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Well folks, Round One of the Hyundai A-League has come and gone, throwing up two six goal thrillers, two nil all draws, and a 1-0 win for the Graham Arnold led Mariners (who would have known he could coach?). That win, over new boys Melbourne Heart, whipped every sub-editor into a frenzy of 'heart' puns, each trying to outdo the next. Here's the pick of the bunch:
“Mariners Break Heart in A-League Opener”
“Heart sinks to Mariners”
“Wilkinson Breaks Melbourne Heart”
“Melbourne Heart ruled by Wilkinson Head”
“Van't Schip Takes Heart in loss”
“Is Melbourne's Heart in the right place”
And my personal favorite “Heart Murmur.”
I'm really looking forward to Hearts first four or five goal win for the headline "HEART ATTACK!" Only death and taxes are a surer thing than that happening - sooner rather than later let's hope.
Melbourne's new purpose built football stadium AAMI park looked a treat on Thursday night for the season opener and the Heart officials would be happy with the 12,000 odd on hand to witness the game. Graham Arnold's tactics of choking up the midfield wasn't pretty to watch but he got the result he was after - and for that he should be commended.
Friday night saw Robbie Fowler play his first competitive game for Perth Glory. The Shed was rocking and a return to the Halcyon days of the Glory doesn't seem far away. Glory supporters may have walked away disappointed to get a draw but the big winner on the night was the A-League (Kudos go to the brave Fury who put up a brave display and thoroughly deserved their share of the points).
Saturday nights game was an absolute cracker. Two teams that have a genuine rivalry - and now some small but genuine history - played out a 3-3 thriller. Shannon Cole scored a sizzling free kick after which can be described (at the very least) a dubious free kick. Thankyou again Matthew Breeze.
Sunday gave us the M1 derby and the return of THEO! to the A-League. It was a pity that nobody was at the ground to see it.
My Heroes of the Weekend:
Michael Theoklitos
Only three 'keepers have won championship medals in the A-League and between THEO! and Clint
Bolton they have won four out of the five on offer.
Eugene Galekovic is widely seen as the number one 'keeper in the A-League at the moment but his move to Adelaide from Melbourne was purely due to the fact the THEO! stood in his way as the custodian at the Victory.
THEO! was at the top of his game at the Victory and earned his chance to ply his trade with English League one side Norwich City. On debut THEO! had what could only be described as a shocker and let through seven goals. THEO! was never to be seen again for the canaries.
Theoklitos was brilliant on Sunday in his return to the A-League and I for one hope he gets another chance in Europe.
Mate Duganzig
Melbourne Victory fans have been screaming out for the club to sign a striker all summer after the injury to star Archie Thompson, with none forthcoming (to date).
Duganzig has been criticised for his lack of consistency but on Saturday night he put in a blinder.
If he can keep that form up he will be a handy replacement for Thompson in the interim.
Perth Glory fans
Melbourne has been the benchmark for crowds in the A-League and no one has come close. As far as I can see there is to be only one challenger to Melbourne's crowds this season and that is the Glory fans.
The Perth fans are educated and witty and a healthy Glory equals a healthy A-League. Over 16,000 to NIB stadium on Friday night is an excellent number, and after a 3-3 draw hopefully they will all come back.
My Villains of the Weekend
Kevin Muscat
Super Kev, Mr Melbourne, The Angry Bald Man, or whatever it is you like to call him had a shocker. His schoolboy error on Saturday night cost the Victory dearly. Muscat has until now been the rock on which the Victory has been built. Saturday Night, however, wasn't his finest moment.
Gold Coast Crowd
At the risk of turning the existing fans away, the crowd at Skilled park on Sunday was nothing short of disgraceful. Gold Coast have a team that play an attractive brand of football. They have arguably two of the best five players in the A-league, and an attractive and new stadium.
A crowd of 6394 (with at least 800) traveling Roar fans was just not good enough. Something needs to be done and quickly.
Scott Jamieson
Scott will get a run in this part every week! This is not necessarily because he does anything wrong but because when he played for Adelaide he was an annoying little so and so, and now he plays for Sydney which makes him an even more annoying little so and so.