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Melbourne Victory opened the round in Adelaide in-front of a sold out Hindmarsh crowd baying for blood. Bringing their C game and defending like an under-12 side Melbourne were lucky the Reds didn't put four past them, their only saving grace was that Slorry on the end of a few showing why Fox Sports have only rated him as a 50k prospect in their fantasy football game (you can join the The Sack league with code 443-114).
The other Melbourne side were just as disappointing against a Perth Glory team that created two chances and took both (well Shane Smeltz did anyway). Setting up what should have been the biggest of the big games this week now turns into 8th vs 10th, and possibly Heart will possible be without their biggest draw card Fred who was forced off with injury early in the first half against the Glory.
Sydney were just as dour against the all conquering Brisbane Roar who took their record to 30 games without loss. The Roar look unreal, the passing, running and space creating is at equal or better to last years standard. It is going to take a good team to break them down even when they have an 'off ' day.
Some bizarre refereeing decisions saw the Phoenix down to nine men but they were still able to defeat the Newcastle Jets two zip. Nicky Ward was sent off which was probably a good thing for him as he has time to make it to the nearest designer t-shirt launch whilst Tim Brown's sending off was just plain wrong. Referee Matt Gillett was Billy the Kid like in his drawing from the hip pocket - maybe he caught the Friday night screening of the classic Young Guns on channel GO.
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| The referee's certainly drew from the hip pretty quick on the weekend |
The 'Coastal Clash' finished 1-1 and again it was James Brown who found the net. Ease up Jim Bob Brown we are running out of funny James Brown songs to link up with your ability - this week we're going with the James Brown Mr Dynamite (in front of goals). Patty Z scored the equaliser for the Mariners in front of their adoring palm tree fans to keep grumpy old Graham Arnold happy for a few more days at least.
What snuck under the Crossbar and into The Sack?
1. All those who had Shane Smeltz as their Fantasy Football team captain, well played, (@GavinHall71) and those who took the arm band off him Friday and replaced him with Harry Kewell (@CostanzaMusic).
2. Full houses and big games at Hindmarsh, argue amongst yourselves which is the bigger rival Melbourne Victory vs Heart/Sydney/Adelaide but one thing is for sure. Hindmarsh will be packed out every time the Navy Blue (or Flouro Yellow) team are in town
3. The official Hyundai A-League Media guide listing Carlos Hernandez at 70kgs, Is that the FFA's version of an April fools joke. If he weighs 70kg i'll eat a we are football flag.
4. Referees getting it spot on. Gerard Parsons loves the spotlight and the early verdict on the penalty against Perth was 'soft' but the replays showed there was a jersey tug and Parso got it spot on. Credit where credit is due people
5. I know it's been running for two weeks but the 'Fans in Vans' caught their last game on Sunday including our very own Neil Sherwin who was a tired figure cheering on his beloved Glory boys at AAMI Park. Well done to Lee Sutherland and all involved; check 'em out - Footy Fans DownUnder.
Apologies to Dario Vidosic who is showing Jack Quigley right up and Stebre Delovski who was back in action - good to have you back sir (@LPolistena).
What went over the Crossbar?
1. The crowd at the SFS doesn't cut it. No excuses, not 'it was cold' or 'wet' or a Saturday night, nothing. On show was the reigning champs bringing the best brand of football the country has ever seen against a team featuring Brett Emerton, a bloke who is still an of English Premier League standard. 15781 is just not good enough. I get that Sydney is a fickle market but seriously what more does it take.
2. Melbourne Victory goalless after 180 minutes. The greatest arsenal of fire power this country has seen since Darwin was bombed have been kept to zero in two games. Adelaide schooled Melbourne in defending on Friday night, John McCain was outstanding.
3. Jacob Burns not getting a yellow, costing me in doubling up on last weeks win in the 'What minute will Jacob Burns get a yellow card' comp. Although he did get cleaned up right down the middle by young Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good which may have taken the sting out of him on Sunday.
4. Flares at football, its not on, grow up and find something new; they are boring.
5. Mile Sterjovski, Simon Colosimo, Danny Allsopp not getting games. Surely the league isn't that good that these three guys can't even make the squads in the Hyundai A-League.