central Coast have an unfair advantage in knowing all the permutations to jump their rivals.
With Melbourne Victory playing Friday night and Queensland Roar Saturday night, Adelaide can head into their away game at Central Coast knowing the result they need to claim the minor premiership.
If Melbourne and Queensland are both defeated, the result will not matter for Adelaide and therefore the intensity of the match will dramatically lessen. It may even allow Aurelio Vidmar to rest key players ahead of the finals campaign, a beneficial scenario given the worry of fatigue after such a long season for the Reds.
Even if Melbourne win, Adelaide will know it needs a victory and the amount of goals it needs to retake top spot on goal difference.
If Wellington are defeated by Melbourne, or draw, then the result of Central Coast’s home game will be irrelevant.
So if Melbourne wins Adelaide has it all to play for while Central Coast will be safe, if Wellington win, and depending on Queenslands result, both Central Coast and Adelaide could settle for a draw each, hardly a recipe for either team to produce attacking football.
As stated, both Adelaide and the Coast will know all the permutations before they hit the park Sunday giving them a significant advantage.
This advantage is simply the result of good luck with regard to scheduling.
Therefore, the best solution is to stage the games at the same time.
Foxtel may not like it, but they could easily accommodate the games at the same time as they do with the EPL.
It will certainly add an extra dimension of excitement to the final round and ensure fairness for all teams involved.