Here’s what we learned from the two five-goal thrillers …

1. Perth Counting On Miller Magic
While it took until the 71st minute for Perth to equalise in their Minor Semi-Final meeting with Wellington – having blown an early advantage to fall a goal behind just after the restart – and 112 minutes to finally shake off the visitors, the class of one Liam Miller was already evident on the big stage, even though the Irishman’s lack of match fitness was exposed in a two-man central midfield. Despite being outnumbered by Wellington’s central trio, which contributed to the away side’s two flowing goals, moments such as Miller’s 34th minute lofted pass to the laces of Billy Mehmet’s free left boot are enough to suggest he will be the key to Perth toppling the Mariners and, potentially, Brisbane. Indeed, with Steve McGarry sure to rejoin the starting XI next week as an ally to the former Manchester United man, Miller will just about need to be the most dominant player on the pitch in order for Glory to compete with their classier engine-room counterparts. Ability says that’s possible, but he’ll need support.

2. Wellington Did Their Part
In a league where surprise packets are the norm from season-to-season, both in achievement and underachievement, a replica of last season’s top two – the first instance in A-League history – in 2011/2012 could have been unexpected. Perth Glory, third place getters, could reasonably have been tipped as big improvers from their ninth-place finish having recruited extensively in the off-season. But not Wellington Phoenix, the unfancied, unenviable, unattractive battlers from across the ditch. Tipped by most in the Australian football community to be battling for the wooden spoon, a prediction not without merit given early season ownership dramas and a squad formed with minimal resources, Wellington’s season has been as much of a triumph as finishing fourth and being a match away from the Grand Final can signify. Paul Ifill was predictably the star on the pitch but, in tough circumstances, Ricki Herbert’s leadership to within 20 minutes of a Qualifying Final represents an outstanding achievement, even if genuine success was just beyond them. They can be immensely proud at upholding the tradition of a classic A-League dark-horse.

3. Winning Mantra Is Unbeatable
With little more than a swift, five-pass counter-attack, Brisbane Roar showed why they will rightly be near-unbackable favourites to win the 2011/2012 A-League Grand Final. Two goals inside 26 minutes for the visitors to see them kick four goals clear on aggregate had Grand Final hosting rights secured, only for an even more admirable moment of superiority to eventuate with Henrique’s 68th minute winner. Make no mistake, that was indeed a winner you saw – a fifth goal over two matches against the league’s stingiest defence, including three away from home only four days after a midweek trip to South Korea. Such an outstanding feat is truly a testament to what Ange Postecoglou highlighted before and after the second leg of the Major Semi-Final: his side’s intent to score goals and win matches would not be compromised, even in the face of football convention demanding conservatism. Perhaps the Roar boss was correct in saying the weight of appreciation Brisbane have received over the past two seasons has unevenly favoured execution over their attitude, perhaps not; however it’s viewed, their ‘must-win’ attitude is a winner.

4. Form Counts
It was said numerous times in the matches leading to finals that all energy was into securing results for both participation and ladder standings. Central Coast Mariners were outside this conversation. Two wins in their final two matches of the regular season steadied the Gosford outfit and secured the Premiership, but equally served to paper over the cracks which had appeared through just a single win in seven prior matches. While their lead was whittled away to two points by season’s end, results were not desperately needed thanks to an imposing mid-season surge when they recorded a 15-match unbeaten streak. Recently, poor form has caught up with the Mariners – few will argue they need to be at their best to beat a Brisbane side whose own form has strongly improved over the last month. Thankfully for Graham Arnold, the longest period of pressure on Sunday evening was applied by his troops, spurred into action after Brisbane controlled the opening 20 minutes. The following 48-odd minutes of promise – albeit still a distance from their finer performances – until Henrique completed a counter-attack for Brisbane to seal the result must be consolidated next week at home to Perth. Not just for the result, but for form.

5. Orange Sunday Awaits Again
Two different, yet equally exciting, outcomes await Brisbane Roar at the conclusion of next weekend’s Qualifying Final between Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory: either another blockbuster chapter in what is shaping as one of the A-League’s greatest on-field rivalries, or the much-anticipated arrival of a former great into the heavyweight arena. Regardless of opposition, a veritable construction site of orange is likely to greet Ange Postecoglou’s men at the Grand Final once more to combat either a familiar wash of yellow, or a retina-searing clash of purple. An expected amount of storylines will be created – from potential redemption for one of Graham Arnold or Ian Ferguson, to Brisbane’s attempt to match Victory and Sydney as two-time Champions, and even a possible round three of Matt Jurman’s ongoing battle with advertising hoardings – and will ensure another striking spectacle. The fight to compete at Orange Sunday Mark II will be just as desperate and fierce. Let’s have it.