With the destination of the premiership set to be decided on the final weekend of the campaign, it is safe to say this is the A-League season we had to have.
After all the naysayers and negative headlines, isn’t it great we’ve finally reached a point where the only thing that matters is what happens on the pitch?
There are barely enough superlatives to describe just how exciting the race for the premiership is, with Perth Glory’s superb 3-2 win over Melbourne City last night denying City their chance to finish top.
Full credit to Kenny Lowe and his Glory outfit, who have put last year’s salary cap debacle behind them to announce themselves as a genuine title force.
In Diego Castro they have an absolute star – his volley last night was one of the goals of the season – while Andy Keogh set a deserved scoring record by notching for the eighth consecutive fixture in a row.
Coupled with the old-school defensive pairing of Shane Lowry and Alex Grant and the industry and guile of György Sandor, Nebojša Marinkovic and Krisztián Vadocz, and the Glory suddenly look like a team that could make a serious dent on the finals.
As good as their win was, it was hardly the only talking point of another breathtaking round of action.
It all started with Western Sydney Wanderers’ comprehensive 4-1 drubbing of the hapless Central Coast Mariners, in what was the final regular season game at Pirtek Stadium before its demolition and ultimate re-build.
The win leaves Western Sydney with a decent chance of finishing top – they’ll smash the Phoenix in Wellington – however with results elsewhere not exactly going the Wanderers’ way, there’s still plenty to play for going into the final round.
That’s because Brisbane Roar’s dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets yesterday saw the Roar return to the summit on the back of a rare goal from Thomas Broich.
The scheming German hasn’t had his most effective season in Roar colours, however his 74th-minute winner could prove priceless in the race for the Premiers’ Plate.
The hosts were helped by yet another red card to Nigel Boogard – the 10th of his A-League career – but still had enough to fight back from a goal down in a gripping second half contest.
The Roar are in the box seat to finish top, but they could hardly have asked for a sterner test when they face defending champions Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
It’s a shame Besart Berisha will miss the game through suspension courtesy of picking up an inexplicable red card against the Phoenix, although the Albanian can have no excuses after lashing out at Andrew Durante.
Berisha might have inflicted some real damage on his former club, however the Roar will surely fancy their chances against a Victory side forced to travel to South Korea in midweek to take on Suwon in the AFC Champions League.
That game could hardly come at a worse time for Kevin Muscat, who will at least have been glad to see his team cement its A-League finals position with the 4-1 win in Wellington.
Just three points separate the table-topping Roar from fourth-placed Melbourne City, making this one of the most nail-biting premiership races in A-League history.
The final round kicks off with a clash of monumental proportions on Friday night, when City hosts second-placed Adelaide United at AAMI Park.
There will be plenty of talk throughout the week that all five games should kick off simultaneously, but the situation is what it is and the two games in Melbourne could yet prove decisive.
It all comes on the back of another high-scoring round, in which City striker Bruno Fornaroli essentially wrapped up the Golden Boot.
And a campaign that got off to a faltering start now looks set to conclude with the most exciting A-League regular season finish yet.
Kasey
Roar Pro
Cameron, how was the weather in Melbourne last night? It looked a little hot around the players race in AAMI Pk especially at HT ;) but jokes aside, the turnout for a potential title decider(11,700-odd) was pretty poor you have to admit. I guess for all their Abu Dhabi paid for flash, they're still very much Melbourne Heart at heart.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
There's something about the SFC Managers job that frazzles people and turns wise men into fools. After last season you would have thought SFC would make the finals again, for sure, but no, we not only miss the finals but fail to entertain or increase our fan base. Not good Arnie, we all know you can do better. I'm prepared to give you one more season, especially if you get us into the finals of the ACL.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
I'm not saying Victory will lay down, but it would have been an even more exciting finish to the premiership season if Brisbane were up against one of the other teams who could win it, like say Wanderers. That would be a true title stoush. Victory can't improve their position and can only finish sixth anyway whether they win or not, while the Roar have a lot more to play for. I'm sure it will be a great game just the same and Victory won't hand it to them on a plate, the Premiership Plate that is.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Come on ac you can do better than that. Your anti A-League comments are becoming a bit ordinary and boring. The A-League is shorter than all the other sports competitions and look how well its doing man. I'm very much looking forward to the final round starting tomorrow night and then the finals for desert. As much as the premiership has been open and we still don't know who will win the Plate, the Championship race for the Golden Toilet Seat looks very appetising too. Let the feast begin!
Roger
Guest
?
Kasey
Guest
IIRC The FFA haven't been able to manage that too often in the past even if there was only 2 teams that could win it:( Easily solvable with a couple of Hero-standard fake Plates. Just have 2-3 replicas so there's enough to have one in each Stadium that the Plate Winner could be in.
Waz
Guest
+1
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
You're spot on. Muscat will never play tired, or injured players. He's always maintained he puts the best team on the park for every match and he explains "best" as the players who are the best prepared for the match. So, if Valeri is not physically capable to play ACL on Wednesday, Muscat won't play him. It doesn't mean that Valeri isn't a certainty to be in the best Starting XI at MVFC. It means he's not amongs the best XI available for Wednesday night. And, as someone pointed out earlier, Saturday is likely to be the last time MDP, Finkler, Archie and Barbarouses will ever pull on an MVFC shirt in an Aleague match in Melbourne (presuming we don't have a Derby in the finals). MVFC players, coach and fans will be giving 100% to make sure Archie doesn't lose his final Aleague match in Melb.
TheVolley
Guest
I doubt Muscat will want to risk injuries to the first team players for the finals after a very short turnaround plus travel to/from Korea. Its not the case of MV not having anything to play for this weekend. It's a matter of why risk injuries to tired bodies for a match that will not change the ladder position. Expect to see reserves take the field for MV. A good performance in Korea will provide the necessary confidence for the finals.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
@ac I guess it all depends on your engagement. If you really enjoy something, you eagerly anticipate the next episode and never want it to end. My team has been poor this year, so I'd like to reboot. But, at the same time, I can also enjoy the fascinating contest amongst the Top 5 teams. And, you never know... the finals are a knock-out competition and there may be a trophy for whichever team is switched on.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
I've created an account to avoid imposters hijacking my brand.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Well i think the balls in Sages court, let's remember we are dealing with a guy who still reacts to the camera being on him like a 10 year old who's seen himself on the big screen for the first time. Tana is still there week in week out, his love for the club is unquestionable.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Will the real Fussball please stand up
Kaks
Roar Guru
Disagree, but you are entitled to your opinion. Even if it is wrong ;)
ac
Guest
Got to say it - the season is too long for a ten team compeition. If a team is a dud then that team gets played against by the other sides way too often. The season has gone on and on forever way too much methinks. Anyhow thats how i see it. Please dont bag me for expressing my opnion but i think a more shortened season would be much better.
marron
Guest
I read it in homer Simpsons sarcastic voice anyway.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Couldn't agree more, Realfootball. I suspect he'll keep his job... for now.
Midfielder
Guest
agree totally and so do about 95% of supporters...
Realfootball
Guest
Honestly, Mid, in all my years following football, I have never, ever seen anything like this numbskull Walmsley keeping his job after this season. He has made proud CCM a laughing stock, a rabble. And he's had the same salary cap as everyone else.
Realfootball
Guest
Absolutely.... do you think Arnold will keep his job, Mike? My hunch is that his record will save him, but a poor start to next season and he's gone.