And then there were FOUR

And then there were FOUR

Not just any four, but four teams who have never lifted a silver toilet seat between them. Love us or Loathe us but one thing GCU has done for the benefit of the league is removed Victory once and for all from the finals calculation.

I mean this with no disrespect to Victory or their supporters, but I believe the town that lands the title from these four teams will experience a far greater windfall then the already successfully supported Victory. That and your players are a bunch of thugs........

It was BRILLIANT at the game, and the beach's enthusiasm and good spirit soon engulfed all those around us. The Capo's throat was torn by the end and the rest of us soon followed as even the more quiet supporters who sit behind the active area could not resist being swept up in the moment. Every echo from ever chant seemed to bounce of the Skilled roof over and over as the noise reached new levels that surprised even me. This was not simply a game - it was an occasion. This was 94 minutes where we could forget about what happens off the field and just enjoy what was on it. This was OUR moment to cheer and not need to hear calls for our execution or the latest Robbie Slater back handed compliment.

It was also time to move pass the fact that FFA had cut their losses and decided not to advertise the game and pocket whatever change they could from the public. God forbid they use this as a night to try attract a huge crowd and show GCU how it's done, and with passion and a win like that they would have probably achieved what they have wanted all along, to get the Gold Coast public coming back. The risk reward scenario for this should have been a no - brainer but then maths is not the FFA's strong point as they still believe funding of A-league related events was not impacted by the World Cup bid.

Speaking of maths, yes the finals have been mathematically beautiful so far, in that If you finished lower than the team you faced in this round you were eliminated, this will naturally set us on course for a Roar - CCM final, but there is life in the challengers yet.

Adelaide will host my team this Sunday and all bets are off as these two teams consistently cancel each other out. We are Matter to their Anti Matter - we are kryptonite to their Superman - We are committed to playing as a team to their Paul Reid. Of the six clashes they have played each boast a solitary win while the other 4 were draws. At least this Sunday a winner must be found and the records unbalanced, and if they bring the game they used against welly I think we have a great shot at meeting Central Coast the following week.

Amazingly all this exciting finals football talk pales in comparison to Gold Coast United sweeping all challengers aside in the quest for back-to-back youth league titles. Well maybe it doesn't exactly pale, but it is a bloody brilliant effort for the team and players who were presented with the champion's plate at the pre-game before the Victory over Victory (thanks FFA). With all the secret squirrel meetings to try persuade Clive and Co. 50 mins up the M1 (thanks for nothing FFA), it was good to see that the future of Gold Coast players is bright with this exceptional crop of young players. With the management proclaiming the team here to stay (for our 3rd season at least) the pathway is still there for the best of the best to progress. In this modern era of the last 6 years where winning a title nearly assures you of wooden spoon contention the next season, it is good to finally see back to back champs.

So onto Sunday and another chance for GCU to rock the finals boat and generally make a lot of cranky people out there a little bit angrier, I don't care I will be cheering with a beer in my hand and a smile on my face - Go GC United!