CROWDS are down, marquees are hit and miss, gambling has reared its ugly head – but finally we have the league the way we want it. Close.

Take out the remarkably underperforming Newcastle and there’s five points between first and seventh. Two points between first and fifth! Yes, I realise Adelaide have games in hand but they are against second and third on the ladder. For anyone who loves football the final rounds of the 08-09 A-League promise to be the best we’ve ever had.

Perth are showing their teeth and Wellington have decided that they’re no longer anyone’s whipping boys – well, except perhaps the mighty Reds. Tipping has become a perilous activity because no-one can tell who the hell is going to turn up ready to play. This is just fantastic for football.

So let’s get ourselves and our mates off our collective bums and get along to the games. I hear Perth are sending out tickets in an attempt to lure more people to the game with Adelaide. They shouldn’t have to.

The way Perth are playing, half the city should be buying tickets tonight. Not to mention they’re playing the best team in Australia. Table-topping ACL finalists who have just defeated the African Champions. If the marketers can’t sell that game then there is something really sick at the heart of our game.

The Reds play their next home game at Adelaide Oval against a Sydney team who appear in terminal decline. I’m betting they put on a good game against us but I’m salivating at the thought of comprehensive revenge after last year’s Oval fixture. Hopefully there’ll be a full house of Adelaide fans ready to cheer the team to victory after what has been an amazing few months.

But who knows what’s going to happen? All of a sudden we have a league where the bottom is shaking the top of the ladder hard enough to bring some front-runners down.

Predictions anyone? I’m game to suggest Adelaide and Queensland will make the top four.

• Adelaide are battle-hardened, determined and have an almost fully-fit squad – even after the ACL and the CWC. Watch out! Definite. (What me, biased?)

• Queensland only if Craig Moore keeps playing (I say he should have been suspended for the gambling but the FFA doesn’t seem to agree). Very likely.
After that it gets murkier.

• Melbourne looked the goods but if the current run continues they’re in trouble. Lots of home games may save them. Likely – but at risk.

• Central Coast are up and down. It’s a shoot-out with Wellington. Big “ifs”.

• Wellington are on the up. They’ve tightened up at the back and Smeltz scores. They have to do it this year because next year they’re in trouble. Desperation and pride might just get them there.

• Sydney look dire. Kossie’s in trouble. Don’t see light at the end of the tunnel.

• Perth are better than they’ve ever been – but that’s not all that hard to achieve. All of a sudden they’re not the team you want to face. A bolter but still just an outside chance.

• Newcastle just don’t know who they are at the moment. Last year’s Premiers are this year’s disaster. Might yet finish above Sydney.

Then we get to the finals and we throw it all up in the air again. Fantastic!!

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