It was a week that witnessed Adelaide all but wrap up the minor premiership (what's so 'minor' about coming on top after 21 games rather than just one game in the final?) and Queensland fall out of serious contention following a crucial loss to Melbourne. Mathematically, every team except New Zealand can still make the finals series, but only given a slew of highly unlikely results over the next three weeks.
Stuart Young finally got his chance to start a game after spending the bulk of the season watching on from the sidelines, grandstand or living room. Late in the match, ex-Knights captain Danny Hay joined Young up front in a makeshift Glory forward line that beared no resemblence to the fearful attacking unit of weeks past. It was a sign of how far the league has come since that Perth evening on August 26 last year when Noel Spencer's thunderous 30-yard dinger past Jason Petkovic's helpless gaze opened proceedings with a touch of the spectacular.
Adelaide have got some tough assignments over the coming weeks, which equates to either excellent or dangerous preparation for them. Following a home game against the other form team of the competition, the Mariners, they travel across the Tasman and then over to Sydney for what shapes up as a potential pre-Grand Final showdown. I still find it hard to believe how well they've performed this year and how good fortune has arisen at all the proper moments in their quest for goals and victories. Of course they are an excellent, professional and dedicated team, travelling better than Sydney at the moment. But we all know it only takes one bad week for a negative turn in form and morale. They're not across the line yet, and it will take all their oft-vaunted iron will to walk away with the A-League frisbee - I mean trophy - come the fifth of March.
It's almost impossible to imagine Queensland, Melbourne or Perth making it all the way to that date with destiny. All three will probably miss the finals completely, but if by some quirk of scheduling, referee error, or mercurial skill one happens to earn a spot in the final four at the expense of Sydney, Newcastle or Central Coast then a quick exit after the first home-and-away semi-finals is surely what awaits. Queensland continue to look thoroughly out of sorts in front of goal, Melbourne have just lost their best player to Europe and seem under-equipped in midfield, while the length of Perth's injury list defies even the cosy luxuries of the suspect injury replacement system.
Which is not to say that the league's "better half" haven't their own problems. Off-field distractions like the not-so-small matter of Pierre Littbarski's expensive contract extension seem to be hurting Sydney's bid for second place. Newcastle can't put two decent results together and their 3-0 scoreline over the Knights on the weekend was quite flattering. Pound-for-pound the Jets can match it with anybody, but at various times their attitude, style and teamwork just don't seem to click. Richard Money has been a fairly low profile coach throughout the season. I wonder if he'll increase his rate of exchange with the media as we approach the do-or-die end of the campaign? As for the Mariners, they now have to contend with a fresh injury since it looks like winger-turned-striker John Hutchinson has been rubbed out for months after suffering ligament damage in his knee. Will it be one too many critical injuries for the Mariners, or can they dig deep into their squad and surprise the league with another diamond in the rough, e.g. Jamie McMaster?
Finally, has anyone else noticed how Graham Arnold's commentary for Foxtel has become quite intriguing vis-a-vis gaining an understand of who he has mind for national team selection from the pool of players based in the A-League? His well founded praise for Alex Brosque has been heard all year, but lately Arnold has lit up a cigar for Pondeljak, Valkanis, Bolton and a few other fringe Socceroos. I'm sure he also wishes that Andre Gumprecht had already gained his citizenship!
Best of Round Eighteen:
Player: Stuart Young (pictured) - grim determination and strong play from the 'debutante' after a frustrating season
U-20 Player: Mark Milligan
Coach: John Kosmina - hard to overlook after a minor premiership clinching away win in Perth
Match: Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners
Referee: Perry Mur
Goal: Tom Pondeljak - a lengthy gallop, then just when it seemed he'd missed the opportunity to shoot another deft turn to find space resulted in an accurate push into the left corner
4-4-2 Team of the Week:
Stuart Young - Danny Allsopp
David Carney - Nick Carle - Ross Aloisi - Zenon Caravella
Remo Buess - Josh McCloughan - Alan Picken - Richie Alagich
Danny Vukovic
Subs: Mark Milligan, Tom Pondeljak, Shengqing Qu, Michael Theoklitos
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