The Heart and Mariners are currently bookending the top six and both have good reasons to chase the three points this afternoon. Join us at 5pm when the Heart hosts the top team in its bid for one of the last remaining finals berths.
Both teams have been unwittingly caught up in the Clive Palmer media circus of the past ten days, having both played the youthful and inexperienced GCU in that time.
Neither managed to dominate a team they were expected to beat with ease, and the Mariners, in particular, barely managed to salvage a draw after they allowed the youngsters to get two goals in front.
Both teams will be wanting to put those less than impressive performances behind them and it will be a matter of the respective coaches, Graham Arnold and John van ‘t Schip, refocusing the troops.
The Heart is on the verge of welcoming back three olyroos: Aziz Behich, Mate Dugandzic and Jason Hoffman, although last I heard, there remained some doubt about whether all three would be ready by game day.
Last week Fred and Matt Thompson returned to the team after lengthy lay offs and will be much better for the run. If Dugandzic if fit enough, the capacity for the three to link up will return the Heart to their very best.
With these inclusions, the Heart is starting to look like the team that rocketed to second place earlier in the season, and not before time because they are hanging on to sixth spot on goal difference alone.
The Mariners are better placed, obviously, but they too are looking over their shoulder with the Roar having won their last four games and they now sit only a win behind the Central Coast.
The Mariners have their own worthy ins for this match with the return of Olyroos Mat Ryan, Oliver Bozanic and Mustafa Amini, while John Hutchinson has recovered from an illness.
This match is important because two likely finalists are returning to full strength, they are looking to regain some lost form, and the conclusion of this match will mean that all teams have played an equal amount of games, allowing the clearest read we’ve had of the table for a while.
The last time the Heart hosted the Mariners at AAMI Park, they were understrength yet managed to push them till the end, with the Mariners scoring a late goal to take the three points.
This time round, I think a strengthened Heart team will have the firepower to get that goal back – the game to end in a 1-1 draw.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Just looked through each of the cards on the match centre; every last one was there, especially in the context of a match where a keeper had gotten whacked like Ryan did. Reckless challenges, holding to prevent possession/advantageous position, delay of restart, Gillett's cards were all on the money.
JohnL
Guest
Hey Midfielder... who is the usual penalty taker for Mariners? I was surprised Sutton took it as he has only been there for 5 mins.
Midfielder
Guest
ARRRRRRRRRr ..... next week we have Musty and Olly back ... hopefully we can start winning again... heaps of praise for Fred and keeper ... both had huge games...
Stevo
Guest
From behind the goals it looked a harsh decision - nearly sent out a lynching party to deal with the Ref . The game looked like a cagey affair, and it was about trying to break down a well organised opposition defense. Fortunately this time it was our turn to do one over the Marinators. Great feeling!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
He was quite card happy I guess, it wasn't really that sort of match, at the same time, Fred was lucky not to earn a yellow when he gave away the pen
The Cattery
Roar Guru
After they had such a big break, it really does look like Roar will overtake CCM in the next four rounds, anyway, CCM are still up there, so it's really up to them
The Cattery
Roar Guru
sorry - I can't remember! sometimes I'm typing something and they start and I sort of miss the first few seconds!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Babalj
Stevo
Guest
Jillett should have given himself a Red card honestly. What a disgraceful exhibition. Looking at the card count you could have been forgiven for thinking it was a spiteful game! Train home was far more enjoyable than the last time we played them!!!!!!! :)
Axelv
Guest
Your boys have let MV down Midfielder :( Why why why!!! Brisbane have to be favourites for the premiership now too :/ Mariners have to play Perth and Wellington both away, only 3 points in front with an inferior goal difference.
Jazz
Guest
who scored for hearts?
alex
Guest
can u tell me which team do the kick start???
The Cattery
Roar Guru
FT Heart 1 CCM 0 Great second half, important win for Heart!! HOpe you enjoyed it - thanks and have a good evening
The Cattery
Roar Guru
94 min Heart 1 CCM 0 Bolton off his line again, big punch, but the looping shot comes straght back, this is on target, cleared off the line by the Heart defenders! stacks happening here, CCM really pushing, final seconds, it's a corner - time has gone - Ryan going up as well!! Ryan went for a shot, but whistle goes!!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
93 min Heart 1 CCM 0 Babalj almost through then, but ref reckons he impeded Wilkinson, and Terra gets a yellow, must be for back chat
The Cattery
Roar Guru
92 min Heart 1 CCM 0 Bolton with the free kick, taking his time, long ball in, Worm with header towards goal, but Mariners get a free
The Cattery
Roar Guru
91 min Heart 1 CCM 0 we're going to have 4 min of injury time, still time for CCM to equalise, they're throwing everything at it
The Cattery
Roar Guru
90 min Heart 1 CCM 0 CCM attacking hard now, the game is being played in the Heart half, another free, and Bolton well of his line to take the ball at the very edge of the box
The Cattery
Roar Guru
89 min Heart 1 CCM 0 Behich tries to curl another one in with his right foot, just outside the far post again Worm does well to hassle Ibini deep in his own half, dangerous throw in bounces across the Heart goal!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
88 min Heart 1 CCM 0 Ryan came out to head the ball away, it fell to Babalj and he tried one from 45 m, but well off line