Blog: Has The Press Got Balls?

I OFTEN wonder if the football press has some sort of crystal ball.

All week they had been focusing on Adrian Leijer and Robbie Kruse and lo and behold they are the involved in the two of the main talking points of the match. Seriously, I need to get me one of those crystal balls; it would make these blogs so much easier to write.

I guess it wasn't really too hard to see why there was a focus on Kruse - Brisbane Roar were continually reminding us all week that he used to play for them. They were like a guy who hadn't gotten over an ex-girlfriend. Robbie Kruse this, Robbie Kruse that, Robbie Kruse never took me to any good nightclubs, was all we heard from the Roar camp all week.

And then when it came to the game itself they were all awkward when any interaction was required. Always "accidentally" bumping into him; grabbing his shirt when he tried to get away; giving him a love tap when no one was looking; and of course yelling at him when he wouldn't agree to a reconciliation.

This inability to get over former players seems to be a habit for Roar and their fans - I mean they still haven't gotten over the fact that Alex Brosque left them after their first season. Maybe it has something to do with Farina being in charge, that man sure knows how to bear a grudge. Andrew Orsatti anyone?

Anyway, I thought Kruse withstood the Roar "treatment" quite well and I would have loved to see him to score one against his old team just to rub their faces in it. Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for us, it was the other week's talking point that managed to grab the limelight with that match-winning goal.

It's no real coincidence that Melbourne's return to the top of the table (for the time being anyway - but to be honest it's only a matter of time before it comes permanent) has coincided with the return of Adrian Leijer to the fold. His presence has brought much need solidity to the backline and despite getting little first team action whilst in England, you can see he has returned an improved player from the experience.

And yes, many would argue that he may have been a little lucky to stay on the field after his challenge on Henrique and thus miss his chance at glory, but that's the kind of crazy game it was - the kind of game that when your ugly mug appears on the big screen you alert your friends to your 15 seconds of fame by pointing to the screen with your middle finger instead of the customary index finger...