One-Stop A-League Photoshop: Clash of the titans

2011/12 has been a titanic season for Hyundai A-League football. Now that the regular season has ended you might be getting that sinking feeling that we’re almost at the end. There’s no reason to fear however as our One-Stop A-League Photoshop will help keep your spirits afloat.

This week we cap a huge week in football including Shane Smeltz’s epic performance against Melbourne and we check in on Eli Babalj, the young striker who’s performances are heating up the rest of the league.

Our pictures feature a ‘Titanic’ theme this week as we close the chapter on the regular season and head into Finals Football, where champions thrive and we witness the clashing of titans.

Smeltz sunk Melbourne’s season

Shane Smeltz – That ship’s cray
We’re revisiting an old pic here but substituting Matt McKay for Shane Smeltz. The Perth Glory hitman put four past Tando Velaphi and left Melbourne Victory fans with a sour taste in their mouth in the 4-2 mauling.

While the New Zealander hasn’t been that consistent in his performances this season he still carries a goal-scoring threat and managed to single-handedly sink Melbourne on Saturday night. Smeltz’s return to form will be music to the ears of Perth Glory’s long suffering fans full of renewed confidence.

The Atlantic isn’t so cold when you’re on a hot streak

The Babalj’s in his court
Young gun Eli Babalj stepped up to the plate this past week with a starring role in Melbourne Heart’s 1-1 draw with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium. The striker was dangerous throughout and it was no surprise the 20-year-old grabbed the Heart’s equaliser.

Babalj received the ball outside United’s box and strolled past a sleeping Reds defence before managing to wrong-foot Mark Birighitti by putting the ball into the bottom corner. Things are heating up for Babalj who is now the Heart’s leading scorer this season. John van’t Schip’s team will go far this finals series if his dynamic forward can keep up the form he showed against a lowly Adelaide side.

‘Full speed ahead’ is outdate

Full speed ahead?
The Titanic probably could’ve made it past the iceberg if it wasn’t going so slow. If it had picked up the pace it could’ve powered straight through that ‘berg like the baby Xenomorph bursting its way out of John Hurt’s chest in Alien.

Full speed ahead is outdated and honestly doesn’t sound very ‘fast’ at all. So here at The Football Sack we’ve come up with our own Engine Order Telegraph with A-League specific speed settings which could have saved the Titanic…





Forever blowing bubbles
It’s been a case of one step forward, two steps back for Melbourne Victory this season. After a convincing win over Wellington last week, the Victory capitulated in Perth and fell 4-2 to the Glory.

In the parade of praise that fell Melbourne’s way last week, it seems Jim forgot to create a game-plan for the trip to Perth. With Melbourne not facing finals football in 2012, this week’s comic could be the last we see of Jim for some time…

That blows.