Newcastle fans, I feel your pain. The ambiguity that you feel is justified, but what I’m about to say may hurt just a little more: the best team won on the day.
While it’s okay for Jets fans to feel aggrieved about the result on Saturday night, we Melbourne fans have felt the same disappointment and dissatisfaction before.
And while you might think our title is illegitimate, from my completely biased Melbourne-diehard perspective, I don’t agree.
I saw my team get lucky and then, from that very point onwards, I saw my team fight like lions – desperate and composed.
In the first half they weathered the Newcastle storm; in the second they took control of the game and deserved more for their efforts.
Newcastle had no right to win.
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From beginning to end, the Victory found every answer. Newcastle were great, but Melbourne were better.
The Jets were unable to match the big-game intensity of their opponents; unable to find that next gear.
Melbourne did.
We deserved a second goal and greater reward for our efforts.
Kevin Muscat’s men deserved to win, plain and simple.
And all this without mentioning the heroics of Joe Marston medalist Lawrence Thomas, who was simply unbeatable.
The fact that it happened the way it happened is insignificant. Melbourne came to win, Newcastle didn’t know how – it’s a bit of a shame that we didn’t win by more than one.
Melbourne are champions because we played like champions.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
I am not sure that you could call the VAR failure "luck"!
FortheCAFF
Guest
Muscat wasn't getting booed. He is an MVFC legend and was simply doing what was required to win the match in terms of tactics. I can't say I noticed any of the time-wasting stuff but it isn't like Muscat is the only perpetrator there - it happens almost every game. I think his passion is great for the game. The fans were chanting his name after the whistle.
Worried
Guest
Delusional !!!!
fadida
Guest
You also need bad guys though Kanga. There will now be a serious MV v Jets rivalry, from a Jets POV at least. Muscat & co will be absolutely hated from here on in
Sam
Guest
Exactly .... we forget that the best team all year didn't even get to compete on Saturday. FORZA sydney fc
Sam
Guest
Think big picture man ! The best team did not win. The best team didn't even feature because of the ridiculously stupid finals system !
mad monk
Guest
No dispute Thomas was the best player on the park.
mad monk
Guest
I don't dispute that they did win. I don't dispute there is some merit in closing down the game. But lets not pretend it wasn't a cynical performance from an otherwise talented team. I have no particular issue with Victory, I do take issue with naive officiating that either fails to see what is going on or is too scared to do anything about it. My favourite moment was 10 minutes into second half, ball out for a goal kick, Matthias Sanchez warming up behind the goal, lean over the hoarding to roll a ball back onto the field after Moss had set up the other ball for his goal kick. Well played son.
Keas
Guest
The better team won on the day...really? admittedly Lawrence Thomas was easily the better goalkeeper on the day. considering the statistics and the style of play there is no way that Melbourne victory was the better team on the day
Keas
Guest
better team won on the day...really? admittedly Lawrence Thomas was easily the better goalkeeper on the day
kangajets
Guest
Good to see arzani rewarded by Socceroos selection. I hope he cuts out his diving , he is the type of player who can be a role model for young Aussie players with his fantastic skills He can also be a beacon of light for the a league
Kris
Guest
Why should Victory play football? Their task was to win. They won. The end. The idea that a team is obliged to entertain neutrals is a bit weird. Personally I was fascinated watching how Victory went about killing off a game, found it very interesting.
Cool N Cold
Guest
If there was no VAR in that grand final (Newcastle Jets vs Victory), the match might have to be decided in extra time or by spot penalty kicks. Which team plays better? Despite hating K Muscat, he seemed to have done a good job. Instead of defense and positions first, he switched the tactic in second half. That was a right move. In second half of the first half of the match, we could see that Jets had waves of attacks wasted. No blame if you waste the chances yourself. Probably, Muscat knew as many spectators knew that Victory could not endure attacks for another 45 minutes. So, Victory changed to a more attack-and-defense-balanced-tactic in the second half. That made many spectators' expectation vanished. So, if chance wasting is not good, Victory was the better team.
kangajets
Guest
No team deserved to win , the jets played ok in the first half but didn’t score . It was just bad football from both teams in the second half . If you really read my comments from Sunday i was scathing about Merrick tactics , and I agree with everything about Melbourne Victory , they time wasted for 80 minutes I think one poster liked the outcome because it made the Ffa look bad , can’t blame the Ffa for bad coaching . The referee can stop te time wasting with yellow cards , and early bookings for cynical fouls . The game on the field made the A league look bad . The semi professional nsl teams like Adelaide City and South Melbourne were way better then this standard. We need more arzani and less negativity in coaching.
Waz
Roar Rookie
kangajets
Guest
This is what I was trying to say yesterday This negativity of Muscat type coaching is creating an image that the general public see as ugly diving soccer . The A league has 4 years in its Fox contract to run . Look at the average ratings and crowds this year , the game in Australia will only thrive if arzani s and petratos type players are allowed to thrive ... this attitude towards positive players will only come with better coaches and referees who can control the game ... Saturday night we had the eyes of Australia in the A league and both coaches and referees let the A league down . Ask yourself Would you want Muscat to coach your team ? Or would you want Arzani playing for your team??
Melange
Guest
Luke, i think you've blown your gaskett! the Roarites have said it all. The worst team won!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
That headline... oh dear. How about "no".
Ian
Guest
here is the best line 'Newcastle had no right to win' lol. (I support Brisbane BTW) and the standards over the last couple of days 'if jets were good enough they would have scored to level it up' 'everyone knows victory were better' 'jets had a var decision go their way in the semi-final so it evens out that we (victory) got this decision' while the software is supposed to have had issues and they were waiting for it to reboot, some VAR decisions this year have taken 3-4 minutes to decide. this time foxtel didn't even replay the goal before the green light came on saying AOK. In a Brisbane game earlier this year we were back on halfway waiting to kick off after celebrating a goal but the VAR had gone back two plays watching Maccarone come back from an offside position to intercept a pass before another two passes were completed and he scored.3 minutes later it is overturned. here - 6 months later, the var presses the green light knowing it hasn't reviewed it properly.
rolly
Guest
which team was on top of the table all season was it MV or NJ .The best team all season was Sydney FC finals football is BS. rewards mediocrity