Sometimes sport is comedic. Not in a nasty, vindictive sort of way; just fun.
On the weekend, I sat with my youngest daughter and watched Indian Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra launch himself into his event. Each time he threw, he ended up in something of a handstand position, headband and all, on his way to the gold medal on the Gold Coast.
He is an entertainer and his style unique.
Whether it be ‘lay down’ Sally Robbins rowing at the Olympics, Steven Bradbury’s ‘last man standing’ effort or a Commonwealth Games closing ceremony, humour will always be a part of sport.
Round 27 of the A-League was no different, despite creeping up on us slowly, after Friday night’s ‘Big Blue’ played out to script.
The remainder of the weekend proved to be a tipping disaster and my personal selections could be heard drifting off into the vacuous distance, like a tumbleweed in the abandoned town of a western gunslinger.
In the end, with orgasmic tension and excitement in two key matches, the A-League produced one of the most remarkable, unpredictable and sometimes comical rounds of the season.
A weekend consisting of 24 goals is a good starting point.
Wellington got things rolling with a come-from-behind victory against Melbourne City. The team having hardly fired a shot all season and the skills of youngster Sarpreet Singh, sent City home without a point. Are you kidding me?
Just when many thought this City team was different, more consistent and in a position to play in a grand final (and they still may) the visitors fell to a Phoenix team that climbed off the bottom.
It was brilliant viewing and put pressure on the Mariners, who would need a similarly out-of-character performance against Newcastle in Gosford if they were to avoid the spoon.
The performance they put up was astonishing for all the wrong reasons. Defending like plastic cones and rebuilding the lost confidence of the Jets, the Mariners were abysmal and A-League record-keepers were called into action, as the goal tally mounted.
A penny for Mike Mulvey’s thoughts as he looked on. He appreciates the epic mountain before him but did even he realise it was this bad?
It was sad to see Josh Rose bow out in that way, however the most chaotic, comical and record-breaking F3 derby was difficult to watch without a smile on one’s face – excluding Central Coast fans of course.
The shootout in the west later that night between Perth and Brisbane – two teams seeking the sixth spot on the table – would surely be a stern and grinding affair with caution prudent.
It proved anything but, despite the opening goal from Perth. The early lead seemed to support the general consensus of a Glory triumph on home ground.
A certain ‘slippery fish’ had other ideas and changed the face of the match to draw Brisbane level. Thomas Kristensen added another for the visitors and Henrique was at it again early in the second half to stretch the lead to two goals.
It was a terrific game to commentate and predictable drama was to follow. Jamie Young saved a penalty from Diego Castro after his own foul on Andy Keogh and a late own-goal saw Perth pull one back.
They were to fall short and it was hard not to smile, realising that John Aloisi had dragged his veterans from nowhere into the six and had one last shot at the finals.
After six rounds, Brisbane sat stone cold motherless. With imports stranded overseas, ACL numbers falling off kit and a cool manager refusing to admit to the disaster over which he was presiding, it looked like the proverbial train wreck.
In the end, they didn’t get going until the final third of the season. When they did, the Roar looked impressive.
Surely this would all come to nought, with the Wanderers assured of victory against Adelaide in the vast expanse of ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With Adelaide resting Isaias and nothing to gain from a positional perspective, it was all set up for Brisbane’s last season charge to be muted on the final day.
The eerie quiet in the stadium without the Red and Black Bloc in attendance added to the bizarre goings-on in the final round. Who would ever have envisaged that one day the Wanderers would play in such a vital game without their loyal active supporter group behind them?
We shook our heads and wondered how it got to this.
The game lived up to the head-scratching nature of the round. The early penalty to Oriol Riera was scratched out by Baba Diawara’s equaliser, before Daniel Adlung stunned the muted crowd and put Adelaide in front.
The Wanderers did draw level before the break, yet seemed to panic throughout much of the second half. They missed a penalty, had Keanu Baccus sent off for an ugly foul, and a late goal to Ryan Kitto sealed the deal for the visitors.
By the end, I couldn’t help but picture John Aloisi with a XXXX celebrating and starting to plan his trip to Melbourne City next week.
The best thing about such a crazy weekend was just how much fun it all was. It reminded me of how we all probably felt when we kicked our first sphere and were introduced to the Beautiful Game.
Nemesis
Guest
BREAKING NEWS WSW has announced that, following the post-season review, Josep Gombau has left the club effective immediately.
Paul
Guest
And you could see for the VAR call he really didn't want to.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I'm not sure redemption is the right word - Arnold was all over the park, particularly the first half - and lucky wasn't caught out on another occasion except for a scrambling defence. Ditto Kennedy, who had a shocker as well. A lot of talk of not being complacent but that is exactly what it appeared. Just sloppy play, poor passing, distribution, and plain lackadaisical choices especially in attack. Stajcic has every right to rest players. That performance was a worry for being hopeful of progressing in a long tournament in the future.
Lionheart
Guest
ha ha - you never paid a cent for Dimi nor Joey
kangajets
Guest
I stayed up and watched if from half time Thailsnd were good , so disciplined in defence . I thought the Matilda’s coach had blown it by leaving Kerr and van egmond on the bench McKenzie Arnold redemption in the penalties was great . They will have to improve on that performance
Buddy
Guest
He gave WSW 2 penalties....... unheard of for him!
Onside
Guest
Matildas d Thailand to advance to Asian Cup final against Japan.Deserving of Roar coverage. Not you Stuart, just sayin'.
Paul
Guest
#GombauOUT Gombau did not adapt to the style of play the squad was set up for. As far as I'm concerned Lederer should show him the door and say "Don't let the door hit you on way out". BTW The refereeing in Wanderers-Adelaide game was so one-sided with Kris Griffiths-Jones refusing to call Adelaide for blatant fouls and refusing to pull his yellow card and Absalonsen should have been red carded for the initial rugby tackle on Baccus Jnr.
JJJ
Guest
I cannot discern a style of play that he is trying to inculcate. That's what worries me most.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Get the Screaming Jets to play that one! ?
Griffo
Roar Guru
If Adelaide’s experience is anything to go by, give Gombau a chance. Still I think he should have stayed with the U23 national team but all in the past.
kangajets
Guest
I humbly apologise Gallop .... hero to the common man ?
chris
Guest
Come on KJ. I saw Gallop in Martin Place making speeches with a Socceroo scarf adorning his Armani suit.
chris
Guest
you couldnt make this stuff up could you? What next? The team is leaving on the team bus and gets a recall ? lol
Michael Mills
Guest
Janjetovic has been excellent. I guess I find it difficult to pick him as a Sydney fan! In real life I’m not sure how functional this front four would be. You’d potentially want Ikonomidis up front because he offers a bit more than Taggart when leading the line and would create space for the three advanced midfielders behind him. But certainly it’s a entertaining prospect as a hypothetical lineup.
Mark
Guest
UEFA and the Premier League must be laughing. All credit to them for standing up to the pressure from FIFA to implement the farce that is VAR.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Gombau is fine, it was always going to be hard trying to work with a team that was moulded by a Manager who plays a different game to you that leaves a week before the season starts. Give him another season with a team he wants and a pre-season in their legs and see what happens. We saw the team start to make some headway at the back end of the year, would be ridiculous not to give him a proper shot.
Kaks
Roar Guru
For all the issues the Wanderers had on the field, I would still pick Janjetovic over Thomas. Other than that, great squad.
fadida
Guest
Ha ha!
fadida
Guest
Lawrie excelled himself at the Glory game last week; got drunk, took over the mike at half time, sang with Shannon Nolls (sic). Hilarious, and shows a real human side