Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick believes the A-League must work towards playing all final round matches at the same time to ensure the fairest possible finish to the season.
In what will be a grandstand finish to the season proper this weekend, finals contenders Melbourne and Wellington Phoenix play on Friday night, the Queensland Roar on Saturday night and Adelaide and Central Coast clash on Sunday.
That gives an advantage to both Adelaide and Central Coast, who will know how hard they will have to push on Sunday should results – especially in the Victory-Phoenix match – go their way.
Adelaide and Melbourne are locked in battle for the minor premiership, while fifth-placed Wellington must beat the Victory to have a chance of knocking fourth-placed Central Coast out of the last remaining finals berth.
If the Victory beat Wellington, Central Coast could rest players ahead of their opening finals match in a fortnight knowing they are guaranteed a top four spot, opening the way for Adelaide to get the win they need to take the minor premiership.
The current television deal with Fox Sports ensures no two A-League games are played at the same time, allowing Fox to cover all matches throughout the season live.
But while acknowledging the importance of the Fox deal, Merrick said the way this season’s last round of fixtures had panned out should give those in charge of the game food for thought.
Major European leagues schedule simultaneous kick-off times for final round matches, ensuring the integrity of their competitions while adding to the theatre.
“There’s no doubt down the track it would be ideal for everyone to play the last game on the same day at the same time,” Merrick said.
“Foxtel’s done a great job, the A-League and the FFA have done a great job, but down the track that should happen.”
Melbourne’s best chance of ensuring they finish top of the ladder is to score multiple goals against the Phoenix to boost their goal difference of 10 above Adelaide’s (11).
But Merrick said he would not instruct his team to go wildly for goal, saying they would get the result required if they played their normal game.
“This idea that the pressure is on us to score lots of goals, we can’t go out with that mindset,” Merrick said.
“We’ll go out to play our normal home game-type football – high intensity, interpassing, with trying to achieve lots of shooting opportunities.
“If we play the way we normally play, everything else should fall into place.”
Defender Matthew Kemp is the only change for the Victory, added to an extended squad after missing last weekend’s 3-0 win over Central Coast through suspension.
The Phoenix have also made one change, with skipper Andrew Durante back from injury, replacing suspended midfielder Tim Brown.
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Michael Lynch has some pertinent things to say http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/staggering-final-matches-do-not-help-the-game/2009/01/22/1232471498017.html "This doesn't happen even in money-conscious English Premiership. Although Sky TV dictates what times matches should kick off and whether they should be Saturday, Sunday or Monday, the final round of the campaign is sacrosanct. All EPL games kick off at the same time on the same final day as championships, promotions and relegations are determined. There is drama and tension in spades as scores flash in from different grounds. Just because the AFL and NRL spread final matches doesn't make it right."