With three rounds left to play in the A-League regular season, it is clear that the balance of power has shifted away from last season’s grand finalists.
Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC might be playing for their finals future, but you wouldn’t have known it judging by their performances this weekend.
Victory were fortunate to come away from a dreadful AAMI Park pitch with a 1-1 draw to show from their clash with the Newcastle Jets, after the visitors were unlucky to see defender Daniel Mullen sent off for a second yellow card following a challenge on Oliver Bozanic.
Mullen clearly won the ball ahead of Bozanic, and even if referee Chris Beath deemed the tackle reckless, he should have simply warned Mullen not to dive in again and continued on with the game.
Instead, the Jets were forced to play a man down for more than 50 minutes, and not surprisingly Besart Berisha nabbed an equaliser against a Newcastle side that arguably deserved all three points.
Despite 16 league goals this season, Berisha has been far from his best of late, and unless the normally deadly Victory striker can find some form up front, last season’s champions should make a swift exit from the finals.
How ironic that Mark Milligan is back on Australian soil for international duty this week, given how badly Victory have missed both Milligan and the ill Carl Valeri this season.
Sydney FC, meanwhile, have badly missed any semblance of form – and last season’s beaten grand finalists blew whatever remaining chance they had of sneaking into the finals with an inexplicable 2-2 draw against the Mariners.
All credit to Central Coast for continuing to play for the full 90 minutes, but Vedran Janjetovic won’t want to see the replay of Harry Ascroft’s equaliser any time soon.
The Sydney FC shot-stopper has had a season to forget, and it was interesting to see the Sky Blues announce Janjetovic’s re-signing last week when there is still plenty at stake in the current campaign.
How the Sky Blues must wish they had a commanding presence like Thomas Sorensen in goal, with the Melbourne City shot-stopper proving the old adage that if you’ve got a good goalkeeper, you’ll go far in football.
City’s best player this season has of course been Bruno Fornaroli, and although the Uruguayan failed to get on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Friday, he was nevertheless the chief architect of City’s win.
The turning point was undoubtedly Jack Hingert’s 54th-minute dismissal, after Fornaroli reeled in the young defender hook, line and sinker to commit a foul inside the penalty box.
Aaron Mooy stepped up to convert from the spot – he too was superb – and from then on there only ever looked like being one winner.
That City had the power to steam-roll over the top of Brisbane says much about their depth, even if former Mariners man Anthony Caceres perhaps shouldn’t be playing in City colours.
Along with a resurgent Adelaide and current league leaders Western Sydney, City look set to play their part in one of the most exciting finals races in recent memory.
Adelaide were unlucky not to benefit from what looked like a foul from Wanderers goalkeeper Liam Reddy on Bruce Kamau on Saturday night – neither of the two Japanese referees on exchange from the J. League covered themselves in glory – although the Reds are still in the hunt to claim top spot.
Throw in dark horses Perth Glory and an inconsistent Roar, and the race for a finals place still has plenty of twists and turns to go.
Yet, you can’t help but wonder if the balance of power in the A-League hasn’t shifted – for this season at least.
Where once Victory swept all before them, today it’s noisy neighbours City dominating all the A-League headlines.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Nope just think Mooys the best midfielder to play in the A-League and has taken it to another level, whether you two agree or not doesn't really phase me.
Ian
Guest
Did you become a member of City just this year? Nice cherry pick of a stat. It's ok......check why Broich has won two JW medals and came runner up in his 1st year. Mooy........
Matsu
Guest
I dont think this news merits its own article, but given that this is an article by Mike T. and is about Melbourne-- where he played most of his career -- I guess its suitable enough a place to post a news flash about former Victory midfielder Billy Celeski. Celeski got his first start for Ventforet Kofu today, in a Nabisco Cup (league cup) match. He scored the opening goal for Kofu in what would turn out to be a very important debut performance for his team. Ventforet went on to win the match 2-1 . . . against Kashima Antlers (current cup holders) IN Kashima. Not a bad way to break into the club. In addition to the goal, Celeski looked pretty solid, though frequently struggled to understand the instructions of coach and teammates. He was subbed out in the 72nd minute. I think he will be a good addition to the team if he can adjust to the style of play in Japan and -- most importantly -- pick up some language skills.
Aaron
Roar Rookie
Mooy is very good don't get me wrong and the stats will back mooy as having had a better season but you did say ever to grace the a league and one would have to think about moments on which those trophies are gained or lost. Lay off to henrique, the corner to partaluu and the cross to bes for the headed goal come to mind and not only these pivotal moments but johnny warren medal seasons and joey marston medal performances. Broich was helping BRFC with eleventh hour victories beforw tim tebow made it fashionable. Can mooy deliver on the last day of the season with the plate on the line or gf day should they make it that far, im not convinced even despite his consistent form.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Really that's interesting what areas would they be, assists?, chances created?. In Broich's first 81 games ( one would argue his peak ) he scored 12 goals and had 19 assists, Mooy has basically done that in one season in a league that's of a better standard. He's probably dreaming of Broichs trophy cabinet but that's about it.
Aaron
Roar Rookie
Broich wishes he could score as many goals as mooy. In all other areas mooy couldn't see the maestro in his dreams.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Lol. Yep I need a parental advisory sticker...and a chill pill.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Post hoc and marron, There you go.. And Thanks for that. I'm now misfiring synapses and reconsidering my opinion of muscat!! Lol.
marron
Guest
Yep and in the first campaign there were squaddies brought in to help manage the fatigue etc as well - Mullen I seem to remember, maybe Hamill fit that bill as well initially. There were at least a few players with ACL contracts only. But it meant they could be played while their counterparts in the the A-League squad were rested or even left at home. On top of that, we used up our +1 Asian spot as well.
Realfootball
Guest
Absolutely. The biggest inadequacy being the salary cap.
marcel
Guest
...well I was a striker!...but alas probably more Joe Jordan than Dukes BTW, the mods politely deleted the insult that I tagged onto the end of my original reply to R King. It seems maybe I've read a few too many of your own post recently amigo :)
Post hoc
Guest
But they do have an expanded squad, you can have two different squads if you felt like it (and could afford it), one for ACL one for HAL. Popa has done this, he brought the two Takahagi and Tanaka in like this last year. You don't need to expand the squads you just need to use the allowances that are already in place
Post hoc
Guest
The replay also shows the attacking player diving, ie leaving his feet head significantly in front of his feet, before contact of any type was made. If you look at it objectively, the attacking player dived into the keeper. (dive is being used as the verb and not as a derogatory comment)
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"If it makes you feel any better Horto ..I wasnt that good:) and gave up football to concentrate on Uni." It does..because if you were touted to be the next viduka and didn't follow though I would've been gutted. :)
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"I still strongly believe in concessions for ACL teams. If ACL participants can afford it, they should be able to have an expanded ALeague squad." This in spades. If we can't be big boy clubs at home. We should be afforded opportunity to be big boy clubs on the international stage where other leagues aren't neutered to the point of teams self-destructing. Again, our Asian inclusion highlighting our inadequacies.
marcel
Guest
???...what makes the 2 comments mutually exclusive...I just didn't consider it relevant to this conversation. If it makes you feel any better Horto ..I wasnt that good:) and gave up football to concentrate on Uni.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"Will be fascinating to see if all of those travelling can behave themselves and leave the flares/detonators at home. You wouldn’t want to slip back to 39 points." Ok because I thought that you would take the opportunity, seeing that this is an article about Mcfcs dominance, to discuss how you believe CFG are likely to pull up stumps and leave Australian football. Suffice to say the only "other melody you know" besides "chestnuts roasting on an open flare"... that u play ad nauseaum.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Vintage AR. Defend all things oval to the hilt. Wouldn't expect anything less :) He makes a stellar point... The ALeague is in it's infancy. He's comparing us to the AFL when *it* was in it's infancy. Sounds spot on to me.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Ok coz I'm pretty sure you claimed to have played in the NSL... Hmmm. Someone's telling porkies.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Perhaps i could word it different, Mooy is the most complete midfielder to ever grace the A-League i'd say even Broich wishes he could score as many goals as Mooy.