Leave it to Melbourne Victory to sign off on one of the most remarkable A-League premiership campaigns of all time with a dramatic last-second equaliser in the derby.
A 95th-minute equaliser from Lleyton Brooks might have been largely inconsequential in the grand scheme of things to everyone but Victory fans, but it summed up a genuinely thrilling and often chaotic A-League regular season campaign.
It was fortunate the Melbourne derby was scheduled as the final game of the season, as the city’s latest COVID lockdown meant the game was in danger of not being played at all.
That seemed to be the fate of Melbourne City’s other remaining fixture, although it appears their postponed clash with the Newcastle Jets will now take place later this week.
City looked like they had the better of Victory behind closed doors at AAMI Park on Sunday, not least when former Victory midfielder Anthony Lesiotis tapped home at the far post in stoppage time to make it 2-0 to the nominal visitors.
However VAR ruled Lesiotis’ effort out for offside, and it was left to fellow substitute Brooks to equalise with the last kick of the game when he smashed home on the volley.
The result temporarily lifted Victory above the Jets on the ladder, as one of the A-League’s biggest clubs attempts to avoid a first ever wooden spoon.
But even if Victory do finish bottom, much of the focus has already switched to the machinations of finals football.
We can scream until we’re blue in the face about the A-League’s continuing penchant for scheduling fixtures during international breaks – and the withdrawal of Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar from the AFC Champions League will inevitably damage Australia’s standing in Asia – but the next few weeks are all about the finals.
And with the exception of Wellington Phoenix, who fell agonisingly short after being based in Wollongong for all but two of their home games, you can’t say this year’s finals series won’t contain the best teams.
Macarthur have done well to sneak in at the first attempt, even if they haven’t exactly set the league alight with their methodical style of football.
They’ll miss the retiring Mark Milligan next season, but the veteran midfielder may still have something to say in this campaign.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
The competition newcomers will meet the Mariners in the first elimination final next Saturday night, with Central Coast Stadium in Gosford set to be rocking for the Mariners’ first finals game since the 2013-14 season.
A home final is the reward for finishing third in the standings, with Alen Stajcic making a pretty strong case to be named the A-League’s coach of the year.
But so too does Warren Moon. He won’t win it because Brisbane Roar are no longer fashionable and command little attention from the league’s Sydney and Melbourne-obsessed media, but Moon deserves plenty of accolades for unleashing the likes of Riku Danzaki, Kai Trewin, Josh Brindell-South and Alex Parsons on the league this season.
Brisbane Roar host Adelaide United in Sunday afternoon’s other elimination final, and with the race for a top six position going right down to the wire, both the Roar and the Mariners will be delighted to have a secured a home final.
Both clubs will be expecting tickets to flight out the door this week, with capacity at the Roar’s compact Moreton Daily Stadium home in Redcliffe likely to be tested.
The A-League could certainly do with an entertaining finals series on the back of what is arguably the greatest regular season campaign to date. With a new broadcast deal finally locked in, things are finally looking up for football.
The finals offer a chance to convert a few more casual fans into rusted-on supporters of the round-ball game.
More importantly, there’s a championship on the line.
It’s been a glorious season to date. Here’s hoping it’s rounded out by a finals series we won’t easily forget.
Punter
Roar Rookie
LH, fluke what the Finals championship, yeah that is a bit of luck involved. As far as I'm concerned, we were 2nd this year & a fair way back of Melb City, who won with 3-4 games to go. We were clearly 2nd, we may win the GF, but then we may not. However, for me we finished 2nd this year. Fullstop.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
SFC nothing to play for? nice try punter, but that doesn't fly. Overall this season the aggregate score is a draw, Roar wins FA Cup 2-0, then two draws and 0-2 last round. I don't think you are getting value for money anymore, but good luck, you might fluke it.
Boring
Guest
This finals structure thing is cr.p. You don't see that in Europe. The national side will only improve if proper promotion/demotion is structured in the country. Lower leagues are even worse Same teams playing each other year after year. Boring, repetitive and why football will never improve very quickly in Australia.
jbinnie
Guest
Thank you for the reply Mike and I do appreciate the different meanings that can be put to a word ,but that's where you and I split in our opinions. I too have watched some exciting games this season but that is not to say I enjoyed that game from a technical point of view. The statisticians who work for this blog never mention bad passes that go straight to an opponent and yet that is one of the most important factors in todays tactical game. I often wonder if all those passes that cross the field between defenders are counted as "successful" when in fact they are only allowing the opposition to re-form their defensive strategy. That's where the meaning of words becomes important. It depends entirely on the eye of the beholder. You see what you see and relate it back to your knowledge of the game. So no offence intended simply a difference of opinion as to what is meant by the word "best". Cheers jb.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Hi jbinnie. To me, 'best ever' equates to excitement. Technical standards are important, but on a personal level they're not something I obsess over. I'd rather watch an exciting game of football with several talking points than one where a technically superior team easily deals with an inferior one without a whole lot happening. I'm sure there's a case to make for this season not being the most technically outstanding - which I'd willingly agree with - but as I'm more interested in other metrics. I'm comfortable calling this season the best ever because it's the one I've enjoyed the most.
Punter
Roar Rookie
How do you define 'best'. For years I'm told the the Premier League was the best by my mates who all follow the Premier league, but up until the last year or 2, the best quality was in La Liga, as shown by the dominance of Real Madrid & Barca in recent times. As for Melbourne City, they got rebranded from Melbourne Heart 2014 & that is 7 years ago, so they haven't been easybeats for awhile now.
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Its an interesting point and maybe the Sydney FC person spokesperson on behalf of all A League Clubs running the winter/summer kick off date with the FA and Paramount discussion would have some bias to keep it in summer so they can keep their old player model and continue reaping the results? You cant just switch on a juniors pathway in a season or two. Sydney FC and WSW would also have the most to loose with the winter NRL competition in NSW. WA, SA and NZ only have 2 winter code football sports playing. A League has more attendance and memberships than NRL in Vic but there will be 5x clubs playing at AAMI in winter potentially next season.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
you're going to lose the youth argument every time, against a casual fan; let alone someone like me. sydney is the club that has used the least about of youth over the course of 15 years of aleague, they dont need to play youth; they have more money then every other team. the only reason sydney played more youth this past season is there budget was cut, there was no choice to play younger players because they couldn't go out and buy there usual 30+ year olds 6 players under the age of 25? after the age of 21 i wouldn't class any player as young, you should already be an established first team player by that age. so thats bell, warland, buhagiar, van der sagg & ivanovic out of the running. That leaves you with king who is only starting because zullo is constantly injured and wood who only gets sparse minutes with the 2 over 35s in front of him. Corica has no time for youth, he doesn't develop or nurture younger players. All this talent that sydney has, they all end up leaving the club to get game time, because if they stay they know they wont play. i would never brag about youth if i was a Sydney fan, you can brag about all the money and titles you won and that's fine to do because you have more money and titles then anyone in the league, but to brag about youth playing is ludacris.
jbinnie
Guest
Stevo - How old are you? Do you remember AP's Roaralona, Arnolds CCM, and Aloisi's Heart. not to mention Victory and Sydney .These teams all played in the same league we are talking about. The best ever????? I don't agree. The most exciting ? yes, but not the "best ever" jb
jbinnie
Guest
Punter - You surprise me that like others on this blog, your memory has suddenly reduced to the last 2 or 3 seasons. Remember the head line "the best A league season EVER". You question my using Melbourne City as an example seemingly forgetting their history as Melbourne Heart. Also CCM were undoubtedly the form team back when AP's Roar ruled the roost for a few years. Now instead of using the term "best ever" you use the word 'exciting" and that observation I heartily agree with, but ask yourself why??? Your team Sydney FC bust heaven and hell to get their two former proven strikers (both overseas talent) back into the fold in order that they maintain their position at the high end of the table .Was it a good move? Corica obviously thought so. I smiled when I read your comment on the Roar v Sydney game where, according to you, your team was "cruising" with the result your young stand in goalkeeper won the Man of the Match and deservedly so., he was immense. Now to the gist of my reply. I was in no way criticising the emergence of some local talent but simply questioning the headline that says it has been the "best season ever". Back to the history books eh?????. Cheers jb.
Chopper
Roar Rookie
I didn't get the email? So I am more than confused.....
Punter
Roar Rookie
Don't forget East Coast Bias!!!!!
Grem
Roar Rookie
Their success apparently is because: 1. The VAR continually helps them. 2. They must be spending over the cap because they have such a good side. 3. The draw and fixtures favour them. 4. The FA and now the APL want them to win. 5. Whatever other bs people write. Isn't it about time followers of football start to give Sydney the credit they deserve. They are an extremely well run club. At this point in time they are developing young talent that is playing for them and many other clubs- Tilio, Devlin, Timothy, etc. but they have also made astute purchases of players such as LeFondre, Ninkovic, Bobo, Merjievski, McGowan, Redmane, Vukovic, etc. They also have bought good back up and squad players such as Retre, Wayland, etc. They will eventually have a down period but the club won't allow that to happen for long because they have set their standards so high. No wonder other supporters are jealous!
pete4
Roar Rookie
I always thought Leckie generally plays as a right winger it'll be interesting to see if Nabbout, Colakovski stay
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Fully agree.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I’m sorry but your comment is sad and laughable. I expected better. “and the reduction in standard of play has seen clubs like CCM and Melbourne City spend most of the year leading the table when only a year or two ago they were the ‘easy beats” of the competition.”
Punter
Roar Rookie
Sydney a win now club, last 7 seasons, 1st or 2nd in 6 of these seasons. Sydney don't play youth, 6 players under 25 years old that finished game against BR.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Grem, this is not fair, you are using facts up against AA more wide sweeping statements.
Punter
Roar Rookie
JB, Where do I start. Firstly Melbourne City leading the table & finished top of table, however, last season they finished 2nd, & 5th & 3rd the 2 seasons previous to this, so not sure where you got easybeats. Roar should have wiped SFC at the last game, maybe you need new glasses, plus SFC with nothing to play for. For years, you have been saying that only difference in standard between NSL & A-League was standard of the foreign players. Well this year, the foreigners standard dropped dramatically & even lots of locals went to better paying countries & yet we had a very exciting season, with youngsters having a real go playing in colder weather. Yes not the highest standard, but exciting stuff this year. Love your knowledge & history lessons, but go easy on all your negativeness.
Waz
Roar Rookie
jb Not sure Mike will reply, and to be fair he’s not the only one calling this season “the best ever” so let me give it a go ... It’s definitely not the best season ever in terms of playing quality, imo, the standard this year has been quite low compared to prior seasons. “Best ever” in terms of excitement - maybe, certainly this is why I think people say it is But, “Best ever” since COVID trashed all our lives —— DEFINITELY!!