“Brisbane Roar have never beaten Western Sydney Wanderers” is what many pre-game shows would have quoted leading into this game following Western Sydney’s historic first win over the reigning Champions in October. That statement can be used yet again the next time these two teams square off later in the season.

Wanderers were coming off two successive defeats leading into this match. A win was needed and history showed that it was somehow possible against Brisbane. The proverbial chair and whip were readied to tame the beast of a caged Roar who were desperate to get back into the top six.

Sunday morning was a lovely hot sunny day. Then after midday there were reports of storms and possibly hail in the blue mountains and dark threatening clouds covered most of the city. But it wasn’t going to dampen the Wanderers or their fans resolve.

I was proud to hold the message banner for our friend Sean who is doing it tough at the moment. The tifo and message were a sign of solidarity within the Red and Black Bloc and what its members mean to each other - many who have met via the Wanderers and at preseason games but have quickly become great mates. And to hear Simon Hill explain the banner during the game was wondeful also.

It was a frantic start to the match with Hersi smashing the crossbar in the opening minutes and any other day that would have bounced into the goal rather than out. Ono came close on multiple occasions and half the team had long range efforts shaving the posts.

I’ve mentioned it in the past, but the Wanderers have never scored in front of the Red and Black Bloc. We’ve never had a chance to celebrate properly with a goal scorer - the closest we’ve come is when Heart scored an own goal. Maybe the team knew this and thus were pushing hard in that first half to score in front of their rowdy home fans. But time after time, chance after chance went begging.

Once again we were denied the opportunity for goal celebrations but no fan can be disappointed in how the Wanderers approached this match. They were up for it. Ono was definitely fired up as he did all he could to get his elusive first goal.

In the second half the fire in the Wanderers lessened a bit and Brisbane started to take control of the match. But I must say, the WSW defence was rock solid with both Beauchamp and Hyphen making up for shaky performances in the past couple of games. Even the midfielders would find themselves in their own box cleaning up loose balls and stop attempted cut backs from Brisbane dead in their tracks.

The team, again were working like a unit as we’ve seen in the past that has garnered them respect and admiration from fans and neutrals alike. What lacked in fire up front, was made up by pure determination to nullify Brisbane’s attempts at breaking the deadlock.

Cousin Dino came on with just under 20 minutes left to a mixed reaction from the crowd. In various grandstands he was booed, but the RBB cheered his name and supported our player. Why? Because mere minutes earlier as he was warming up, he was given a megaphone and he started a chant with the home end! (and not for the first time). We cheered him, giving him our support for a guy that came across the entire world to sign for a brand new team. Despite what his performances have been, he deserves support for that, and Wanderers fans need to remember that we’ve only existed for 10 professional games. The time constraints of the club’s birth and signing of players meant that beggars can’t be choosers. Especially this season. Be happy we have a team and are actually competitive this season!

And then Dino was taken down in the box by Jurman and the entire stadium erupted. This was a chance to take the lead and for me personally to go two from two with the betting agencies in this fixture. There was no doubt that Ono would take the spotkick and attempt to break his duck. It was a pity it wasn’t in front of the home end.

Ono scores, we go mental, I stack it on slippery chairs and take down half a row with me. We get back up cheering and screaming and proceed to fall over again. It doesn’t matter. We are leading against the reigning champions. Again.

I’ve cancelled my sky diving and bungee jumping trip for today following those crazy final minutes. Brisbane hit the post twice? Three times? Covic saves right on the line a couple more times and we’re, once again, holding on for dear life.

Final whistle and Wanderland erupts in elation. Finally we get to celebrate a home win again. They are few and far between. The players do their rounds around the stadium and Polenz gets them all to line up in front of the RBB to celebrate as one. Covic is handed a megaphone and he follows Dino’s lead and gets the RBB chanting with him.
Brilliant.

Somehow Wanderers are now in fourth. Amazing effort from the players and Popovic. Long may it continue.