The Crossbar: Ain't it grand to have football back

It's back, and back with a bang. Record crowds, new managers and super signings.

Its been a very long wait but completely necessary to get our own clear space. Heskey, Ono and the Italian bloke didn't score or even assist but gee they brought excitement. The scoring will come later - we hope.

Western Sydney were born, Billy Mehmet won't pay for a beer in Perth again after his late winner, Melbourne Victory played a 4-6-0 and it will take some getting used too. We know there are reasons but playing football on AFL/cricket grounds just isn't great.


These snuck under the Crossbar and into The Sack (Likes)
1. Perth Glory fans, hiring a plane with a sign tagged on the end to fly over Patersons Stadium for 1/2 hour with the words - DIVING LESSONS CALL 1300 GO ROAR - Brilliant

2. Fox Sports new graphics.

3. Heskey, Ono and Del Piero in our league.

4. The black (or were the navy blue) goal nets at the Melbourne derby. They looked beautiful.

5. Football being back! 'Nuff said.

6. The refereeing was spot on!


What went over the Crossbar (Dislikes)
1. Player interviews at half time. They're pointless overkill.

2. Daytime games at Hunter Stadium. The shadow ruins the TV coverage.

3. Paterson Stadium as a football venue. We understand the reasons but it is just too big a space.

4. Glory fans going with 'that'chant again this season. No, you're shit, ah. #Yawn #Juvenile

5. M.Theo (formerly Theoklitos). What's up with that?


Things we learned:
The Kappa kits divide the football public straight down the middle. A quick poll in the office went 6/6 for likes/dislikes.

Things we already knew:
Rome wasn't built in a day. Victory supporters will be challenged to keep their cool over the next few weeks as Postecoglou's style of play takes shape.

Things we could change if we had superpowers:
Assistant coaches dressing up in the full playing kit. Hayden Foxe and Kevin Muscat we don't get it, and as quick as the Flash we'd pull your socks down and dress you in a suit jacket.

Hero of the week:
Billy Mehmet. Scoring in the 89th minute in the grudge match of the century makes you a hero in my book.

Villain of the week:
Besart Berisha, He will own the space for the next 4 months and there was no real villains this week anyway, so why not.

Player to watch:
Craig Goodwin, will be one of the stars of the season.

Next weeks prediction:
Sydney will get more to their game against Newcastle then what Brisbane get against Melbourne Victory.

Sydney fans will sing 'what a waste of money' at least once when Heskey makes a mistake.

Victory will get beaten by Brisbane and there will be a groundswell to Sack Ange.

Worth a punt:
Dylan Macallister for golden boot at $




Melbourne Victory 1 (25' Rojas)
Melbourne Heart 2 ( 15' Williams, 45' Macallister)
Etihad Stadium
Good game, good crowd, good start for John Aloisi as a manager.

Wellington Phoenix 2 (44' Huysegems, 75' Fenton)
Sydney FC 0 
Westpac Stadium
Way to rain on the ADP parade Wellington.

Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Central Coast Mariners 0 
Parramatta Stadium
Terrible conditions turned the crowds away and had a hand in the 0-0 scoreline

Newcastle Jets 0
Adelaide United 2 ( 1' Vidosic, 75' Ramsay)
Hunter Stadium
Newcastle must have walked under ladders and smashed mirrors all week because they could not take a trick against the match hardened Reds

Perth Glory 1 (89' Mehmet)
Brisbane Roar 0
Patersons Stadium
Redemption? Revenge? or just an early 3 points for the Glory. Berisha was booed every time he looked at the ball and it looked like fun.