When it rains, it always seems to pour – which is invariably why a couple of key A-League Men fixtures on Friday and Saturday night were adversely affected by wild weather.
There were no such dramas on Sunday, when Bruno Fornaroli wound back the clock with a goal for the ages as Melbourne Victory left Gosford with a point following their 2-2 draw with the Central Coast Mariners.
It was the hosts who went in front when Alou Kuol robbed Victory captain Roderick Miranda before skipping around Paul Izzo and slotting into an empty net.
And they’d have gone into the break a goal to the good had Fornaroli not unleashed a bending, dipping shot from distance that looked goal-bound from the second it left his boot.
It was a moment of magic that left Mariners keeper Danny Vukovic grasping at thin air and led to renewed calls for Socceroos coach Graham Arnold to include the 36-year-old Fornaroli in his Asian Cup squad.
Melbourne Victory’s Bruno Fornaroli celebrates a goal against Sydney FC. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
And while Victory thought they might go on and steal all three points following Nishan Velupillay’s well-taken second-half strike, the Mariners secured a point when Fabian Monge was adjudged to have handled inside the box, allowing Colombian recruit Angel Torres to bag his first A-Leagues goal when he sent Izzo the wrong way from the penalty spot.
There was no such luck up the freeway for long-suffering Newcastle Jets fans, after Marin Jakolis robbed Dane Ingham of possession on the touchline before floating over the sort of cross you dream about hitting down at the park.
There was no way anyone was going to miss, let alone starting debutant Ben Mazzeo – who had the simple task of nodding Jakolis’ inch-perfect delivery past the stranded Ryan Scott.
It was a similar story in the second half when Jakolis helped tee up a quick breakaway converted by the otherwise anonymous Jamie Maclaren, but the real talking point came 12 minutes from time when Melbourne City keeper Jamie Young body-slammed Archie Goodwin.
Young’s foul on the on-rushing Goodwin, which took place miles outside the penalty area, was as deliberate as it gets.
But some back-tracking defenders meant referee Shane Skinner saw fit to only brandish a yellow card and despite a VAR review, the decision stood.
Jets coach Robbie Stanton was adamant Young should have been sent off – even if a red card was unlikely to have much bearing on the outcome of the match.
At least all the noteworthy action in Sunday’s fixtures happened on the pitch.
There was no such luck for Brisbane Roar fans on Friday night, with the River City smashed by the season’s first big summer storm just as most fans were trying to make their way to Suncorp Stadium.
The destructive deluge forced kick-off back by almost an hour, but it didn’t seem to bother the home team as Nikola Mileusnic and Jack Hingert – of all players – fired the Roar into an early two-goal lead.
Ross Aloisi will be desperately disappointed that his side failed to hang onto it, as goals from Nicolas Milanovic and a superb Marcus Antonsson header two minutes from time saw the Wanderers snatch a share of the spoils.
And if lightning doesn’t strike twice no one told the A-Leagues, as Sydney FC’s 3-2 win over Perth Glory at Allianz Stadium was similarly delayed by another lengthy summer storm.
Those who turned up amidst the downpours and stuck around watching on TV deserve genuine praise – because we’re a dwindling few.
And football’s place in the sporting ecosystem is no better summed up than by the Queensland government deciding to shell out – yet again – for a temporary oval venue to replace The Gabba, while steadfastly ignoring the round-ball game.
Football’s treatment in the Sunshine State is an ongoing disgrace.
But then you hear the rumours about the state’s governing body actively preventing National Second Tier entrants from joining the new competition, and it all makes sense.
Football will never get anywhere until the game presents a united front. We all know that.
Sadly, the unrelenting self-interest of our disingenuous administrators means that’s unlikely to ever happen.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Brainstrust I gather this comment "The AFL doesn’t pay rent its not even a housing commision tenant its a squatter." is directed at the Gold Coast Suns. What you seem to forget here - is that the AFL/Suns partnered with Govt on the stadium development. Originally budgeted as a $126 million project. Included funding from all 3 tiers of Govt - Fed ($36 mill), State ($60 mill) and Council ($20 mill); plus the AFL contributing $10 million and gaining the management rights. The venue hosts cricket and hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games main stadium role. At the time the AFL also committed to $100 mill invested into the Gold Coast.....including academy/high performance etc. Let alone that the stadium was hand in glove with a permanent AFL club.....people who live/work all year round. (very different to seasonal fifo 'contracted players'......I'm thinking here the BBL cricket in particular). Govt has done pretty well out of the deal. Your complaint is based on either ignorance and/or cherry picking.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Funny what happens on this tab when others confront the abyss of the AFL and NRL off-seasons.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Football Fan As much as I'm a great fan of Utopia......especially regarding the adding extra lanes to the freeway and how quickly the benefit is lost...... ......it is satire......but don't live your life basing all public policy based on satirical review....... ......the reality in Hobart is the few naysayers now will look foolish once it comes off. Similar to the naysayers about the Adelaide Oval and River precinct redevelopment.......similar anti F1 'Save Albert Park' naysayers......just as the anti Sydney Opera House naysayers got proven wrong. Listen to yourself for a minute - you sound like the most ultra conservative grumpy old man!!!! Don't go there......too soon!!!! ......the only naysayers proven right were those asserting the development around Melbourne Docklands lacked 'soul'. That - Jeff Kennett economic rationalist model......has been proven to be BS. I reckon Hobart will be far, far better for this Macquarie Point development. It's certainly better than what's there now (surely you agree on that). however - - is 23K the right size? are all the design elements right? roof or no roof? Test cricket or no test cricket?......all those things......I'm not getting involved in. They're adults and no one has a gun against their head....well......literally.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#chris1 "Brains I’ve been saying it for years that the AFL are the most parasitic organisation in the country." And on what basis do you make this comment? I ask - given that the AFL is the ONLY organisation across the country that puts its own money into stadia and community facilities that are open for all to use. As a non-Olympic and non-international sport; the AFL arguably has to meet a higher standard than the true parasitic sports which are those that - seriously - only get funded because of what happens outside of this country rather than what happens inside of this country.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Brainstrust I've just been looking through your comments. "The AFL doesn’t pay rent its not even a housing commision tenant its a squatter" Okay - - I'll bite - - on what basis do you make this claim??
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Brainstrust "The spend on the Gabba is sheer lunacy, it the most dumb thing of all time and it is solely because of the AFL." Solely because of the AFL. What are you smoking?? This project is all about the Brisbane Cross River Rail and the underground station and the Station Square precinct. Once again.....an 'urban renewal project' centred around a stadium (remind anyone of Melbourne Docklands.....I hope they urban renew with a little more sympathy to liveability!!) You dreamed up narrative here is total BS. The AFL aren't that powerful. It's the Zombies inside your head making you think they are. btw - remember this - - a soccer stadium doesn't do Olympic main stadium/athletics. The initial ideas floated of a brand new 50,000 seater at Albion or Metricon upgraded......seriously? - - as when you say "take the burden off the other stadiums".......which other stadiums are you talking about there? Once the IOC gave the ok to use existing stadia - then the Gabba was the logical choice. Otherwise both cricket and the Lions would probably end up dumping the Gabba and moving to Albion. Then the Gabba would fade away to nothing. Perhaps Albion is a better location?? But......Albion isn't smack bang on top of the Cross River Rail now is it.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
Like I said, you are deluded if yu believe the rubbish you're dishing out as justification. You need to watch the Utopia episode on ABC online around that Tassie stadium. It is funny because it's all true.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Football Fan re point 2/ Tassie and AFL. First and foremost - remember - it's Tasmania that has been lobbying the AFL for decades for their own team. So why - in Hobart - is Bellerive not adequate? Simply because it's too small; in land foot print in a residential zone across the water from the CBD and has a strict limit on events under lights. It is NOT the 'future'. So what is the future. What you are very focussed on is the AFL component. Again - the AFL aren't designing or constructing but will chip in $15 million. The stadium is - a bit like the Gabba - just a part of the project. It's an 'urban renewal project' inclusive of 'arts/entertainment/sports precinct centred around the stadium'. It's more than just a stadium. Although unlike the Gabba.....no underground Railway station. You again - are letting your jealousy shine through. Personally I'll just be happy to see more of my NMFC back here in Melbourne. Consider too that at the start of this year the Tassie Govt extended their Hawthorn deal for 2023-2025; 4 games a year for $13.5 million. Back in 2020 the figure put forward was $8.5 million annually paid to host 8 games between Hawthorn and North Melbourne. Remember - the Tassie Govt feels they're getting good bang for buck because these deals start a long time ago now and for example the NMFC deal grew from 2 to 3 to 4 games annually.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
you couldn't have DS, because in the immortal words of Bob Katter MP, it will fade the curtains and mess up the cows. (queue banjo music). The good thing about Bob is that he is a major environmentalist. He said so, because he recycles. He reloads his own rounds and recycles his brass. Yep, only in QLD
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Football Fan re point 1) seriously? The Gabba was mid way through a planned 6 stage upgrade started in 1993. The Stage 5 was started with the deadline of being Olympics Ready but wasn't something dreamed up for Olympics Soccer. It was a cheap and economically sensible decision. It's not like Brisbane was the overall host city. It was the Sydney Olympics. Qld choice to knock down/rebuild for the 2032 Olympics. Not the AFL or Cricket Australia choice. The Brisbane Lions would prefer to NOT have to relocate home games for 4 years potentially locking out 10,000-20,000 members (you might not understand such concerns??). Brisbane/Qld are desperate to do more than just the stadium and that got them in some hot water over funding. Don't attach that on the AFL. Your jealousy is showing through.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It must be the oaf season.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
So are you assuming that the status quo will remain extant?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
this is what I particularly don't like about Andy Harper, he interprets rules differently for different clubs. It was very obvious last round on possible handballs, but he does it across the board in favor of particular teams, against others. I agree about the advantage rule too, can't have it both ways.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
No, I was taught to respect all, but if you want respect you have to earn it, and MM and his cohort have never really done anything to earn respect. This forum is for those of like mindedness, of similar preference, and it is suggested that it is a kin to kicking someone’s front door in and inviting yourself into somebody else’s home or function. It’s not called for, it’s unwarranted and it’s the height of bad taste. To assume in the manner you have, as to who I am, what I think, and the cloth I am cut from, is a rather risky tack to take.
Randy
Roar Rookie
hahaha must me miserable for you living in a world where all people who play and support NRL are evil, feeble minded thugs. You must have your windows boarded up...
Grem
Roar Rookie
He is unable to understand the inequities in funding. He doesn’t realise that everyone who plays/participates in his 2 state game could fit into Accor Stadium. They only have around 80000 participants! He is too preoccupied yearning for an international competition! However, the many more than 1 million that play football deserve to have the grounds and financial support that their sheer numbers deserve.
Grem
Roar Rookie
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/hall-of-shame-nrl-players-turned-into-convicted-criminals/news-story/2ccd995467ad391091609725db89d605 A little list of NRL players in jail. It is behind a paywall, but player violence and criminal behaviour is an issue in this competition.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Football Fan there is a simple answer as to why these blokes do this. Their upbringing. The optics suggest they were never taught what respect is, they were not afforded an understanding of what manners are. They were the kids up the back of the classroom making the dumb and disruptive comments. As a result they are bereft of the ability to analyse, deconstruct and assess or understand right from wrong. I have a nephew in his late teens, and in the top bracket at school. His grandfather had the NRL on the tv, and he asked the question "Grandad do you enjoy watching people who don't know better self-inflict brain damage?" that said it all for me.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Brainstrust, save your energy mate. As I said in another post, NRL season is over, there are no bright shiny things to occupy the cerebrally challenged so they come here to annoy people. And if you want to reply stick to single syllables
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
ahhh the cerebral giant is back. NRL is over, there are most likely no bright shiny things to occupy you, so what is the alternative for of short term entertainment. So predictable, I almost feel sorry for you mate