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Even though I am a Melbourne fan I would like to congratulate Sydney FC for their A League Grand Final win, and for being the second team to win the Premiership/Championship double. I, at least, have the comfort that Melbourne will once again compete in the AFC Champions League next season.
I am not surprised to see football articles spruiking certain themes spring up quickly following Sydney’s Grand Final win, such as the “Lavicka Revolution” article on SBS pushing the continental style of play.
What has been quite disappointing, though, are some articles of a more unprofessional kind that have also been springing up in certain quarters that will do nothing allay concerns within elements of the Australian football fraternity that there is something of an unhealthy Sydney-centricity with the football media which affects their ability to apply a professional balance (which might make some writers sore winners, perhaps).
This is not unreasonable when a former Sydney FC CEO is employed as a central commentator for the broadcaster, but I don’t think Andy Harper does too bad a job.
An article that came out quickly regarded the Victory’s “lack of manners” was by Tom Smithies and questioned Melbourne’s sportsmanship.
Perhaps it would have been worth Tom Smithies considering that Ernie Merrick and the Melbourne team had a plane to catch in a matter of only two hours. As the Manager responsible for the overall motivation and morale of his team, it was very important to get an immediate hold of his crestfallen team, who had just lost a penalty shootout together, and re-focused for a do-or-die Champions League clash.
It’s not unreasonable that he would not want any outside distractions.
Perhaps it’s also worth Smithies considering that at least Melbourne and its “conductor, Kevin Muscat,” did not come out with a Ross Aloisi style “the match was destroyed by the referees” manner,s but was able to conduct himself post-match with professionalism.
Lastly, there is the question of “Soccer HQ” losing patience with Melbourne’s whingeing.
It is not unreasonable about being unhappy about the fixture list not being conducive to the A-League’s representatives in the AFC Champions League.
Sydney may have the same challenge next season. So will the Sydney media treat the challenge in the same way?
Adelaide faced the same issue two seasons ago after making the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League, and it was not unreasonable for them to want an adjustment in the fixturing of the A-League.
Finally, there is the question of Melbourne’s “attitude”.
Perhaps it’s not Melbourne’s attitude that is the problem. I don’t recall the same review invoking media “controversy” surrounding Jonas Salley’s move to Sydney FC to boost their finals campaign in season 2 as that which occurred with Nick Mrdja’s move to Melbourne.
Perhaps Smithies needs to consider that some people are getting sick of the FFA’s treatment of the football fraternity and some of their policies.
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