Never before has a more perfect David versus Goliath situation been set up to decide an A-League championship.
There is something poetic and almost charming about the match-up that awaits us, with a team blessed with endless resources and finances, up against another run on a shoestring budget and inspired by a local community.
The narrative is one to savour, yet Melbourne City captain Scott Jamieson has done little favour to his team and its chances of victory in the decider this Saturday night, by labelling the premiers as the alpha males in the contest.
With much of the A-League community riding the Mariner wave and hoping for a second championship for the club that always punches well above its weight, Jamieson has fired a cold broadside early in grand final week.
“If we have to take down Bambi, so be it. I could not care less”, he said.
Nice one Scott. Them’s fighting words. But why on earth would you galvanise the entire A-League community in their support of the Mariners and the hope that the annoying have’s are humbled and sent packing by the league’s most traditional have nots.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
What a rather curious approach from the captain of a team that failed dismally in last season’s decider when defeated by Western United and a group that has so far managed just a lone A-League championship in 2021, despite being the cream of the crop across the last four seasons.
As a result, every A-League fan, aside from those supporting Melbourne City, will be riding the yellow wave and hoping the men from the New South Wales Central Coast find a way to deny the most dominant team in the A-League for the third time in four seasons.
Jamieson has rather perfectly set up a rocking CommBank Stadium triumph for Nick Montgomery’s men, filled to the brim with fans determined to see the little engine that could win its second A-League championship.
Melbourne City are owned and controlled by the City Football Group; the global football investment powerhouse that has just secured another EPL title with Manchester City.
It is the Citizens’ fifth championship in six years in England and if you do not already hate everything CFG stand for, expect to do so in the future as the dominance continues in the short term under Pep Guardiola, and his best and most expensive club squad in world football.
The growing prostitution of English football rips further integrity from what was once one of the purest leagues in the world, with CFG’s little brother in Melbourne threatening to become a similar force on the domestic front.
Melbourne City’s finances and the comment made by Jamieson are everything that real and egalitarian football fans should loath and fight against.
A dominant Melbourne City threatens to erode much of what made the A-League competition unique, quirky and mostly unpredictable, yet pleasingly, the team has been unable to get the job done across recent seasons, bar the 2021 victory over Sydney FC in the grand final.
Jamieson’s comment has potentially set them up for failure yet again and another stumble at the final hurdle will have plenty of Australian football fans cock-a-hoop on Saturday night.
Should the Mariners use the assured crowd support to their advantage and decapitate the City charge, the A-League will be in celebratory mode and Jamieson will likely be lamenting the red rag he held before the Central Coast bull.
Surely a more prudent approach would have been demanded by the media arm of the club; to comment more respectfully and cite the excellent play of the upcoming opponent? Instead, Jamieson has labelled the Mariners as the cute, innocent and inoffensive Bambi-like participant in the contest.
Well, I for one will be cheering on Bambi and hoping for an embarrassing loss for the club that perennially contends yet has found it somewhat difficult to conquer the A-League mountain on a consistent basis.
If Scott Jamieson thinks he is coming to Sydney to face Bambi, he is way off the mark. Melbourne City will be up against a brilliant Mariners team, backed by a raucous crowd and driven by a spirit and passion that has risen to the occasion time after time this season.
Any neutral fan supporting Melbourne City lacks a heart and is completely missing what is at stake in this grand final. It is Bambi’s turn, they deserve it and football always looks a lot healthier when the little guy is toppling the ogre.
C’mon you mighty Mariners. Australian football needs this story and there has never been a more perfect team to deliver it.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Just watched the video about Jake Banks - a great story. He loves Cummings and Jason scored him three last night and not one. This shows even more what a great club they are. Great result last night.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And one more comment on this NoMates – you are comparing the greatest game in the rugby league “world” / the pinnacle of their game with an A Leagues grand final. Let’s compare apples with apples. Let’s compare the pinnacle of rugby league with pinnacle of football – perhaps a World Cup final between Argentina and France in a neutral venue in Qatar. I think even if that final was held in Adelaide it may cause a bit of fuss! Remember, the game I mostly follow (not sure if you do) is part of a giant pyramid. The A Leagues is one of those parts towards the bottom that leads to the Socceroos/Matildas and on to biggest sporting events in the world. Leckie’s goal against Denmark, Goodwin’s goal against France, Duke’s goal against Tunisia (all A Leagues players), our wins against Tunisia and Denmark – these are far greater than any achievements in the rugby league “world”’ – why don’t you make those comparisons? Perhaps you’re missing the point. But why compare? Let’s just each enjoy what we have.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
+99999999999999
Grem
Roar Rookie
I know I’m stating the obvious, but football, in Australia alone, is just so big. We’ve got 2 young Socceroos teams overseas, the young Matildas overseas, the Women’s World Cup coming up, the Socceroos play Argentina in China. It’s a lot to fund and organise - these are big areas that other codes don’t have to finance or even think about. Another reason to love football.
Steve3557
Roar Rookie
If he’s like his dad he’s a champion bloke. I moved away before he was born but I still keep in contact with his dad.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
they estimate that 15,000 spectators travelled across from nsw/qld – lose that amount from the total and i’d suggest at least 15,000 casual fans who were looking for something to do in the city mid week and then you have a realistic number for what a rugby type team could attract in south australia, the sport is not popular in SA
Garry
Roar Rookie
Australia v Lebanon Date: Saturday 3 June 2023 Time: 4:00 pm (Local) / 7:00 pm (AEST) Venue: Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì sb on youtube at least
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
During what show, I have only seen promos for Archie appearing on the cheap seats, thats not a promo for the grand final. How long is the promo, what does it actually say. The W-league grand final as I saw was for tickets and was speed read and about 5 seconds long.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Also "The Young Matildas will play three games in Vietnam, starting against Lebanon on Saturday night. " so busy schedule..
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont watch their news ,I watch a lot of masterchef , thats their main prime time show and have see no ad promos yet.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Mid - Have You Been Paying Attention also had JMac as a guest. I think 10 have been doing a good job tbh.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Its been on their news all week. Not just the lip service - it giving us the time and place for the game - but actual background stories on players, managers, fans etc. I don't know about ads as I fast forward through all ads. I haven't had to endure an ad in years :)
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Saw then on ch 1 a lot every add break at one stage ..... and in one of their shows they had Archie as a guess.... BTW no one has been more critical of 10 than me... so no idea what the stop covering for 10 means...
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
When did you see a Channel 10 promo, I haven;t seen one yet. They should have been on every single ad break 24/7 for the two week lead in to the grand final. Its like they have a super lazy promo producer and the A-league is at the end of the line and gets constantly delayed. They prepared 2 minute promos for the Melbourne Cup and Grand Prix a month ahead of time. Stop covering for Channel 10.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Two days out and I just checked, News, SMH, ABC, no mention of the GF.... hardly anything all week aside from Ch 10 promos... Its weird, but if say the GF was everywhere in the news cycles its rating would increase a lot... but with next to no media, the ratings will be down and the wise people who make decisions will point out the low ratings....
chris1
Roar Rookie
Same thoughts as you Garry. Who are these people and who voted for them and how do they decide what's good and what's not good? The last thing the APL need is a bunch of nobodies dictating to them how to run things.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
It says Melbourne City elected to have free buses and free entry. If thats the case why are so few going. Are City the worst and slackest team supporters for a team in Australia.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
known lochie for a long time (oever a decade) - he was coming through the ranks at my local club when i finished playing in the SA NPL
Grem
Roar Rookie
And I’m a big sook.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I love watching football videos - thanks. Stored for later.