IT'S totally from leftfield but I reckon I’m onto you, Adelaide United. I’m a wacky conspiracy theorist from way back and I’ve been watching you since that historic night in Melbourne two years ago.
You know the one. It was a win that I'll always remember...a loss you'll never forget. Ever since, you've been plotting your shot at redemption.
First, you dispatched of Kossie and brought in local hero Viddie to rally the troops. Sure you had a mediocre year in HAL v3 but I knew that you were biding your time. Maybe you also had an inkling that Victory would be suffering from the Premiership/Championship hangover so as not to waste your efforts.
This season was different. Right from the start you knew that you were heading for the Grand Final. Viddie assembled a capable squad and all you had to do was execute his cheeky game plan - one that would yield many more wins than losses.
You could tell that Victory were up for it too - so the second part of your plan was to lull us into a false sense of security.
With our first game in September you let mad Kevin get the winner. Then in October you let us fight back for a 3 - 2 win at Hindmarsh. Follow that with another regular season win for Victory and it become evident you were basically handing us the Premiership Plate. That was when I knew for sure you only had eyes for the Championship.
It was no coincidence then when the final score line after the major semi final was a very familiar 6 - 0.
But what really gave away your redemption strategy was Viddie's rant.
Pissant town? Yeah right, Viddie loves that city - he even likes drinking the tap water. Politics and hidden agendas? Get real, my spies tell me Viddie was enjoying a Coopers Pale with Mel Patzwald at the Espy on Tuesday arvo. It's all been part of the charade.
Saturday night is the final piece in your redemption puzzle. Now, I'll give you credit - you've played your hand perfectly up until now but there's one important element you've failed to plan for...cream always rises to the top, and if Victory have any feature in spades it's class.
Up front, Danny and Archie are both in top nick and have been scoring goals for fun. Their understanding and work rate will be too much for Sasa and Robbie. In the midfield, Carlos is really firing and I can't see him being contained by Lucas, Paul, Jonas or anyone really. Let's not forget rock solid Roddy and Theo, who have both marshalled our defence to keep four consecutive clean sheets.
Oh, then there's the sea of blue that will provide the most hostile of greetings and a cauldron like atmosphere to make the task even more challenging for you.
I fear for you Adelaide. Even the best laid plans often go awry.
Tristram Smith sincerely hopes the Grand Final is a cracking game with MV being crowned Champions for HALv4. He also wishes to thank everyone for their support this year as he makes the transition from Blogger to Poster at season's end.
