What a night of football, not only for the Brisbane and Perth fans but for the neutrals as well.
Over 12,000 showed up to witness the Perth Glory tear the Brisbane Roar apart and make A-League history.
With a late change to the Glory squad saw Marc Warren being replaced by Western Australian boy Aryn Williams. With the recent form of Marc Warren and Thomas Broich starting for the Roar, there was a big task ahead of Williams.
Despite giving away a penalty in the 27th minute against former Glory player Jamie Maclaren, Aryn made his presence noticed and for most part of the game kept Broich quiet.
I haven’t always been Perth’s number one supporter and I, like many others, have given out my fair share of criticism. Well, let me say they now have my attention.
Some have asked me what’s so different now, well my answer is quite simple. Perth are a completely different squad to what they were at the start of the season.
This team has the charisma, charisma that most teams are lacking this season. They’re finally playing exhilarating entertaining football. And instead of me changing stations or not attending their games, I can’t wait to see them play.
What a difference a few changes can make, credit to Peter Filopoulos, Kenny Lowe and the team at the Perth Glory they have turned things around small steps but they are definitely headed in the right direction.
They have a new life about them and that was clear to see on Saturday night. They played some of the best football I have seen this season. The quality of the passes and the finishing touches before scoring all six goals it was simply a delight to watch.
Now to turn focus on who has to be one of the best foreigners to grace us in the A-League – Diego Castro.
What a player. Took him a few games to find his stride but boy oh boy he has found it. He is simply fabulous to watch. The talent and skill he brings to the pitch is refreshing.
He may have only scored one goal in the form of a penalty on Saturday night but let’s not take away the credit he deserves he brings a certain presence to the field. His role is one where the other players feel a level of trust with him on the pitch and who can blame them? Diego is one of the finest players I have ever watched. He brings class and talent.
Six goals just wasn’t enough for us viewers. We wanted more. Selfish yes but when a game of football is played in such a way, how can you not want more? Let’s not forget there was a second team out there. Brisbane are always a joy to watch, in the first half they tested the Perth Glory scoring three goals, but sadly it ended there.
Perth were all over them in the second half. They kept the ball well and scored a further two goals to finish the game. If this hasn’t woken up the WA public, I’m not sure what will.
To all the sceptics out there, this is a team you need to get behind. They’re playing some of the best football I have ever seen them play. Whether they make finals this season or not I can assure you this form will continue and next season they will be a force to be reckoned with.
And if they do happen to creep their way into the top six, I can assure you that no team will want to face the Perth Glory.
Before I finish up, I would like to give special shout out to all the anti-football journalists. Have you ever watched a game of A-League football or do you simply pass judgement before knowing your facts?
I truly hope that you see this and take my advice go home watch the replay of the game from Saturday night and just take it all in.
I say sit back and enjoy the ride. Teams are officially on notice. The boys in the west are coming for you.
Look out for my next piece featuring Jamie Harnwell.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Yeah it was great to watch. One of the best A League games I've seen. Ok Glory now you've got a product - don't blow it this time. Don't shoot yourself in the foot and the crowds will come back.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Yes what you see is what you get with Kenny. My Dad knew him from playing days in the state league in the 80's so i've met him once or twice socially, usually tucking into a pint down at the Brissy before a Glory game....before he became the manager of course!
bryan
Guest
Great game! This is why people go to the Football--not to see some halfwit shoot off a flare! Keogh is a great acquisition,he doesn't treat the "A" League as a holiday,like some of the overseas players around. He plays "full on" all the time. Coaches/Managers need to have a certain "something" -----Ange Postecoglou has it,Ross Lyon,& Alistair Clarkson in the AFL have it,& Kenny Lowe has it. Some people who were great players in their respective sports,don't seem to have the mindset,or the presence that these,& other such guys have. Win.lose,or draw,I love watching the Glory play at home,but this was a beauty!
Matthew
Guest
To be honest, As much as I like the Games, I also love a Lowe post match presser. Win lose or draw he has the same demeanour. THe same. His wife might of had a baby, they might have won 10-1, he might of won the lotto and bought a desert island and he would still sound exactly the same.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Well i've admired how the Victory have played their football in recent times also, still a very dangerous side who are hard to stop when they are on. Have really enjoyed the clashes between the two clubs recently, a little niggly at times but i don't mind abit of that.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Matthew I don't think anyone in their right mind expects Glory to become the harlem globetrotters of the A-league but we should certainly be a more imposing prospect at home on a consistent basis. If we play like that at home we might not win 6-3 everytime but i'll wager we'll win which is the main thing.
D.Giuffre
Roar Rookie
Most certainly is a big V. I'm a very passionate Victory supporter but love the world game.
D.Giuffre
Roar Rookie
Big game against WSW. If the Glory keep up the form they're in, I have no doubt that they will challenge in the finals series (if they do make it)
D.Giuffre
Roar Rookie
I still have no doubt in my mind that the Roar are still one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the league. I think this lose was a once off. Bring on the finals series it's getting interesting. Thanks for your comment. It's much appreciated
D.Giuffre
Roar Rookie
I agree. I was expecting a low scoring game with the Roar to come out on top. They definitely surprised me. Thanks for commenting
D.Giuffre
Roar Rookie
It was more about making it known that a game football is just as exciting without the flares etc. Thanks for the feedback though
Ian
Guest
As a Roar fan, Perth are definitely looking dangerous for the rest of the season. It was welcome of the author to include a compliment of the Roar in the roundup. Not often a team scores 3 away from home and loses, we've done it before against Sydney where we lost 5-4. Not sure of the circumstances why Keogh has come back, but I wasn't surprised that he has obviously helped with their form in the last few weeks. He knew how to put the ball in the back of the net in his first spell with Perth. Can't see how Perth won't finish top 6 and are more than likely (hopefully) to take points off teams currently in the top 6 in the remaining games they play. And no matter where the ground is.........always good to see increased crowds.
nordster
Guest
Should have included more about flares in the actual article, maybe you'd be clocking up more than 2 comments, :) #misleadingheadline
Matthew
Guest
Thanks for the article. It was good to see 12K + people at the Glory on Saturday, but they should realise as should the public that sort of scoreline while not a fluke is not going to be repeated every week. I went to the game full expecting a Draw or a 2-1 Glory win. Not 6-3. Ive had no problem with how the Glory have played in the past. Their victories while with small scorelines have been earned.. like all their victories have been. One thing I noticed on the weekend. Keogh get very few Offside calls.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Exciting times ahead for Perth. The re-signing of Keough was a very smart bit of business, Keough is a player who is able to finish off all the good work Castro conjures up with those magical feet. I must admit I am worried about Friday nights game.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
As a Glory fan thanks for the article and is that a big white V on your chest?, well excuse me for blushing! Yes what a performance and what a night at NIB, great to see over 10k for two games on the trot now after all that happened last year. I think the performances we are seeing now have slowly been coming all season, you would see some lovely football but if Glory found themselves in the lead they would tend to then sit deep and try to grind out the result, possibly being behind the 8 ball for so much of the season influenced this in that the 3 points were of bigger importance than the performance. Funnily enough it was against Brisbane away in our last encounter that i think something clicked, we lost that day but some of the football was fantastic and we had more shots on goal if memory serves me correctly. As for the WA footballing public getting behind the team i think it's important to be a little patient, it's certainly a case of 5 times bitten 10 times shy for our lot. The club is going in the right direction though not only on the pitch but off it, our new CEO Peter Filopoulos is an absolute pro and more importantly doesn't have business ties to Tony Sage. Many Glory fans have seen the club as Tony Sages boy's club in that he's more interested in hiring family members and business associates rather than the right staff, Jason Brewer need i say more?. Credit to Kenny Lowe too he doesn't get enough credit his whacky one liners and Peter Garrett like convulsions on the sidelines overshadow the fact that he is a great manager, i can't imagine the kind of workplace he's had to endure in the past year it's shown real guts to achieve what we have this season regardless of what happens from now till the end of the season.