Ben Waine’s header in the 90th minute of Wellington’s 3-2 win over Western United was yet another highlight in what might just be the most enjoyable A-League season ever.
Waine shares an apartment in Wollongong with fellow youngster Sam Sutton, so perhaps it was no surprise to see him instinctively get in between Andrew Durante and substitute Brendan Hamill to nod home the winner from Sutton’s cross.
The offside flag went up – and given the way Hamill leapt out of the defensive line, perhaps that was understandable – but VAR intervened to correctly overturn the decision and allow Waine’s dramatic winner to stand.
Waine and Sutton are both 19 and came through Wellington’s academy system. Isn’t their storyline exactly the sort of thing we’ve always wanted from the A-League?
Sure, the use of VAR remains contentious.
But on a weekend at which some online critics suggested A-League referees are too reliant on video assistance, Kurt Ams twice had the conviction to point to the penalty spot in the first half.
And in real time they both looked like correct decisions.
But there’s another reason Wellington are such a fun team to watch, and his name is Ulises Davila.
Wellington’s much-travelled Mexican skipper should once again feature prominently in the voting for the Johnny Warren Medal, even if he doesn’t receive the sort of acclaim he would if he played for an Australian team.
And as noble as the Phoenix’s decision to wear red jerseys in honour of their adopted hometown is, it’s also a reminder of what the A-League is missing by not actually having a team from Wollongong in it.
Yet we could fill a book by listing all the things the A-League lacks.
Ulises Davila (Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
What this season has done better than any other in recent memory is to remind us all there’s still so much to be positive about.
It kicked off this weekend when Brisbane Roar downed Macarthur 2-1 in Campbelltown.
The Roar got off to a good start when Dylan Wenzel-Halls fired a daisy cutter in at the near post before Riku Danzaki tapped home an unmissable chance in the second half.
Danzaki has been the find of the season, and his loan signing is testament to what can be accomplished with a bit of imagination and some Japanese contacts.
And although Macarthur cut the deficit through Lachie Rose in the final minute, it was the Roar who clung on to keep their finals hopes alive.
But the game I was really looking forward to watching was Sydney FC’s clash with Melbourne City at Leichhardt Oval, and not just because it was a rematch of last season’s grand final.
It might be a throwback to a bygone era, but there’s something so enjoyable about watching football from the amphitheatre that is Leichhardt.
It would have looked better with a few more fans in it, but those who did turn out provided a big-match atmosphere in what was a genuine clash of the titans.
And it looked like it was Sydney FC who’d come away with all three points after the normally reliable Tom Glover spilled a high ball from Anthony Caceres.
It took VAR intervention to confirm Kosta Barbarouses’s subsequent volley actually crossed the line, but why video assistance was needed to adjudge what was a clear-cut penalty in stoppage time is still a bit of a mystery.
Former Sydney FC man Marco Tilio caused the Sky Blues all sorts of problems off the bench, and it was the livewire attacker who won the spot kick that saw the spoils shared.
Less than 24 hours later the Sky Blues went down 1-0 to Melbourne Victory in the W-League grand final after Kyra Cooney-Cross scored directly from a corner with virtually the last kick of extra time.
It was another big game on a weekend that provided plenty of them.
And like Ben Waine’s winner and the return to Leichhardt Oval, it was also another reminder that there are still plenty of positives in Australian football as long as you know where to look.
Nixman
Guest
will free to air be a thing of the past when a new broadcasting deal is done!!!!!
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
the FTA NRL Rights are up at the end of the 2022 season and the relationship between the NRL and 9 has Soured
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Optus wont changer there Entire Business Model to pick up the A-League plus Ray Gatt has said that it's likely TWG will be shut down
Grem
Roar Rookie
Coastyboi - your thoughts on Manchester United's interest in buying the Mariners but possibly relocating to North Sydney or Manly? You'd be following a club that would always be strong but you'd need to travel to games.
Nick21
Guest
The game is losing supporters not gaining and sponsorship drying up. They can't afford a national second division. They are lucky to be surviving as they are.
Coastyboi
Guest
Summer of Football! If it gets the A-League a ripper broadcast deal, then that’s great. Although, we would be competing with the BBL & NBL.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Buddy, AFL crowds are dramatically down too in all their markets. It looks like it's not exclusively an A League thing.
A League is Awesome
Guest
Where are you getting these numbers from? Preston hits 3500 in fans week in and week out? Was there a derby on? Who did they verse? Is there a website that has this number on it? Are there any photos? The biggest crowds in recent years I have seen at any VIC NPL games is during FFA Cup when the NPL team plays an A League Team. But I don't follow any NPL teams on a weekly basis so maybe there are some derbies that exceed the FFA Cup games. Andy, you might need a new hobby besides stewing on East Coast Bias and Expansion Teams v NPL :stoked: . If you are so passionate why not join an NPL team and work as a juniors coach or on recruiting or on sponsorship? (Without cash, you can't pay players) When you coach or run a club as president or on the committee, you realise how much most theory is completely useless and its the day to day, week to week execution of the basics consistently across every season that gets clubs to the top. Everyone has ideas and they think that if they share it with you, it will make the difference between success or failure when it reality it means absolutely nothing as there is nothing new or secret about success in football.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The quality of the games seem to be better, and most contests are still on the line approaching injury time.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Thanks jb, I love it when my cheeky comments get found out :shocked: I was once the recipient of the "cheeky b!gger' award at work - would you believe? True story :laughing:
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
Good stuff Jupiter, all I wanted was an insiders perspective. You're one of the real fans that went, if only more of the people in your state had your heart :happy:
jupiter53
Roar Pro
I and my son and daughter were there freezing our noses off [everything else was well covered]. I guess it could have been raining as well, but the cold was impressive, and that may have been a factor in reducing the crowd. As well, Kogarah is a rubbish venue; an oval, not a proper football ground, and a drag to get to if you live in the north or west of Sydney I am not going to speak for anyone who did not attend, but I note that you have discounted any lingering effect of COVID-19 on crowds in other posts. I beg to differ about this. I and my family and friends are certainly still much warier about mixing in public than we were 13 months ago, and have attended many fewer A League games, as well as missing other public events. It seems a safe assumption that you are from Adelaide. If that is correct, I would submit that your community has not suffered the same psychological impact that the restrictions in the Eastern states have caused to our communities. However, even though I think you are short of understanding in many of your posts, keep 'em coming. I enjoy your passion, and sometimes you are very right!
Grem
Roar Rookie
Perhaps... if Stan gets the A League, Socceroos, Matildas, etc then we will get time on Channel 9s extra channels - Gem, etc. The Socceroos may get on Channel 9 and hopefully The Herald, which still has football reporters, will report more on our game. And perhaps we'll also get some promotion, too.
Coastyboi
Guest
The Staj Redemption it is, narrated by Morgan Freeman.
TK
Guest
My God you are right. It's hopeless. I'm going to watch the shopping in Westfield that always gets a great crowd. Surprised it isn't up for a tv deal.
jbinnie
Guest
"Stevo - This comment is one of the most arguable put forward. You have protected yourself by stressing "in your opinion" this is "one of the best seasons ever" but omit to tell us in what ways it is so. Like others you say there has been "entertainment (that word again) and there is little doubt that there has been a levelling out of the standard of football being played leading to closer contests and "enjoyment" but your reference to the "bundle of goals" is a bit tongue in cheek. It may surprise you somewhat but last season, after 92 games played the "goals scored" total was 267. This season, after 92 games played the same figure is 272, hardly what you would describe as "a bundle", is it???, in fact it means .05 of a goal per game. Hope you keep enjoying what's on offer. Cheers jb.,
Adelaide Andy
Roar Rookie
we're never expected to finish top, when are you east coasters going to actually listen to what i preach? the sheer arrogance and pretentiousness of posters on here and all those teams fans in general still shocks me. we dont have any money to challenge any of those teams. Every year finishing top should be city/sydney/victory/brisbane. Theres a reason why the other teams all celebrate when you fail miserably. Whats your excuse for that pathetic crowd? which lets face it, it was. NSW has the most participants across all age female groups. Couldnt even hit 5000 fans, that is shockingly bad crowd
Grem
Roar Rookie
That looks like Sydney's fixtures list
Grem
Roar Rookie
And we had to pay to attend.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
what on earth are you talking about