.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
Taringa Rovers 3:3 North Star
Taringa escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth in front of a packed Jack Speare Park that witnessed Rovers come from behind twice in dramatic fashion.
Everyone will be talking about…
The four minutes of madness. Less than ten minutes into the second half, the visitors scored to take a commanding two-goal lead, only to see Taringa claw their way back with two almost instant replies.
Yeah, but what happened?
Staring down at relegation for anything less than a win, North Star exploded into life as early as the fifth minute, when Michael McEvoy converted. Taringa responded promptly through Ian Keen on 17 minutes, but soon after Matthew Heath put the visitors in front again. A frantic three-goal opening of the second half saw the teams deadlocked and Taringa held out to secure safety.
The numbers:
Taringa – Keen ’17; Hansen ’55; Maeda ‘57
Star – McEvoy ‘5, ’54; Heath ‘27
Souths United 1:9 Capalaba
Capalaba demolished Souths United at Wakerley Park to put an end to the green and whites’ woeful season, which only culminated in four points.
Everyone will be talking about…
Souths’ season. Amassing only one win and one draw all year, Souths completed the most unsuccessful season by a club in the modern era of the Brisbane Premier League.
Yeah, but what happened?
No-one really turned up to play for Souths’ last day in the BPL as the score blew out to the embarrassment of the home faithful. The writing was on the cards early as the Bulldogs took a 4-1 lead into half-time. They picked up where they left off in the second 45 – it was 7-1 before the hour mark. With one foot off the gas, Capalaba rode out the game and their 7th placing - there was even time for veteran talisman Geoff Hurford to get on the scoresheet.
The numbers:
Souths – Kedda ‘35
Capalaba – Sargent ’18; Warden ’19, ’71; Drewek ’31, ’47; Brattan ’40; Josh Sherwood ’56, ’59; Hurford ‘85
Wolves FC 3:1 Peninsula Power
A late three-goal Wolves siege saw last year’s league premiers snatch a home win to give themselves a chance of defending their title, unknowing of simultaneous results from Redlands.
Everyone will be talking about…
The late four-minute thriller. Trailing by a goal for almost an hour, Wolves found strength to keep their title dream alive and snatch the win from a Power side themselves hungry to get their hands on the title.
Yeah, but what happened?
Win this one and hear of a Redlands loss or draw and the league title awaits. That was the pre-game appetiser for both sides, but it was Power who took an improtnat lead befoe half-time through Lewis Bonar. Resolute defending saw them hold out until ten minutes from time, when Kado Aoci rose to notch a two-minute brace and another goal by Eric Frazier soon after sealed the win for Wolves.
The numbers:
Wolves – Aoci ’82, ’83; Frazier ‘86
Power – Bonar ‘31
Redlands United 3:1 Eastern Suburbs
Redlands sealed the 2012 Veto league championship – their first since 1918 – with a hard fought win over Easts in front of a jubilant Cleveland Showgrounds crowd.
Everyone will be talking about…
Redlands’ transformation into league champions. Having been on the heels of Wolves for the majority of the season, Redlands transformed their beautiful passing game into consistent results to win the league by one point.
Yeah, but what happened?
The home side knew a win would secure them the trophy and they couldn’t have asked for a better start – Michael Eagar sending them on their way in the second minute. The Devils piled the pressure on and were soon rewarded, with Graham Fyfe making no mistake from the spot to double their lead. Easts slowly grew into the game and snatched one back through Yoshimizu Okada to see the teams off at half time with Redlands leading 2-1. The hosts were made to contain increasing pressure from Easts, but it was their day as Rhys Meredith’s late strike sealed the win and made it their championship.
The numbers:
Redlands – Eagar ‘2; Fyfe ‘22(pen); Meredith ‘81
Easts – Okada ‘25
Rochedale Rovers 5:1 Olympic FC
Rochedale finished the home and away season on a high after downing a disappointing Olympic who bow out in ninth position.
Everyone will be talking about…
Rochedale’s finals chances. After a comprehensive all-round victory, Rovers head into the finals in great form and seem to have goalscorers all over the pitch.
Yeah, but what happened?
The home side were guaranteed a fourth place finish before kick-off, but that didn’t hinder their determination against an Olympic side in need of a win to have a chance of securing a finals place. That dream quickly faded as Rochedale turned on the style and raced away to a 3-0 lead at half-time. Nick Efstathis added more shine to the scoreline within five minutes of the restart, before Jai Ingham pulled one back for the visitors. Reuben Way capped off his impressive season with a late goal to send Olympic on early holidays.
The numbers:
Rochedale – Burley ’15; OG ’16; Tabulo ’43; Efstathis ’50; Way ‘81
Olympic – Ingham ‘65
Brisbane City 3:0 North Pine
An Antonio Murray brace and a late Bryce Cuschieri strike earned Brisbane City all three points against an already relegated North Pine to rise one place to eighth in the final standings.
Everyone will be talking about…
Murray’s prolific goalscoring. During a season of ups and downs, one of the few constants in City’s play has been Murray’s scoring touch. His two strikes confimed his spot as runner-up in the Golden Boot with 25 goals, four behind Redlands’ Graham Fyfe.
Yeah, but what happened?
City cruised to victory after a sluggish start to the match, the 3-0 score rounding off a stellar performance against less than impressive opposition. Murray got the ball rolling just before the half hour and doubled his side’s lead 15 minutes into the second period. City dominated possession and extended their lead through Cuschieri late on to close off what will be an overall disappointing season.
The numbers:
City – Murray ’28. ’60; Cuschieri ‘80
Lions FC 5:0 University of Queensland
A blistering first half hat-trick from Gareth Musson paved the way for Lions to secure fifth spot on the ladder and a match-up with Rochedale in next week’s first elimination final.
Everyone will be talking about…
Lions’ goalscoring touch. It’s not a secret that Graham Ross’ side have had an outstanding run home and their prolific scoring, as showcased in this match, may prove to be a hard pill to swallow for Rochedale.
Yeah, but what happened?
Musson was in blistering touch from the get-go and wrapped up his hat-trick on 41 miniutes, while Matija Simic squeezed his name on the scoresheet as well to give a comprehensive 4-0 scoreline at half-time. It was all about preserving energy for next week after that, with Adam O’Sullivan providing the only real spark in the second half.
The numbers
Lions – Musson ’17, ’28, ’41; Simic ’24; O’Sullivan ‘63
