Wellington defender Louis Fenton said what everyone was thinking after the Phoenix looked like they were robbed in Melbourne yesterday, but how good was the rest of the action?
Fenton may well be fined for his colourful turn of phrase on live television, even though it was Fox Sports themselves who put him on the spot in the first place.
And watching the game on TV, it was hard to see how the decision to award Melbourne City a penalty in their 3-2 win was anything other than a howler.
“And here comes the overrule, I think,” said Fox Sports commentator Brenton Speed after on-field referee Ben Abraham showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot at AAMI Park.
“The penalty is going to be taken,” a startled Speed added seconds later. “Kris Griffiths-Jones must think there’s no clear and obvious error.”
It certainly looked like a clear and obvious error. Denis Genreau’s cross cannoned into Fenton’s chest before inconsequentially flicking his arm on the way out for a corner.
But to the surprise of everyone, Griffiths-Jones saw no reason to overturn Abraham’s decision and when Archie Thompson bailed Fenton up at full-time, the Kiwi defender let us all know exactly how he felt.
Which we probably could have predicted.
The half-time and post-match interviews might add a bit of colour, but there’s always the risk of someone going rogue – and not just because Archie Thompson has been let loose with a microphone.
Wellington hardly deserved their fourth consecutive defeat, but you have to give credit to Melbourne City for moving to the top of the standings despite missing Jamie Maclaren.
Are City the real deal this season? Time will tell, although they still look as unpredictable as ever under Erick Mombaerts.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
But after the Central Coast Mariners stunned Perth Glory 2-1 at HBF Park in Sunday’s late kick-off, it’s hard not to feel like this has been one of the most entertaining starts to a new season in recent memory.
The Mariners definitely won’t finish last this season. They may even push for a top-six position, and they’ve got youngsters like the electrifying Sammy Silvera to thank.
Or more to the point, they’ve got Alen Stajcic to thank.
If there’s one thing the former Matildas coach has done, it’s turned the Mariners into a much-improved defensive unit.
If only we knew what a select few journos said they knew about Stajcic in January?
At least we know he can coach. Stajcic’s sacking by Football Federation Australia for reasons that remain unknown probably turned out to be a blessing for the Gosford side.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
And the addition of Western United has also proved an unexpected shot in the arm for the A-League.
With all the talk about when their new stadium is going to be built in Tarneit, plenty of fans seemed to overlook the fact the A-League newcomers had assembled a very handy squad.
Melbourne Victory fans probably won’t forget Western United’s first visit in a hurry.
The hosts looked to be cruising after taking an early two-goal lead in the Westgate Derby at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, only for Western United to peg them back in a sensational 3-2 win.
What’s going on at Victory? They’re certainly down on confidence, but are they down on quality as well?
If nothing else, it will be fascinating to watch Marco Kurz trying to dig Victory out of this hole.
It’s a bit of a shame then that ABC viewers won’t get the chance to see Victory in action until their Round 10 clash with Wellington Phoenix on December 14.
If there’s one slightly disappointing element of the start to the new season, it’s that a couple of the Saturday afternoon games haven’t been the most exciting of affairs.
But the rest of the season so far has been fantastic. And it begs the question: are we set for the most entertaining A-League campaign in years?
Midfielder
Roar Guru
LH You don't have to pay all the cap, there is a minimum spend you can make and we only spend that.... most spend to the cap ...or over the cap
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
It's the lack of consistency that frustrates everyone.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
I didn't think I was being precious, and my comment wasn't focusing on WSW. Once again you are using hindsight, or more preciously previous years worth of victories to make claims about a current team (not you directly) the point being when a team LIKE Sydney FC win or don't lose they are said to have found a way to win. whilst other teams don't get the same positive language, that's all. Not precious just observational.
chris
Guest
LH Courtney-Perkins looks very solid even if he lacks a bit of polish. He has a presence no doubt. Can't remember too much about Powell.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
This handball rule, or interpretation of the rule, needs to be sorted out Mike. Pretty obvious I know, but what a sham. Last week the VAR ruled that holding out your arms is OK, a natural position if you're balancing or moving. That came from the refs boss. This week we hear that if you're playing at the ball, say with chest, and it hits your arms it's accidental so also OK, no handball. We also heard from one ref that he would agree with the on-field ref, almost no matter what, regards handball. For mine, this is all too interpretative and places an impossible task on the ref, who has to judge is he extending his arms to balance, or to defend, and was he deliberately playing for it with his chest, or was it accidental. We should be making the refs life easier with VAR, not harder.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Middie, when you sat smallest budget by far, what do you mean? I understand the salary cap means equal across the league. OK, there's a min and max and marquees, but assuming Mariners are on minimum cap, they're not the only ones are they? Or if they are, there's not much in it. I don't know where these figures are available, but Roar is a min cap club this year too, surely, or they're overpaying their players.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I missed these games, being away. How did the Roar duo go? Courtney-Perkins and Izaak Powell? I understand they played full 90 minutes in each of the three group games.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Waz, I heard a report recently that Brisbane Strikers now have a Chinese backer, bringing in some $millions. Haven’t heard any details. Brisbane definitely can support two HAL clubs. Let’s be honest, Roar are trying hard and imo now seem to be well managed. They have a great academy, great W League and NYL record, had an excellent youth program pre-academy and have developed some wonderful youth players, many now playing HAL with other clubs. But it’s the on-field performance of the A League team that matters, that draws crowds and determines the success of our club and the League in Brisbane. Roar has been underwhelming for far too long in this regard. I know, the jury’s still out on Fowler and the current season, but we can’t keep saying that Roar need to be given time to establish the game in Brisbane. They need to lift their game. We keep hearing from MV club officials that the expectations on MV are very high, every year. Why don’t we hear this from Roar? When our expectations are just as high as MVs? if not higher. I say we can’t hold the game back in Brisbane simply because Roar keeps getting it’s A League coach wrong. It’s time for Roar to do better, regularly, in the A League as they do in the W and Y Leagues, and academy. And Brisbane’s ready for at least one more team, now.
Will
Guest
When certain people within Australian football question these ‘Dutch imposters’ like Berger and Baan who were the architects in creating this football curriculum which is based on the skill and technique enhanced training techniques and habits around 10 years ago which we never had done before, I wonder what they will say now? And now in 2019 with the Joeys, the current young players which have excited aleague we are seeing the fruits of it and people are going max lyrical. We have a way to go but boy we have come along way and we should thank the supposed ‘Dutch’ influence in our football development in helping us develop and nurture far more advanced football proficient we never had in a long while.
BennoFootball
The Younger Lowe had NO Idea. I’ll take The Older One, any day, He is a True Visionary, the younger one couldn’t get out of sydney and melbourne Only mentality. FORZA BRISBANE ROAR FOOTBALL CLUB!!!
BennoFootball
Your JOKING .... Right???
BennoFootball
IT WAS A VERY BAD IDEA!!! They weren’t BRFC Rivals and won’t ever Be!!! That place is ALL BS and NO Team ever lasts too long if it’s Not for The Other Sports draining their coffers and pouring money into a Financial Black Hole. WE ( BRISBANE ) do need Two Football Clubs in Brisbane, if only to give Promising Young Footballers more space to Develop instead of heading only down south or OS. Brisbane needs a True Rivalry and more options and Opportunities for all our Great talent. FORZA BRISBANE ROAR FOOTBALL CLUB!!!
BennoFootball
6000people attendance for Victoria’s Second Team this Weekend, must be a BIGGER Market??? We ( Football ) don’t need MORE teams from the So Called BIGGER Markets ie. NSW & Vic. Remember what happened in the 1980’s .... Bigger Market Clubs Dominated the 28 Team National League with only About 4 teams outside the BIG Market’s .... And the National League Football .... COLLAPSED!!! Is that What you are proposing .... LEARN FROM HISTORY!!! FORZA BRISBANE ROAR FOOTBALL CLUB!!!
Punter
Roar Rookie
Very excited about the young Australian players coming thru, much more then in recent years.
josh
Guest
SFC were never going to score in the derby. I also want to see Vedran back for a bit playing without carrying an injury. After all he did end SFC's unbeaten run, he has more in him. SFC are not a good side.
Punter
Roar Rookie
PH, i think you will find that SFC are also 2 times premiership winners in the last 3 years (week to week stuff). In the 1st round match SFC won, but I read WP were the better team, so likewise WSW won the Derby, but SFC was the better team. Don't be so precious.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Meier looked particularly cumbersome this week - maybe a hangover from the derby.
Sydneysider
Guest
The Wanderers were very, very lucky to beat SFC. Don't delude yourself Josh. The only two differences this year are that Babbel has selected more of the players that he wants, and you don't have Janjetovic between the posts as the goalkeeper. Lopar is a massive upgrade. SFC on any other day would have won 3 or 4 goals to one. (Looking at Barbarouses specifically).
chris
Guest
Redondo I havent seen enough in Meier to suggest he will be a saviour. He lacks mobility and is basically a target man for second balls. That limits the type of football WSW can play and I think it will hurt them going forward. I hope I'm wrong as I really want to see them in the top 4 and getting their 15k average crowds.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
G WU have an excellent coach... and that helps a lot...