After a hectic week of A-League football with nine matches across six days, the new school term coincides with a return to regular weekend fixtures.
Perth Glory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix all missed chances to snatch two wins from the chaos of last week. The Victory triumphed in their sole appearance and Adelaide rustled up four points in what was another promising step for Marco Kurz’s men.
The Roar of the Crowd has taken a mid-year lead in the tipping and the writer missed a golden chance to sweep to the front after hitching his wagon with the Jets one too many times and backing the Wanderers who then squandered a 2-0 lead against Brisbane.
Round 17 throws up some meaningful fixtures in terms of semi-final play. Particularly Perth and Wellington in the west on Saturday night and Sydney FC’s match-up with Melbourne City at Jubilee Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Be sure to enter your tips into the sheet below and have a say in the brilliantly performing voice of the crowd for 2109.
Here are the thoughts of the panel as the A-League fast approaches its final ten weeks of home and away action.
Mike Tuckerman
Western Sydney, Victory, Draw, Perth, Sydney.
The real question is whether Vedran Janjetovic will start for the Wanderers, but even if he doesn’t, they should be chastened enough to down a spirited but struggling Jets. In all honesty though, there’s not a whole lot for either side to play for here.
The Mariners have been much-improved in recent weeks, but that won’t be enough to stop Victory as they look to close the gap on Perth Glory at the top of the table. Expect Kevin Muscat’s side to chalk up another win in Gosford.
Brisbane Roar’s battling qualities were on full display last weekend, and although it’s been a season to forget for the Queenslanders, they’re a much better side than their points tally suggests. The opposite is arguably true for Adelaide, so this one may well finish deadlocked.
‘The Distance Derby’ will always be one of the funniest things about the A-League, but this clash is undoubtedly the match of the round. Glory should just about nick it in front of their home fans, even if the Phoenix have proved tough to beat this season.
Sydney FC’s final home game at Jubilee Stadium should end in a regulation three points for the Sky Blues against a Melbourne City side who often look like they don’t even want to be there.
Stuart Thomas
Western Sydney, Victory, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney
Friday night could well be won by the side most able to remain calm and poised; so desperate both will be for a bag of points.
The Jets have a numerical hope of playing finals, as unlikely as it may be and the Wanderers will be attempting to convince themselves of the same.
In reality, this match could wind up meaning nothing at all if the top six maintain their consistent form. I’m not really sure why but I’ll tip the Wanderers to find a goal or two from a youngster and the Jets to be sent home in a fog of disappointment.
Central Coast will lead early against the Victory before the visitors will put three or four in the net and inflict the 13th loss of the season on the Mariners.
Adelaide look to be building nicely and George Blackwood has made something of a difference in the minutes he has played since returning from injury.
As a much needed focal point up front, Blackwood has allowed other members of the Reds’ forward line to play more naturally when he has taken to the pitch and the striker dilemma does appear to be partly on the way to being repaired. Brisbane are a rabble right now and the Reds will win comfortably.
Perth will beat Wellington at HBF Park and ‘the shed’ will have another night of table-topping ecstasy. Wellington have a chance in this one yet the home advantage may be the deciding factor.
As Diego Castro’s fitness and play improves week by week, the full attacking potential of the Glory comes to life. With Chris Ikonomidis back very soon, it is an ominous looking front half.
Sydney FC should deal with the threat Melbourne City pose at Jubilee Stadium on Sunday. Sydney will score, the same is difficult to say of the visitors. With Wellington breathing down their necks, Warren Joyce’s men need a response after an unconvincing performance in New Zealand.
This is as good a chance as any; up against one of the form teams in the competition.
Paul Nicholls
Western Sydney, Victory, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney.
The Wanderers have certainly been entertaining lately. Last week’s 2-2 draw with Brisbane was rollicking fun with some goalkeeping high-jinx thrown in for good measure. If they keep up their positive mindset they should beat Newcastle, who with just 15 goals are the competition’s lowest scorers.
Central Coast toiled hard against Adelaide and it’s good to see they haven’t dropped their bundle. Matt Simon has impressed with his maturity this season. Melbourne Victory won’t take the Mariners lightly and the three points will be crucial to keep in touch with Perth.
Ola Toivonen is proving to be the buy of the season with his great positional hold up play and amazing ability with the dead ball. Victory will be too desperate.
Adelaide haven’t been particularly convincing recently yet they are proving a hard nut to crack, having lost only one of their past five games. I expect them to get the job done against Brisbane who are struggling to get their combinations right.
The loss of Andrew Durante to suspension will leave a huge hole in Wellington’s defensive plans against Perth. It should be an exciting contest and the Glory’s Andy Keogh, Diego Castro and Neil Kilkenny will test Phoenix goalkeeper Filip Kurto, who has shown to be every bit as capable of saving real shots on goal as imaginary ones. Perth to win due to the Durante factor.
Sydney FC were far from their best against a strong Victory outfit last week but after a shaky start to their tenure at Kogarah are now feeling right at home. They should be too good for a sluggish Melbourne City.
Round 17 | Mike | Stuart | Paul | The Crowd |
---|---|---|---|---|
WSW vs NEW | WSW | WSW | WSW | WSW |
CCM vs MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC | MVC |
ADL vs BRI | Draw | ADL | ADL | ADL |
PER vs WEL | PER | PER | PER | PER |
SYD vs MCY | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
Last week | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Previous total | 27 | 33 | 33 | 34 |
New total | 31 | 38 | 38 | 40 |
Paul
Guest
Oh ****. The experts have picked WSW to win. Help...............!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Don't forget the NYL grand final on Friday, telecast live at 4.20 pm EDT, 3.20 pm Qld time on Fox 505. Not sure who to tip when the Roar coach says he needs to seek permission for five of his players to miss school. Wanderers are at home and reigning champs, but we are Roar.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I get a little sensitive on this issue, and was particularly disturbed by the nonsense I saw when our assistant got involved in the tunnel and our players too, baited by players obviously acting to instructions. I've learnt to not like the SA way.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Miron Blieberg? What’s wrong with “Roar should never have a used car salesman as coach ever again”???
Griffo
Roar Guru
0 - 1 : WSW v Jets 0 - 4 : CCM v Victory 2 - 1 : Adelaide v Roar 2 - 2 : Glory v Nix 2 - 0 : Sydney v City Jets are looking increasingly unlikely to score the closer they get to goal which is a stark contrast to last season. With an 11 point gap to sixth they either need to start winning or kiss the promised top-six goodbye. Nix could cause Glory some issues but it has always been a long way to travel but Rudan has them in the right mindset. Adelaide and Nix in reality need to lose to help the Jets close the gap with a win, but I'm not holding my breath.
Franko
Guest
No coaches from SA ever again because of JA? Seems a little strong, imagine using the same logic with Miron Blieberg, you’d be lynched.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
imo Roar should not be anywhere near a coach from SA ever again. I hope that Roar players and staff just ignore the taints from Kurz's staff & players this week.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I reckon we will be seeing a lot more players come out of Queensland because the talent in the NPL will finally be exposed. My local club live streams all its home games but we just got relegated from NPL WA so I don't know if that will be the case.
Nemesis
Guest
NPL will be kicking off soon in Victoria &, presumably, same in other jurisdictions. Big things happening at NPL level. NPL Qld has announced every NPL match will be LiveStreamed on YouTube for Free. I've heard rumours FFV will be announcing something similar shortly. NPL leading the way in so many aspects of football. Imagine when we finally merge the football smarts of the NPL with the business smarts for the ALeague. 31 March 2019: the date when the New League Working Group reports to FFA Board about the new structure for the elite levels of club football in Australia.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
He has been playing his guts out all year. Can only work with what you have and his elbows are getting him through.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Well, I said shock, not SHOCK
Stuart Thomas
Expert
A Matt Simon hat trick on the cards?
Waz
Roar Rookie
There is a shock result in this mariners side though, maybe this one lol? They just run out of steam in the last quarter (which will happen when your fitness coach storms out in pre-season I guess).
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I've fixed that up now Jordan. All the panel selected the Victory which is not surprising.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
WSW 2, Jets 1 CCM 1, Victory 3 Adelaide 2, Roar 0 Glory 3, Nix 2 Sydney 1, City 0 You guys appear to be tipping the Wanderers in a game between Central Coast and Victory...…. Interesting
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I wonder what Adelaide would look like with someone potent and classy up front. Ilso has turned out to be a bit of a spare parts player, Halloran trying hard and Blackwood still way off the polished article. With a Fornaroli/Keogh type up front, I wonder if they might look a whole lot more impressive. Just a thought.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yup, seems a bit lazy to write it just before the game (again!!). My understanding is the new Roar coach will get to select his own assistant and that’s it; unlike Aloisi who gutted the football department and installed his own men, the new coach gets one pick. So when it mentions Kurz wants to bring his goalkeeping coach it probably lacks real credibility; Kearton at Roar has done an excellent job with Young and so won’t be going anywhere.
Franko
Guest
I tend to agree When I saw the head line I thought great, I’ll drive him to the airport. Has done nothing but injure our players and hold back what was a productive youth line. Migliaccio – Monteverde at it again.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I think it’s utter nonsense, remarkable for its lack of direct quotes again. I’ve no doubt he will have applied as his future at Adelaide is still uncertain but the article is just the latest ”coach swop” story before a game between these two sides. I’m not sure if he’d be the right coach for Roar though, he’s not exactly got Adelaide playing good, attractive, winning football. If I was the Roar MD though I’d be sending him a message that he’s been selected for interview and “see you on Saturday” lol.
Franko
Guest
Hey Waz, what did you make of the reports Kurz is being sounded out by Brisbane? I remember the opposite happening when Johnny Aloisi was seeking a new deal at Brisbane.