ANOTHER dramatic round of season five is over. Round three approaches, and what do we know?

1. Big Ljubo is a very good player, particularly when he moves into a holding midfield role. A lot of physical strength, but all class. For me he turned the game Newcastle's way in the second half on Friday night.

2. Victory without Muskie are not the same team. Great goal by Allsop, but Melbourne are clearly not as all conquering as many commentators had us all believe coming into the season (including myself I think!)

3. Smeltz scores goals for fun. However, the service he receives is possibly the best in the league. Porter has been outstanding, as had Culina. 

4. Gold Coast's loss of Griffiths will not be noticed, as Robson is a terrific player.

5. Sydney's good start to the season has been one based on pragmatic rather than pretty football. I don't think too many of the style police are too bothered either whilst they keep getting three points. Strange thing that.

6. The Mariners v Jets encounter may have been a bit on the insipid side, but it featured better passages of passing football than the Sydney v Adelaide game, which aside from one moment of quality (Bridge's goal) was gobsmackingly dull.

7. We've already seen some wonderful management theatrics after only two rounds. First prize goes to the Sydney manager 'Larry' Lavicka , who waters the pitch before the game. It would seem this practice is based on the theory that by doing so it will give the opposing team the impression that Sydney are going to zip the ball around on the slick surface with aplomb. Of course it was all a ruse and the usual long ball (or should I call it 'early release') football ensued, with a bit of falling over to boot. Runner-up was from round one, and was none other than 'Just ask me' Miron with his latest formational derivation of the 4-4-2, the 2-4-2-2. Strangely enough it looked just like a 4-4-2, but possibly with a diamond in the middle. 

8. The Mariners are playing well, again despite the haters. The vindictive levelled at this team from many on these blogs really astounds me, let alone the encouragement of it from such esteemed critics as Craig Foster. Based on what I have seen so far this season, the Mariners brand of football is no 'worse' than that played by Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne in terms of containing many phases of play that are of the 'early release' or direct style. 

9. Matt Simon's touch and his ability to hold the ball up and bring other players into the attack is as good as John Aloisi's (so stick that in your pipe - FC fanboys!). His striking technique is probably not quite as advanced (remember relative experience here) but he has the advantage of being a better athlete, so he works harder to put himself in more scoring positions.

10. Young Michael McGlinchey is going to be one of the Mariners stars this season. Although he is not physically imposing, he is quick, terrier like in the tackle, and has a quality touch.

I'll limit myself to 10 'insights', that's more than enough to garner some reasonable disagreement amongst the blogging punditry.

Oh, and I'll close by expressing my extreme disappointment that I will not be able to witness the Mariners victory against Sydney on Saturday.

The crowd may be down a bit again at Bluetongue given its being played at 3PM. Along with a lot of other committed veterans, I will be kicking the ball around in local over 35s competition.

The mighty Gosford City Dragons are just three games away from finishing the regular season undefeated. Spring is in the air - the local semi-finals series beckons, it just doesn't get any better than that.