As we enter the first week of A-League finals and the Reds and Victory hit the road against Western United and Western Sydney respectively, there are reasons to like the chances of all six teams set to compete for the trophy.
While accidental finalists Adelaide appear a little off the pace of the other five, especially considering the disastrous record they have compiled securing just three of the last 18 competition points made available to them, the free swing they now have is a dangerous one.
With 53 goals scored for the home and away season and 55 allowed, the way matches play out when the Reds are involved is clear. We will score, you will score and we will tally them up at the end and see who has done better.
Fundamentally, that means the Reds can beat you convincingly on their day, yet will also provide the spaces and opportunities for opposition teams to find the levelling and go-ahead goals that are required. Western United would best be on watch in what looks a potentially dangerous Elimination Final.
Western United coach John Aloisi. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
John Aloisi’s United team have surprised many and off the back of some young talent that really shows little fear or concern for history and expectation, are equally as proficient as Adelaide in scoring goals, whilst far better when it comes to conceding them.
If there aren’t plenty of goals on Friday night it will be something of a surprise.
Wanderers fans will be out in force on Saturday night, many after finally returning to the fold. There is an emotion and energy around the playing group that is an excellent unbeaten run and after finally settling on the things coach Alen Stajcic wants to see happening on the field, 2025 has been a time period where the club has found the resilience it has lacked for many a season.
Think of all the international coaches, the different approaches and a lot of the excuses that have been made over the years and then the incredible effectiveness being achieved after the club hitched their coaching wagon with a skilful local. A first title for the Wanderers would be a stunning achievement and probably well overdue.
Their opponent at CommBank Stadium on Saturday has been one of the more consistent teams this season. After the stunning departure of Patrick Kisnorbo following a decent start to the season, Arthur Diles was forced to step in, and things looked a little shaky early.
The Victory squad is gifted, there is no doubt about that, and what a triumph a championship would be for a club that felt slighted by the previous coach and forced to re-adjust unexpectedly. To his credit, Diles has the team in the finals and just one more win during the home and away season would have seen them finish second.
Once the winners are decided this weekend, the top two re-enter the fray and the arrival of Melbourne City brings potentially the only flat narrative. Financially backed by people that hurt rather than help the game, no-one in Australian football enjoys their presence. In fact, I’m not too sure many of the Melbourne City fans actually like their team.
Of course, it is a very talented group of men that come together as a squad and second place on the ladder is testament to that ability. However, a quick exit for City would be the preferred outcome for most A-League fans. The problem is, they could well be headed for the grand final and are more than good enough to win it all.
(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
And that leaves the potential fairytale that lies in Auckland FC and a parlaying of the Premier’s Plate into a championship that was near unthinkable at the start of the season. The scenes in New Zealand as fans have watched the squad build more and more credibility as the season has unfolded have been special.
Steve Corica has done a superb job in coaching a team that has represented the people of Auckland with plenty of grace and class. Now, only a stumble and a doubt in their minds that the mountain is not climbable will stop them, or perhaps a stunning performance from Western Sydney, Western United or Melbourne City somewhere across the finals.
As usual, it has been a topsy-turvy season in many ways, despite Auckland’s solidity at the top of the ladder. Now, that will almost certainly continue in the finals, with clear favouritism meaning very little heading into each match.
Strap in for what should be a wild ride.
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