IT WAS tipped to be another worst weekend ever in the A-League - but instead served up two crackers, one damp squid and yet another ref's howler.
Round eight brought in the lowest average crowd of the season, and was marred by Olyroos and All Whites call-ups that sent out some second string sides to do battle.
But in Friday's opening matches of the rounds, no-one would have known.
Adelaide might have been missing its first-choice strikeforce against reigning champions Melbourne but the back-up boys did 'em proud.
They thumped Victory in a showpiece match that devastated a Melbourne side that badly missed injured skipper Kevin Muscat.
Next up was Perth and Sydney which some had, erm, predicted would be a soul-destroying horror movie.
It was...but only for Perth fans as they saw their side come back from 1-0 down to take a 3-1 lead then somehow end up with a 3-3 draw.
The second half was possibly the most exciting 45 minutes in A-League history in an absolute belter of a game that robbed Perth of a deserved victory.
Phoenix were missing five of their first team stars to the cancelled All Whites match against Fiji and it showed badly in their match against Newcastle Jets.
Although the Jets won comfortably, the game never really sparked into life, with Jets also missing three players to the Olyroos. And in an embarrassing end to the match, no-one seemed able to agree on the final score.
Finally, Roar edged past league leaders Central Coast Mariners in a game that was once again killed off by a refereeing blunder.
Peter O'Leary sent Brad Porter to the sheds for the injury ravaged Mariners, with an hour left to play and already 1-0 down.
But the instant red was a huge over-reaction for a harmless tackle that even had Roar boss Frank Farina shaking his head in disbelief.
Just like Mark Shield the week before, O'Leary ended the game having dished out eight yellows and a red in a game that was far from spiteful or violent.
Talking of Shield, he was still card happy again this weekend in the Victory game, issuing five in another tame encounter.
There was one bright spot - he finally took the time out to talk to Ljubo Milicevic and Jonas Salley as they squabbled for position instead of just showing them a yellow. More of that, less of the cards please, Mark.
Handing out yellows is like spanking a child - it might show your authority, but a well-timed chat might stamp out problems before they begin. Here endeth the lesson...
Mariners stayed top, just one point clear of the Jets, Adelaide moved up to third, Victory slipped back to fourth just ahead of Roar on goal difference, Sydney are two points behind, one point ahead of Phoenix and poor Perth still prop up the ladder three points adrift.
versus 
Adelaide United 4
(Ljubo Milicevic 14’ (og), Travis Dodd 16’/63’, Lucas Pantelis 90+1’ )
Melbourne Victory 1
(Archie Thompson 45+2’)
Friday, 12 October 2007
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Mark Shield
Assistant Referees: Matthew Cream & Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Craig Zetter
Crowd: 13,372
The ravaged Reds went into the match knowing it would test the depths of their squad and few might have predicted a win for them at home.
Instead though the team put on a first class display that finally won back some of the pride lost in the 6-0 grand final drubbing against Victory in February.
Adelaide United
1.Daniel BELTRAME (gk), 2.Richie ALAGICH, 4.Angelo COSTANZO (3.Milan SUSAK 90+2’), 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 13.Travis DODD (captain), 15.Jonas SALLEY, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO. 23.Dez GIRALDI (14.Shaun ONTONG 65’).
Substitutes Not Used: 17.Isyan ERDOGAN, 20.Robert BAJIC (gk)
Yellow cards: Shaun Ontong 82’.
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory
1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk),5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6.Steve PANTELIDIS, 7.Matthew KEMP (13.Kaz PATAFTA 71’), 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.Joseph KEENAN, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 15.Leandro LOVE (14.Adrian CACERES 63’), 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 21.Sebastian RYALL (17. Daniel VASILEVSKI 67’).
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk)
Yellow cards: Matthew Kemp 3’, Carlos Hernandez 29’, Steve Pantelidis 56’, Ljubo Milicevic 84’.
Red cards: Nil
versus 
Perth Glory 3
(Jamie Harnwell 53’, James Robinson 59’, Mitchell Prentice 69’)
Sydney FC 3
(Alex Brosque 40’/90’, Patrick 81’)
Friday, 12 October 2007
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant Referees: Michael Nugus & Matthew Cheeseman
Fourth Official: Steven Gregory
Crowd: 6,876
On paper, it looked like this game might be torture - but it proved to be glorious entertainment, albeit heartbreaking for Perth.
Alex Brosque celebrated his 24th birthday with a brace of goals including a last second equaliser to steal an unworthy share of the points from an impressive Perth display.
Perth Glory
50.Tommi TOMICH (gk), 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Jamie HARNWELL (7.Anthony DANZE 84’), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 14.Jamie COYNE, 15.Mitchell PRENTICE, 16.Nick RIZZO (13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA 80’), 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.James ROBINSON, 25.Tyler SIMPSON.
Substitutes Not Used: 9.Mate DRAGICEVIC, 20.Danny MILOCEVIC (gk).
Yellow cards: Simon Colosimo 40’, Naum Sekulovski 48’, Mitchell Prentice 73’
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC
1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 4.Mark RUDAN, 6.Tony POPOVIC (Captain), 9.David ZDRILIC, 11.Brendon SANTALAB (13.Ben VIDAIC 83’), 12.PATRICK, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry McFLYNN (3.Nikolas TSATTALIOS 73’), 22.JUNINHO, 23.Ufuk TALAY (21.Adam BIDDLE 60’).
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk)
Yellow cards: David Zdrilic 52’
Red cards: Nil
versus 
Newcastle Jets 2
(James Holland 16’, Joel Griffiths 40’)
Wellington Phoenix 1
(Steven Old 90+4’)
Sunday, 14 October 2007
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant Referees: Ben Wilson & Sarah Ho
Fourth Official: Strebre Delovski
Crowd: 11,947
Wellington never really got into this match and the scoreline - once it was finalised - makes it look closer (and more exciting) than it really was.
Jets dominated but it was a dull affair and the two main highlights were Phoenix new boy Ahmad Elrich's grapple tackle on his Jets brother Tarek, and Royce Brownlie's perfect rugby tackle in the box. As a football match, it made for good rugby entertainment, but that was it.
Lucky Joel Griffiths was the star of the show...although some would argue he should never have been playing after his lovetap to the groin of an assistant referee last weekend.
Newcastle Jets
1.Ante COVIC (gk), 3.Jade NORTH (Captain), 8.Matt THOMPSON, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Denni, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 14.Jobe WHEELHOUSE (6.Andrew DURANTE 46’), 17.Troy HEARFIELD (21.Mario JARDEL 87’), 18.Noel SPENCER (12.Paul KOHLER 90+3’), 25.James HOLLAND, 27.Stephen LAYBUTT.
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK).
Yellow cards: Steve Laybutt 53’.
Red cards: Nil
Wellington Phoenix
4. CLEBERSON, 5. Karl DODD, 7. Ross ALOISI (captain), 8. Vaughan COVENY, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 14. Steven O’DOR, 15. George PALADINI, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ahmad ELRICH, 19. Greg DRAPER, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 21. FELIPE, 22. Royce BROWNLIE, 23. Costa BARBAROUSES, 30. Jacob SPOONLEY (gk). *Three to be omitted
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Jacob SPOONLEY (gk).
Yellow cards: Vince Lia 37’, Richard Johnson 56’, Ahmad Elrich 80’.
Red cards: Nil
versus 
Central Coast Mariners 0
Queensland Roar 1
(Josh McCloughan 5’)
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Peter O’Leary
Assistant Referees: Nathan Gibson & Murray Wilson
Fourth Official: James Lewis
Crowd: 8,113
Another week, another moment of refereeing madness - the rest of the world saw a harmless tackle, ref Peter O'Leary saw red. And so did Brad Porter.
Mariners tried their hardest to fight back with 10 men after going down to an early goal against a reticent Roar but to no avail.
They might get the red overturned on appeal this week - but it doesn't help them now they've lost this game and their comfortable cushion at the top of the table.
Central Coast Mariners
1.Matthew TROTT (gk), 2.Matt SIMON, 4.Ian McANDREW, 5.Bradley PORTER, 6.Andre GUMPRECHT, 7.John HUTCHINSON, 8.Dean HEFFERNAN, 10.Tom PONDELJAK, 11.Damien BROWN, 12.Greg OWENS, 15.Andrew CLARK, 19.Adam KWASNIK, 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 23.Mile JEDINAK, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)
Substitutes Not Used: 4.Ian McANDREW, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk).
Yellow cards: Dean Heffernan 36’, Greg Owens 55’, Sasho Petrovski 64’.
Red cards: Brad Porter 31’
Queensland Roar
1.Liam REDDY (gk), 4.Craig MOORE (capt), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Simon LYNCH, 11.REINALDO, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matt McKAY, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Danny TIATTO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 22.Robbie KRUSE, 23.MARCINHO, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk). *One to be omitted
Substitutes Not Used: .Ben GRIFFIN, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk).
Yellow cards: Danny Tiatto 21’, Michael Zullo 42’, Josh McLoughan 42’, Kruse 62’, Marcinho 65’.
Red cards: Nil
Top Goalscorers After Round Seven
4- Bruce Djite (AU), Shane Smeltz (WP), Alex Brosque (SFC).
3- Travis Dodd (AU), Sasho Petrovski (CCM), Archie Thompson (MV).
2- Daniel Allsopp (MV), , Nathan Burns (AU), Daniel (WP), Felipe (WP), Jamie Harnwell (PG), Adam Kwasnik (CCM), Matt McKay (QR), Josh McLoughan (QR), Nik Mrdja (CCM), Kevin Muscat (MV), Patrick (SFC).
1- Richie Alagich (AU), Ross Aloisi (WP), Mark Bridge (NJ), Adam Casey (SFC), Adrian Caceres (MV), Billy Celeski (PG), Vaughan Coveny (WP), Diego (AU), Adam Griffiths (NJ), Joel Griffiths (NJ), Robbie Kruse (QR), Stuart Musialik (NJ), Steven Old (WP), Sasa Ognenovski (QR), Tom Pondeljak (CCM), Mitchell Prentice (PG), Reinlaldo (QR), James Robinson (PG), Ufuk Talay (SFC), Matt Thompson (NJ), Rodrigo Vargas (MV), Michael Zullo (QR).
A-League Ladder After Round Eight
A-League Crowds After Round Eight
But in Friday's opening matches of the rounds, no-one would have known.
Adelaide might have been missing its first-choice strikeforce against reigning champions Melbourne but the back-up boys did 'em proud.
They thumped Victory in a showpiece match that devastated a Melbourne side that badly missed injured skipper Kevin Muscat.
Next up was Perth and Sydney which some had, erm, predicted would be a soul-destroying horror movie.
It was...but only for Perth fans as they saw their side come back from 1-0 down to take a 3-1 lead then somehow end up with a 3-3 draw.
The second half was possibly the most exciting 45 minutes in A-League history in an absolute belter of a game that robbed Perth of a deserved victory.
Phoenix were missing five of their first team stars to the cancelled All Whites match against Fiji and it showed badly in their match against Newcastle Jets.
Although the Jets won comfortably, the game never really sparked into life, with Jets also missing three players to the Olyroos. And in an embarrassing end to the match, no-one seemed able to agree on the final score.
Finally, Roar edged past league leaders Central Coast Mariners in a game that was once again killed off by a refereeing blunder.
Peter O'Leary sent Brad Porter to the sheds for the injury ravaged Mariners, with an hour left to play and already 1-0 down.
But the instant red was a huge over-reaction for a harmless tackle that even had Roar boss Frank Farina shaking his head in disbelief.
Just like Mark Shield the week before, O'Leary ended the game having dished out eight yellows and a red in a game that was far from spiteful or violent.
Talking of Shield, he was still card happy again this weekend in the Victory game, issuing five in another tame encounter.
There was one bright spot - he finally took the time out to talk to Ljubo Milicevic and Jonas Salley as they squabbled for position instead of just showing them a yellow. More of that, less of the cards please, Mark.
Handing out yellows is like spanking a child - it might show your authority, but a well-timed chat might stamp out problems before they begin. Here endeth the lesson...
Mariners stayed top, just one point clear of the Jets, Adelaide moved up to third, Victory slipped back to fourth just ahead of Roar on goal difference, Sydney are two points behind, one point ahead of Phoenix and poor Perth still prop up the ladder three points adrift.
versus Adelaide United 4
(Ljubo Milicevic 14’ (og), Travis Dodd 16’/63’, Lucas Pantelis 90+1’ )
Melbourne Victory 1
(Archie Thompson 45+2’)
Friday, 12 October 2007
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Mark Shield
Assistant Referees: Matthew Cream & Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Craig Zetter
Crowd: 13,372
The ravaged Reds went into the match knowing it would test the depths of their squad and few might have predicted a win for them at home.
Instead though the team put on a first class display that finally won back some of the pride lost in the 6-0 grand final drubbing against Victory in February.
Adelaide United
1.Daniel BELTRAME (gk), 2.Richie ALAGICH, 4.Angelo COSTANZO (3.Milan SUSAK 90+2’), 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 13.Travis DODD (captain), 15.Jonas SALLEY, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO. 23.Dez GIRALDI (14.Shaun ONTONG 65’).
Substitutes Not Used: 17.Isyan ERDOGAN, 20.Robert BAJIC (gk)
Yellow cards: Shaun Ontong 82’.
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory
1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk),5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6.Steve PANTELIDIS, 7.Matthew KEMP (13.Kaz PATAFTA 71’), 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.Joseph KEENAN, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 15.Leandro LOVE (14.Adrian CACERES 63’), 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 21.Sebastian RYALL (17. Daniel VASILEVSKI 67’).
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk)
Yellow cards: Matthew Kemp 3’, Carlos Hernandez 29’, Steve Pantelidis 56’, Ljubo Milicevic 84’.
Red cards: Nil
versus Perth Glory 3
(Jamie Harnwell 53’, James Robinson 59’, Mitchell Prentice 69’)
Sydney FC 3
(Alex Brosque 40’/90’, Patrick 81’)
Friday, 12 October 2007
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant Referees: Michael Nugus & Matthew Cheeseman
Fourth Official: Steven Gregory
Crowd: 6,876
On paper, it looked like this game might be torture - but it proved to be glorious entertainment, albeit heartbreaking for Perth.
Alex Brosque celebrated his 24th birthday with a brace of goals including a last second equaliser to steal an unworthy share of the points from an impressive Perth display.
Perth Glory
50.Tommi TOMICH (gk), 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Jamie HARNWELL (7.Anthony DANZE 84’), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 14.Jamie COYNE, 15.Mitchell PRENTICE, 16.Nick RIZZO (13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA 80’), 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.James ROBINSON, 25.Tyler SIMPSON.
Substitutes Not Used: 9.Mate DRAGICEVIC, 20.Danny MILOCEVIC (gk).
Yellow cards: Simon Colosimo 40’, Naum Sekulovski 48’, Mitchell Prentice 73’
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC
1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 4.Mark RUDAN, 6.Tony POPOVIC (Captain), 9.David ZDRILIC, 11.Brendon SANTALAB (13.Ben VIDAIC 83’), 12.PATRICK, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry McFLYNN (3.Nikolas TSATTALIOS 73’), 22.JUNINHO, 23.Ufuk TALAY (21.Adam BIDDLE 60’).
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk)
Yellow cards: David Zdrilic 52’
Red cards: Nil
versus Newcastle Jets 2
(James Holland 16’, Joel Griffiths 40’)
Wellington Phoenix 1
(Steven Old 90+4’)
Sunday, 14 October 2007
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant Referees: Ben Wilson & Sarah Ho
Fourth Official: Strebre Delovski
Crowd: 11,947
Wellington never really got into this match and the scoreline - once it was finalised - makes it look closer (and more exciting) than it really was.
Jets dominated but it was a dull affair and the two main highlights were Phoenix new boy Ahmad Elrich's grapple tackle on his Jets brother Tarek, and Royce Brownlie's perfect rugby tackle in the box. As a football match, it made for good rugby entertainment, but that was it.
Lucky Joel Griffiths was the star of the show...although some would argue he should never have been playing after his lovetap to the groin of an assistant referee last weekend.
Newcastle Jets
1.Ante COVIC (gk), 3.Jade NORTH (Captain), 8.Matt THOMPSON, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Denni, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 14.Jobe WHEELHOUSE (6.Andrew DURANTE 46’), 17.Troy HEARFIELD (21.Mario JARDEL 87’), 18.Noel SPENCER (12.Paul KOHLER 90+3’), 25.James HOLLAND, 27.Stephen LAYBUTT.
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK).
Yellow cards: Steve Laybutt 53’.
Red cards: Nil
Wellington Phoenix
4. CLEBERSON, 5. Karl DODD, 7. Ross ALOISI (captain), 8. Vaughan COVENY, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 14. Steven O’DOR, 15. George PALADINI, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ahmad ELRICH, 19. Greg DRAPER, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 21. FELIPE, 22. Royce BROWNLIE, 23. Costa BARBAROUSES, 30. Jacob SPOONLEY (gk). *Three to be omitted
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Jacob SPOONLEY (gk).
Yellow cards: Vince Lia 37’, Richard Johnson 56’, Ahmad Elrich 80’.
Red cards: Nil
versus Central Coast Mariners 0
Queensland Roar 1
(Josh McCloughan 5’)
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Peter O’Leary
Assistant Referees: Nathan Gibson & Murray Wilson
Fourth Official: James Lewis
Crowd: 8,113
Another week, another moment of refereeing madness - the rest of the world saw a harmless tackle, ref Peter O'Leary saw red. And so did Brad Porter.
Mariners tried their hardest to fight back with 10 men after going down to an early goal against a reticent Roar but to no avail.
They might get the red overturned on appeal this week - but it doesn't help them now they've lost this game and their comfortable cushion at the top of the table.
Central Coast Mariners
1.Matthew TROTT (gk), 2.Matt SIMON, 4.Ian McANDREW, 5.Bradley PORTER, 6.Andre GUMPRECHT, 7.John HUTCHINSON, 8.Dean HEFFERNAN, 10.Tom PONDELJAK, 11.Damien BROWN, 12.Greg OWENS, 15.Andrew CLARK, 19.Adam KWASNIK, 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 23.Mile JEDINAK, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)
Substitutes Not Used: 4.Ian McANDREW, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk).
Yellow cards: Dean Heffernan 36’, Greg Owens 55’, Sasho Petrovski 64’.
Red cards: Brad Porter 31’
Queensland Roar
1.Liam REDDY (gk), 4.Craig MOORE (capt), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Simon LYNCH, 11.REINALDO, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matt McKAY, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Danny TIATTO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 22.Robbie KRUSE, 23.MARCINHO, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk). *One to be omitted
Substitutes Not Used: .Ben GRIFFIN, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk).
Yellow cards: Danny Tiatto 21’, Michael Zullo 42’, Josh McLoughan 42’, Kruse 62’, Marcinho 65’.
Red cards: Nil
Top Goalscorers After Round Seven
4- Bruce Djite (AU), Shane Smeltz (WP), Alex Brosque (SFC).
3- Travis Dodd (AU), Sasho Petrovski (CCM), Archie Thompson (MV).
2- Daniel Allsopp (MV), , Nathan Burns (AU), Daniel (WP), Felipe (WP), Jamie Harnwell (PG), Adam Kwasnik (CCM), Matt McKay (QR), Josh McLoughan (QR), Nik Mrdja (CCM), Kevin Muscat (MV), Patrick (SFC).
1- Richie Alagich (AU), Ross Aloisi (WP), Mark Bridge (NJ), Adam Casey (SFC), Adrian Caceres (MV), Billy Celeski (PG), Vaughan Coveny (WP), Diego (AU), Adam Griffiths (NJ), Joel Griffiths (NJ), Robbie Kruse (QR), Stuart Musialik (NJ), Steven Old (WP), Sasa Ognenovski (QR), Tom Pondeljak (CCM), Mitchell Prentice (PG), Reinlaldo (QR), James Robinson (PG), Ufuk Talay (SFC), Matt Thompson (NJ), Rodrigo Vargas (MV), Michael Zullo (QR).
A-League Ladder After Round Eight
A-League Crowds After Round Eight
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