So it will all end on Sunday 21st of April, with the top two teams of the A-League competing for the golden toilet seat.
Twin fairytale endings are on the line as well as championship honours. One side is not even a year old and has swept all before it to the big day, while the other have long punched above their weight to get to the final day two out of the past three seasons.
The last time these two met, the Wanderers put one hand on the Premiers Plate with a 1-0 win in a rainy but packed Bluetongue Stadium.
A goal from Labinot Haliti on the 81st minute settled the tense affair in Round 23, with Mark Bridge providing the assist.
The ledger is squared between these two in the head-to-head column this season; with the Wanderers and Mariners claiming one win each, with a draw in the opening round evening things up.
Unfortunately for both sides, random acts of stupidity will cost both some key players in Nick Montgomery and Yousouff Hersi.
It is hard to tell whose loss will be more telling as both offer so much, but Montgomery’s role in Mariners midfield structure cannot be understated. ‘Van‘ Hersi on the right midfield for the Wanderers has proved to be one of the players of the season, being on outlet for goals and energy on the right.
The Wanderers will have more injury worries and absences heading into Sunday. Hersi (suspended), Iacopo La Rocca (suspension) and Adam D’Apuzzo will all definitely be missed and questions over the fitness of Bridge’s ankle (who missed the Tuesday training session), Aaron Mooy (knee) and Jerome Polenz (quadriceps).
These absences will put the load onto the Wanderers’ depth players in Shannon Cole, Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, Rocky Visconte and Yianni Perkatis. To their credit, they’ve filled in well when needed over the past months.
Contrasts to the Yellow Submarine’s relatively clean bill of health could not be starker.
We are bound to see some fantastic tactical battles unfold on grand final day. Whether Mitchell Duke starts is a question for Arnie to grapple with, as well as whether Danny McBreen starts behind him or not.
In past encounters this season, the larger body of McBreen has been put in there to bully the Western Sydney midfielders and that was behind the Mariners’ 2-0 win in Parra earlier this season.
You would have to lean toward Duke on the bench as an impact player, while keeping Mile Sterjovski as the sole striker in a 4-2-3-1.
Which side sticks to their structures will matter. With both midfields so physically strong sitting so compact and pressing, it will be a battle of wills.
Both ‘Poppa’ and ‘Arnie’s’ teams pride on their defensive structures, both have been near unbeatable all season and it has been built on the respective back four of each side.
We might not see goals galore, but you get the feeling neither Arnold or Popovic will mind.
Much has been made about this being the fitting grand final, on the basis that the Wanderers and Mariners finished first and second in the regular season.
You work for everything you get in this finals system as finals are never about who is better over a period of time. It is about who takes their moments and who scores that goal at that critical time.
Who will be that player on Sunday afternoon?
It is near impossible to split these two, but something will give.
My tip: A Danny McBreen brace to decide it, Mariners 2-1 in extra time.
Wicked Ninja
Guest
Lots of things sound better in Spanish, for example, "El Rojo y Negro Gigante!!" Unfortunately, I don't know how to type upside-down exclamation marks.
Ken
Guest
With both league and union played at the SFS and a union match scheduled for tonight, I'm concerned about the quality of the pitch and the effect on both teams. Which team will be affected more by it, though? The wanderers don't mind the long ball where necessary. I can't say I recall CCM using it as much. Based on this and the wanderers grit, determination and the support I predict them winning.
Griffo
Roar Guru
As a Jets fan, it's usual not to wish the Mariners the best in the A-League ;-) but their consistency over the past few seasons needs to be rewarded. On the other hand, you just want the Wanderers fairytale to be complete. Am hoping Mark Bridge can play, and score for a third time in a Grand Final as he has already done for Jets and Sydney FC. My feeling is that first goal will be very important for these two defensively sound teams.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I have a funny feeling Da Wanderers will run away with this one at least 3-0 :-)
Melange
Guest
Katie, love your work as usual. I hope your prediction is a good one, Mariners for me. Do you remember your tips from the beginning of the season? You had CCM 3rd and WSW 10th. I wasn't too much different :)
Deakie
Guest
Not even Warner Bros could have scripted the final chapter better and it is fitting that the Grand Finale should host the seasons' two best teams....the consistently good CCM vs the new boys WSW. What a great advertisement for the HAL to have everything come to this cracker of a game. As a proud westie I can say that the region has been lacking an A League team and to have this "instant team just add enthusiasm" marvel that is WSW come to fruition is just what was required. NRL and AFL have tried to harness the region with varying degrees of success but A League fitted the bill perfectly. Even if the WSW were not as successful on the pitch as they have been the juggernaut that is the WSW club and fan family would have happily rolled on regardless. Whilst I want the Wanderers to win I am respectful of the consistently good CCM. Should be a great game.
Bondy
Most are of the beleif its going to be tight and defensive, generally when that happens things generally tend to flow the other way. I expect this GF to be a cracking game of football ,a high scoring game too. Nice read Katie.
Roarsome
Guest
Can't wait till we see a derby final......Sydnifico!!! 2013 however, Mariners for the win.
nufcmvfc
Guest
Can see this being a very tight game (hopefully not too tight for the neutral observer). It might come down to a 1-0 win or a penalty shootout or something
nufcmvfc
Guest
Sounds like Sydney is (finally) going through what Melbourne did back in 2007 when Melbourne ran away with the Premiership and then won the Grand Final emphatically. Helped that it was against a big South Australian rival which enabled it to capture the imagination of general sports fans. Would imagine this would be the same in NSW, eg people from northern NSW and perhaps Northern Sydney versus Western Sydney Reckon this will push that TV vieweing record (I think it had something like 250k on Foxtel?) The name of the game for WSW from next season onwards is consolidation. In some respects the real test is how many people you hold onto when there is a downturn in form, they had a good core early on so I think they will be OK It's more the Mariners I'm worried about, they have had a very good three years but despite all the per capita numbers it hasn't been strong enough to keep them solvent. It would be good for them if they can play out of that new Stadium they are building, save on leasing costs which in turn means they can still be profitable and solvent despite lower attendances
Franko
Guest
Lovely headline, but that nickname is so much better in Spanish - ¡¡¡El Submarino Amarillo!!!
Lancey5times
Guest
Will be very, very surprised if we see 4 goals scored in regulation. 1-0 Mariners
striker
Guest
Yeah gotta agree i reckon Mariners will be very hard to beat, Hersi is a big loss who will be hard to replace.
pete4
Guest
SFS will be throbbing! I think the Mariners will win (within the 90 mins) 3-1
striker
Guest
Midfielder in all my living memory living in sydney maybe since that Uruguay 2005 world cup qualifier have i seen football talked about from the news and people in general in regards to the finals on sunday, i hope its a great game and specticle becuase alot of non football fans will be watching. i am very confident we will set a new final record for tv ratings.
Midfielder
Guest
We shall overcome ..... COYY
Midfielder
Guest
Thats it ban Striker ...
striker
Guest
Cmon you wanderers.