Credit where credit is due – VAR has helped improve the atmosphere inside A-League grounds and unified previously fractured fan groups.
There was a raucous vibe inside Suncorp Stadium yesterday afternoon, particularly when it flashed up on the big screen before kick-off that the Video Assistant Referee would be in use, and not for the first time practically every single fan inside the ground started booing.
Brisbane Roar fans know exactly what to expect from the VAR, although Mariners fans got a taste of the same medicine when Kalifa Cisse’s thumping header was chalked off on replay.
Cisse was immense at the heart of the Mariners’ defence, and despite having been dominated for long stretches, Mike Mulvey’s visitors deserve credit for their battling display.
The Gosford side look like they’ll be much tougher to beat this season – even if Usain Bolt somehow gets within touching distance of the pitch – and they were good value for the 1-1 draw on a wild afternoon in the river city.
That almost 15,000 fans turned out despite a ferocious pre-match storm is testament to just how much hard work Brisbane Roar have done to reconnect with their fan base over the off-season.
And if A-League fans are going to have a common enemy this season, it’s once again going to be the VAR.
Referee Kurt Ams signals for VAR (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
I swore before the round kicked off that I wasn’t going to mention it. I made a promise to myself to stick to the positives.
But it’s just too invasive, it takes too long to make subjective decisions, and it ruins the best part of the game – goal scoring – and renders spontaneous celebrations redundant.
And as we saw in Saturday night’s Melbourne derby, it does nothing to eliminate controversial decisions from the game.
VAR is simply more trouble than it’s worth, but despite causing more problems than it’s solved, there seems to be a feeling within the game that there’s no going back and we’re stuck with it no matter what.
It didn’t seem to cause this many problems at the World Cup in Russia – Josh Risdon’s sliding tackle on Antoine Griezmann notwithstanding – so if A-League officials want media and fans to talk about something else, they’d better find a way to sort out these issues quick-smart.
How good was the Melbourne derby at any rate?
There’s no way Melbourne City should have been awarded a penalty for Corey Brown’s challenge on Bruno Fornaroli, but as a neutral observer, I didn’t mind seeing City take all three points.
Riley McGree’s winner was superb – although the otherwise outstanding Keisuke Honda will wince at the fact he should have been tracking McGree into the box – as Warren Joyce out-thought Kevin Muscat on the night.
(Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Joyce looks about as comfortable on camera as Usain Bolt does with the ball at his feet, however the City coach is not being paid for his on-screen presence.
And City could give the competition a real shake this season if their impressive opening night performance is anything to go by.
I didn’t see much of Perth Glory’s 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers, but from what I did take in, both sides had their chances.
And just how did Oriol Riera sky that effort from six yards out?
Congratulations also to Mark Rudan, who has waited patiently for his chance to coach at A-League level, and celebrated with a first-up win as Wellington Phoenix downed the Newcastle Jets 2-1 at Westpac Stadium.
I have to give a shout-out to my old man too. He’s fighting for his life in hospital.
So Dad, I hope when you wake up you can read these words and know that I was thinking of you.
And I hope the A-League can find a narrative that doesn’t revolve around the VAR as well.
There’s already enough riding on this season as it is.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Four linesmen? The idea is good. However, for today's technology, it is better to have an offside technology system. It should not be difficult, just the cost and determination. Actually, many players have already got a GPS at the back. So, if the ball is also chipped, an offside detection system is possible.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Bonus Points are being tested in Rugby Union and Netball with mixed results. It complicates it even more whereas the goals only system simplifys the ladder reward to the nature of the game. All grounds have equal average scores so thats not an advantage to anyone. The final rounds of the season will have more contenders. Imagine scoring a large number of goals in the final round to make the finals. It would be electric beyond anything we've seen because it salutes the game. We are all servants of the game and it is not being respected or treated as well as it could be. The points for winners is a second rate system and we all pretend otherwise. Defensive tactics abound and we all die a little inside. The goals only as a ladder tally is a sporting revolution I know. But it's a quiet little revolution that needs no fighting and can be done with the stroke of a pen, The effects on Society Sport and Health and Mental Health would be worth billions of dollars. Watching our elite athletes shackled by negative play is like going to your favorite restaurant and getting a packet of flavoured chips. We underestimate the importance of sport and we need our elite to shine.
Nemesis
Guest
The footage of the Fornaroli incident in the Derby has been examines frame-by-frame by everyone, but you think you've picked up something everyone else missed? Regardless, the FFA's Referee Review Panel has said the penalty for Fornaroli was a refereeing error. The contact was insufficient to be worthy of a foul.
Ivor Jones
Guest
Re the City VAR penalty if you watch closely Fornaroli was clearly pushed in the back, the commentators all missed it or chose not to see it. For VAR generally the rulings are all on the most controversial aspects of the game, so they will always be talking points. They will give the game better outcomes and catch out the players trying to get away with sneaky fouls. It gives the referees a chance to review as proven by NRL (even though many one eyed fans might not agree). Long live VAR. Wsweel
Kangas
Roar Rookie
I like the idea of bonus points for s certain amount of goals Will never happen though
Kangas
Roar Rookie
It’s called doing a Rance
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Actually, O'Rourke has now publicly confirmed that the ref did indeed have the power to reverse his original decision, and he obviously knew it was doubtful because he took a couple of minutes to reach his decision. He knew it was not an action which merited the awarding of a goal, and if anything, Fall@Roll should have got a yellow for diving.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Var is bad for sport but great for business. Turning a game into a product is hurtful to the sport. Let's face it no one really cares about the GAME itself. We all want drama, controversy and gabble fodder. The game is about scoring goals ...that's what the game is. Remember the saying.. It's not whether you win or lose it's how you play the game. Hands up if you think that is soft rubbish. You need to have a good hard look. The game is about scoring goals. We don't even need the 3 points for winners and nothing for losers. We need to encourage goal scoring by letting the goals count on the ladder. If you can get 5 goals in a game you deserve a reward above the 3 points. Better to ditch the 3 points and just let the goals tell the whole story. It's a more accurate reflection of what happened in the game. It would create tensions and dramas beyond the defensive mindset of the 3 point system. Winning and losing is not going away but we don't need to downgrade the possibilities inherent in the game by rewarding this overly simplistic results tabling. True sport is about mastering the game..not just winning and losing. Business boffins need to get creative and have a look at the games true potential. Low scoring is a crime against the game. Average score is around 2.5 goals per game...not enough. The game deserves at least a five goal average. If the average score was less people would turn off... they already do. So we are operating a a bare minimum in entertainment value. Goalsonly relates to many Sports by putting the emphasis on the GAME and how it is played. Let Goals be the total focus all the time.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Taggart was as clearly not offside. There are many people see that not offside from the video replay. If you cannot see as many other people see it demonstrates how ridiculous you are, Nemesis. Read newspapers. Read websites. There are many see that not offside, including the Roar here.
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-22/richard-hinds-on-nbl-and-a-league-tv-struggles/10403812?section=analysis Hinds is right, the active fans were the A-Leagues biggest asset. When Active Support was pumping, it would keep fans coming through the gates even when their team was garbage. Get the active sections pumping again and even the most lacklusture game will have an entertaining narrative.
Muzz
Guest
Riveting article.......
jbinnie
Guest
Kangas - if you mean the Roar v CCM game,although the game itself was quite entertaining,there was also much evidence that it was a "season's opener." Not many individuals stood out though Roar's new boys showed much improvement in the creating department but it is hard to envisage Taggart having such an "off" day in another 90 minutes. At one time in the game it could be argued he "missed" 10 golden opportunities to score, though a hardened Roar fan would immediately claim at least he was there to "try" and score from advanced positions. This is a huge improvement on last season's efforts. Mariners started the game with a "gift" and set about defending their lead much to the detriment of their overall game,most of their performers showing up in defence,but when one adds in those "missed chances" of Taggart it does throw up some doubts in their overall play. MM spoke widely pre-game of the strength of his front players but on the day this was not apparent, with Cisse and the young right back showing much promise as did their late substitute, the lad brought back on loan from England. So to sum up. Roar still have an apparent weakness in putting the ball in the net though this could be improved upon quickly. CCM tried the old tactic of grabbing a quick lead and defending the same desperately. This did work under some apparent "tie in" to Roar's lack of good finishing,but will not work in other areas of the HAL. Cheers jb.
chris
Guest
Cheers jb. Isnt it the pests job to bring us positive metrics on the A-League?
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Waz - it will be interesting to see the Sydney derby attendance on Saturday - purely on the basis of accessibility and location. Being next door to Allianz means it suffers from the same things as ever in traversing this building site of a city but the SCG is not a popular choice. Horrible place to watch football and if you are a WSW fan that means having to watch games at two cricket grounds this season. With Wanderers record in the derby, there are many who cannot stomach another debacle although I doubt that Babbel will make the same idiotic selections that JG made last year. Talk about men vs boys. They might have a better chance although the defence will be porous at least until Ziegler returns from injury. Be great to see 20k at Lang Park though...here's hoping!
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I'm glad I'm not alone. I've already lost count of the number of times I have sat/stood there asking everyone around the bay if they have any idea what they might be reviewing!
Punter
Roar Rookie
Pedro the Woolongong fan in the doghouse.
Nick Symonds
Guest
BOLT A-LEAGUE OFFER NEWS - "Central Coast Mariners have offered Usain Bolt a contract for "much, much less" than what the Olympic great's camp requested, the head of the A-League says." FURTHER - "Bolt's camp had reportedly asked for a deal of around $3 million, but the Mariners' offer was reportedly in the vicinity of $150,000." - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-22/usain-bolt-offered-a-league-contract-central-coast-mariners/10405696
Nick Symonds
Guest
Add South East Melbourne, West Melbourne and South Melbourne all in one go by dropping Wellington. 30 derbies a year x 69,000 viewers each = 2,070,000 viewers.
Pedro
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Once upon a time, if the ref spotted a 50/50 on the edge of the box, he could be satisfied that a free kick on the edge of the box was a good middle ground, rather than awarding a goal for something which may or may not have occurred. On this occasion, all of a sudden the ref can't go with his gut instinct of the middle ground approach because Fornaroli has dived inside the box, but he's not allowed to view it as a dive because he has already awarded a free (unfortunately, it wasn't 50/50, more 99/1 against). Common sense should have been: well, honestly, I can't award a cheap goal for something which is 99:1, just stick with the free kick as originally given, and Fornaroli should consider himself lucky that I don't award him a yellow for diving.