When it absolutely mattered, Besart Berisha once again proved himself to be the most valuable player in the A-League.
He didn’t score the most goals in the competition this season, and he didn’t win the Johnny Warren Medal as the best player, but he stood up to do the hardest and most important job – score meaningful goals – at the most crucial time.
Mark Janko was clearly the season’s highest scorer, but he couldn’t score a goal for Sydney FC at the business end of the season.
Nathan Burns won the Johnny Warren Medal based on his ability to terrorise opposition defences with brilliant close control as he ran the ball into the penalty box and finished with goals, but he couldn’t score for Wellington Phoenix at the business end either.
Berisha could.
He scored twice in the last three rounds as Victory geared up for the finals with three straight wins and then scored the first goal in both their semi-final and grand final wins.
Against City in the semi it came when the defence foolishly left him alone and he nailed a header from close range off a cross from the right.
Against Sydney in the grand final the ball ricocheted off Berisha to Gui Ginkler and straight back to Berisha, who hooked it inside a defender with his left foot and then used the same foot to smash it past the goalkeeper.
Berisha has done it repeatedly in A-League grand finals now – scored decisive goals. First for Brisbane Roar and now Victory.
When there is something lacking that is keeping your team from taking that extra step, you’re either going to fill that breach with the right player or you’re going to keep running second, third, fourth or whatever.
Victory was lacking a killer player up front, that someone who could be a focal point and turn all of their good work in getting the ball forward into goals. They identified Berisha and made sure they got him from Brisbane, and on the biggest stage he delivered – yet again.
Lets have a look at the other teams in the finals.
Sydney were getting goals late in the season from Alex Brosque and Bernie Ibini, but when everything is on the line you need your main man to make a difference. Janko couldn’t do that.
The supply of ball to Janko in the grand final wasn’t the greatest. Victory central defender Matthieu Delpierre did a tremendous job in keeping the pressure on him as well. We know those two things.
What we don’t know is whether Janko’s recent lack of goals had put even the slightest seed of doubt in his own mind. Wellington suddenly looked barren without Burns being able to score.
Melbourne City’s leading scorer this season was Aaron Mooy, out of midfield. Former Socceroo striker Josh Kennedy joined the club during the second half of the season, but while he was establishing a physical presence up front he wasn’t scoring regularly.
Adelaide United has a number of goal-scorers, but not one dominant goal-scorer.
Brisbane obviously misses Berisha.
Outside of the finals there was, of course, Perth Glory, which would have entered the finals in third place had they not been barred from the playoffs as part of the club’s penalty for being caught cheating the salary cap.
Irishman Andy Keogh made plenty of noise at striker for them in the first two-thirds of the season, but in the closing rounds he was clearly out-scored by young teammate Jamie Maclaren.
The Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets struggled all season to score goals, while Western Sydney Wanderers had Tomi Juric and eventually Karem Bulut up front.
Juric is a good player in many ways, but he still doesn’t score enough goals. Bulut looked like he might be the answer up front for Wanderers, but now that the season is over he has moved on from the club and so has Juric.
Based on how the two clubs finished this season, Victory, in particular, and Sydney have set the bar pretty high for the other eight clubs for next season.
Some of those clubs need to work extremely hard to find the right players to add to try to bring them up to speed. Brisbane brought Berisha here from overseas a few years ago, so you can’t say the right players aren’t out there.
You’ve just got to be good enough to find them.
Wolly
Roar Guru
I can understand you may have thought I live in Melbourne as my profile states I'm based in Abbotsford which is a suburb of Melbourne, the Abbotsford I live in is situated in Sydney's inner west. Wasn't trying to take anything away from Brisbane, I just want to make that clear first and foremost, I can't say I have been there myself but I'm sure like Australia's other cities it has it's positives and negatives. I love warm sunny weather myself and wasn't suggesting that it is for old people, I was trying to make a point that older people feel the cold more that younger people therefore retiring somewhere in Queensland if you are from Melbourne is understandable. You don't want me to bring up sporting events as you say you can list sporting events too which I don't doubt but can you list internationally endorsed events like the F1, MotoGP, Melbourne Open and Melbourne Cup? As I said above I'm sure there is plenty to like about Brisbane, but Melbourne being a larger city offers more variety.
Ian
Guest
What are these reasons why Berisha is spoilt for choice for things to do in Melbourne compared to Brisbane?. You realise Brisbane is a city of 2 million people? Guess what? We have art galleries, restaurants, public transport and even serve coffee. And don't list sporting events. We can list sporting events too. That's too easy. What in the day to day life cycle do you think is so different from other cities of Australia? beaches sure isn't one of them. Yes I'm including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast being 45 mins drive or less depending on what side of Brisbane a person is on. And you just wrote off weather saying it's for 'old' people. Really, no offence, but do some Melbournians live in a bubble thinking you are the bees knees of everything? The rest of Australia can get back to their miserable lives of wishing they lived in Frankston. I actually like Melbourne but I am one to enjoy different cities. And yes - Berisha went to Melbourne Victory because of 750,000 a year for two years. That's it.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Why are you bringing up 60+ year old retirees when we are discussing a 29 year old professional footballer? Apples and oranges. I'm certainly not wanting to be disrespectful as I have read many of your posts and you seem like a reasonable person but I'm not sure if you're being serious or trying to bait. It is a well known fact that older persons feel the cold more than younger people and it is also a well known fact that humans climatise so it would make absolutely no sense for an older person who is used to Brisbane's warm weather to move down to Geelong or Bells Beach in that regard.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Not for the first time neither Griffo.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
'Also he would be spoiled for choice for things to do in Melbourne compared to Brisbane.' Is this why so many people from Melbourne retire up on the Gold Coast & so little people form Brisbane retire in Geelong or Bells beach?
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Horto, I accept all punishment, we lost & Broxham scored. He is still an average player tough, nothing on Geria.
Griffo
Roar Guru
:lol: Punter you didn't just let that pass back to the 'keeper, but kicked it out for a corner ;-) Musky would sub you off and put himself on as player-coach for sure :lol:
Wolly
Roar Guru
Without a doubt money would have been the main reason for Berisha moving to Melbourne but is highly likely there would have been other contributing factors. The appeal of being a part of the Melbourne derby as well as the 'big blue' can't be written off. Never heard of a footballer that didn't like being part of a match with intense rivalry and a roaring atmosphere and I doubt I ever will. Also he would be spoiled for choice for things to do in Melbourne compared to Brisbane.
Gareth
Guest
He also got no red cards this season.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Would you take broxham? Haha hate to say I told you so punter. I'm obviously glad I was wrong about musky starting geria.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Griffo, he is a coach now. I wouldn't want him as a player too old.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
At least the irony wasn't lost on you iangou. Yeah money. The lifestyle, the city etc (you know all the things you love about living here) and then massive support, distinguished surroundings of MV...just some of the perks I guess :)
langou
Roar Guru
Get your hand off it Horto. Berisha left because Victory paid him more. Simple as that.
Ian
Guest
I have a huge amount of respect for Berisha and dont begrudge him earning a salary of 750K a year for two years. He left because Broich is our international marquee and no club could match 750k for one player within the salary cap. His salary was almost doubled. MV knew his worth as did most fans in the A-League and were prepared to pay it. He was an integral part of MV winning the double this year as he was with Brisbane's trophies in 2012 and 2014 - though he missed quite a few games through injury and suspension in 2014. Broich was there for all of them including the double in 2011. Berisha gives 100% and he departed Brisbane with a heavy heart and still loves this club. He gives 100% for MV because of his commitment and desire to succeed. A lot of players could learn from his determination on the field.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Sorry about the Brisbane roar stuff. But I'm sure in hindsight now you'd have to agree it was the wisest and most prophetic career move berisha has made to date. It could be said, he reads the game in more ways than one. I hope things improve over the off season for broke FC.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
Actually, Broich was recommended to Rado Vidosic by his son, who was playing with Broich at Nurnberg or wherever Dario was at the time in Germany. Not sure about Berisha.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Hmm...as a player or coach? 8-) Someone said it early in the season: whatever your thoughts of him as a player, he certainly has a winning mentality. He's steered the team well this year. The 'loosing wasn't an option' mentality was clear to see. Interesting to see what he does to back up his first full season in charge. Muscat recruited well and will have some holes to fill I'm sure.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
MV are waiting for the "long-term loyalty payment" concession...cap revision thing before making a move.
Batou
Guest
Secretly wishing Muscat was on your side?!? Wash your mouth out with soap Punter! Berisha, yes. Muscat no (even though I agree with the grudging acknowledgement of his ability). :)
onside
Guest
Off topic, but Archie Thompson,what's happening ?