I WAS in the press room at Gold Coast United's official launch in January, when Clive Palmer observed that his new club had "a unique opportunity at this point in time to remain undefeated in winning the A-League."

"And that," he suddenly declared, "is what our new goal is."

The crowded gallery, largely subdued until that point, erupted into laughter. So did head coach Miron Bleiberg.

"Did I turn white?" Bleiberg asked, touching his face. But Clive was not done yet.

"If we are defeated during the year," warned Clive with a poker face, "Miron will be travelling economy class."

Well, as last night's 60 Minutes segment  clearly showed, there's no such thing as economy class on Clive Palmer's luxury planes. So obviously (unless Miron's flying Jetstar for the rest of the season) Clive was bluffing.

Yeah, we finally lost a game. But Palmer's bold boast has already reaped dividends. In fact, there's no doubt that such a 60 Minutes segment would never have even happened without all the media madness that has followed his bold declaration. Sports journos love nothing better than a good hook on which to hang a story.

Make no mistake: love it or hate it, media coverage like this is all good for football in Australia. Well played, Clive.

++++
As for the game, full credit to Branko Culina's Newcastle Jets. To use a basketball expression, they played "full-court press" and shut us down all over the park. They smothered our attacks, pressured our players on the turnover, and never gave us a chance to build up any rhythm. In short, they made us look like an ordinary A-League team.

I'm sure there will be a dozen articles written this week analyzing how Branko outwitted his son Jason, how the Jets played with extraordinary flair and passion, and how precocious children should always show respect to their wizened elders. Fair enough.

On the other hand, given the talent on the field, wasn't it a bit boring? I'm sure the 3pm kickoff had a lot to do with it. Watching the players' shirts rippling in the breeze at kickoff, I wondered how anyone would be able to play a decent cross in such windy conditions. As the hot sun gave way to shadows creeping from the sidelines, it seemed our players were mentally somewhere on a beach in Algiers.

The bottom line was that the Gold Coast players just didn't show up for the game. Sure, there were patches of enthusiasm, but the movement off the ball told the story. Flat-footed, passive observers just five feet away from the action. Not good enough. And not very GC at all.

I wonder if the flight to Newcastle had anything to do with it? As I understand it, Gold Coast players had a final training session Sunday morning before flying down the coast for the game. Maybe a night in the enemy camp would have done more to focus attention? Or maybe Clive should make them all fly Jetstar next time, just to prove a point?

++++
Anyway, so much for our aura of invincibility. It was fun while it lasted. BWAAHAHAHA!!!

Now for Sydney, and the really frustrating thing is that our second home game crowd will probably be down on what it might have been. Neverthless, this is a fascinating top-of-the-table clash, and I'm sure Gold Coast will be back on form, even without Socceroo Jason Culina. In fact, I am kind of glad that we won't have Jason playing the midfield general this time, because it will force our other players to step up to the plate. The results should be interesting.

Zenon Caravella had a pretty ordinary game at Newcastle, which surprised me, but we have plenty of other midfield options if he can't play the "mini-Culina" role. Our Brazilians are all finally coming fully fit, for starters. It will be an intriguing match, and the tactics employed by Bleiberg and Lavicka may well hold the key. After being shown up by Culina Snr, Miron surely has a point to prove as much as anybody else.

I am also kind of relieved (though also of course disappointed) that we have finally dropped a game. Enough already with the crazy stuff. We've already proven that we are a team to be reckoned with, a deserved favourite for the A-League crown, and a club that can entertain crowds around the nation.

To that extent, especially in the context of where we were a year ago, we are already winners. So now let's focus on the football.

And a warning for anyone who cares to gloat. You ain't seen nothing yet!