The excitement ahead of this weekend’s Grand Final clash between Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory has been subdued but few previous clashes have offered as much intrigue and as big of an opportunity to silence the sport’s doubters.
When over 50,000 people cram into Suncorp Stadium on Sunday for the A-League’s seventh title decider hopes for a classic will be high, and the need for one perhaps bigger than ever before.
Few seasons have witnessed as much drama as season 2011-2012, from welcoming back Socceroos’ stars Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton to facing open revolt from club owners. The good news is this weekend’s clash has the potential to show all that is good about the competition.
Of the past six A-League finals three have been decided by one nil victories but this clash has the potential to be a more high scoring occasion.
In Brisbane and Perth’s three clashes this season 13 goals have been scored. The worry for the Glory is that they have been on the receiving end of most of the goals with the Roar having scored 10 times against them.
Perhaps just as worrying for Perth is that despite facing the best defence in the league in Central Coast over two legs in the Preliminary Finals, Brisbane scored five goals to demonstrate their attacking threat.
However, Perth was also able to demonstrate their own attacking capabilities scoring seven goals in their three finals series matches.
The tactical battle will determine whether the potential for goals is realised. Perth coach Ian Ferguson will have to decide whether to stick with the impressive front two of Shane Smeltz and Billy Mehmet or to drop one in favour of bringing in an extra midfielder to avoid being overrun in midfield.
His decision may well be guided by whether Perth plan to press high or sit off and remain compact to avoid being picked off by the Roar’s impressive passing game. If they plan to win the ball back high up the pitch he may go with two up front but if he plans to congest the midfield and sit deep midfielder Steven McGarry may come back into the starting 11.
For the Brisbane Roar, boss Ange Postecoglou has shown a willingness to change the shape of his side throughout the season, and his biggest choice may be whether to go with three at the back or four.
By playing three central defenders there would be cover to deal with the aerial threat of Mehmet and the one-on-one opportunities for the Glory front two to hit them on the break would be reduced.
However, with both Glory full-backs eager to get forward Postecoglou would risk being overloaded in wide areas and would have to ask likely wingers Thomas Broich and Henrique to track back denting their attacking threat.
There is also the issue of fatigue that may play a role in this match. Perth has been forced into extra time in their last two games whilst Brisbane played just last night in a 2-1 midweek loss to Ulsan Hyundai in their Asian Champions League match. Whoever recovers the best from their recent exertions may be the team that lifts the A-League trophy.
The A-League is need of final that reflects the quality that has been displayed on the pitch this season. Both teams are capable of doing so and hopefully those who questioned the competition will be eating humble pie on Sunday after a classic match.
Follow me on Twitter @beaubusch
mad fan
Guest
what channel will broadcast this match live as i would really love to watch it?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I think you meant to say the NBL final. It's actually Round 4 of the AFL, and with the Eagles sitting on top of the ladder undefeated, having thrashed everyone so far, I think we can excuse the locals for being in a lather about that.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Who wrote off the Roar? I'm saying we need to fix things to have a shot.
clayts
Guest
EBen if it is a great grand final, victory will still somehow find their name in the article. Rest assured
clayts
Guest
Lol. Love how everyone is writing off the roar
danielt
Guest
The author makes an interesting point. Even as a Perth fan, I have found that the build up to this year's final to be very subdued. Would it be true to say that without Sydney (with the bulk of the football media) or Melbourne (as the A-league's largest side); interest outside of Perth and Brisbane is not really there? There is also another online article I read which looks at the fact that whilst the Glory is in A-league's grand final this Sunday, the Perth Wildcats (basketball) will make the NSL final if they win this Friday. Yet, the majority of media attention has focused on the comparatively irrelevant round 3 AFL games being played. All I can say is, thank God for websites like the Roar!!! In regards to your actual article Beau, there is no way in the world that Fergie is going to sit back and try to absorb the Roar. He gave that a go during the season and we all know how well that turned out!!! Glory will press the Roar hard from the start and look to break up their fluid passing game. I think they will have taken a lot out of Ulsan's victory on Tuesday night. I expect both McGarry and Andrezinho to start on the bench. The longer the game goes on without anyone scoring (or with scores tied) the more the game will play in Glory's favour. Sorry for your hopes of a high scoring spectacle. Thats not the way the Glory plays. I expect 1-0, or maybe another 1-1 penalty shootout
Beau Busch
Roar Pro
I like the comparison of Stoke v Arsenal ! Agree that the potential 50,000 crowd is a good sign considering AFL and NRL matches. Hopefully in the future the season is able to be extended to reduce the off season. Going to be gutted at the final whistle no A-League for 6 months.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Given all of the recent turmoil, I sincerely hope that the game and its analysis are all we hear about. Good Luck to both sides, may it be a titanic battle.
JB
Guest
Let's hope it is a great grand final so we don't have to read more headlines like these: "MELBOURNE Victory yesterday launched an investigation into allegations star Archie Thompson has been involved in a family domestic dispute."
pete4
Guest
I hope the A-League is able to secure some FTA TV coverage sooner rather than later. The Grand final should be available to everyone not just Fox Sports subscribers I noticed today in the news in Basketball (NBL) has been able to negotiate Friday night and Sunday afternoon games live with Channel 10. Surely we can get something similar??
Realfootball
Guest
I'm still pinching myself - 2 grand finals in successive years. Brilliant. This business of rugby and league cutting up the pitch is a real shame. Union on Friday night is far worse than league, too, with the scrums and mauls. Prepare for the worst looking pitch seen in an A-League final by a country mile. The way things are shaping with the weather, it's going to be 80% mud, 10% grass.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
A thousand apologies!!! I was referring to Nathan, The Lion of Newcastle not your good self sir ;)
striker
Guest
Stevo thats right our game will survive and its a long term plan may take 20 years but i reckon it will only get better if done correctly.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
"Forget about Clive and Nathan" Forget about me?? Stevo, please, how have I wronged thee? DDD: And why am I being lumped with the Great Clivezilla?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
So it's going to be about 50,000 give or take depending on which members decide to front up or not - any way you look at it it's a great turnout. Only question is, where are some of these people during the regular season? What this also says is that for a major event like a Grand Final, it doesn't matter that we have NRL/AFL playing at the same time. The A-league can still draw a crowd. So running the HAL from October through to April, or in the future even May, is doable. Forget about Clive and Nathan, the HAL is on a long term upward trend. For me this Sunday is new football versus old soccer :) Arsenal versus Stoke - and Stoke could pinch it!!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
And the 15,000-18,000 sellouts of the Perth Scorchers because the WACA members didn't feel like going down.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Being able to compete in the air will be important - I remember last time we played when we copped a 3:0 spank we were actually losing the aerial battles, so that will need to change.
pete4
Guest
I agree... it's a one off through the form book out the window
The Cattery
Roar Guru
That's right, we know from the MCG experience, very hard to control these sorts of factors. Any crowd around the 50k mark is excellent, if it happens to dip under, it's no biggie.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
This is it, Smeltz must be close to having the best goal scoring record in A-League history, and if the Roar's central defenders are still thinking about last night, Smeltz will certainly make them pay. Countering that, it's hard to believe that Broich will be so subdued for two consecutive games. If the game goes into extra time, does Glory have the advantage with the fresher legs? You'd have to think so - and I reckon they'd be most pleased if they can force it into extra time.