Round Sixteen Report

More than 80,000 people attended the round's four matches, the highest overall attendance in the league's short history.

Newcastle destroyed Queensland to set themselves up for a very big finish indeed.

Neither Melbourne or Sydney were prepared to test the waters too any significant degree so close to the finals, resulting in a classic goalless draw.

Perth pretty much surrended its campaign to a suddenly watertight Central Coast unit.

Romario and Aloisi were finally dragged by John Kosmina, their replacements gaining an important point against a determined and fortunate New Zealand.

Although Glory, the Knights and Roar all seem unrealistic final four contenders at this stage, just about everyone still has something to play for - each club has between one-third and one-half of their playing staff coming off contract at the end of the season. Who knows what personnel changes might eventuate between now and the start of the third A-League campaign? As Alex Brosque showed last year, loyalty is something to speak highly of in the press but ignore when it comes time to make a bottom-line decision (that hasn't turned out particulary well for him, so far, but you get the feeling an exceptionally important goal might be just around the corner). Over the coming weeks, expect to hear plenty of positive self-judgements seeping into the press from players and agents seeking new deals.

Meanwhile, Sydney stands to lose competition points due to salary cap breaches involving payments to David Zdrilic, the FFA finally seems to have given New Zealand's owners the big flick, and Brazilian commentators - seeking excuses for Romario - have weighed-in on the slow pace and lack of sharpness evident in Adelaide's midfield.

Never a dull week of football.

Best of Round Sixteen:

Player: Mark Bridge, Newcastle - his chances have been come and go, as you expect from youth, but when he's come in and played well he's really given that extra option to lift the Jets

U-20 Player: Dario Vidosic, Queensland - came on as a sub and looked one of the few Roar players interested

Coach: Gary Van Egmond, Newcastle - it's just remarkable, right now they have to be genuine title contenders

Match: Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC

Goal: Mark Bridge, Newcastle - take your pick, the first a great one-two-three with Milton Rodriguez, the second a perfect demonstration of when to be greedy

4-4-2 Team of the Week:

Mark Bridge - Archie Thompson
Stewart Petrie - Stuart Musialik - Simon Colosimo - Travis Dodd
Damien Brown - Rodrigo Vargas - Mark Rudan - Jade North
Mark Paston

Subs: Tommi Tomich, David Tarka, Robbie Middleby, Alen Marcina