Everyone likes a good redemption story. Hollywood thrives on them. In these stories, our dark moments are transformed into glorious light.
From the Seven Samurai to the Mighty Ducks, losers who come good bring a tear to the eye, a smile to the face and a glow to the heart.
So, to the great redemption story of the Adelaide United players who have suffered the slings and arrows of both outrageous fortune and disgruntled fans (including this one).
In the joy of welcoming new players like Marcos Flores, Sergio Van Dijk, Adam Griffiths and the mysterious Mr Boogaard, the return to form of some of the players, who have been cast as villains this season past, has gone relatively unnoticed.
So, let's celebrate the boys who have turned it around and proven many of us wrong. (And, yes, I know some of you will disagree with some of what I say. So shoot me!)
I'll start at the back with the player I love to love while others love to hate him - Robbie Cornthwaite. Even I started to doubt the string-bean with attitude for a little while this season. Others lauded Mark Rudan while I held the faith but the renewed Flakes has returned to the ACL with the type of form that made him so integral to our success last time around.
People say he can't pass. I think "can't" takes it too far. He just likes to kick the ball to strange places. Seriously though, the steal and pass to set up the movement for the Reds first goal last week epitomised what Robbie brings to the team. He takes risks but he doesn't get fazed. He's been solid at the back, great in the air and back to his annoying best.
Next to Robbie is the player Sydney fans laughed at when we took him on. And there were plenty of Adelaide fans who welcomed him with fairy-claps. But Iain Fyfe, after a shaky start, has proven to be one of those players whose name goes onto the team sheet first. Not flash. Not fast. But his positioning has been near perfect and his calmness and toughness make him the quiet enforcer. Have a laugh at him winning ACL games now, you blue-boo-boys.
Even now there are plenty of fans who think that offering two more years to Lucas Pantelis is about as smart as sticking your hand in a blender. Lucas has been copping stick all year. Again, he's not the stand-out star. He makes mistakes. But he also scored more goals than any other Red this past season and his form over the last six or more games has been back to his best. That ball for SVD's header was simply sublime - and on his right boot. There's no doubt Lucas loves Adelaide. No more BBQs Lucas - but welcome back.
Travis Dodd is always an enigma. More skill and talent than is fair in one player but how often do we see it for 90 minutes? This season plenty of people questioned his heart and drive. He may not be 'natural' captain material but when he fires, he fires the team. And he's firing now. Never hated but often questioned, Travis is also looking like a man reborn, especially in combination with Flores. More, Trav, more.
Last, but definitely not least, enter Aurelio Vidmar. As the Queen from Alice in Wonderland keeps screaming, "Off with his head" was the call from all and sundry whenever Viddie entered the stadium this year. It was looking grim. This blogger gave up on him at one stage and called for his removal.
So, Viddie, I was wrong. I don't think it's just the new players and the new comp. I think you've found your feet again. There's a buzz coming off the playing group. If you cop it when we're crap, you need the plaudits when we win - and play well.
This season found Viddie to be slow to change and somewhat inflexible. Now he has the pieces he needs to play the game he wants to play things are looking good. A smart man knows when he's wrong and says sorry. A smarter man learns from his mistakes. If we really want to breed good managers in this country, we're going to have to let guys like Viddie make mistakes and learn.
There are , of course, others who have fallen and not been able to stand again. That's life. That's football. Not all who travel reach their destination.
And so, the rejects - along with a few new friends - have started on the path to redemption. Be aware that path is long and there are rough sections. Somehow though, there seems to be a renewed belief in the squad. Taking on the best of Asia - and winning - will have that effect.
I know that it might all come crashing down over the coming months but I'm confident that the rebuilt Reds will give the ACL a real shake and attack the A-League next season with a group of players more than ready to take us to the title (no, not the silly finals series - although I wouldn't knock that back either). I had a chat with Sergio Van Dijk the other night and he thinks the same thing.
Roll on the next ACL game at Hindmarsh when we can all cheer our boys on. The wooden-spooners are on the rise. The losers are winning. What was broken is now whole again.
You gotta love football.
