It’s a cruel game, but you have to admire the control of Alistair Edwards after Perth were controversially knocked out of the first elimination final on Friday night.
Fans and neutrals alike were outraged as Perth once again fell foul of several Jarred Gillet decisions in the dying moments of the match.
Gillet, as many may remember, decided upon that Besart Berisha penalty which allowed Brisbane Roar to snatch the grand final from under Perth’s nose last season. On Friday, the referee was again the focus of the post-match discussion.
But while there is some symmetry in Ange Postecoglou receiving favourable finals calls from Jarred Gillet, there is certainly no conspiracy. Perth fans have a right to feel aggrieved, but in truth the game was theirs to win.
Had Shane Smeltz converted his 88th minute penalty, the Glory would already be on their way to Parramatta.
Instead, Melbourne Victory rode their luck despite an average display, and were clinical in closing out the game against a ten-man opposition in extra time.
Amid the hysteria, Alistair Edwards was a picture of calm. By offering his congratulations to Melbourne with a smile on his face, he won something more important than just a football match. It’s become a cliché, but true class is shown by accepting defeat with good grace.
Edwards even went so far to admit that these moments are why fans love football. It’s a crucial point. Perhaps more than any other sport, football offers the lesser team an opportunity to stay in the match.
It’s frustrating, especially when the better side loses, but there is an element of beauty in this unpredictability that keeps fans coming back for more. Grieving Glory fans will be back next season, hungrier than ever.
This is to take nothing away from Melbourne or Ange Postecoglou, who looked particularly cranky at suggestions that his side were lucky to win. Poor refereeing decisions, whether we like them or not, are simply part of the game.
Jarred Gillet may have granted the home side a big advantage going into extra time, but the Victory still had to break down a resolute Glory defence. Indeed, it’s always been the case that whichever side adapts the best to the flow of the game comes out on top.
It’s a shame that in such a hyper-commercialised environment, football is trending – like other sports – towards video and goal-line technology. Thankfully, video replays aren’t likely to be called upon any time soon, but FIFA has already decided that goal-line technology will be introduced in the next World Cup.
But absolute fairness and efficiency have never been the reasons why we watch sport. We watch for the drama and for the contest. In football, it’s possible to draw an enormous amount of satisfaction from a last-gasp win that may have been thoroughly undeserved.
In any event, Edwards’ post-match response was welcome after a season of coaching dummy spits. While there has been a fair amount of ill-discipline on the pitch, it’s the histrionics of coaches which have been particularly disappointing.
While it’s silly to suggest that players and managers should always be on their best behaviour, some of the sideline displays this season have been hard to watch. We all like it when coaches voice a forthright opinion, but there is a certain level of respect that should be maintained towards match officials.
Indeed, the disconnect between Edwards and his boss, Tony Sage, could not have been starker.
While Edwards has since called for a stronger match review process for referees, Sage fired straight from the hip, warning the FFA not to appoint Gillet to future Perth Glory games “for his own safety reasons.”
Contrast Edwards’ measured response in the heat of the moment, for example, with Michael Valkanis’ petulant display back in February. After several decisions went against Adelaide United, Valkanis was sent from the field. He then clapped ironically into the referee’s face, making a fool of himself as he left the sideline.
John Aloisi and Graham Arnold have also been dismissed from their benches this season for their over-exuberant protests. It’s not a good look. As senior statesman for our game, coaches do have a responsibility for setting a respectful tone of debate.
Let’s hope that the rest of the finals will be untroubled by ill-discipline and refereeing blunders. With Melbourne Victory and Central Coast on one side of the draw, and Brisbane Roar up against the Western Sydney Wanderers on the other, we’re going to be treated to a fantastic Grand Final whatever the semi-final results.
WSW77
Guest
Errrrrrrrrr no they don't! This is Football not the hand ball, coaches can't show composure during controversy, what's wrong with you?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Good article, Joe, likewise very impressed by Edwards. Calm, cool and composed, it's what I like in a team leader. I hate to drag AFL in but Worsfold of West Coast is cut from a similar, albeit more wry than friendly cloth. Managers/coaches have their job to do and they need their cool to do it. Let the supporters take up the banners and the cause when controversy beckons. Impossible to do your job when you're suspended!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Yeah, ask us again when the emotions are a little cooler. Like in, say, 2048.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
oh stop it Nathan you rascal.
TK
Guest
I disagree that technology hasn't added anything in other sports - the video and other technology has made a big difference in getting decisions right in cricket, nrl and tennis - it is how the technology is used that is problematic i.e too much and it disrupts the flow of the game (nrl).
Roarfan
Guest
Ian, thanks for summing it up so well in simple plain language. I have made similar comments for the last 12 months but some people just cannot take their blinkers of. For Pete's sake Perth supporters, for once and for all build that bridge and get over it. It was a definite penalty and it was a draw at the time. The penalty resulted in the winning goal, no ifs no buts, As far as Tony Sage is concerned he should be censured for adding fuel to the fire. For a supposedly very smart and intelligent businessman he should realize that he is only inciting his members and supporters to do something stupid. How irresponsible can you get? I've said it on another site already. Blame Millar for last year's loss and Schmelz for this year's!!!!!! Not the officials. At least the CCM supporters don't keep carrying on about the alleged offside goal that got you in the final in the first place. You have swept that under the carpet very conveniently, havn't you?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Temerity*
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"It will be nice if MV score a legitimate goal of their own" It wouldn't bother me if the ref scores the goal for MVFC, it's an own goal, it's a deflected goal ... as long as we win on Sunday.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Who needed a shot when Brisbane was happy to score our goals for us. But whatever, there's not a discussion involving Perth on this forum where you will not take the anti-Perth viewpoint, regardless of merit or lack of merit.
Dazman
Guest
video refs haven't added much to those other sports because the in none of them is one single refereeing decision likely determine the outcome of a match like they can in football (ie. penalty/no penalty, goal/no goal. even red cards). yes there will still be controversy, but there will be much less. And there will be no outright incorrect decisions, which is a bonus to anyone who values fairness - an integral part of any serious sport. and as for the 1966 'goal', as nick said that was because of the quality of the video. nowadays its much better, as seen by the 2010 ENG v GER goal, and the 2012 ENG v UKR non-goal
Ian
Guest
It will be nice if MV score a legitimate goal of their own on Sunday, not an own goal from CCM, (another) penalty goal and not have CCM obliterate them with 6. one can dream.
Ian
Guest
only once in the last year from memory have i read an article that mentions the 2012 GF that did not describe it as a 'controversial' grand final. As you said Perth never 'had' it. it was had when the final whistle blew.
Cameron
Roar Guru
On a more positive note, Broich and Brattan have been cleared to play. Hingerts season is over.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I'm fine with the goal. If they manage to score the same way then that's really poor defending.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
There were 2 Roar defenders. Neither of them had the pace to get to the ball before Hersi. Once Hersi touches the ball, it starts a new playing action & Ono is now onside - should Hersi have passed the ball to him. Ono didn't touch the ball. He didn't interfere with play, he didn't interfere with an opponent & he didn't gain an advantage. Hence, he was not off-side. Wouldn't it be nice if Brisbane loses to a similar goal on Friday?
BES
Guest
It is mindboggling to me how anyone could call this not offside. The rule is pretty clear, does the offside player interfere with play?? Watch the runs and positioning of all 4 players (including Theo) who are back there to defend. Every one of them is positioning to try and defend both Hersi and Ono. If the offside Ono was not there - do you really think Hersi would have scored against 4 Bris players solely focused on him?? Never in a million years. Ergo: did Ono's position interfere with play? Duh - obviously. Therefore he is offside. It aint rocket science.
BES
Guest
Amen to that post Ian. Couldnt have said it better myself. To have something 'snatched from you' you actually need to have had whatever it was in the 1st place. Perth never 'had' anything in that game from the moment Brisbane equalised. It truly is a mystery to me how this topic continues to surface.
Batou
Guest
I'm pretty sure that Ono could only be offside there if he either plays the ball or the linesman determines that no other onside player could get there to play the ball (which isn't the case here as Hersi does get there) so it's clearly on side. Having said that, I agree with you about the technology point anyway. It's really clear that we need better refs and linesmen. There have been some big announcements recently about money being brought into the game at different levels but still nothing that I've seen to take us towards full time, professional officials. As for the premise of the article, to be honest as far as I'm concerned whether a coach needs to show composure or not mostly depends on whether he is managing my team or not. Dummy spits do have their entertainment value so long as it's some other team that looks like a circus!
Ian
Guest
yes, its interesting on interfering. ono does initially run to the ball, and then away dragging some defenders with him who would have focussed solely on hersi otherwise.
Ian
Guest
i'm going off topic and focussing on 'Brisbane snatched a win from Perth' scores 1-1. perth's goal while legitimate was a BR own goal in the early part of the 2nd half. Roar scored a cracker of a goal in 83rd min (this has been erased from history) Perth didnt shoot at the goal An astounding amount of fouls from perth and Heffernan receiving a 2nd yellow in injury time to be sent off. A looming 30 mins of extra time with Perth a player down and spent because of the defensive structure they were playing which worked for 60 mins or so. Miller ankle taps Berisha while he's getting around his 4th player in the box........................... and Brisbane 'snatch' victory 'from' Perth in that 'controversial' grand final while scores were 1-1. Anyone would think Perth were leading 3-0 and Berisha's penalty was worth 4 and we 'snatched' victory.