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

1. We Want More Mulvey
Looking for a talented young coach to revamp your club’s youth stocks? How about one who just led an embattled and undermanned squad to domination of the A-League’s form team? What if the aforementioned coach was a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer? Granted, that last detail may be a Wikipedia fact attributed to a certain Michael Mulvey, but it’s good resume filler, and an untruth which shouldn’t blight the burgeoning career of Gold Coast coach Mike Mulvey. Having overseen a fruitful period of success stories as head of the Queensland Academy of Sport – nurturing the likes of Tommy Oar, Robbie Kruse and Luke DeVere – spent time as assistant coach of the Australian Under-20s and led United to two successive National Youth League titles, there should be no surprise as to how well the Englishman has commandeered Gold Coast’s kids through an almost impossibly challenging period. But while his plucky bunch of young stars should all have little trouble in finding a new A-League home, the future of the 48-year-old is uncertain. That should not last. Gold Coast’s heartbreaking 1-1 draw away to Newcastle on Friday night was their most impressive performance since the departure of Miron Bleiberg, with Mulvey’s move of natural centre-half Daniel Bowles to right-midfield proving a masterstroke. With two matches to play in his bid to coach for a contract, you can expect there will be plenty of more reasons for why we would like to see more of his work.

2. Don’t Mess With Mate Dugandzic
Few players in the A-League would be willing to square off with rugged Wellington defender Ben Sigmund. Indeed, anyone familiar with the New Zealand internationals’ hulking frame would be less than cheery at the thought of engaging in even the most gentlemanly bout of fisticuffs. So, while we cower behind our keyboards, frightened at the thought of a brutal Sigmund tackle let alone a physical confrontation, we can only applaud the pluck of lightweight Mate Dugandzic in fronting the challenge. Adopting his captain’s post-substitution disposition rather than one which greeted all and sundry in the tunnel pre-match, the young Heart attacker found himself entangled with four opposition players before any one-on-one could materialised, ensuring the tale of David vs. Goliath would not be retold from now as being of ‘Mate vs. Ben’ proportions. The 41st minute scuffle was, in truth, just another entertaining chapter in what was a thoroughly enjoyable match, thanks in no small part to the football performances of the two mentioned actors. An eventual 1-1 draw was a missed opportunity for the Melbourne side, but a neat parallel to the evenness of the earlier drama.

3. Jim Knows The Score
If you believe the rumour mill – and there is nothing more amusing in football than believing the rumour mill – Jim Magilton has already agreed to extend his stay with Melbourne Victory to next season. The Northern Irishman’s comments in the wake of Victory’s dire 1-0 loss to Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night indicate that he’s under no illusions as to what his club requires at this point: regeneration. Regardless of results, his frank opinions should come as relief to Victory fans if his services are, as predicted, to be retained. The away outfit were again bereft of ideas in the loss – which sees Sydney climb to within one point of both Newcastle and Melbourne Heart – saved from further embarrassment by Sydney’s wasteful finishing and Captain Clearance himself, Mark Milligan. A major overhaul is undoubtedly required for the two-time champions, if only to assist Harry Kewell in his potential pursuit of finals parity with fellow star recruit Brett Emerton. The Sky Blues, meanwhile, will enjoy renewed top-six hope following the win after their morale was crushed by a late equliaser in Gosford last weekend, and now face perhaps their crunch match of the season away to Melbourne Heart on Saturday.

4. Reds Rule Roar In Finals Showdowns
The date is January 20, 2008, the final match of the 2007/08 A-League regular season – Brisbane enter the contest knowing a win would secure their maiden Premiership, their first piece of silverware as a club and an ideal finals launching pad. They implode, a Danny Tiatto first half red card the catalyst for a 2-0 loss which sees the visitors drop from first to fourth – a stunning blow to their chances. Neither of these listed events became uncommon. Skip forward to February 21, 2009 and these two sides again face each other in a match with significant finals consequences, though this time it’s to a secure spot against Melbourne Victory in the decider. A Fabian Barbiero wonder strike in the 25th minute is enough to secure a second Grand Final appearance for Adelaide as Brisbane again fail, and the men in orange officially become sick of the Reds. Thus, when Adelaide travelled to Queensland for Sunday afternoon’s match against the Roar, they could be forgiven for being unusually cocky, boosted in the knowledge that the fixture had serious finals ramifications for Brisbane. And, low and behold, the away side were able to frustrate the hosts, who saw midfield maestro Thomas Broich spurn a number of gilt-edged chances in a 1-1 draw, conclusively proving Brisbane’s adverse reactions to an Adelaide challenge.

5. There Might As Well Be A Bradbury
Let’s face it, if anyone wanted to win the Premiership by now they would have done so. Comfortably. First, Brisbane Roar fell to an unprecedented five straight losses to hand a commanding ladder lead to their nearest rivals, Central Coast Mariners. The Gosford club briefly accepted the gift before deciding it was far too generous, embarking on a stretch of just one win in six matches to graciously invite their 2010/11 Grand Final hosts back to the party. With Brisbane managing only a point earlier in the day, Central Coast’s clash with Perth offered another chance to bury some of their demons of the past by securing a five point lead. They lost – a simple handling error from Johnny Warren medal contender Mat Ryan gifted Glory attacker Travis Dodd the only goal of the game and moved Perth to third on the ladder. Such charity between competing outfits is beginning to threaten a recreation of a memorable Australian sporting moment as Perth and Wellington ponder their chances of ‘a Bradbury’. Elsewhere, the top-two link arms and share positive messages of reinforcement. On form, the season is set for an Olympic finish.