Simultaneous kick-offs are unlikely to happen in the A-League under the current TV deal, but maybe they should after this weekend’s interesting final round.
How about next week’s A-League finals?
Who would have foreseen Melbourne Victory hosting Wellington Phoenix on Friday night instead of Melbourne City?
Possibly the Phoenix, for starters.
Now before anyone across the Tasman hits the speed dial button on any lawyers they happen to have on retainer, I should stress I’m not suggesting anything untoward happened in Perth Glory’s 5-0 win over the Phoenix last night.
Perth have long threatened to blow an opponent out of the water and it just so happened that it was an understrength Phoenix side who copped it.
Coincidence though it may have been, it’s still not a great look for the A-League when one team goes into the final game of the regular season knowing that only a defeat by more than two goals would drop them down to sixth – then loses 5-0.
There’s not much to be gained by the Phoenix facing Victory in Melbourne instead of Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium, but it still leaves the competition open to the suggestion that the finals schedule can be easily manipulated.
That said, it’s not like a schedule where teams face each other three times – once at home and twice away, depending on the various machinations of the season – is a fair and equitable system anyway.
And it’s hard to see how the Phoenix take much confidence into Friday night’s clash on the back of a five-goal mauling, even if it will be a much different looking starting eleven that runs out at AAMI Park.
As an aside, it’s probably also worth mentioning A-League defences following a round in which 21 goals were scored.
A few readers pointed out in my column on Friday that the A-League averages more than three goals per game.
That may be true – and it arguably means that at least a few teams approach every fixture with attacking intent – but what does it say about the average A-League defence?
The Central Coast Mariners ended up conceding 70 goals in 27 rounds this season and they weren’t even the league’s worst defence!
Some teams have simply loaded up against hapless defenders – as Melbourne City did against the abysmal Mariners on Friday night – so perhaps the statistics aren’t quite as flattering as they appear at first glance.
Still, City’s five-star performance begs the question of why they haven’t played like that more often – and why Warren Joyce doesn’t more regularly turn to his youngsters.
Could City pull off the ultimate magic act and win the A-League on the back of one of the most mediocre regular season campaigns in the competition’s history?
Anything can happen in the roll of the dice that is the A-League finals.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
But if there’s any justice it will be Perth Glory who lift the championship trophy in three weeks’ time.
And it was nice to see Diego Castro become the first A-League player to win the Alex Tobin Medal twice.
The evergreen Spaniard has enjoyed another stellar campaign, and he’s no doubt determined to seal it with the medal that really counts.
We need a few more players like Castro down here next season.
Keisuke Honda is right when he says the A-League’s salary cap is holding back Australian teams in Asia.
The A-League needs a complete overhaul and the salary cap is surely one of the elements that needs to be looked at.
So do kick-off times.
Next weekend’s elimination final timeslots might have been designed with TV viewers in mind, but they’re not exactly fan friendly.
But that’s a minor complaint compared to the bigger picture.
And the most obvious question to come from a topsy-turvy final round of the season is whether form counts for anything going into the finals?
apaway
Roar Guru
I'm suggesting it. Only because Mark Rudan virtually admitted it in his post-match press conference.
apaway
Roar Guru
I'll mention it every minute if we get a Grand Final like that one!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Relevant to the discussion here, it was another round of awful attendances and ratings, which raises a legitimate question about the current structure of the A-League: does having finals really hold everyone's interest till the very end of the season? The evidence from the last three or four rounds is that that's not the case at all. In a season of extremely low ebbs, the last few rounds have been as low an ebb as any before them.
chris
Guest
We tended to ignore Arnies whingeing and whining. Probably the same as MVC ignoring Muscats whining.
Nick Symonds
Guest
NEWS: Former A-League chief and head of AAFC, Archie Fraser, will be announced as CEO of the Macarthur's new A-League tomorrow. - It's a pity they won't be in next season, the Western Sydney Derby would of been good.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Your players and coaches might not, but your owner very likely would.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
It's very Rudan.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Well, maybe finishing in the bottom half of the table will give you a kinder draw next season??
Waz
Roar Rookie
lol sorry. Thought it was 65k not 60k
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
But the atmosphere is shocking. Better than Subi, but i miss going to Perth Scorchers games at the WACA.
Haydos
Guest
"I should stress I’m not suggesting anything untoward happened in Perth Glory’s 5-0 win over the Phoenix last night." Why would anyone think that? If Victory in Melbourne were a better prospect than Adelaide in Adelaide that comment would make more sense.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/arnold-calls-for-change-to-finals-format-after-sydney-loss-20180501-p4zckt.html Plus my school mates are all eurosnobs, afl fans and basketball players
Haydos
Guest
The cost of the stadium stopped being a talking point as soon as it opened. It is exactly what Perth needed. The views over the ground and almost MCG feel up high are great. The atmosphere it creates compared to what Subi did is incomparable. The average AFL crowds are up an extra 12K with sell out derbies, finals and Eagles games. Last round Freo's attendance would've been a Subi capacity crowd. It's created a new precinct on the river with the new footbridge and train station. It looks stunning day and night when it's lit up in different colours each night along with the bridge. A real iconic landmark on display with a city and river backdrop instead of a rundown stadium tucked away in the suburbs.
Nemesis
Guest
Knockout football. Form counts for nought, unless we are specifically referring to form during that particular match. Even then, form during any football match can count for nought. A team can dominate possession, create chance after chance. But, all it takes is one slip. One decision the ref gives and the opposition puts the ball in the net and it can be game over. If people haven't worked this out yet, you have to wonder if they watch football or understand football.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
All three results between the Nix and the Victory have been draws this year, so they have played much better against them. I doubt it’s the mentality you go into the finals with though. More likely they knew it was a game that didn’t matter, which is why they rested half of the team.
chris
Guest
"But if we don’t, i highly doubt our players and coaches will throw a fit and ask for the finals series to be removed or for 1st place to get more of an advantage, like Sydney did last season." Are you talking about your school mates? I heard nothing of the sort here in Sydney.
chris
Guest
ahh ok thanks Nem. I mis-read how the draw was layed out.
Franko
Guest
It looked suss to me. Wellington have been poor against Adelaide this year, not sure about Victory? I think Adelaide have knocked off Wellington 2-3 times this year? It appears as though they wanted to avoid facing them......
G Knight
Guest
"It’s still not a great look for the A-League when one team goes into the final game of the regular season knowing that only a defeat by more than two goals would drop them down to sixth – then loses 5-0." How is that a bad look for the A-league?
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
We deserve to win the championship. But if we don’t, i highly doubt our players and coaches will throw a fit and ask for the finals series to be removed or for 1st place to get more of an advantage, like Sydney did last season. P.S. I’ve just seen the ticket prices for the 1st elimination final, the cheapest are. Victory vs Nix: Adult $29, Concession $20, Junior $15