When Archie Thompson slammed home the winner for Melbourne Victory yesterday, he put the gloss on a stunning end to what was arguably the best regular season campaign of the A-League to date.
Victory’s 3-2 win over the plucky Wellington Phoenix was surprisingly enthralling stuff, as the visitors fought to stay above Adelaide United in the standings while the Phoenix aimed to give retiring goalkeeper Mark Paston a fitting send-off.
Phoenix striker Jeremy Brockie was also chasing Mariners veteran Daniel McBreen in the race for the Golden Boot and when Brockie finished a Paul Ifill cross to level the scores at 2-2, he appeared to have set up a grandstand finish.
That Thompson put paid to Wellington’s hopes of lifting themselves off the bottom of the table with a fabulously worked set piece was ultimately a moot point.
Victory will still need to battle their way through the finals – starting with a home clash against a resurgent Perth Glory – while the Phoenix must clearly rebuild over the off-season.
But the fact is Victory’s final-day win says much about the quality of the 27 rounds of football we have witnessed this season.
The coup de grace was a spectacular final round which featured dramatic victories, big crowds, stunning saves and some special goals.
It started with Brisbane Roar’s comfortable 3-1 win over Sydney FC on Thursday night, a result which lifted Mike Mulvey’s side into the finals.
That left Sky Blues fans in the uncomfortable position of hoping cross-town rivals Western Sydney beat the Jets in Newcastle to extend Sydney FC’s campaign – at least for 24 hours.
The Wanderers duly delivered, collecting the Premiers’ Plate with an emphatic 3-0 win and sparking wild celebrations among their travelling support.
Central Coast Mariners then wrapped up second spot in the standings with a 2-1 win over Melbourne Heart which saw 35-year-old McBreen finish the season on top of the goal-scoring charts.
Meanwhile, a spectacular Danny Vukovic save from the last kick of the game against Adelaide United ensured it was Perth Glory – and not Sydney FC – who wrapped up the sixth and final playoff position, as the Glory drew 1-1 with the Reds in front of a big crowd at NIB Stadium.
Both Perth and Brisbane’s respective late-season comebacks were noteworthy, but of course the real story is the inaugural season form of Western Sydney.
Tipped by most pundits to struggle, the Wanderers instead finished top of the table after mounting an outstanding second half to the campaign.
Somewhat farcically the Wanderers weren’t actually presented with the Premiers’ Plate at Hunter Stadium, which conjures the question of whether they’ve actually accomplished anything yet?
Take nothing away from Tony Popovic’s side – the Wanderers are clearly the story of the A-League season to date – but if they fail to win the championship, have they really won anything at all?
This debate seems to be as old as the A-League itself but instead of looking towards other footballing nations, it’s hard to understand why we don’t just look towards our other domestic codes.
I doubt Hawthorn fans could care less that their team finish top of the table in the AFL last year given that the Hawks ultimately lost the grand final to the Sydney Swans, and I should imagine that’s how the level-headed Popovic will feel should Western Sydney fail to be crowned champions.
It’s disconcerting to see so many supposedly informed football fans claiming that other Asian Football Confederation member nations don’t host finals football when the reality is that until relatively recently, both the J. League and the K-League were enthusiastic proponents of playoff football.
At any rate, the Wanderers deserve wholehearted congratulations for the monumental accomplishment of finishing top of the table.
They’ve won fans everywhere as the A-League’s fairytale team – now the question is whether they can finish the story by lifting the championship trophy.
philk
Guest
I am not a referee but I think it is usual for a free kick, corner or whatever to be allowed to be taken unless excessive time wasting has occurred in the process.
Bondy
Guest
Ian, I dont mind the name League Cup "thats what it is" the cup for the end of the League,finals series can seem bland to some.
Melange
Guest
"Meanwhile, a spectacular Danny Vukovic save from the last kick of the game " And why was it the last kick of the game. I have vague recollections of this being resolved after Honda missed the opportunity to take a free kick against us in the WC qualifier. The commentators were aghast that full time was blown before the kcik was taken! But I'm sure some on here pointed out that there is no rule to say a set play should be played out before time is blown. Can someone with better knowledge of the rules confirm this for a lazy commenter? I'd have been spitting chips if I were a Glory supporter and the ball went in even though technically time should have been blown 45 seconds before.
philk
Guest
The majority? if comments made on numerous forums and polls taken on the subject on various football websites such as The Worldgame.com.au then I would venture to say the for and against is pretty evenly split. But my point is not 'should we have a Finals series' but who should be designated as the best team over a season, that is, Champions. The AFC seem to be on the side of logic not hysteria.
philk
Guest
Mike, I accept that your article reflected your point of view and,as I said, I usually enjoy your writings as you are obviously well informed on football matters. What concerns me is the plethora of comments being made by usually unbiased commentators which seem to downgrade the importance of the achievement of the league winners. Regardless of the FFA's stance on who should be pronounced Champions it is obvious to me that the winning of the Premiers Plate is being downgraded. As I previously stated Simon Hill makes a very valid point on the Foxsports website,read it if you get a chance. Cheers, Philk.
Cameron
Roar Guru
The Roar could do it Ian :) And it would annoy almost everyone. That'd be amusing.
Ian
Guest
i thought that was the case - if Wanderers don't win that would be upsetting. At least you are giving the Mariners a concession. Why are you saying rename it to a League Cup but the finals are stupid? Finals are here to stay. Perhaps if we had multiple divisions we would have relegation and promotion and not a finals series. don't be distraught. Wanderers deserve to be Premiers. but if wanderers hadn't finished 1st and made the finals you'd be hoping they could win it too. WSW are favourites. you've got finals nerves.
Cameron
Roar Guru
WSW77, It went be going anywhere, any time soon - http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/ffa-defends-the-a-league-revamped-finals-format-which-critics-say-disadvantages-the-top-two-teams/story-e6frf4gl-1226590216528#.UVoIEqMt11I
WSW77
Guest
They will mate its a question of time... The finals only exist because the FFA want's to keep the stadiums full until the end of the season. League Cup mate that's what it is and should be renamed to that, it is ridiculous that a team like Roar, Glory, Adelaide and Victory can still be champions, when they under performed for the whole season.
Cameron
Roar Guru
It doesn't make sense to you... And others... But the majority?? Numbers speak for themselves. Finals WON'T be going anywhere for a very LONG time.
WSW77
Guest
This! Just to add to your post, I don't care what the other codes do "We Are Football" Just call the stupid Finals the League Cup.
WSW77
Guest
It's the League Cup not Champions of Australia! Final's Series will disappear, i'll give it another 4 years or until the start of the FFA Cup. It's just stupid really makes no sense at all...
WSW77
Guest
The Finals should be called The League Cup, Premieres are Premieres that should be more important than a stupid knock out. But a good team will always win the GF, statistics do say that Premieres usually (80%) are crowned GF champions or the way I see it they win the League Cup.
Phelpsy
Guest
To me I always consider who finishes on top after h&a the best side for the season ... It's quite obvious really . For me I see finals as a separate thing to hone and away . The gf winner, for mine, is the winner of the finals competition . It will take something major to make a change , say an undefeated team in home and away and finals getting beaten by 8th placed team where the undefeated team loses like half their team the week prior to the gf... Hence the only reason the other team wins the gf.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Fair point philk, but my personal view has always been that the champions of Australia are the team that wins the grand final. That has nothing to do with whether I write a column for the FFA or not.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Was thinking the same when I heard the FFA wouldn't present the Plate at the WSW away match. But, in the end, the players & fans will set the agenda. Last year, Arnie was the 1st coach to publicly state he viewed the Premiership as the primary trophy. This season, the post-match on-field scenes from Hunter Stadium - and the post-match scenes from Hersi-cam in the WSW change rooms - show just how much the Premiership means to the WSW players and fans. In my years following the A-League, this year we've finally seen the Premiership given the respect it deserves - from players & fans. Certainly, when MVFC won the Premiership in 2007 & 2009, I don't recall fans or players showing the raw emotion we saw at Hunter Stadium on Good Friday.
philk
Guest
I can see a trend developing among commentators and others with a link to the FFA. Belittling the efforts of the Premiers by not presenting the Plate on the winner's last game day and questioning whether they have won anything is nothing but a blatant attempt to ensure that the gloss is not taken off the FFA's big payday, the Grand Final. Damien de Bohun referred to those calling for greater recognition of the premiers as 'one or two eurosnobs,Mike Cockerill calling WSW minor premiers and now this from a commentator whose articles I usually enjoy. I commend Simon Hill's article on Foxsports website, on the disgrace of not acknowledging the League winners on game day, to you all. I would suggest that the FFA should not treat those fans who have differing views as idiots.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Mariners have been the most 'consistent.' Do they deserve a championship? Who deserves anything... You have to work for it. Brisbane win Grand final then they deserve it. Regardless of where they finished in regular season. That's the joy of finals.
Ian
Guest
Brisvegas +1
Ian
Guest
the game will be sold out no matter what teams make the grand final. if its in Melbourne you can only play at AAMI Park, as Etihad has AFL games on April 21. In Sydney only the 40,000 SFS is available. If Roar and Glory make it its at Suncorp with 50,000 plus. Let's make it at Suncorp.