THE MOMENT the blood started to flow I knew it would be a red card. Ten minutes in and the Grand Final was starting to look like 2007 all over again. It wasn't, and the A-League 2009 Final was a game worth remembering for both sets of fans.

This may be a long blog (excuse me while I indulge myself) so let's deal with the contentious stuff first.

Already debates rage as to the correct interpretation of the rule that saw Cristiano head to the shower. We're not ever likely to know what went on in Mathew Breeze's head at that moment. It looked like he was going to give a yellow and then changed his mind when the blood flowed. It looked like the assistant contributed to that decision. The replay looked like there was no intent, both players had their arms up and it was an accident that could have gone either way. That's what it looked like.

In the end Cristiano headed off bewildered and virtually every Adelaide fan who has ever watched Breeze referee at Hindmarsh started to feel a strange sense of Déjà vu.  For me, he's a terrible ref who cannot make decisions and reaches for cards when in doubt. I don't think he likes my team. BUT - he's the same ref for both sides and maybe he's the best we have. Small consolation really. I only hope that he gets some sort of sanction from the FFA. He won't.

He probably got the Allsopp decision wrong too (let's forget about the Jamieson penalty he might have given and the Allsopp charge on Sasa in the box that went unnoticed - make your own list as there were plenty of them) but in the end we didn't lose because of Matthew Breeze. We lost because Melbourne scored once and we didn't score. At the most basic of levels the game of football is very simple.

Some will now carry on about "bridesmaids" and "losers" ad infinitum. Well, have fun boring yourselves to death. Adelaide United fans know what we saw. We saw our team playing the best game they were capable of. Until the send off we were looking fantastic. After it we lost the plot for a while but held our nerve.

In the early second half we looked dangerous again. The goal came and went (as did Danny) and with ten on ten we looked better again. The chances came - and we missed them. Melbourne missed some too. This is football. That's what happens. We came so very close but it wasn't to be.

What we did come out of the game with was pride and dignity. With ten men, we very nearly undid Melbourne. Our boys showed guts and determination and skill. They did not drop their heads until the final whistle blew. In the end in was heartbreaking for them and us. But only for a moment. The totally empty feeling of 2007 simply wasn't there. We lost but we'll be back.

So, congratulations to Melbourne players and fans. Commiserations to those of us who love the Reds. Another year down. So many to go. Bring it on.

Our Heroes (with scores out of ten for you to disagree with!)

Eugene GALEKOVIC - Proved yet again why he's the best we have based at home. Maybe unsighted and caught out for the goal. It wasn't pretty. His rage at Allsopp showed how much he cares. 8

Robert CORNTHWAITE - Simply heroic. Showed he's one of the most-improved and best defenders in the league. Don't like him because he's lanky? Get stuffed. His block on Danny's shot was inspirational. 9

Lucas PANTELIS - Wasn't a big night for Lucas but if Trav had managed a goal from his long ball he could have been a star. Ah well. Always tries. Hoping he'll be back to his best next year. 6.5

CRISTIANO - What can I say? Shouldn't have been sent off. Would it have made a difference? Maybe. Maybe not. Bloody hard to play without a striker though. 5

Travis DODD - Showed moments of brilliance and ran the game out. If only he'd pulled the trigger earlier. Being captain is good for him - but is it good for the team? 8

Scott JAMIESON - The Energizer Bunny played his heart out as always. Some great raiding runs. Needs to cut the silly fouls out of his game. He's good enough to dominate without them. 8

Jonas SALLEY - Man of the match. The Big H was always going to have a couple of moments but - that's all he did get. Salley was everywhere. An inspiration and deserves consideration for another contract. Partnership with Reid could flourish. 9.5

Daniel MULLEN - Keeps improving but this wasn't his greatest effort. Amazing improvement for a young player and a sign that Adelaide can bring them through the ranks. Stood off Ward for too long early on but he's one for the future. 7

Fabian BARBIERO - Barbs is the engine but still needs tuning. Another one to watch in the next couple of years. Did everything he could. All heart. 7.5

Sasa OGNENOVSKI - What a shame we couldn't send Sasa off with a winners medal. A club legend inside a year. We'll miss you, Sas. If only you'd managed to goad Muscat into a red. 8.5

Paul REID - The brains to go with Salley's brawn. A solid game again, doing the job and looking the goods. Adelaide's quiet achiever. Let's hope he's here for the long run. 8

Paul AGOSTINO - Had the chance to put the demons to bed but it was all too much. Should have retired gracefully a year ago and allowed us to have a second striker this year instead of a club mascot. Nice guy. Let us down. Missed the chance he should have taken. 4

CASSIO - Not at his best but didn't have the time. Has to find his place again after injury. A star on his day but this wasn't it. 7

Viddie & Phil - Who would have thought that these two would have done so well in what has been the longest, hardest season an Australian club team has ever played. It hasn't been perfect but it's been - amazing. Well done guys. 9.5

The future

Now, we need another solid centre back (maybe two), a creative midfielder and two forwards who have experience. Then we'll enter next year looking like champions. But there are other blogs for that.

Thanks Adelaide United for a great season. We won't forget it.