Round 27 did little else but confirm the fact that Sydney FC are ready to launch a compelling case for back-to-back titles.
A repeat championship, on top of the FFA Cup and premier’s plate, would be an outstanding achievement, and one predicted by many early in the season.
Quite simply, Sydney have hardly put a foot wrong.
But for shock losses to the Mariners and Roar, and an unlikely defeat at the hands of ten brilliant men from Newcastle, the Sky Blues have rarely faltered and are justified favourites.
Snatching away the title from the boys in blue will take something special from the three teams remaining.
The future holds serious challenges in the post-Graham Arnold era. Social media has been alight with fans fearing a Tony Popovic-led Harbour City, although his own rhetoric appears to deny this. Concerns over the new ‘boss’ have dominated conversation and seemed to distract the group, as soon as the announcement of Arnold’s appointment to the national position was made.
AAP Image/Joe Castro
The players’ focus was affected amidst the demands of the Asian Champions League campaign.
Concerns around player retention will always circle. The club’s ability to draw quality has been the secret to their run of success and maintaining Milos Ninkovic, Bobo, Adrian Mierzejewski and Jordi Buijs in the same squad, while paying their true value, will be difficult.
Powerful Asian clubs with sizeable chequebooks are always lurking and whether it be a straight-out sale or a more strategic transfer window deal mid-season, Sydney’s list will continue to be under pressure in the coming months.
Throw in some quality homegrown talent – such as Alex Brosque, Brandon O’Neill, Michael Zullo and current Socceroo Josh Brillante – and the problem is magnified. The impressive collection of tools is humming along once again and will undoubtedly take some beating.
In terms of preparedness, the Jets have looked anything but. Until Round 27 that was. Even keeping in mind the disastrous season for the Mariners and their lack of commitment over the final few weeks, it was a stunning form reversal and much needed.
Up to that point, and coming off consecutive losses to Perth, City and Adelaide, questions were rightfully asked.
Losing Andrew Nabbout stung, representative selection for Dimitri Petratos was joyous yet difficult to manage, and when captain Nigel Boogaard broke his tibia, some Ernie Merrick magic was required.
The long-awaited return of Ronald Vargas has helped and he will have a key role to play in the finals campaign. However, whether Newcastle have what it takes to ride the wave of success all the way to glory is questionable.
In their defence, they have been playing in a vacuous space lately, with little to gain or lose from their last month of football. If the thrashing of the Central Coast was a true return to form, everybody else had better look out.
Ernie Merrick of the Jets (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
The entire concept of Melbourne City being ready is bizarre. They always look ready on paper yet perennially disappoint, despite possessing the quality to succeed.
In another campaign where their early form suggested this could be the year, they battled through the middle part of the season; wobbly and unstable.
Despite never threatening Sydney’s mantle atop the ladder, they have managed to win when expected despite losing ten games for the season.
Just recently, something strange has occurred. City appear made of steel; gaining a resolve and fortitude that was always lacking in days of old. No doubt Warren Joyce has played a key role in this and wonderboy Daniel Arzani has helped out along the way.
Bruno Fornaroli’s return has been a success and reminded a few people of the damage he once inflicted on defences when at the peak of his powers.
That resolve was never more on show that in the elimination final victory against Brisbane, where they were polished, professional and clinical. The feeling that City might be ready for something special has since grown stronger by the day.
The final combatant in the semi-finals was only confirmed late Sunday as Melbourne Victory defeated Adelaide at AAMI Park and as a headline, that reads expectantly, considering their finals record at home.
However, it was more than astonishing. In a chaotic affair where Adelaide took a lead before Leroy George pulled it back, the stage was set for extra-time. It was a game that you didn’t want to end, such was its to and for-nature and expansive palette late in the second half.
Then, with all the hallmarks of his turbulent and brilliant career, Besart Berisha produced a piece of football artistry that will live forever in the home of supporters’ minds.
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He has been offside all year, looked a step slow at times and not hit the back of the net as frequently as he has done in the past, yet Berisha did what all the champions do.
The Kosovan produced the remarkable as his manager resisted the temptation to substitute him, which had been the pattern for around a month, sensing the great one could produce another fairy tale.
One can’t help feel that Berisha’s rather mooted celebrations this season have contained a little anger, frustration and venom. His future has been questioned. Too old, slow and out of sorts some said and there have been poor games.
However, when the moment arrives he will always be ready.
Just as four teams will need to be ready this weekend if they are to take another step towards the biggest prize in Australian football.
Buddy
Guest
I don’t really get why the game is Friday night and not back to back Saturday either. I genuinely would have driven up on Saturday to come and watch but no way can I get there Friday night as I don’t finish work in time to get to Allianz, can just about do Homebush but definitely not Broadmeadow and besides no visit to the stadium is complete without pre match drinks at The Hop Factory, or at The Kent if we are in Hamilton, so I will be cheering them on in my living room as I will get home just in time for kick off.
TK
Guest
It is also a bloody expensive city to exist in so is it any surprise ppl are spending discetionary dollars on regular A league games?
TK
Guest
When brisbane get two a league teams the owners will make a small fortune....but only if they start with a large one.
Lionheart
Guest
Matt Acton only played two matches for Roar, maybe be true as he had Theo and Young ahead of him, but he walked straight into MV. What's that telling us? But seriously, Matt Acton is a Townsville lad and I hope he does well for MV as we (Aust) need more promotion in the north.
Lionheart
Guest
Greg Inglis is a wise man. Outside football too, at the recent Commonwealth Games Qld athletes won as many Gold and medals total as the rest of the country combined.
fadida
Guest
Tactless but actually very true Rick. In Tassie evey second person was a huge AFL fan. Many were fatties and middle aged women (plenty of fatties there too) who had never played the game, nor were they ever interested.
Kangajets
Guest
Yeah just like Greg Inglis is from Coffs Harbour, which is in Queensland Where is the qld/ nsw border these days .. port Macquarie??
Waz
Roar Rookie
No need to get personal. The point I’m making is anyone who dares criticise the FFA or the A League on these pages is set upon by attack dogs. The debate over international breaks has often been repeated on this site and the usual suspects defend the ffa and attack other fans - so it’s a bit rich you celebrate something you criticised people asking for it lol. it’s clear the ffa only listen during a crisis so if the fans want change, they need to create a crisis, that doesn’t bode well for next season does it
Nemesis
Guest
What are you on about, Waz? Where have I ever said we shouldn't have FIFA international breaks? Why are you such a miserable person? Can't you take time to stop & appreciate that FFA can change? They can realise they got it wrong?
Waz
Roar Rookie
it’s not that long ago that you were berating anyone on these pages that suggested the FFA were negligent in not having international breaks .... now a decade late they’ve finally done the right thing, so yeah, well done FFA - now, about all the other stuff you’ve still got wrong ... ?
Nick Symonds
Guest
"The generally held assumption, pre Arnold, was that success was the only thing missing for SFC. This is clearly not the case." People also say that success is the only thing that Melbourne City need as well. But look at Newcastle's attendance this season and Central Coast's turnout as a percentage of population. I think that people in the major cities just have to many other things to choose from. Oddly enough the ideal number of options in a store for things like bread or milk is 5-8. Once you get beyond this number people stop buying as many products. It's the same with sport. Sydney is overcrowded and no other city has as many professional sporting teams per head of population as Melbourne. So when the A-League comes along it has a bit of a struggle to establish itself. COMPETITION IN SYDNEY Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, St. George Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers, New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney Kings, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Sydney Swans, Greater Western Sydney Giants, New South Wales Swifts (netball). COMPETITION IN MELBOURNE Carlton Blues, Collingwood Magpies, Essendon Bombers, Hawthorn Hawks, Melbourne Demons, North Melbourne Kangaroos, Richmond Tigers, St. Kilda Saints, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne United, Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne Vixens (netball).
Football is Life
Guest
I believe that one of the A-league's problems is the media. Every media source bangs on about Sydney. Do you commonly hear about brilliant saves from Young or Izzo? Do you see lwnt to discussion about the talent of Arzani or Champness commonly in the media. The print media either write about Sydney or FFA's problems. There is so much young talent to write about e.g Wales at Mariners and Theoharous at Victory. Instead the media bang on about Brosque Zullo Wilkinson etc and give it a change of manager and people forget them quick smart because I reckon there will be a bit of levelling up done.....less old boys and a few more up coming talents. How anyone can praise Arnold’s statement about not being here to develop talent is beyond me.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Half of those are Queenslanders mate ...
Nemesis
Guest
Slightly off-topic, but it's brilliant news that suggests FFA is starting to listen to the football community. This season they handed out Premiership Medals for the 1st time. Now this. This is how serious football leagues operate. BREAKING NEWS FFA will incorporate FIFA international breaks into the next A-League season. - season will start on 19 October to avoid the earlier international window - break 12-20 November - break 18-26 March Finals will begin in May Grand Final 18/19 May Full story: https://www.a-league.com.au/news/hyundai-a-league-pause-international-windows-next-season
Kangajets
Guest
Griffo The jets don’t have the strength in defence to hold city out for 90 minutes... so I expect Ernie to let them loose in attack. The jets will need 3 goals ,, I expect an absolute onslaught from the beginning from Newcastle
Kangajets
Guest
As of midday today , the jets have already sold 14000 tickets
Kangajets
Guest
Buddy Growing up in Australia watching English football, the FA cup final always seemed to be the most exciting day of the year . The great finals involved spurs v city ... Ozzie Ardilles and Ricky villa ..Brighton or crystal palace v United . Bryan Robson etc ..... Gazza v notts forest ... Craig Johnson Ian rush and daglish scoring for the scousers against Everton . So I’m saying . Cup finals have always been relevant to me and I guess that’s how I grew up . I clearly remember from playing under 6 s in the hunter valley Comp, we finished first but lost the grand final.. that’s all I remember.. so it’s ingrained in me from 6 years old .. oh the mental scarring as a 6 year old lol Fortunately for my recovery I was lucky to do minor major doubles... It’s an Aussie thing .... grand finals , but it’s resonates well with me . This weekend, the prelim semi , should be promoted as super Saturday. In most Aussie sports , it’s these games to make the gf .. that you see the best games of the season . I actually think they should be scheduled at 5 pm and 7 pm for Saturday.. back to back . Try to make this a regular date in the calendar for fans to gather for s bbq and watch both games on free to air . As the A league gets bigger and gets to 18 teams , we will have a top 8 and finals will be even more meaningful.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Boogaard is likely to start given the reports coming out, but for how long? It's a huge risk that an awkward landing from a defensive header could re-damage what would be an injury not 100% healed. Georgevski on Arzani could be a go, but so too does both Fornaroli and Vidosic need minding. A nice tactical puzzle for Merrick. I'm not real sure how Vargas will go. His decisive, quick passing forward as at the start of the season is needed - he's at times slowed the pace of the game down a bit, understandably but not what the team had been setup for. He is also shifting Petratos out wide which isn't where his best work has stemmed from. And where does Hoffman go if not on the right flank, or possibly the other defensive mid in place of Kantarovski, with Brown training but ruled out. I don't think they'll open the Upper Eastern tier but the game is going to be packed even more than *that* game at home to Sydney. Can't wait.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Wasn't Cahill's departure among all that? It seemed from the outside looking in that there was a period of instability with Joyce quite rightly needing to take a firm hook to steady the ship. Spot on though the loss of McCormack and the arrival Fornaroli, not to mention Vidosic has settled in and some stability to a squad never hurts. If City lose, I don't think it would necessarily be to any mental frailties. They've got it all there at the right time to challenge.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Grassroots fans have as much interest in elite football as a vegetarian does in ordering a Big Mac. A vast majority of AFL fans are fat & lazy — never actually playing the game at any great level either, if at all. How do I know this? Because that's your average Australian. If you're reading this, take a look at your gut. You're the reason our health system is collapsing. After reading this: take that chocolate bar out of your mouth, go for a walk and maintain some level of discipline with your health. Grassroots fans are not the answer. Fat lazy Australians are... unfortunately.