Hats off to whoever birthed the idea of having Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Adelaide United involved in A-League matches on the same night and at the same ground, it is a stonking idea!
Throw the reigning champions Central Coast Mariners into the mix and the evening looks potentially one of the best ever in the history of the competition.
Despite three of the teams being far from home and not advantaged by the venue in a traditional sense, the travelling support will be considerable and destined to fuel what will be a curious and unique atmosphere.
Passions run deep in Big Blue clashes, where deep loathing between the two shades of the colour is embraced by fans and at times, celebrated in a rather vicious manner. The same can be said of the Original Rivalry, where good old-fashioned mutual hatred and mistrust of Victorians and South Australians bubbles over.
Whilst the A-League may have struggled to forge these tribal narratives early on in its history, they are now well and truly ingrained after nearly 20 years of play.
There IS something more on the line and at stake during the fixtures and much like a Sydney Derby, where the Wanderers fans lift their game and create the best A-League atmosphere of all, the matches are so important to the overall health of the competition.
That history will create something of a tinderbox on Saturday night.
Travelling Victory folk will empty from local establishments and set up camp at Allianz to face not only the Mariners, but also fans of the red team they detest. The more polite Adelaide folk will give as good as they get, with a sprinkle of neutrals also present for the 5:15pm (AEDT) kick-off.
The sky-blue wave of support will most likely arrive a little after that, with the cove egotistically demanding all eyes be fixed on them upon arrival.
It could well be one of the most interesting scenes ever confected in the A-League; Sydney FC fans entering their home stadium and being booed from all-corners. Frankly, I’m lathered with excitement to see it.
And not to forget the wild, crazy Coastie battlers from Gosford, who are still buzzing after the A-League Championship won back in June of 2023.
They too will add another instrument to the din; certain to be present in strong numbers after already pulling some solid crowds at Industree Group Stadium this season.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
With a capacity of 45,500, Allianz will be rocking, with the brief lull between the matches the only potential spanner in the works.
Something near a half-hour window will exist between the completion of the Victory and Mariners clash and the second match, with plenty of foot traffic and patience required when it comes to ticketing and food and beverage outlets.
I am hoping the fans in red and sky blue folk avoid a late entry and are in early, ferociously barracking against the Mariners and Victory, before the tables are turned and Sydney FC and Adelaide feel the heat of the simmering tinderbox.
In a rather comical image, I keep seeing a punter turning in one direction, launching a barrage at Victory, then back the other way to sling a stereotypical slur at Sydney FC and then finish off the performance with a quip about the quality of tap water in South Australia.
Frankly, for those who do enjoy attending the football and engaging in the banter for which the game is so well known, Saturday night could well feel like something of a second Christmas.
Whatever does happen during the cross-over period as the opening match goes deep into the second half and the kick-off time for the second fixture looms, let’s hope the stadium is close to full at some stage.
That would be a sight to see and a wonderful tip of the cap to the APL’s daring initiative to imitate the concept of bringing the competition together on a given weekend, as other codes have done successfully over the last few years.
Saturday is a no-brainer and the fans will be there in force. Less convincing is Friday night at CommBank Stadium, where the Wanderers and Bulls faithful will be forced to provide almost all the atmosphere against two teams with very little support.
Sunday also looks a little like a fingers-crossed situation for the APL, with two matches running concurrently in the evening and A-League Women’s matches played as curtain-raisers.
Hopefully, fans of the Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers’ women’s teams do stick around for the second fixture. Otherwise, the elation of Saturday night might be interpreted negatively in some quarters.
Light the match I say, get the tinderbox smoking ASAP and see just what this concept can create on Saturday. Hopefully, the fans are as parochial as ever, yet also possessing that tinge of common sense that sport sometimes affects.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
I agree JSF, I found it a bit annoying that so many Syd FC fans rocked up only just before their game. Many Victory fans left after their game finished. I really don't get that mentality. I mean, if your ticket entitles you to a double header then why wouldn't you stay and watch both matches? Friday I understand might be difficult as the Sydney based fans might be working and may not be able to make the early match but there's no such excuse on Saturday. If people don't want to attend double headers in a unite round then I say ditch the whole idea at the end of the contract. I travelled to Sydney with my family, cost me a shitload in airfares and accommodation. By the way, I found it annoying that the tickets to the match for my club weren't included in my membership. I think this kept many club members from attending. Next season they have to include this match in each club's membership. If it still fails to attract fans then forget the whole idea.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Agree with most of this but what in the hell does having a female commentator do to detract from the game. How often is any commentator talking about the exact biomechanical way of striking a ball?
Timbo
Roar Rookie
I was at the two double headers at Allianz Stadium on Sat and Sun nights. The showpiece event was the Sat night contest and I will say confidently the place was a third full. Sun night attendance would have been 5K paying customers - at best! It's a shame as I actually like the concept but can't see them even breaking even on this. Sydney also is a very tough market. (PS I only went as I had free tickets).
King Mak
Roar Rookie
Congratulation to Cahn for his first A League win!
Beach
Roar Rookie
The football was great but your beat up on attendance didn’t age well, Stuart. My two pennies: football fans don’t like being sold gimmicks from other codes. This Unite Round shtick is already road kill. Football has its own traditions. We don’t need rubbish like this latest APL gimmick. Surely the most inept sporting administration in the country.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I respect your football knowledge, especially in regards to players and how the game is played, but I’m glad you’re not running the game. NSW teams do play away every second week, but they don’t need to leave the state with 5 teams in the state. That’s just common sense. Yes, you have alternate draws, but they are not the answer. Wellington has to leave the country every second week, so does that mean every other A Leagues team should do the same? It’s Wellington’s choice to play in our national competition, so they need to wear the consequences of that. Perth Glory need to fly further than Adelaide United to get to games so should Adelaide fly to Sydney via Darwin to even it up? Adelaide have chosen to play in a national competition, so they leave the state every second week because there’s only one team in South Australia – yep – and they can choose to participate and wear the consequences or drop out. Many of our female commentators are excellent and it would be football’s loss to lose them – you need to update your thoughts there. It’s also fine for sports people to join in and commentate – some are very knowledgeable, entertaining and informative. We need to include more people – not exclude. Football needs to attract people – we’ve seen the consequences of “soccer”‘people only running their “empires”. And I love multiculturalism and the diversity it brings, but this is football in Australia and we can do things differently. It isn’t Europe and some of the things that happen in Europe, I’d never want to see here. The finals system is great and the United Round was a concept that could have been great. Let’s suck it up and give it a go. We need football in Australia to grow. Yes, FA and the APL need to look at transfer fees, second division, P and R, etc – all valid. No organisation or people in charge will ever be perfect, even if they all came from Adelaide!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
So Bernardo is not even on a proper contract, typical Adelaide. Europe or South America where they sleep in a different bed each second week? This has to be the most ridiculous post, where is a league where travel is remotely even, maybe tiny countries its not a significant factor but they sleep in the same bed always, some where they sleep in the same bed but some take longer coach ride , some where you have teams on islands like Madeira well away from the rest of the country ands its very uneven . There is no such thing as an even travel league in any country. The teams that might be the most disadvantaged could be those involved in continental competitions just like Macarthur ,City and CCM , and the same applies to Europe and South America.
King Mak
Roar Rookie
The matches of Macarthur vs WU at Commbank Stadium and Adelaide United vs Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium were very exciting. See what happens tonight.
mrl
Roar Rookie
I was complaining to my son early in the game that our Japanese striker did not score enough....hat-trick shut me up!
mrl
Roar Rookie
They did look good. I did not pick 4-3!! The table is so tight, if you win a match you jump two or three positions on the ladder.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
its a terrible concept, that is not done anywhere else in the world in countries that play football. just because it works for a sport like afl that is only played in australia - does not mean it will work with football. Judging by the crowds (or lack there of) regardless of the crazy weather in NSW, it proves my point. The APL should be concentrating on far more serious things (in no particular order) *domestic transfer fees * "mutual termination fee" - for the club that has tapped up the player that is leaving eg. the bernado situation currently *junior club fees - when players makes a big money move to europe, make sure the money trickles down to the side they played under 8's with. *promotion/relegation *proper H/A season - every nsw side should be traveling interstate every second week (no different to europe or south america where they sleep in a different bed every second match week) *pundits/commentary - actual football people (not rugby ones like niev owen and scott mackinnon) *no more female commentators - eg i dont want to hear how an ex female runs and strikes the ball, when the female body has a way different biomechanical makeup to a mans and they cant even generate half the power of a man kicking a ball - thats not sexist, thats just a fact *marketing - abysmal for the whole entire league.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Was there last night and it was great. I enjoyed both games and both games had good quality. I hope tonight is just as good.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You won so stop whining! Maybe you should play away more often. They looked good last night - some lovely attacking football.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You were correct - it ended up closer than I thought. Adelaide played well and your striker is banging goals in st the moment. I hope you keep him.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Whatever money they make from the deal will help to fund all clubs and keep our A Leagues going. I haven’t liked all their decisions, but they are trying to get money into a competition that desperately needs more.
338
Roar Rookie
Tinderbox my foot. Nice try Ed's.
338
Roar Rookie
Was in Sydney for Xmas shame I missed being there for the festival, would have made the effort to support the initiative overall even though it would have been a cut lunch trip to the games (really a bit spoiler in Brisbane). Don’t care too much about the haters. It’s better than the GF being in Sydney so I’ll be thankful for the compromise – not my millions or the Qld government’s either so I can’t throw rocks at it.
338
Roar Rookie
There's been some great games this weekend again. That Adelaide v Sydney was like the old training attackers v defenders for the last 10 minutes.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
4-2 game on! Come on Adelaide.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Should have stuck to your 4-1!