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The derby was just about everything we football fans in this country dream the game can be on a weekly basis. The Gold Coast game was an FFA nightmare.
At the derby the Heart fans started the better of the two teams with a very nicely crafted Freddy Kruger banner with adjourning banners reading "2-1 your worst nightmare" (in reference to derby version one).
The Heart fans then let themselves down with a banner that simply read "5 flag snatchers - beaten by girl!!!". Not one person I have spoken to yet has any clue what the banner was about, nor if the creators grammar teacher has recovered (if anyone can possibly decipher that banner please feel free to comment below).
The Victory fans showed their strength by out numbering Heart fans at least two to one. The Victory went on to win a very exciting fixture with two goals from Robbie Kruse who has put himself front and center for a place in Osiek's Asian cup squad, to be announced this month.
Two players that won't be picked in Osieks squad will be Michael Petkovic and Clint Bolton. Petkovic watched a Sibon free kick fly a meter to the side of him. On a side note I promised a mate I'd give Marvin Angulo a wrap when (if) he ever played well and he did on Saturday night, so well done starvin' Marvin.
Heart had their opportunities with Kalmar and Sarkies hitting the bar. But Victory deserved the win in what was a fantastic night for football in this country.
In contrast the Gold Coast vs Wellington game was a drab affair with some very inconsistent refereeing. Referee Alan Milliner must have left his whistle in his bag until half time with 'play-on' waved at every opportunity. Milliner dug deep into his kit bag at the break to not only find his whistle but six flashy yellow tickets that were handed out at will.
Gold Coast won the game 2-0 with goals to Bas Van Der Brink and James Brown in a physical (Central Coast like?) performance.
Adelaide United kept withing striking distance of the top spot with a win over North Queensland Fury on Friday night at Hindmarsh. North Queensland are a rabble at the moment and it didn't help that their most exciting figure Franz Straka was absent with the flu.
Not only were the NQF players without their leader, the fans didn't get a chance to win the "guess what Franz will wear tonight competition" (a competition even the slow folk of Adelaide could win). Adelaide totally played NQF off the park and should have won the match by a lot more. Goals to Flores and Van Djik had the Hindmarsh crowd salivating at the prospect of a 5 or 6 goal win, but it wasn't to be.
Not only were the NQF players without their leader, the fans didn't get a chance to win the "guess what Franz will wear tonight competition" (a competition even the slow folk of Adelaide could win). Adelaide totally played NQF off the park and should have won the match by a lot more. Goals to Flores and Van Djik had the Hindmarsh crowd salivating at the prospect of a 5 or 6 goal win, but it wasn't to be.
On Sunday Brisbane were out to break their SFS hoodoo. Sydney FC's tactics for the day were proudly sponsored by Greyhound Bus Company and didn't they play it well. Brisbane amassed a 68% possession share in the first half and were rewarded just before half time with a goal to Kosta Barbaruoses.
The Roar continued to hold the majority of the ball as Erik Paartalu did as he pleased. Sydney were better in the second half with the arrival of Brosque but weren't able to compete with Brisbane's strangle hold on possession and slick passing.
The Roar continued to hold the majority of the ball as Erik Paartalu did as he pleased. Sydney were better in the second half with the arrival of Brosque but weren't able to compete with Brisbane's strangle hold on possession and slick passing.
The last game of the weekend was between the statistically dirty Perth Glory and the perceived dirty Central Coast Mariners in what promised to be a bruising, longball-off. The Glory got the early points with a goal to Josh Mitchell and continued to land the better blows without providing the knockout.
Robbie Fowler had some chances you would expect him to take. The Mariners, though, were always in with a fighting chance and they leveled the bout three minutes from the bell with a bruising header from McBreen that left Josh Risdon down for the count.
Zwaanswijk scored with the easy jab. The judges called it a draw and the fans called for a rematch. Glory coach Ian Ferguson was angrier than Jeff Fenech when he was robbed of a world title in Las Vegas against Azumah Nelson.
Robbie Fowler had some chances you would expect him to take. The Mariners, though, were always in with a fighting chance and they leveled the bout three minutes from the bell with a bruising header from McBreen that left Josh Risdon down for the count.
Zwaanswijk scored with the easy jab. The judges called it a draw and the fans called for a rematch. Glory coach Ian Ferguson was angrier than Jeff Fenech when he was robbed of a world title in Las Vegas against Azumah Nelson.
Hero of the Week
Melbourne. Call me biased but Melbourne is the greatest sports city in the world and that was again proven on Saturday night. Over 23,000 fans to see the second installment of the derby. The game was a cracker, the fans were great and everything in A-League was right again (well for 2 hours anyway).
Villain of the Week
The FFA. The North Queensland Fury are in disarray. They are losing players by the day. They need help, support and they need it soon. The Sydney Rovers venture fell through during the week as well. Someone at FFA headquarters needs to be held accountable and soon. Can we have one week where we only get positive news instead of the kick in the backside we seem to be getting on a daily basis?