Here’s what we learned from the round’s action …

1. Class Is Permanent
If John van ’t Schip had a working time machine he might go back and secure the signature of Adrian Madaschi on a longer term contract. The Dutchman’s DeLorean was sadly designed before the popularisation of the flux capacitor, and so Madaschi remains due to depart for Asia at the imminent conclusion of his short-term injury replacement contract. Unless the Heart boss dips into the transfer market he may encounter a challenge similar to that faced before the former Socceroo arrived, when a definite central defence pairing could not be settled upon. Brendan Hamill has cemented a first-team spot in recent weeks while Curtis Good has shown promise, but a more experienced head may be required alongside one of the two youngsters for Heart to continue pressing for top spot. Step forward Simon Colosimo. The ex-Sydney skipper was steady in his recall to A-League action against his former club, making one particularly exquisite challenge on a charging Karol Kisel in the 76th minute. The crucial penalty-area interception denied the Sky Blues a way back into the match and instigated a familiar Heart counter-attack which resulted in their third and the sealer. Now may just be the time for Colosimo to truly settle in Melbourne.

2. The Sea Is Turning Red (i.e. The Tide Is Turning)
Someone from Adelaide United must have been watching the World Darts Championship this week and warmed to the totally sober renditions of Planet Funk’s song Chase The Sun by darts revellers, introducing it to Adelaide goal celebrations. It’s not been the only change at Hindmarsh since John Kosmina’s re-appointment, though, as Reds fans have also taken their cue from the darts crowds in enjoying themselves once again. New captain Eugene Galekovic has likewise discovered renewed confidence, suddenly making saves with his head and sporting a dashing pair of yellow socks to differentiate in his new role. While it hasn’t all been Whitlock-inspired jubilation – Sergio van Dijk’s stomach turned in an entirely undesirable direction during Friday’s match – Adelaide have now managed four respectable points in two weeks; a rarity for them this season. If Kossie can guide his crop to positive results over a tough January period – including Heart away, Brisbane at home, Victory away and Central Coast away – he will have just about achieved all that was asked of him in the space of six matches.

3. Supporters Can Unite
Opposition on matchday, Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory fans ended their clash on Saturday afternoon sharing common ground: a mutual dissatisfaction with the refereeing performance of Strebre Delovski. Quite rightly regarded by many as the top whistleblower in the country, Delovski was forced into a series of controversial decisions and ended the encounter in the slightly unusual position of being equally derided by both sets of supporters. Less surprising was the criticism of Newcastle’s effort from Jets fans as they voiced their disapproval of their team’s lack of desire in capitalising upon their lengthy numerical advantage. Young defender Taylor Regan, justly recalled to the starting eleven, and experienced trio Michael Bridges, Kasey Wehrman and Francis Jeffers were the only real individuals to at least maintain their reputations in the wake of the Hunter-based club’s uninspiring draw. Special mention should be focussed on the fading light of Ben Kantarovski – not because he deserves harsher punishment than any other underperforming Jets player, but because of his proven talent. The 19-year-old’s form has clearly suffered following his long injury layoff; an extended stint in the National Youth League may be the ingredient required to regain his confidence.

4. Build from the Back
Every A-League manager should believe they can win the competition at the commencement of a new season and plan to do so. Targets change, however, and Miron Bleiberg has adjusted his squad well over the past four matches to collect a vital eight points and have Gold Coast sitting two points from sixth-placed Melbourne Victory. The results might not have been the product of the once intended ‘Brazil at home, Real Madrid away’ mantra, but that won’t bother fans of the club hoping to witness a third straight finals campaign. Their 0-0 deadlock away to leaders Central Coast Mariners in the second of Saturday’s triple-header was perhaps the most impressive of their recent run as a defence featuring youngsters Jerrad Tyson, Dylan McGowan and Zac Anderson combined for a fourth successive clean sheet. Current form says they won’t be bottom for much longer.

5. Just Tweak It
For all the intrigue, gasps and shattered monocles that surrounded Brisbane Roar’s tweak in formation for their New Year’s Eve meeting with Melbourne Victory at Suncorp, there were predictably little alterations made to their well-documented gameplan. The advancement in positioning of wing-backs Ivan Franjic and Shane Stefanutto, in conjunction with the further freeing of Mitch Nichols, Erik Paartalu and Rocky Visconte, were not exactly early doomsday signs, yet they did vary Brisbane’s attack in a manner that has been lacking throughout December. You get the feeling Ange Postecoglou has been so loathe to perform even minor surgery on his team’s structure and style due to Brisbane’s need for constant familiarisation if they are to ever master it to an insurmountable degree; this conclusion has been slightly tweaked in a new direction. Mehmet Durakovic, alternatively, should probably consult a different ‘Five Things We Learned’ column as his preferred midfield personnel are simply unsuited to the current shape, unlike Central Coast – fellow exponents of the midfield diamond.