After 27 rounds and another month of finals, it all comes down to this. Brisbane Roar will take on Perth Glory for the A-League Championship, live from Suncorp Stadium at 4.00pm.
I don’t think anybody (myself included) had Perth playing in the big one in April.
But through a great late-season charge, a team running on self-belief, and a man who is without a doubt the best striker in the history of the A-League, here they are.
But there’s still the slight issue of Brisbane Roar standing in their way.
The team on the verge of becoming the A-League’s first true dynasty, a great advertisement for football in Australia and in front of a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, will be fancying their chances against a Glory side that they have put 10 goals past in their three encounters this season.
It would be a mistake to underestimate any opponent in a grand final, but the Roar will go into this game looking every bit the favourite that they are.
They were fantastic in both legs against the Mariners and, indifferent Asian Champions League form aside, have been looking ominous for the last few weeks.
Key men for Brisbane
Besart Berisha – if any player in the league could be talked about in the same breath as Smeltz, it’s the A-League’s top scorer of 2011-12.
Not always the most lovable figure, the Albanian has drawn as much criticism for his antics as praise for his goal scoring.
Thomas Broich – and the man providing service for the league’s top scorer is the league’s best player; it was clear from the German midfielder’s absence earlier in the year that this team simply cannot function without him.
The Glory will be hoping he’s off his game on Sunday. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have off days.
Erik Paartalu – The foil to Broich’s genius, and a man who clearly knows how to score goals in big games.
Was rewarded with his first Australia call-up earlier in the year and has gone from strength to strength since being brought over from Scotland.
Key men for Perth
Shane Smeltz – the Kiwi marksman has hit form at the right time, bagging eight goals in his last four games, and if the Glory are to have any chance, it will ride on either the foot or the forehead of ‘Smeltzy’.
I think he was as surprised as anyone to not get on the scoresheet despite the Glory grabbing three in that win over the Phoenix.
Liam Miller – I’ll admit I wasn’t his biggest fan when he arrived, but this may have been in part to what I’d seen and heard of his time at Celtic.
But credit where it’s due, the Irishman has been a constant source of quality passing for the Perth front men.
Danny Vukovic – It’s clear that Brisbane are going to rack up the shots in this one, and the Glory keeper will be keen to avoid defeat after being on the wrong end of a grand final once before.
A man-of-the-match performance might be required from the former Mariner if the Glory are to complete the upset.
If this game is anywhere near as engrossing as the last two A-League grand finals, then we’re in for a treat. Join us just before 4.00pm AEST for all the line-ups, formations and last minute news before live scores and commentary throughout the match. And feel free to tweet us @TheRoarSports or me @TheMattBungard.
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Guest
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Jeremy
Guest
What a disgraceful decision!!! It should never have been awarded, and because it was an apology should be given to Perth for the decision. Everyone makes mistakes, and the referee clearly did in this instance. But to cover it up, and claim that the right decision was made is a disgrace. Besart clearly fell over his own feet, then cried for a penalty, and it was awarded. @ MACCA: To claim the crowd to Brisbane games is more than AFL, you have to be dreaming. It was a Grandfinal you knob, it was always going to sell out. Brisbane is a disgrace to sport crowds in Australia, closely followed by Sydney. Brisbane only managed 10K two weeks early in the major Semi FINAL, that is a joke, but just about sums up Brisbane for you. For a team that dominated all year, the average crowd was only 10K.
Rhys
Guest
That has simply nothing to do with anything I said...... Yes, players from all football codes milk things from the refs these days, its a part of gamesmanship now almost, sadly. But really, would you put what happened there with Berisha on the same level as what happens in other sports....i didn't think so. With the reglar monday morning sports chat around my office I have already had a few parents say that they wont be getting their kids into soccer, basically because they don't want their kids to learn to take falls. Honestly, the idea that people would justify Berisha on this one....
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well Mark Shields has come out behind Jarred Gillet and praised the penalty call. That's that then. C'est l'vie.
AbelBabel
Guest
Rhys, you're behind the times if you think the popular football codes do not have players cheating the referees. You might like to pretend it's all to do with Australian culture, but simply the stakes have never been higher before. Nowadays, a missed try or goal in AFL / NRL / SupeRugby can mean a team misses a place in finals playoffs, especially late in the season. Missing out on the finals can mean next season's lost sponsorship $$ for the team, or lower individual contracts. So, if you see such cynical play in whatever sport you follow, don't blame soccer for changing the "Australian culture", instead recognise the higher stakes.
Mog
Guest
As an Australian without a background in football and just developing a taste for the game, I was very disappointed that such a high profile match could be decided in such a manner. Yes, it may have happened before, but that does not make it right. FIFA are cracking down on this and so should the A-League. Too true Convict, its hard to respect a game that allows such behaviour.
David S
Guest
It was an unfair penalty but a just result. Brisbane were all over Perth so much so Perth could not get 1 shot on target for the entire match. After the equaliser, Perth started to unravel and although we'll never know, I think the Roar would have gone to town on them in extra time. The best team won and that's what counts in the end.
Convict
Guest
The most disturbing thing about this whole issue is the fact that nobody (or maybe 1) in the commentary team/presenting team seemd to give an opinion that it was a travesty of justice. Bossie and Slater have slaughtered players in the Prem for this sort of behaviour. They seemed to be towing the party line and not embarassing the FFA, if nobody calls that out - then Aussies will never respect the game.
Rhys
Guest
In reference to your comment....that is the concern, it has been around for over 100 years, but contrary to your opinion, has never really taken hold like many of the other mainstream sports in the country. Sure...the A-League will still be around, I'm sure it will be around for a long time, but will it really capture the masses like the mainstream sports in the country??? If those sort of things are what decide grand finals, I highly doubt it...The problem for footballs image in this country with situations like that is that if that was a dive, that sort of thing goes badly against our culture in sport here, and if it wasn't a dive and was legit by the rules, how can australians get into a sport where you can derive such benefit from something so innocuous.
jbinnie
Guest
Nathan - There is an old saying you may not have heard-----"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit and only fools indulge in it" -------The use of sarcasm is not becoming to you,when you write in here voice your opinions by all means but try and stick to the facts if you can and you will find there are others who will debate issues with you quite lucidly. Don't retort to this, it is not necessary Yours jb.
Mog
Guest
The Roar's win due to an air swing by Berisha highlights the problem with diving in the game of soccer. I sympathise with the Glory, they had a reason to feel gutted and hard done by. Why no video referral for big games like this? The players obviously won't own up to milking a penalty.
K of Stop Your Whinging
Guest
LOL... Brisbane smashed Central Coast. That one goal (which may or may not have touched Mitch's head) was not the deciding factor.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
Great point - the Broich to Berisha combo rearing it's head (literally) for the millionth time this year.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well, sorry to everyone I butted heads with yesterday; feel like I've been through the seven stages since the final whistle yesterday :P
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well aren't you a gracious soul
Australian Rules
Guest
You're surprised everyone is talking about his second goal... ...is that a serious comment?
Axelv
Guest
Isn't this part of Sportsbet protocol? I've seen that ad where they say if your team loses in the final 10 minutes of soccer you get a refund. It's a marketing ploy to get more people addicted to gambling. Sorry to say while it may appear to be generous on their behalf, really they're just trying to make more money! :(
haydos
Guest
the crowd is incidental, where are the other 35k during the normal season? any grand final in a code will draw crowds.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
Are you serious? That was a clear cut penalty and the best team won.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
5 month break to catch your breath.