Imperfect Matildas get the job done

Australia 3 Mexico 1

A generous Matildas defence weathered a rocky first half and an early second-half scare at Commbank Stadium to finally put Mexico to the sword with a direct attacking finish to help mend the damage from Saturday’s no-show in Newcastle. Two scrappy goals at the away end from Alanna Kennedy and the unfortunate Mexican goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras sandwiched a horror moment for the Matildas defence where they hit self-destruct and 2-1 at half time was perhaps generous. Once the referee had waved away a potential foul on the last man by Kaitlyn Torpey and Ellie Carpenter had recovered from a fierce blow to the ribs, Australia came out of their shell, Caitlin Foord doing brilliantly to overcome heavy pressure to score the third goal and wrap up the victory for Joe Muntemurro’s faltering team. The crowd was entertained, goals were scored, but the mistakes were there for all to see, especially in the first half; against more capable opponents, the Tillies would have been made to look as ordinary as they did on the weekend.

  • Light rail all the way, baby
  • Tempting you in for a kebab
  • Some people look settled in for the night
  • Impressive structure
  • Big heads, all the rage
  • Go the Kangaroos!

An advertised early 7pm kick off, midweek just after a long weekend, might have put a lot of people off this one; for us though, the close proximity to Parramatta via the light rail made this one a breeze. The tram deposited us a minute’s walk from the Royal Oak Hotel and there was time for a very quick drink with the Matildas Active before setting off for the short walk to the stadium through the back streets. The precinct was busy enough, the Qantas kangaroo mingling with fans outside the main entrance and the Sports Heads giant faces bobbing up and down as people made their way through the gate.

  • Crowded concourse
  • So much happening on and off the field
  • No queueu at the facepainter? Lyserle sneaks in…
  • In costume
  • Forza Sydney FC
  • In the quiet corner, away from the crowds
  • This is something I’ve never seen before – delivery to your seat
  • Heaving
  • Miniature active section

The concourse was certainly busy, although at the away end, where the majority of Mexico fans had congregated, there was at least a chance of grabbing some food and a beer away from the masses. The Paramount Plus team was in its usual corner away from the fans, and the stadium was starting to fill up; the main eastern stand was looking very full approaching kick-off, although the clever colouring of the seats does mask that very well. The opposite side was almost deserted, fans blocked from entering through the one entrance, the area maintaining its usual air of exclusivity. The Matildas Active fans congregated behind the goal in the RBB end, no exclusive block this time, so people sat in their seats alongside the active fans, who traditionally don’t sit down all game. Awkward. The stadium went dark green for a light show before smoke filled the air and the players came out to huge acclaim – this stadium always has an atmosphere, thanks to the steep pitch of the seating and the proximity to the field.

Following the rousing national anthems, Mackenzie Arnold went through her final warm-up while the rest of the players did their own thing. The scene was set. The noise was good, the playing surface looked decent, and the Matildas were straight out of the blocks on the attack. There were surprisingly few changes to the line-up from the weekend, Clare Wheeler in for Emily Van Egmond and Hayley Raso in for Amy Sayer, and we saw Kaitlyn Torpey continue on the left. The ghosts of Saturday were in full view though after only six minutes, Winonah Heatley playing a suicidal cross-field ball that was easily cut out and Mexico’s first shot on goal was an easy one for Arnold. Kennedy was visibly frustrated, urging her team forward. Heatley played a blind backpass soon after that was picked off by the Mexican forward line, but they were forced wide and the danger snuffed out immediately. This was not good at all.

It didn’t take long for a Mexican wave to start, a sure fire sign that things aren’t engaging enough on the field, but Raso won a corner on the right as the noise circled the stadium. The short routine didn’t seem to work, Wheeler’s shot ballooning into the air, and there was a mad scramble – our view was not great – and somehow the ball ended up in the net to muted celebrations from the players. We had to wait for the replays on the big screen to see Kennedy swivelling to fire home a deflected shot. Kennedy took hold of the renewed confidence and pirouetted past her player to get out of trouble; that set the Matildas off on a counter attack, Torpey racing through onto a perfectly timed pass by Foord to romp clear, her low shot saved by the feet of Barreras. This was more like it from the hosts. The viking clap started from the Active fans, but just as it did, Australia made a complete mess of playing out from the back. Arnold sold Heatley short, she was beaten to the ball and when the cross came in, Diana Ordonez, Saturday’s match winner, turned the ball into the net to replace the viking clap with disbelieving expletives.

Heatley then sold Arnold short to return the favour, the Aussie keeper booming the ball away, and again Heatley played Kennedy into trouble with a needless ball into the centre and Mexico went close. This was an accident waiting to happen, but the Matildas turned up the heat, Raso bundled over as she went through, and as the players paused expecting the whistle, Carpenter grabbed possession, got herself into a crossing position and delivered the perfect cross for Kerr, who seemed to get in front of her player to steer the ball goalwards, the ball somehow ending up in the net. Again the celebrations were small, on the field at least, and the replay showed the ball cannoning off the post and hitting the diving Barreras on the back for an unlucky own goal.

Kennedy sent in a rasping drive as the half entered the final five minutes, although it may have looked better from our position behind the goal at the far end. Wheeler had a chance from a tight angle that Barreras saved, Kerr had a tricky chance that went over, and Australia finished the half well. The referee gave no additional time and the players disappeared down the tunnels to applause.

  • Filled up quick!
  • Going green for the light show
  • Here come the players, here comes the smoke
  • Arnold with last minute warm-ups
  • The Active bay goes wild
  • Too much action up this end
  • Merch going cheap
  • Show us your posters!
  • I guess no one is having sushi tonight

I made an unusual call at half time to abandon the active area – the view was rubbish, the stadium had thousands of spare seats with marvellous views of the action, and the active fans didn’t need my voice, so after a circuit of the stadium to marvel at the incredible queues for food and drink, I watched the opening stages from the away end. A bold decision from Joe Montemurro saw the fragile confidence of Heatley removed, hometown star Charlie Rule on for the second half, but the first moment of action had Ordonez played in across goal only for Torpey to collide with her, suggestions of a last-man red-card offence, but play was waved on despite the protests in the stands and on the field. When Kennedy strode on to Foord’s excellent low ball and Kerr’s instinctive dummy to smash a shot straight into Carpenter’s ribs, there was plenty of time to walk back up to the home end, grab a meat pie and find a lofty position in the upper tier above the RBB. What a view!

The action was superb from then on, Foord showing us a lovely dummy, a huge ooh from the crowd accompanying the replay of a Torpey tackle, but it was Torpey’s wayward control when coming to meet the ball that left her out of position, Arnold saving the day. Rule was rightly booked for a clumsy challenge, the crowd disbelieving but the replay found her guilty, and the resulting free kick caused panic in the penalty area, Arnold somehow dealing with it and the Matildas clearing their lines. Raso and Kerr ambushed the last defender from the clearance, but Raso waited and waited for support and the cross was deflected away. Torpey seemed to have moved into a more advanced position, and when she intercepted brilliantly midway inside her half, she set off through the hole in midfield. Foord was making the sprint on the outside, Torpey played her inside with a delightful pass. Foord was in the area, the last defender holding on to her shirt in clear view of the referee, but she managed to turn and shake off the challenge before delivering the perfect finish for a superb goal, and the clincher on the night. Superb stuff!

Odronez was left clear to reduce the arrears but the bank of Mexico fans behind the goal couldn’t suck the ball into the net, before the game started to fracture with substitutions. Holly McNamara and Foord combined well on the left, Remy Siemsen’s first contribution was to shove her defender into Barreras for a foul and then she tried various lay-offs and touches, none of which found the target. The game was over as a contest, although we got to see good moments from Leticia McKenna, who gives off Mini Gorry / Lisa De Vanna vibes, before the referee brought the game to a close. The disappointing crowd of 18,441 told the story of the declining interest in the Matildas in between major competitions. Just three years ago this would have been a guaranteed sell-out. The young female-based fanbase is still there, but the casual fans seem to have dropped off, and perhaps that’s just a sign of the difficult times we live in right now.

  • Queue for food and miss the game
  • A different view from the Mexico end
  • Goal! And what a good one it was from Caitlin Foord
  • Hold on, aren’t these games always a sell-out?
  • The view is so much better from up here
  • Post-match soul-searching and meditation session
  • Almost felt like a Wanderers home game with so many empty seats up high

The players did their standard lap around the stadium, as if to prepare the young fans for disappointment, while the Mexican players all went to the away end to salute their noisy supporters. Eventually Charlie Rule raced to the home end to say hello, Remy Siemsen broke away for an extended signing session, eventually offering up her boots, and Caitlin Foord joined her to offload hers. Amy Sayer spotted a friend in the photographer pack and teased the eager crowd, Hayley Raso rescuing the situation with an exlusive signing in the awkward corner bay that seems to be separated from the rest of the stadium. The winner of the half-time best poster competition was ushered from the home end to meet Alanna Kennedy to no fanfare at all, while Mackenzie Arnold ran over to the opposite corner to say hello to friends and family.

A couple of kids ran past behind me : “I’m forging the signature,” said one. “Me too.” said the other. It was time to leave, and we headed back to the Royal Oak on Church Street to complete the night, eventually timing our departure well with the light rail and hoisting two drums through the suburban streets to base camp in the north western suburbs of our beautiful city. This had been a good night.

  • Loads of signatures sought, not enough autographers
  • You put the effort in, you get rewarded
  • Kennedy meets the creator of the best poster
  • Siemsen and Foord go bare foot
  • Hayley Raso sneaks in a signing session
  • Credit : Ange (AMG) – Texi in the stands
  • Lugging the Socceroos and Matildas drums through the suburban streets

Did the Matildas repair the damage caused by Saturday’s horror-show in Newcastle? Three goals, one of those on the 150th appearance of one of our star players, celebrations for the crowd, the big names all on display, yes, this was a good evening. But the fragility of the defence when trying to play out from the back is truly a concern. The giveaways were spectacular, the lack of awareness, the weak passing, it was still there, but masked by more potent attacking from the forward line. Should we be concerned? Yes. Did we see our coach react accordingly? Yes. And in Clare Wheeler we have the sort of player that the Matildas need going forward to Brazil next year; momentum is building, we’re a year out, get excited!

Something’s come along and it’s burst our bubble

Australia 0 Mexico 1

The Matildas showed just how much work there is to come to transition from the old guard to the new wave in an unimpressive one-goal reverse at one of their favourite venues, McDonald Jones stadium in Newcastle, on Saturday night. The visiting Mexican team showed a determination and conviction that was sadly lacking from the home side, stout defending and sustained possession earning them the opportunity to deliver the killer blow in the closing moments as the home defence went AWOL. And it’s just as well Australia lost; a draw would have papered over the cracks and allowed Joe Montemurro to explain his way out of it. This tees up a marvellous second game on Tuesday night, and a chance to see what this Matildas team is truly made of.

  • Easy entry
  • No queues for merch
  • A poof of smoke and the Matildas wave crashes down
  • Phil with zero f*cks given
  • Sold out but not at capacity
  • FA staff meet and greet

At 4.45pm, the final whistle sounded on a superb 4-2 victory for West Ryde Rovers Over 45 Division 4 at Meadowbank Park; by 7.05pm we were parking the car at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Following a quick change in the car park, and an easy entry (as everyone was in already), ducking down one of the aisles allowed a quick view of the anthems before heading towards the Northern hill and the designated Active Bay, right down at the front. There were signs warning of the fact that this was a standing and singing area, but the miniature turnout from the burgeoning active community showed that this one was a tricky fixture to get to for most out-of-towners, an earlier than usual kick off and maybe just one friendly fixture too far. The tiny drum was not going to fill the stadium with noise, but when MMTV got her hands on it, at least it was going to try.

Mexico were shooting towards the Active Bay in the first half, but all the action was happening at the other end, the Matildas enjoying a lot of forward momentum without having an end product. The view from down at the front of the hill was absolutely terrible as usual (hey we’re not there to watch the game, we’re there to sing!); whenever the ball came close to the Matildas’ goal, the ball disappeared behind the advertising hoardings and you just had to guess what was happening. The first 15 minutes though was all Matildas up the other end, but we saw some unusually low-percentage passes into the box, Caitlin Foord guilty, and when Ellie Carpenter got some space she decided to pass instead of shoot. Sam Kerr headed one over but it came at her quickly, and Foord waltzed through from her own half to the penalty area, ignoring everyone and was easily stopped on the edge of the box.

As the half wore on, Mexico looked more and more dangerous. The misplaced confidence, even arrogance, of the Matildas’ players was easily countered by the crisp and decisive passing of the Mexico team. When Carpenter cleared a ball straight to the attacking team, Mexico had their first good chance, the ball fired wide, and when the home side tried to play out from the back they were again found out, Steph Catley able to clear after a calamitous giveaway. The free role of Amy Sayer wasn’t reaping rewards, and Mexico had another chance, a cheeky pirouette almost unlocking the Matildas’ defence, although we had to use our imagination to see the footwork until the big screen showed the replay. Alana Kennedy’s long raking ball to the advancing Kerr went in completely the opposite direction, but when Mary Fowler cleared up a Mexican attack, Foord and Kerr combined to set up Sayer, who hit the post with a seemingly scuffed effort, but the flag was already up.

A horrible passage of play at the back where Winonah Heatley and Alanna Kennedy both made unforced errors culminated in a huge switch from Kennedy to Kerr out left, but the attack ended with Kennedy somehow giving the ball away again, this time in the opponents’ penalty area. Fowler continued to look the main player on the field, Sayer was perhaps the other, but even she was guilty of playing overly hopeful balls around the defence that led to nothing. Mackenzie Arnold had to palm a shot away at the near post after some exquisite control and a low shot, Mexico with their tails up, but when Emily Van Egmond played in Carpenter, Australia had a great opportunity, the ball eventually falling to Kaitlyn Torpey whose stumbling shot was way wide of the goal. The half was concluded without additional time, Van Egmond giving the ball away with the last touch, and the players headed to the tunnel with a somewhat bemused crowd wondering where the goals would come from to unlock this game.

  • “This is a big hit in our country,” said no Mexican ever
  • A beautiful sight
  • Queues as far as the eye can see
  • A full stadium, lovely.
  • Much better view than ours
  • The “home” end on the hill

Time for a walk around the stadium – all the stadium facilities were open, the main issue though was the queue for the ladies’ bathroom – always the way when the female-heavy Matildas crowd are in town. The gents’ bathroom was a breeze, plenty of room at the trough, while the queue for everything else made the concourse quite an unpleasant place to be with people blocking the way every few metres. Ice creams seemed to have the biggest line, bizarrely enough, on a winter’s evening in New South Wales.

The half-time break must have been a little extended, as there was time to go right around the stadium and grab a bite to eat too; the second half was underway with the Matildas running towards us, Foord gifting possession to Mexico by holding onto the ball too long but the offside flag saved the day. Kerr was unusually shot-shy when presented with a run on goal, and the home team’s passing was a mixture of measured balls to feet, awful crosses and woeful giveaways. Van Egmond had a great opportunity on the edge of the area but got her shot all wrong, as the Mexican Wave started to circle the stadium to create an artificially hyped atmosphere – is that allowed when you’re playing Mexico? Carpenter gave one away and Mexico had a great chance, the young striker having an unfortunate bobble as she hit the shot (as we saw on the big screen) and the shot whistled past the corner of post and bar.

By now the Oi Oi Oi chants were multiplying, while the Active Bays were starting to get anxious about what they were seeing from their heroes. This was not the Matildas experience, but an exquisite outside-of-the-boot pass from Kennedy, impeccably controlled by Foord seemed to inject confidence. Kerr met a corner on the leap, but there was no power. Hayley Raso came on to rapturous applause, Sayer making her way off and around the field with a face of thunder. Mexico made a couple of subs in response, the stadium announcer not even trying to pronounce the names and only using their numbers – perhaps a bit of disrespect there? Kerr tried an audacious flick from a low cross from the right but the Mexican keeper was down to smother.

  • Injection of belief required
  • How’s the view?
  • Exasperated and frustrated in the active area
  • This man dodged a difficult moment – twice
  • Smaller than usual crowd here
  • Trying to look for positives from this shoddy display

Charlie Rule had been warming up, enjoying the attention of the Sydney FC contingent in the crowd, and she got her chance, coming on to replace Catley. Izzy Comez had waves for the crowd, Alex Chidiac’s chant “My neck, my back, my Alex Chidiac” brought smiles from the player, who must be pinching herself being back in the frame after a while on the outer. Van Egmond ballooned one over, the first of a few shots that gave the security guard in front of us a near miss and a wry smile. Mexico countered with the move of the match, stretching the Matildas out and playing intricately out from the back, the end-to-end break cleared up eventually by Rule. The crowd were incensed when Carpenter raced through to win a corner, only for the referee to rule a goal kick. Foord, Kerr and Fowler played triangles trying to prise open the Mexican defence to no avail, before the stadium announcer changed tact and announced the names as well as the numbers for the next window of Mexican substitutions.

Mexico’s ball possession was far superior to their rather wasteful oponents, and they prised open the Matildas defence, the striker slipping at the wrong moment and unable to get a meaningful shot on goal. The visitors were winding up to something, keeping possession patiently and breaking at the right time. Their footwork and close ball skills were miles ahead of their hosts, and it was hard not to enjoy their football more than that of the Matildas. Alex Chidiac and Courtney Nevin came on to give an X-factor, but it was still all Mexico; Rule had to adjust her feet to avoid slicing into her own goal. Kerr did dispossess her player and stride off in search of a shot, but she delayed and delayed and in the end kicked the ball too far in front of her to lose control.

The game was heading for a 0-0 draw, Mexico were looking the better team, the Matildas were struggling to get forward now; the crowd weren’t budging, the public holiday weekend perhaps tempering the mums and dads with bed-times tonight. Arnold touched a shot around the post, but the crowd still believed that a late winner would come for the Tillies. Carpenter played a cross in, Kerr got a touch and appealed for the penalty, but it was waved away. There was another sloppy giveaway when Australia finally got possession, Kennedy giving the ball away and Mexico broke with pupose, the ball was played in centrally and both Rule and Nevin were attracted to the ball like moths to a flame leaving a cute ball to open up the defence and Diana Ordonez stroked the ball home with poise, racing away to hug her squad mates on the touchline as the crowd went silent and the Mexican fans finally got their moment to be heard. That was pretty much the final action of the match, and the final whistle sounded to sharp exhales of breath from the crowd.

  • Off to sign autographs in one spot only
  • Fans turning their backs on the Matildas
  • Can I have your autograph? Well, it’s the only one you’ll get!
  • Over before it started
  • Dissect that, you unlucky souls
  • We’ll have you in Sydney. Fighting talk from one of the Matildas’ finest.

The Active Bay was disconsolate. The Matildas went into their now familiar huddle, which was more irksome than wholesome, while the Mexican players made their way to the sidelines to salute their fans in the East stand. You couldn’t help feeling joy for them. The Matildas players did their cursory lap of the interior of the field, stone-faced and unsmiling, the majority of fans with their backs to them leaving via the aisles or already out of the stadium, while their adoring young fans screamed for more interaction. They did make themselves available in the main stand with their friends and families, alas nowhere else. Gone are the days of doing a whole lap of the stadium and signing until an hour after kick-off; the Matildas are a protected brand now, but a brand which did itself no end of harm tonight with their uninspriring footballing performance.

There was no point in leaving the stadium on the final whistle, with our car deep in the car park and the traffic traditionally thick leaving this venue. We stuck around until the security personnel started to shoo people away, quite disappointing given the number of young fans who were still eagerly waiting some interaction. The journey home was via a totally different route to the normal direct journey, but we still managed to be home before midnight with five hours to sleep before the Socceroos’ final World Cup warm up game against Switzerland on TV in the morning.

What did we learn from tonight’s game? The Matildas are being left behind in their accuracy, their ball retention and their deliveries into the penalty area, and tonight their eye for goal deserted them altogether. As those knowledgeable fans around me lamented : “we try to walk the ball into the net” but remembering the wayward efforts of Fowler, Torpey and Van Egmond in this one, it’s perhaps not a bad thing. Mary Fowler oozed quality as always, Caitlin Foord was dangerous with the ball, but the sloppy giveaways need to stop. Unforced errors they’re called in tennis. With a World Cup coming up in a year’s time, this is the perfect test of where we are right now; it’s obvious we are a long way from being the 15th best team in the world. We get the chance to put it right at CommBank Stadium on Tuesday, and based upon previous double-headers, the second game (think USA, New Zealand, China) is usually the one where we get our finger out after a reality check in game one. Let’s go Matildas!

A-League tipping : the Grand finale

Welcome to the final A-League tips and predictions for the 2025/26 season. What a season it has been, and based upon the season’s results and form coming into the finals, the least likely of the four semi-finalists made it through to the big one. Auckland FC, fresh from a second-half pasting of Adelaide on their own turf, and this time backed by a raucous full house at Go Media Stadium, take on Sydney FC at 8.10pm local time (6.10pm AEST). Will the late kick-off work against them? Does the extra day of recovery and the lack of extra-time come into play? Will Patrick Kisnorbo taste defeat in his first game in full charge of the Sky Blues? Is the Grand Final the most pointless game ever, with no qualification for continental football and no prize money?

Be somewhere near a TV on Saturday evening. Whether you’re brave enough to head to a venue in Sydney while Vivid is on, you’re watching on at home or you’re at the Altona Magic game, keep an eye on this one. It’s going to be a rip snorter.

Submit your tip and give yourself a shout-out in the comments section underneath. Bid farewell to The Roar’s last remaining feature article here at its temporary home. It has been a pleasure.

No Grand Final but maybe a World Cup berth for Craig Goodwin? Photo : Texi Smith

Stuart Thomas

Auckland

In search of redemption, Auckland FC hosts the 2025/26 A-League Grand Final and will have a booming local voice to cheer them on. Sydney FC have had a wonderful season to get all the way to the decider, something that did not look likely at certain moments during the course of home and away play.

Yet they have advanced and now take on one of the toughest tasks in the league; Auckland away and with just a small number of Sky Blue support to cheer them on. It looks a home win on paper, with extra-time likely. Auckland by a single goal to win its first championship.

Watching Sydney FC with interest in this weekend’s grand final is Ryan Fraser Photo : Texi Smith

Andrew Prentice

Auckland

It’s a crying shame that the best and most entertaining team in the competition won’t be hosting the Grand Final on Saturday. But sometimes winning and entertaining are mutually exclusive concepts – for solid evidence of that look no further than Arsenal’s turgid path to the English title. Still, Newcastle’s season has been exceptional. But they’re not at the big dance because Sydney FC have shown resilience and passion to come from 5th spot to occupy a GF slot in a match that has its own in-built sense of theatre. Steve Corica – an institution at the Sky Blues with back-to-back titles – will be plotting the downfall of his former home castle on Saturday night in front of what is sure to be a jam-packed Mount Smart Stadium. The Black Knights have gone one week further than their remarkable inaugural season while ironically finishing lower on the table. It was the manner of their ruthless dismantling of Adelaide last week that has me leaning towards them. Sydney under Patrick Kisnorbo have been akin to Andre The Giant – an immovable object. However, Auckland have the firepower to be the irresistible force on Saturday night, which will disrupt Sydney’s smash-and-grab tactics. If Auckland lead early, that might be enough to throw the Sky Blue bus off-course. It will be no surprise if this goes to extra time.

Where will Adam Taggart be plying his trade next season? Photo : Texi Smith

Texi Smith

Auckland, Sydney

Unless you’d forked out the $1,000 for the flights and were heading over to Auckland for the grand final, the average Sydneysider wouldn’t even know there was a game on this weekend. But their premier football team has been hard at work. After all the excitement of last weekend’s incredible semi-final showdown in Newcastle that abruptly curtailed the Premiers’ chase for the treble, Sydney FC have captured their interim manager’s signature for the foreseeable future, and the scenes as it was announced to the squad told the story of how well he has done to reunite the dressing room. We don’t have to look back too far to find the last game between these two teams, a game that Sydney had to win to ensure a home elimination final but one where they coughed up the lead late on – the rest is history.

More overseas imports to come next A-League season to join Kazuki Nagasawa? Photo : Texi Smith

Auckland have been dominant in all the games between the two sides this season, their physicality, long throws, height and strike power easily too much for the Sky Blues. However, Saturday night sees a different Sydney FC, one that believes in itself, one that has no fear, no hesitation and one that has an eye for goal. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is due a starring role, and he will power home a header from a free kick towards the end of the first half to silence the home crowd. Wataru Kamijo and Paul Okon-Engstler are purring in midfield, and Piero Quispe is on hand to poke home at the far post for a second midway through the second period. A surge from the home team sees them reduce the arrears through Jesse Randall and tee up a grand finale, but Harrison Devenish-Meares makes two game-winning stops late on and Sydney FC come away with a thoroughly-deserved Grand Final triumph.

The Crowd has romped to victory this season, but it’s the battle for second that is is capturing the imagination. Smith’s unlikely double last weekend saw him overtake Prentice and Thomas, but he’s putting it all on the line for Sydney FC. What a fool! Let’s see what happens :

Only two clicks to register your tips in support of The Crowd as they take part in a procession in the final week of tipping. Give it a click and help our tipping champion finish off the season in style…

Give us your thoughts below on the Grand Final, and let us know where you’d like to see your weekly A-League tips and predictions when October rolls around …

The ultimate fantasy away day

Newcastle Jets 1 Sydney FC 1 (2-4 penalties)

If football fans could choose a single away day experience as the blueprint for every away game, this would be very close to the top. Sydney FC supporters, who have endured some bleak times in an underperforming season, were rewarded with a breathtaking, nerve-wracking and ultimately successful trip to McDonald Jones Stadium as Ben Garuccio steered the final penalty past James Delianov at the home end to tee up a Grand Final showdown in Auckland next weekend. This was something special, a packed stadium of passionate football fans riding the rollercoaster of knock-out football; fellow football codes take note – this is what passion is all about.

  • Entertainment centre indeed
  • Arriving on foot
  • The sign that everyone wanted to see
  • Fluid lines at the gate
  • Concourse busy
  • First game of the season for most of these fans

Another tricky fixture to navigate, with the final whistle of park football sounding at 4.45pm, no time for a shower, but a quick change of clothes and we were on the M1 up to Newcastle with about two and a half hours to get there. Luckily there was no traffic of note, but the next thing was to find a car park, the parking sold out when we booked the tickets and the road next to the stadium at a standstill. A quick change of mind and we went backstreets on the north side, finding a street park a 15-minute walk from our destination. Lots of people were doing the same, this might be an option when the Matildas are here in a few weeks. As we arrived, the ‘Sold Out’ signs were up in the ticket box, this was going to be something special. The concourse inside was a sea of people, people were in party mode, Newcastle had come out to support its all-conquering team in their latest quest for silverware.

After a quick hello with some Jets fans in the home end – honestly, who needs segregation – and a look at the phenomenal queues for a beer, we found our seats under cover at the back of the away bay, the tactical purchase allowing us free rein to stand or sit to watch the game, depending on our level of stress. The bay was full. The Cove broke with tradition at this venue and were in place well before kick-off, the stadium almost full, what a beautiful sight! As was the entrance of the players, well past the allotted kick -off time of 7.40pm, and the sparkles that welcomed the two teams cast a wonderful plume of smoke like a grand entrance on the Eurovision Song Contest. The scene was set for entertainment, the Sydney fans already in full voice, trying to out-sing the stadium PA with We Are Sydney. Sentiment from both sets of fans was of apprehension and anxiety, Sydney FC’s long-suffering supporters just blessed to be here with a sniff at making the Grand Final after the season we’d had, and Newcastle always ready for the good times to come crashing down around them.

  • Party hats for the party goers
  • The home end
  • So that’s why it’s sold out. Not a full house!
  • Friendly rivals
  • Packed on the way to our end
  • Thou shall not get a beer

The toin coss had the teams running the way they should be, the Jets shooting away from their home end, and the game started at an almighty tempo, players slipping and sliding all over the field thanks to the late watering of the turf beforehand. Lachie Rose was back for the Jets, who looked at full strength, Sydney had Joe Lolley as a weapon off the bench and continued with Akol Akon out wide; meanwhile in our section a battle was taking place between the front row of the undercover section and the people standing in the wheelchair area blocking their view, the police having to intervene to move on people, and those remaining playing the part of wounded animal to a tee – the perils of a full stadium, I guess.

  • What a scene
  • The famous Sydney FC
  • Freiburg x Sydney FC
  • One last pep talk
  • Friendly police intervention
  • Full voice from the Cove

The Cove was in fine voice, the acoustics not great in our section, and on the field Paul Okon-Engstler was struggling to find his feet, passes going astray and twice he had a handful of his opponents shirts and escaped punishment. Piero Quispe was infuriating, knowing that he had to keep the ball, trying a low-percentage nutmeg that sent the Jets away on the attack when a simple pass would have maintained possession. Sydney’s flicks and tricks were all working, a back heel and shimmy by Okon wowing the crowd. Jordan Courtney-Perkins was fortunate to win a free kick when he dived head first in front of Rose when the Newcastle striker threatened to get around him into the box.

Clayton Taylor rolled a ball in up the far end that Rose couldn’t turn in, the first great chance of the game falling to the home team. There were some empty seats in the home end at the front, probably due to the fans preferring to stand at the back of the grassy hill area. The game had turned in Jets’ favour, Taylor fizzing a shot just wide, and there was a little bit of spice in the game, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos watching as his close attention on the Jets player shielding the ball sent him to the floor, and then standing over him and seeming to stand on his hand. There was a booking for Max Burgess, and Tiago Quintal stole the ball from Jets’ star defender Mark Natta before stinging the palms of Delianov. The first half would have gone to the hosts on points, but we’d been entertained and Sydney FC were resolute.

  • Get the fuck in
  • Toilet seat in the Cove
  • Giving it to the Newy fans
  • What a sight – a packed stadium
  • You’re not made of glass are you?
  • Draught excluder

The second half was moments old when Akon got away from his man only to be hauled back by his shirt, another yellow for the home side. Rose then smashed a shot just over that Harrison Devenish-Meares watched all the way. The action was coming thick and fast. Sydney had their big chance when Stama raced through on the left, beat his man, but his finish when faced with Delianov was disappointing, the goalkeeper saving easily, and Stama stuffed his pass when the ball came back in; perhaps this was not our night.

Quispe continued to irk, picking up a stupid yellow for a ridiculous kick-out on his player, and then giving away a nonsensical foul. The chant of Newcastle, Newcastle went around the stadium – why on earth they don’t borrow some better chants from their EPL namesakes is beyond me – but the Cove were singing non-stop; the Sydney FC ole ole ole chant seemed to miss a beat, the bays not synching. There was a round of applause in the 57th minute for Jets legend Chris Turner, his photo on the big screens, and that coincided with some dangerous attacking from the home side. Sydney though were bright going forward, and when Okon lifted in a looping ball, Grant appeared to keep the ball in and the ball hit a defender’s arm. We were pretty much in line with it from our position, it wasn’t out, and the referee team appeared to take the easy way out and call it a goal kick instead of enduring an impossible angle for VAR. It could be a pivotal moment though.

The game was there for the taking, and when Akon intercepted a ball by his own corner flag, he offloaded and set off on a run, Stama doing the spade work down in front of us to beat his man and tee up Akon inside. A step to the right and he got a shot away, not the most powerful by any means, but Delianov spilled it and there was Quispe, homing in to slot the rebound home and run across to the Sydney fans who were already bouncing. What a move, what a moment, the unlikely was happening : Sydney FC were winning in Newcastle.

A cheeky push by Stama as he lost the race to a through ball wasn’t punished, the riot cops were being told off for blocking the view after they had congregated to keep an eye on the Sydney fans who were giving it the big one to the Newcastle contingent in the adjacent bay. It was backs to the wall for Sydney, the hosts throwing everything forward, leaving gaps at the back. When Garuccio was freed on the left to hang in a majestic cross, Stama was all alone in front and connected beautifully, the Cove rising as one, but he directed the header straight at Delianov, a disappointing end to a superb move.

Akon was running on empty, Quispe and then Stama hooked instead, as time ticked towards full time. Paddy Wood’s introduction brought exactly what Sydney needed, a bit of shit-stirring, and he was hauled down when darting unexpectedly between the last two Jets defenders, questions of a red card answered with a yellow. Wood was brilliant, he played a one-two soon after with fellow sub Victor Campuzano to go through, his shot under pressure saved and the rebound hit him and rolled towards goal, every Sydney fan praying the ball went the right side of the post, but it rolled agonisingly wide. The Newcastle-centric scoreboard operator was messing with the Sydney fans, failing to show the highlights of the away team’s chances and moments of contention, and the vision was cut before Wood had his shot. The away bays erupted in Forza Sydney FC instead. It was fabulous.

The last few minutes were very similar to the Socceroos v South Korea final of the Asian Cup, every Sydney fan on their feet singing the boys home, only to have their teeth kicked in by a sucker punch. We looked to have survived the onslaught when sub Xavier Bertonello cut inside and smashed a fierce shot an inch past the post and the chanting continued. Some fans had already left from the Newcastle home end. But the sucker punch was to come, well after the allotted time was up, and it was a cross from the left that found Eli Adams in space in the centre and he calmly guided the ball past HDM into the top corner for an equaliser. Cue bedlam. The spice being given by the Cove to the neighbouring bay was returned with interest, beer raining down from the prawn sandwich brigade up above, cans and bottles being launched into the Cove. It was poetic, it was warranted, and it was painful. The agony was complete a minute later with the final whistle condemning us to extra time, the shutters down on the bars and only the water bubbler for refreshment.

  • Giving it back, fair play
  • The action continues for another half and hour
  • How’s the prawn sandwiches up there?
  • Lolley continues his 0% success rate in penalty shootouts
  • Get in! The price for SYD-AUK just doubled!

Extra time was exciting. The Jets were on the attack for much of it, Ben Gibson with a free header that HDM made look easy and then the Sydney keeper tipped over a rasping drive. The set pieces were taking forever – it had been a feature of the evening; so much for the eight second rule for goalkeepers, how about something similar for the refs for fannying around so much from free kicks and corners. Such a yawn-fest! There was a sweet moment in the Cove when the fans starting chanting Come On You Boys In Blue, the Newcastle fans in the rest of the stadium clapping in tune with the beat, albeit inadvertently, making it seem like a joint effort. Joe Lolley was introduced, Akon having run his heart out, and Lolley was the right sort of player to keep possession and make things happen on the break.

Wood, Campuzano and Lolley combined in the second period of extra time, Lolley’s cross from the right striking a defender and we all thought it was going in, but it dropped wide of the post again. The referee had a poor moment, trying and failing to get out of the way of a Sydney counter attack, earning jeers from the away bays – he had broken up a promising attack, definitely a card there, ref! Alexandar Popovic had a free header from an exquisite cross from Ahmet Arslan that was well saved, and Campuzano was right in front but couldn’t connect from a Lolley cross. It was hair-rising stuff. The game ended on a lull, Okon Jr letting a ball run out of play and Jets players down on the floor needing treatment – the referee blew for full time and we had penalties.

Up stepped Lolley with the first, the Jets keeper guessed right and pushed it away. Memories of Auckland FC in the Australia Cup were haunting us. Devenish-Meares brought out a Schwarzer-esque save to keep the first Jets penalty out, and we continued through the penalty shootout until Bertoncello had his saved, teeing up a John Aloisi moment for Garuccio, who made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to rifle into the top corner for a thrilling penalty shootout victory in front of the Jets home end.

  • The players finally make it to the Cove
  • Such frivolity on the field and in the stands
  • Wooooooaaaaaahh-ey-ey-ey-ey
  • Someone getting a kicking from the cops
  • Now you wouldn’t see Ufuk doing that
  • Away fans’ buses in the car park – proper football!

The players piled on up the far end. The away bays erupted, plenty of gentle banter for the departing masses in the bays next door. Meanwhile a fan, we couldn’t tell which persuasion but he was in black, was getting a hiding from the police in the concourse behind. The majority of the stadium emptied quickly, quite a disappointment from a Newcastle point of view, this now being the final match of the season and their players and fans denied an appropriate farewell after a brilliant campaign.

For Sydney FC it was extra-sweet. The players eventually made their way to the away bays – no one was going anywhere, the majority were on the buses anyway, who wouldn’t have left without them – and the mood was boistrous. The PA system was playing the part of pantomime villain, blasting unnecessary music out. Paddy Wood got the first chant, all the players joining in, ‘Oooh Sevenish Beers’ was next and the players linked hands and celebrated with the Cove. It was fantastic! Patrick Kisnorbo was now free from his post-match media duties and the players all went to him for a hug. How different the club is now that the negativity has gone – even someone like PK getting hugs; speaks volume about his predecessor.

It was now very late, 11pm or so. We wandered down the ramp past the buses and the packed car park, the traffic stuck in a standstill as we weaved through and onto the main road and up back to the car with the crowds. It was half time in the FA Cup final when we got home, so in the early hours; what a day we’d had, and it conjured up a desire to do it all again as soon as possible. Auckland FC v Sydney FC 6.10pm at Mount Smart; a wet week is coming up, park football may be cancelled in Sydney, but the initial look at flights indicated a severe dent in the FIFA World Cup budget that is probably going to kybosh any thoughts of heading to New Zealand next Saturday morning. Don’t discount one member of the Sydney Royals popping up at Go Media Stadium, if the club was to charter a couple of flights you never know, stranger things have happened. Grand final week, drink it in!

A-League tipping – semi-finals second leg : Now or never

The A-League is reaching its pinnacle, both semi-final ties poised beautifully for maximum second-leg drama, and it’s down to the away teams to remain steadfast to stop the home crowds carrying their heroes to victory. If you’re a neutral, these games are mouth-watering, although even a neutral has a soft spot for the romance associated with Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets. The bling of Sydney FC doesn’t sparkle as it did and Auckland FC’s shiny new bandwagon is mis-firing, so two home wins are almost certainly going to give us the grand final the people want.

Make sure you tune in on Friday and Saturday for some rip-roaring A-League action as we decide who will play in the grand final and cap off the season in style.

The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions’ temporary home is enjoying having you here. This is a safe space for discussion and banter, and you can join in by submitting your tips and giving yourself a shout-out in the comments below. Enjoy this one, it’s going to be special.

Wanted man Mark Natta – another to move abroad? Photo : Texi Smith

Stuart Thomas

Adelaide, Newcastle

Well what a dud of a first leg  it was! Two draws and it all comes down to the home teams being good enough to cash in and make the statement that gets them into the grand final.

I think both can do it, with the Reds always good things at home and the Jets the form team and more than capable of knocking off the evil Sydney FC. Let’s hope it plays out that way and we get a grand final in the Hunter between the best two teams in the league across the course of the season.

Hair or no hair? Which version of Ben Gibson is your favourite? Photo : Texi Smith

Andrew Prentice

Adelaide, Newcastle

Two cracking games last week in their respective 1st legs brought us no closer to the eventual Grand Finalists. It seemed that Adelaide picked up the most momentum by coming away from the tough-to-visit Mount Smart all-square as they go into what should be a raucous packed house at Hindmarsh on Friday night. Auckland have – if not hit the skids – then have slid off-course by not registering a regular-time win in any of their last six games. The Reds most pressing issue is when to unleash Craig Goodwin, who has made off-the-bench cameos when needed since returning from injury. They will also have Luka Jovanovic available and the most pressing issue for HIM is keeping his shirt on. Adelaide to edge this, even if it takes them extra time.

The Sydney-Jets clash at the SFS last week reminds us how great the A League can be. An end-to-end classic which could have given either side an advantage with the odd bit of luck but ended up playing right down the middle. Broadmeadow should be heaving for the rematch as the Jets hunt for the Impossible Treble of cup, premiership and championship. The Sky Blues marked attribute since Patrick Kisnorbo’s arrival has been defensive resilience. But this will be by far their sternest test – a packed house of rabid fans in Australia’s great football nursery, and a team that have routinely ploughed irrigation furrows through defences all season. Sydney have the experience and discipline but after the season they’ve had, the Jets deserve a finals place so this pick has a degree of sentimentality to it. Jets to win.

At the World Cup already following his team’s demise in Auckland, it’s Aziz Behich Photo : Texi Smith

Texi Smith

Auckland, Sydney

The weekend kicks off on Friday night with Adelaide United at home in their magnificent amphitheatre to welcome Auckland FC to a duel, winner takes all. The Reds were much the better team in last week’s first leg in New Zealand, they’ll be weighed down by the expectancy though and this will be a free hit for the visitors, looking to topple the bookies’ favourites on the night in their own backyard. The first half is a showcase of intricate football from the hosts, mixed with some outrageous pace down each flank, but there will be no goals. An edgy Coopers Stadium crowd can scarcely believe it when Francis De Vries delivers an in-swinging free kick which deceives Jushua Smits and bounces in without a touch. From there, it’s all-out attack from Adelaide with Auckland relying on brief spells of possession on the counter-attack. No surprises then, when Jesse Randall is played clean through with the Reds’ defence committed to attack and he completes the smash-and-grab, Auckland through to their first grand final.

A fan favourite, Stefan Colacovski, waiting patiently for next season. Photo : Texi Smith

The fleet of buses carrying Sydney FC fans up the M1 is testament to the huge interest in this game as they somehow maintain belief in their team following a season of mediocrity and underachievement. The Newcastle Jets fans are out in force for tonight’s semi-final decider, and there is a sprinkling of magic in the air as the two teams emerge to a raucous crowd at Newcastle’s premier sporting venue. A surprise start for Victor Campuzano has a defence-minded Sydney FC a little off-kilter in the first half, unable to keep possession for any length of time and making this more of a defence v attack training session for the Jets. The lack of opportunities for the home team to run at and expose the Sydney defence is telling and they remain frustrated in an absorbing first half, Harrison Devenish-Meares making a number of saves but never looking like being beaten. A change in personnel midway through the second half has Sydney FC coming out of their shell, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Paddy Wood offering a different option, but Clayton Taylor and Eli Adams continue the barrage from the home team. The late introduction of Joe Lolley, with extra time in mind, is a masterstroke, and he has a hand in the late winner that seals a one-goal victory for the Sky Blues, Wood turning Lolley’s mis-hit right-foot cross past James Delianov in injury time to send the Sky Blue travelling army into delirium.

One point separates our tipsters, after all this time. The Crowd has romped to victory, but it’s the battle for second that is as hot as we’ve ever seen. Has Smith thrown caution to the wind in an attempt to overturn Prentice? Or will Thomas storm through to tee up a silver medal showdown next weekend? Let’s see :

Again, click three times to register your tips in support of The Crowd. Your input will help make sure that the tipsters stay far behind in the chasing pack with one game to play…

Your favourite sports debate website is not coming back. The Roar is still up and running, but there is no content now for over four months and there is no one steering the ship. What a sad state of affairs. Tell us where you’ll be hanging out for your fill of football banter when the World Cup and the next A-League season comes around. Comments welcome below…

Perfectly poised after Allianz scrap

Sydney FC 1 Newcastle Jets 1

Sydney FC’s reward for their endeavours in Melbourne last weekend was a home first-leg semi-final against newly crowned premiers Newcastle Jets. What followed gave us no indication of what the final outcome will be, the visitors being awarded time and space on the break, but the hosts having perhaps the bulk of the highlights reel in a sometimes tense draw. All eyes on McDonald Jones Stadium next Saturday when our boys in blue go looking to repeat their early-season demolition of the Jets in their own backyard.

  • Bit early, but the police were there
  • The march is on!
  • Allianz Stadium and its devotees
  • One last walk up the steps this season
  • The march reaches its destination

We’re now into bonus game territory, and this one fell on a very busy football day; we battled the heavy traffic through Sydney to get to the Entertainment Centre car park which was as full as we’ve seen it, ending up on the highest level that was open. The concert queue at the Hordern Pavillion didn’t give any indication of the genre of music served up by Mariah The Scientist but we had other plans, the march at the Tibby Cotter bridge, which saw a wall of police officers block the western side of the bridge in preparation for the arriving masses out of the darkness. A superb chant for Tiago Quintal brought smiles to everyone’s faces. The march across to Allianz Stadium was incident free, instructions from authorities making it clear that any flare action would lead to the whole march being denied entry on arrival. Such pettiness, much like the removal of the drum and mega at CommBank Stadium, already suggesting an us vs them confrontation that was totally unnecessary. Luckily the police presence was limited, as it should be.

As a result of being in the march, we were earlier than expected into the stadium, drinks and dinner of champions of sushi and hot chips acquired, and we retreated to our usual seats. Great to be back after the last game when we treated ourselves to the Sydney Arms, but we were surrounded by lots of unfamiliar faces, many of them not in the least bit interested in the what was about to unfold down below. Akol Akon was in the starting line-up, this was positive, but the Jets teamsheet looked menacing and Sydney would need to be on top of their game in this one. The new pre-match experience was much more palatable, no blaring music, and the growing atmosphere and expectation was more than enough to build anticipation for the arrival of the teams. Perhaps those in charge have finally realised that football is the entertainment and we don’t need the razzamatazz shoved down our throats before the game.

There was confusion down below when our fearless capo appeared and then disappeared – luckily he was back for kick off and with his expert drummer by his side, they whipped up a frenzy in the Cove.

  • The special ticket-holders
  • Whoosh and the players are out
  • Us versus them
  • Ambience at smokey Allianz Stadium
  • Jostling from corners

The game was off to a flyer early on, Sydney having won the toin coss to shoot towards the Jets fans in the first half, and a goalmouth scramble in the early exchanges almost saw the ball bundled in up the far end. Goal machine Eli Adams warmed the home fans by taking his eye off the ball and letting it run out of play to a chorus of jeers. Alexandar Popovic showed us some silky skills to play his defence out of trouble before playing a suicidal ball across goal that thankfully wasn’t punished. We had the strange sight of Rhyan Grant positioning himself in left midfield, himself and Ben Garuccio having tracked their players to opposite sides, and it took a break in play for them to swap back and restore the balance.

The SFC chant had the drum steaming again, but Sydney should have been a goal behind from a corner that was deflected high into the air and caused a mad scramble right in front of goal, Harrison Devenish-Meares waiting for his moment to pounce on the ball. It was exciting, Sydney looked dangerous, Paul Okon-Engstler was aggrieved to have been booked for his first foul, although it didn’t look too clever on the replay. It was all to play for at half time and the crowd had been thoroughly entertained.

  • The Cove in great voice
  • The real half time heroes
  • View from the away bays
  • The Jets playing mind games

Half time is always a good time to have a walk around the stadium concourse to see the sights, the Jets fans still confident of a result, and bemoaning Okon Jr’s inclusion in the Socceroos ahead of former Sydney FC fan favourite Max Burgess. Sydney FC were out on time for kick off, the referee team was out, but there was no sign of the Newcastle Jets; perhaps this was mind games, perhaps they were getting a roasting from Mark Milligan.

After Quintal had shown some sublime skills, Sydney FC had the lead quickly and it was a controversial goal; a deflected ball high in the air seeing the excellent Mark Natta and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos challenge for the ball. From our angle, it looked an obvious foul from the Sydney striker, nudging the Jets defender as he rose, but the ball broke perfectly for Stama, who bravely connected with the header ahead of goalkeeper James Delianov and sent the ball into the net for 1-0. There was doubt about the validity of the goal, the referee was happy to award it, and the nervous few seconds before the resumption of play gave way to cheers as the goal stood.

The lead wouldn’t last long. Quintal fired in a fierce shot that was punched away and all of a sudden the Jets were on the break on the left, Clayton Taylor taking advantage of some generous defending to break clear, and his excellent cross-field pass found Adams who lashed the ball past the advancing HDM for 1-1. Attack to defence in five seconds, and Sydney’s defence was ripped wide open. Stama took a touch and curled one just around the post right in front of us, so close to a second. Delianov’s number on his shirt didn’t seem to be painted on correctly, but he was in good form.

Paddy Wood appeared and everyone shifted in their seats in anticipation, but it was Jordan Courtney-Perkins who went close from a corner, the replay on the screen perhaps justifying his appeal to the referee for the corner. Wood was free in the box waiting for someone to pass to for the tap-in and somehow emulated Eli Adams by letting the ball run out of play unchallenged, looking to the skies and the assistant referee in dismay. Sydney were building, but the Jets looked dangerous every time they ventured forward. Joe Lolley came on to great applause, Akol Akon’s injury perhaps well timed, and his trademark runs down the right started to give Sydney an edge. The players were too eager to pass to him, choosing him as the wrong option at times, but his skill on the ball was undeniable.

There was some ping pong in the penalty area up the far end, as danger man Xavier Bertoncello teed up a series of shots that were cleared; it was exciting, it was frustrating, it was everything you could hope for from a semi-final first leg. Okon Jr played a dodgy ball across field which alomst opened up the Sydney backline for a counter attack, but the Jets gave it straight back. There was a late shout for a penalty as Wood teed up fellow sub Ahmet Arslan, but he took an extra touch which invited the contact and it would have been harsh. There was further drama as Victor Campuzano was adjudged to have fouled his defender and was clean through, but the referee decided it was a foul; swap that with the Stama penalty appeal and you have two very similar situations.

  • It’s a goal!
  • The last home game of the season
  • Lo lo lo! Rubbish collection.
  • Applause for the fans

That was enough for one night, and the referee brought the game to a close. There was no big celebration after the game to mark the final home game, there was a quick walk around by some of the players to acknowledge the crowd and then some signatures. Joe Lolley was doing his warm-down all by himself until the Jets subs joined him; he was very available for selfies and signatures afterwards, suggesting that it could be his final appearance for Sydney FC here tonight. What a shame if it is!

We filtered out into the night, u-turning to go for a quick drink when we saw the queue to get out of the car park, and were back in the north west suburbs of our fair city around 11.30pm, exhausted but happy after a positive football day and a real chance at getting something in Newcastle on Saturday.

I urge everyone who can get up to McDonald Jones Stadium next weekend to do so. The lack of trains is poorly timed, but there are buses being laid on by Sydney FC – I’m sure they’re not free. It will be a big rush after a 3pm kick off to get there in time for kick off and in time to get a car spot, but we’re in. See you next Saturday for the biggest game of the season at what will surely be a full-house in Newcastle, and if the scintillating form of Wataru Kamijo and Paul Okon-Engstler continues, we’re in with a huge shot. Forza Sydney FC!

I wish I got a better photo of this. There’s some sort of metaphor, allegory or something in here. You can almost hear the police officer saying “You went to watch this shit?” while pointing at the Football Australia sign.

A-League tipping – semi-finals first leg : all to play for

Super Saturday is back again! Last week we had a feast of football as Auckland FC and Sydney FC both squeezed into the semi-final stage, and we now have guaranteed excitement over two weekends as the A-League’s best team looks to wrap up their swashbuckling season in style. Do the Jets have what it takes up against a resilient, unbeaten Patrick Kisnorbo side who last lost in March in the corresponding fixture at Allianz Stadium on the eve of his appointment? Centre stage will first be taken by Auckland FC v Adelaide United, the Reds having forced their opponents to walk the tightrope of the elimination final that they only just survived. Two rocking stadiums for the second legs may prove the difference, but these first-leg ties could write a different script for next weekend.

Get amongst it! Saturday is football day.

We hope you’re enjoying The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions, here at its temporary home. Everyone is welcome here, and you can all comment and judge the tipsters’ selections as The Crowd increases its healthy margin of victory in the final few games of the 2025/26 season.

Eli Adams looking for another medal this season Photo : Texi Smith

Stuart Thomas

Auckland, Newcastle

And so we reach the most competitive fortnight of the A-League finals. The two legged semi-finals that promise to bring plenty of action. At home, Auckland will take a one goal advantage away from the first leg and head to Adelaide, that will be a perfect set-up for the second match.

Sydney have gotten better throughout the course of the season and are currently proving very difficult to beat. The Jets have the weapons to do so and will take a lead back to Newcastle in the hope of sealing a spot in the decider next weekend.

Craig Goodwin a late bolter for a Socceroos spot in North America? Photo : Texi Smith

Andrew Prentice

Auckland, Draw.

Sometimes the week off is a momentum-killer. Sometimes, it’s a godsend for a battered or tired squad. For Luka Jovanovic, it gave him an extra week to think about when it is appropriate to disrobe in ecstasy, which is not a couple of minutes after you receive a yellow card. Get a room, Luka! The striker’s absence in the first leg in Auckland swings the momentum ever so slightly towards the home side, who survived an epic against City last week at the same venue. The Black Knights will be keen to prove the point that THEY should have been the team coming second by getting the jump on Adelaide, though I think they’ll only be a one goal margin for them to take to Adelaide next weekend.

Saturday night’s game at the SFS pits the best attack in the league against the best defence. Sydney have looked resolute under Patrick Kisnorbo and were able to withstand the Victory attack last week and snatch a late winner through Patrick Wood. Whether they try the same smash-and-grab tactics at home against the Jets might well depend on Joe Lolley. An unused sub last week, you’d have to think that at some point in this first leg he’ll see game time. No lead is safe against Newcastle, who have made a habit of comebacks to go with their scoring prowess. I fancy Mark Milligan’s side will go for the win and settle for the draw, ensuring the second leg encounter will have everything to play for.

Sydney FC fans shocked at getting through their big blue test Photo : Texi Smith

Texi Smith

Adelaide, Sydney

Auckland FC don’t look like the dominant force they once were. It’s as though the Corica effect is wearing off, much in the same way it did when he took over Graham Arnold’s super Sydney FC. They scraped through to the semi-finals after looking nailed-on for most of the season, surviving a penalty shoot-out against a valiant Melbourne City side here last weekend. They owe their semi-final opponents a dig in the ribs after the Reds sent them into that elimination final, and they set about dismantling their South Australian visitors from the opening whistle. Once again, the home team struggle to convert their possession into goals, Sam Cosgrove a non-playing character for most of the game, and as the contest enters the last fifteen minutes, there is genuine concern at the lack of goal action in Joshua Smits’ six-yard box. That anxiety creeps into the players and a crunching tackle by Ryan White catches the usually reliable Jake Girwood-Reich in possession and the ball rolls to substitute Craig Goodwin to sweep the ball home for a stunning upset in the first leg.

The elder statesman imparts his knowledge of Sydney FC to the Jets’ players Photo : Texi Smith

So, which idiot backed Sydney FC to get the win last week? PK will set his side up to grind out a result in the first leg of the semi-final at Allianz Stadium against the all-conquering Newcastle Jets. A meagre crowd at Moore Park will urge their team forward, but the brakes will definitely be on, possession valued more than penetration. It makes for an uneasy watch, Sydney thinking they know how to play out from the back, the Jets sniffing around for mistakes, and when Kosta Grozos fires home at the end of the first half, the tie looks to be going only one way. Sydney FC take off their civilian clothes and don their capes in an incredible second-half turnaround, a scintillating performance of attacking football bringing them level on the hour, and the Jets are completely helpless as Joe Lolley is thrown on for the final twenty minutes to play the ultimate decoy man, allowing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos to fire home a winner against his old club as the clock ticks towards the 90. An incredible save by Harrison Devenish-Meares preserves that slender lead, Eli Adams already wheeling away in celebration as the Sydney keeper tips a shot around the post in front of the visiting fans. It’s all set up for a thrilling second leg in Newy!

Look at that tipping ladder. The Crowd strides away to victory in first place, needing just one tip to secure the title, but the tipsters are locked together at this late stage of the season. Anything can happen, especially with those selections :

Again it’s only three clicks to register your tips for The Crowd. Make sure you help this year’s winners increase their lead over the hapless also-rans behind…

The Roar has been off air for months now. Is it safe to say it’s not coming back? What on earth could they be fighting over in court? Let’s finish the season with a flourish and fool ourselves into thinking we’re back on our favourite sports website with a comments bonanza. Unleash below…

A-League tipping – Elimination finals : On a knife edge

The reward for making the top two of the A-League ladder is a week off, but that can be a poisoned chalice; any momentum built up is gone, although the extra seven days can help get players fit from their end of season fatigue and injuries. This Saturday sees two juicy games on the agenda, with out-of-form Auckland FC first up against Melbourne City, whose stellar run to the finals was finally blunted by Adelaide. Then the glamour Saturday night Big Blue at AAMI Park between old foes Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC takes centre-stage, the home team surely favourites to advance to the two-legged semi-finals next week.

Cancel all plans for Saturday.

The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions continues at its temporary home. We love to see you here, and we do notice that people still visit from The Roar after all this time! Keep reading to see what your genial tipsters tipped for the elimination finals – looks like at least one tipster has gone for broke, and the boxing gloves are on at Tips & Predictions HQ!

Wesley counting the empty seats at Wanderers’ final home game Photo : Texi Smith

Stuart Thomas

Auckland, Victory

It promises to be an outstanding weekend of Elimination Finals in the A-League and the crashing and burning taking place at the top of the tipping ladder has me in stitches. Prentice should stick to wrestling and Smith has too much Sky Blue in his head. Here are the winners this weekend.

Auckland have been good all season and should confirm their credentials with a win against City on Saturday afternoon. The visitors have had little luck with injury this season, yet the home side will be better for longer and get the win to advance to the final four.

Victory have been an improving beast late in the season and a win will have them close to another decider. I think they beat Sydney FC in what will certainly be a fiery and classic encounter. Red cards, streakers, fights in the bleachers and a heavy police presence all assured.

Alex Robinson ending the season with a clean sheet Photo : Texi Smith

Andrew Prentice

Auckland, Victory

The Black Knights will take to Mount Smart in a filthy mood, having safely nestled in the top two until literally the last seconds of the regular season. They’ll want to take that frustration out on a City side who inexplicably collapsed in injury time last week to let Adelaide sneak into second spot after a 97th minute winner from Luka Jovanovic (who then did the maddest, dumbest thing ever to get himself red-carded – the goalkeepers’ union is taking out an injunction as they feel they’ve cornered the madness market). ANYWAY, Auckland to win here backed by a big home crowd and the attacking prowess of any number of options from May to Cosgrove (if fit).

An Elimination final Big Blue, a coach returning to the place he walked out of, the possible return of two very big names… if you like your play-off games with added spice then this one is the vindaloo of matches. While Patrick Kisnorbo has steadied a Sky Blue ship that was listing badly, they still haven’t look world-beaters as they scrapped and clawed their way to narrow, obstinate wins and draws. Rumours of a Joe Lolley return might lift that stock considerably but you’d hardly expect him to be fit for a full game. Juan Mata on the other hand (or elbow) is poised to return as the game conductor for the Victory. A crowd fired up by Evangeline the violinist should back the home side to a result fitting its name.

Tim Payne of Wellington Phoenix – not in the finals Photo : Texi Smith

Texi Smith

Auckland, Sydney

Following their last-gasp equaliser in Sydney, and the denial of a VAR check on the final whistle, Auckland FC may feel aggrieved to have dropped out of the top two in the last round after dominating and then pursuing the Jets all the way this season. Melbourne City fluffed their lines late on against Adelaide United to finish in sixth, and that was a reality check ahead of the finals series. Roared on by a raucous home crowd at Mount Smart, Auckland set about dismantling their opponents with a display from the top drawer, Jesse Randall making a nuisance of himself from the opening minute. Their one-goal lead at half-time is scant reward for their dominance. City strike unexpectedly on the hour as Medin Mehmeti scores with his first touch after coming on as a sub, the Port watches on anxiously until a winner finally arrives from hit-man Guillermo May for the slenderest of wins for the home team.

Clarismario Santos showing a cool head to score at CommBank Stadium Photo : Texi Smith

Only a total fool would back Sydney FC at AAMI Park to get the job done. They have now proven under Patrick Kisnorbo that the same issues persist – a lack of a proven goalscorer, an absence of offensive thinking when in possession going forward, and players that are simply not up to the task. Melbourne Victory’s smash-and-grab win at Western Sydney Wanderers may though be a false positive – they were lacking ideas in that game and will struggle to compete against the dynamic midfield duo of Wataru Kamijo and Paul Okon-Engstler as the home crowd grows restless. A performance for the ages from captain Rhyan Grant sees him pop up all over the field, and he’s there to nod a deep corner back in for Jordan Courtney-Perkins to head home and send the Sydney FC fans into raptures. It’s all about defence from then on, Clarismario Santos shackled by Alexandar Popovic, and Harrison Devenish-Meares in Socceroos form. A single goal wins it, and Victory are cursing that their finals series is over before it really began.

All change in the tipping ladder. While The Crowd can still be caught in theory, it’s a light jog to the finsh line, while the also-rans jostle for position behind. Thomas and Prentice neck and neck, with Smith still in the hunt. Ooh it’s exciting :

Three clicks to register your tips for The Crowd. Click one, click two and submit. Don’t leave without putting your tips in…

The Roar is unlikely to be coming back. We have to get used to it, and we have to get past it. But we can pretend we’re still there by cooking up a comments frenzy ahead of Saturday’s two blockbuster fixtures; who knows we may be back next season if that’s what the public wants!

Kiwi giveaway seals Big Blue knockout

Sydney FC 2 Auckland FC 2

A late equaliser from Guillermo May saw Sydney FC throw away a home final after Alexandar Popovic had struck what looked like the winner, the result and performance a perfect allegory for the Sky Blues’ faltering season. A goalless first half didn’t inspire, but once the teams were shooting towards their own fans, Ben Garuccio’s opener was certainly coming. What we didn’t foresee was Patrick Kisnorbo’s air-tight defence breached so soon when May was left all alone at the back post to head home, and the action was building up to its dramatic end that saw any chance of a home finals match evaporate. Luckily we had chosen to upgrade our tickets to the Sydney Arms; the pain was eased by free-flowing Stone and Wood for three hours.

  • Easy journey
  • Busy on the light rail
  • This is not an artist’s impression
  • Dominating the skyline
  • Wait, people queue to get in?
  • Exclusive signing opportunity

What seemed like an awkward time for a game turned out to be perfect timing, the 11am kick off for West Ryde Rovers Over 40 Women Division 2 giving us a window to make the journey from the north west suburbs in time for gates opening, something that we haven’t experienced for years. Our usual gate had a long line waiting to get in, and our gate for today around the back was awash with half-time heroes and their families trying to work out where they were meant to go. We had treated ourselves to a membership upgrade to celebrate the conclusion of our birthday month, the new concept of The Sydney Arms giving us an opportunity to get loose while watching from a padded half-way line seat on the sunny side of the stadium.

  • Long line to see the Sky Blues
  • A summary of what we were about to see
  • Picture perfect day at the SFS
  • More queues
  • Shirts of yesteryear
  • Feeling posh

The warm-ups were happening on the field, but the real warm-up was happening on level 2 as we took full advantage of the beers, burgers and pies before heading out to see the Anzac Day ceremony. That was very well done, the two national anthems of New Zealand and Australia warmly applauded at the conclusion. Ducking back for one more frothy brew, it was time to settle in for the first half, Sydney missing their striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, sitting in the stands alongside us, and employing Ahmet Arslan as the central marksman, perhaps sending mixed messages to Victor Campuzano and Paddy Wood on the bench.

We got to see the frustrating side of Al Hassan Toure early in the game, setting off on his runs too early, but he almost caught out Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud who came out of his box and thought twice about picking up the ball. Garuccio on the other side was having a barnstorming start to the game, and that culminated in a weaving bulldozing run through the visitors’ defence that saw his fierce shot ping off the corner of post and crossbar, Tiago Quintal unable to find a way to goal from the rebound. There were meaty challenges, Wataru Kamijo and Piero Quispe on the receiving end, but the referee kept play going as much as possible. There was also a penalty appeal, the crowd adamant that Quintal had been brought down until the replay showed he had fabricated contact and ‘play on’ was the right decision. Harrison Devenish-Meares was almost caught with the ball right in front of goal as Sydney laboured to play the ball out from the back, but the defence looked solid, Popovic and Jordan Courtney-Perkins winning everything in the air.

  • Fair enough, just like a pub
  • Anzac Day celebrations
  • Pomp and ceremony
  • Action from up high
  • Far out – they have cup-holders!
  • Different view of the Cove
  • Beaming in the sunshine

The score at the break was unsurprising, the excellent Paul Okon-Engstler having gone close with a low shot, but Sydney FC were blunt in attack, Stamatelopoulos retreating with his family from the beaming sun into the cool dark ‘pub’ to enjoy some half-time food and entertainment. It was tough going in the sun, but it was soon to go behind the opposite stand and we’d have a perfect view of the second half. The toddler race grand final was a close affair, and after collecting yet another cloudy beer from inside, I took my spot for the second half, one of only a handful of people to make it back to my seat to see the start of the second half; it’s a common sight at high-profile games, the swathe of empty seats while the occupants take advantage of the unlimited food and beverage – I don’t think I belong here.

  • Half time entertainment
  • Toddlers, are you ready?
  • At the going down of the sun…
  • Typical scene after half-time in the posh seats
  • Draught excluder
  • Uh oh, couldn’t have done that if you tried

The game was soon to come to life, HDM plucking a corner out of the air right in front of goal. Now that Piero Quispe was on our side we could see exactly what was happening. Maybe it’s an instruction from PK, maybe it’s the players deciding to do it themselves, but nobody passes to Quispe. He was often the obvious ball, and the player in possession would turn and go the other way. When he did receive a ball after heading back inside to find a touch, he strode forward and brought a good save from Woud, the rebound just out of reach of Arslan. Toure flashed a ball in front of Arslan soon after, having picked up a loose ball out wide. The goal was coming, and when it did it was Quispe with the shimmy on the edge of the area before off-loading to Garuccio. The in-form defender shaped to shoot with his left before turning inside and slotting a low shot into the net before racing into the corner as the crowd rose as one. We thought it had taken a deflection, such was the non-reaction from goalkeeper Woud, but on replay it seemed to just deceive everyone.

Wood for Quintal was an odd move, the young winger having offered so much more than the insipid Toure, and he hadn’t been on the field for five seconds when Auckland equalised – a long throw saw the Sydney defence completely switch off, the marking non-existent as Auckland players were allowed to move untracked, Popovic was forced to abandon his man and May was left in acres of space to head the ball home. What a horrible way to concede. Akol Akon and Campuzano were brought on, the utterly uninspiring Toure and the hard-working but ineffectual Arslan making way. Frustratingly Akon would be unwilling to take on his man, choosing to go back to Rhyan Grant instead – we know what he can do, he just has to take the risk.

Courtney-Perkins had a good header flash by the near post, the game was opening up now with the visitors breaking at speed. Quispe caught Auckland napping with a quick corner that almost paid dividends, and it was his corner soon after, flicked on by Campuzano, that found Popovic stealing in behind, and he prodded the ball into the roof of the net before wheeling away in celebration. Fantastic! Surely Sydney had got the win they needed and thoughts turned to getting further late goals to lift us up into second spot. Instead it was Auckland who attacked, Sam Cosgrove a millimetre away from connecting at the far post, and while Akon did wow the crowd with a sweet turn and cross at the other end, it was no shock when the visitors struck. Again it was horrible defending in the box, the unmarked player at the far post lifting the ball back in for May to power in a header unchallenged. The Auckland fans went crazy behind HDM’s goal. There was still time, but the game could go either way, the excellent Kamijo firing over with a hopeful effort, before one of the game’s stupider moments as Paddy Wood kicked the ball out of Woud’s control as the Auckland keeper went to kick the ball upfield – that’s been outlawed for so long, every single fan in the stadium was asking why, Patrick, why?

The game ended with the Auckland players surrounding the referee – it looked like captain Grant had handled in the area – it was on our side – as he went in for a tussle just before the final whistle; now what are the rules in that scenario? Can play be brought back for VAR even if the final whistle has sounded? The boos echoed around the stadium, there was little love between the players and the fans, the home support having endured so much disappointment in a lacklustre season that has somehow still yielded a finals berth.

  • The action heats up
  • Michelle makes an Olympian friend
  • See you next year?
  • Akol Akon, already a fan favourite

There was time for a final beer as the party moved back indoors, the blackout curtains allowing us to forget that there had even been a game on, and a strange re-run of a Man Utd v Forest EPL game on the big screens. We were ushered out onto the stadium precinct, and headed off to the Dove and Olive on the light rail to take in the final game of the A-League season to see who we’d play next week.

As partygoers headed off, we took the train back to our local area, enjoying one last beer in the two local pubs before finally getting back home around midnight. A huge day, thankfully no boozy plans made to head to next Saturday’s Big Blue elimination final, and a fitting way to probably farewell the 2025/26 season as a Sydney FC member, barring a miracle. The Sydney Arms? Well that was kinda fun. An evening game would have worked better, having the sun in our eyes in the first half was a real shit, but the concept was good, the food was splendid and the execution very professional. The mood was very upbeat despite the final score, and the sprinkling of familiar faces in the throng gave it quite a celebratory feel. Would I go again? I think I would, maybe once a season, but it was certainly a diversion from the football experience and I’m definitely more at home in Cove Heights amongst the atmosphere without the lure of unlimited food and drinks.

If this is the last home game of the season, thanks for being part of 2025/26 and reading along. It hasn’t been smooth sailing this season in the men’s or women’s competitions, but we’ll be back for more when the new season rolls around again in October. Bring. It. On!

A-League tipping Round 26 : Unfinished business

How typical that Newcastle Jets got to celebrate their A-League premiership plate on a day when they didn’t play, and how their arch-rivals the Central Coast Mariners must feel having handed them the title and then following it up by joining in the celebrations this weekend at McDonald Jones Stadium in the F3 derby. The top six is decided, but the Asian Champions League spot(s) are not, nor is the configuration of the upcoming finals. This is where the excitement comes for the final round, so get amongst it and get along to an A-League game this weekend.

Thank you for stopping by at The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions at its temporary home. Always a pleasure to have you here! The Crowd will soon be crowned as the rightful winners of the tipping competition, and it is thanks to you that the expert tipsters have been floundering behind. Keep reading to see what they think after weighing up this final round of the regular season.

Let the good times roll for the 2026 Premiers Photo : Texi Smith

Stuart Thomas

Macarthur, Newcastle, Victory, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide

It is something of a dud of a final round of tipping for the current season, with the top six decided and just positions to fight for at the top of the ladder. 

Macarthur and Wellington are out and the Bulls will at least end the campaign on the right note. The Jets are focused, whilst the Mariners are ready for a trip away. The result seems certain in the Hunter. Melbourne Victory could finish as high as third and must beat the Wanderers well to do so. They will. 

Perth Glory and Brisbane means nothing, and let’s face it, both have been a little disappointing after promising more earlier in the season. Perth to end things well and start yet another reboot to their roster. Sydney FC and Auckland is the blockbuster and the home side will win but not do enough to move past the visitors.

The final match of the round is the pick of the bunch in my view. City could fall to as low as sixth and the Reds can jump to second with a win and if things play out well for them. The visitors with three points and the Auckland v Sydney match to decide second as a result.

When was the last time we saw this many fans in the home end in Gosford? Photo : Texi Smith

Andrew Prentice

Wellington, Newcastle, Victory, Perth, Sydney, City

Given the way the table was shaping just a few weeks ago, it’s a letdown that the main issues are resolved before the last round starts (a bit like skipping the post-coital cigarette in a noir film). There are however, some significant issues to settle within the top six. None of them will be on show in the Friday night dead rubber at Campbelltown, where the home team will be rueing a form dip some weeks back that resembled the Young Ones bus going over the cliff in the last episode. Wellington have looked a different side since their coaching change and should beat the dispirited home team.

Once again, the TV powers-that-be have reamed proper football fans by not having this match in the prime slot. Sure, there’s nothing to play for, but it’s an F3 derby and a chance for the Jets to celebrate a historic Premiers Plate triumph. They have looked a team under pressure in recent weeks and maybe with the pressure valve relieved (courtesy of their opponents on Saturday), they’ll return to their swashbuckling best. The Mariners won’t be whipping boys though. With everything the club overcomes, they are never to be written off. The Jets in a party.

Instead, the horrendous Wanderers get their umpteenth prime time slot for the visit of the Victory, who could rise as high as 4th (with a lucrative home final as reward) if they beat the wooden spooners as expected. It’s no lie to say the A League needs a healthy, well-supported Wanderers, who so lit up the league over a decade ago that it seemed nothing would stand in the way of them becoming a mighty force. Perhaps the preparations for a revival have begun, but I can’t see it being enough to upset Victory on Saturday.

Perth are unbeaten in four. The Roar are winless in twelve. There’s nothing to suggest either of these streaks will change, except for the glimmer of Brisbane hope that their last win was at this venue against the Glory in January. Josh Risdon hangs ’em up after a stellar career – this should be motivation enough for a Perth win.

In a perfect world, THIS would be the game of the round, but Allianz Stadium hosts the traditional ANZAC Day NRL match on Saturday afternoon, so Sydney-Auckland is a Sunday game on a surface that will have been chewed up by rugby league less than 24 hours previously. Given the way Patrick Kisnorbo has set up the Sky Blues, this could suit them. Auckland blew a chance at the top spot with a loss to the Mariners and it might be a wholly unsatisfying homecoming for former FC coach Steve Corica. Another loss will see them tumble from a coveted top two position if Sydney win by 3 goals (or if Sydney and Adelaide both win) The 3 goals seems unlikely given a paucity of Sky Blue goals of late, but a win is on the cards for the home side.

That result would give Adelaide a boost before they take on City in the last game of the round. However, the reigning champions have found their form and will be looking to secure a home final after looking more likely to secure an ignominious lower table spot not long ago. Marcus Younis has become the most sought-after asset in A League fantasy teams in the last month, scoring for fun and running amok against opposition defences. Defence hasn’t been the Reds foundation stone this season and it might be the difference between the two sides as the curtain comes down on the home and away rounds.

Getting his hand on the Premiers plate, Clayton Taylor of the Newcastle Jets. Photo : Texi Smith

Texi Smith

Macarthur, Newcastle, Western Sydney, Perth, Sydney, City

What an underwhelming way to start the final round; the spectre of the Darwin play-off roulette is no longer a thing, finishing 7th or 9th makes absolutely no difference and we were just fortunate this season that the wooden spoon and finals spots took so long to be decided. Macarthur could and should have got something in Adelaide last week, while Wellington Phoenix confirmed Wanderers’ unwanted prize in Christchurch. Without the suspended Alex Rufer, Wellington are all at sea in the first half in Campbelltown here, in front of a meagre crowd, Anthony Caceres with an early goal. When Phoenix are reduced to ten on the hour, there is only one winner, Harry Sawyer’s towering header in the dying stages putting some gloss on a tough watch in Sydney’s South West. The season is over for both of these teams and all the early-season promise never really looked like lasting the distance.

Denied the joy of winning the premiership on a game day, Newcastle Jets entertain Central Coast Mariners for a party at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Mariners did the job in Auckland, could they do it again against their old foes and neighbours and spoil the celebrations for the Asian Champions League elect. With finals football coming up, Newcastle will be keen to go into their enforced break with a win, and to extend their lead at the top to make it look like they did it easy. That first goal against Victory was how far offside in the build-up? An expectant home crowd grows impatient as the Mariners continually catch the Jets on the break, the game remaining goalless at half time but with plenty of action. The Mariners pour forward as the gaps start to appear, but it’s that man Ben Gibson who finds himself all alone in the box and fires home under Andrew Redmayne for the winning goal. Cue the celebrations.

Anzac Day at CommBank Stadium, Melbourne Victory are the only ones tonight who are up for the battle. Hosts Western Sydney Wanderers are a club in total disarray, as demonstrated by their fan forum earlier in the week, and the players have done nothing to suggest that things will change between now and next season. Ryan Fraser must be wondering what he walked into in Parramatta, scoring valuable goals early on and making it all look easy, but watching as it all crumbled around him in a team that is not even bang average. Tonight’s visitors have it all to play for in the quest for a home elimination final, but it somehow all goes wrong and Wanderers come up with one of those unlikely results as Bozhidar Kraev scores twice in the first half. The second half is as exciting a game as Wanderers have been part of this season, Victory drawing level late on only for Brandon Borrello to poke in the winner with the last kick of the game. A-League, eh?

Ben Gibson set to lift the plate in front of the Mariners. Photo : Texi Smith

Perth Glory take on Brisbane Roar at HBF Park on Saturday night. The early-season promise from the Roar gave way to a non-stop slide down the ladder, while Perth Glory took a while to get started, had us entertained for a brief period around Christmas and then fell away badly in the latter stages. A club that has such passionate fans, boasts a quality attack and has a maverick head coach deserves more and for long periods of this game, they look the goods without delivering anything resembling a shot on goal. That all changes when Seb Despotovski shows great skill on the edge of the box to tee up Jaiden Kucharski for a tap in. Brisbane go on the attack, giving this a real knock-out feel, but when they waste their golden chance from the penalty spot, Perth go on to score twice more to seal the game in the dying stages. A great advert for A-League football, the perfect scoreline to attract fans back next year, and Brisbane play the role of fall guy to perfection.

The equation is simple at Allianz Stadium. A Sydney win will guarantee them a home elimination final. Anything else after that is an absolute bonus. The Anzac Day pomp and ceremony is a distraction as the players are forced off the field early in their warm-ups. Auckland FC are a wounded animal, ready to fight to the death to secure that second-place finish now that the premiership is out of reach. Their capitulation against the Central Coast Mariners was surprising and the buzz surrounding the club following their win in Newcastle in March has now completely disappeared. Sydney FC are yet to deliver the football that their attacking talent suggests, and their position in the A-League ladder has felt completely false all season. Time to deliver. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos scores in the opening minutes, Piero Quispe bamboozles his defender to fire in a second, and Sydney are looking on course for second spot. A wobble after half-time is nipped in the bud with some astute substitutions, and further goals from Paddy Wood and Jordan Courtney-Perkins send Steve Corica on his way with the label of one-season wonders firmly planted on their backs.

Saving the best til last, Melbourne City entertain Adelaide United in a shoot-out for a home elimination final. Four wins on the bounce for the home team and a two-month unbeaten run for the visitors suggests a world of entertainment for the AAMI Park crowd today, and they are treated to a fast, open game of exciting football to bring the regular season to a close. Ryan White has been a sensation for United, and it’s his tackle that sees the ball pop out to Yaya Dukuly to thrash home the opening goal on the half-hour. Aziz Behich squares things up just before half-time and City step up the pace in the second half, Zane Schrieber with a curling shot to take the lead, and Andreas Kuen with a marauding third. There’s time for Marcus Younis to further embellish his reputation with a fourth as Adelaide go all out. A breathtaking, swashbuckling end to the A-League season as City overtake the Reds and tee up a replay of this very game next week back at Melbourne’s premier rectangular stadium.

Look at the tipping scoreboard – it’s all change behind the leaders. The Crowd’s lead is safe, and with only a round’s worth of games in the finals, the people’s voice surely wins again. Let’s see who’s the best of the rest though :

Hoy your tips in the google doc below. Click, click, click, click, boom! Five seconds it’ll take you and your job is done. Don’t skip over this without doing it, right?

The comments section is slowly beginning to feel like The Roar used to be. Feel free to pop your tips and score predictions below where they will be ripped apart and scoffed at by your peers. Fire away…