BEST

The glory days are back

The last time a Grand Final was played in Perth was all the way back in 2003, at now-demolished Subiaco Oval in Perth.

Over 38,000 people cheered on the likes of Bobby Despotovski, Simon Colosimo and Damian Mori that day in one of the NSL's last truly spectacular events - the Glory running out 2-0 winners over Olympic.

The former giants of Australian football had an all-too-brief spell at the pinnacle, but there's a feeling around the West that the glory days are back again. The Popalution is in full flight and you get the feeling it's going to be an equally spectacular Grand Final this time around.

Except, perhaps, rather than signal the end of an era for Australian football this time, it could signal a new beginning...

If one of the relics of Australian football, Liam Reddy has anything to do with it - who fittingly harked back to the classic Wollongong Wolves vs Perth Glory final of yesteryear in his post match interview - you get the feeling next week could be a very special occasion for the old meets new of Australian football.

An A-League marquee for the ages

It's fitting that the 36-year-old Spaniard, so often spectacular yet so often derided over the past two seasons, has finally earned his rightful place in the league's history books.

He's been criticised in the past for his inability, if not unwillingness, to transform from one of the league's finest marquee men into a title-winning team-player - but Tony Popovic has revolutionised Castro's ethic in addition to the side around him.

No longer a late arrival for each season, we've arguably never seen a finer Castro. The fine wine of marquees, two goals to lead his team to the Grand Final is just desserts for his contributions over the year.

A Championship medal would be the cherry on top.

Adelaide's journey to this point

It's also a just reward that Adelaide finished so close, yet also so far, from their own Grand Final appearance.

Despite clearly suffering from their 120 minute performance against Melbourne City, the Reds showed their class and determination by still finding a way back into the match through Baba Diawara, then Ryan Kitto, then Michael Marrone, then an unstoppable rain of penalty saves.

The bottleneck scoreline may not be a true reflection of the gulf in quality between the sides, but it is a reflection of Adelaide's sensational organisation and ethos that Marco Kurz delivered.

Adelaide's owners and a yet unconfirmed coach, we hope you're watching. You have very big shoes to fill.

WORST

Lack of experience where it mattered

Adelaide's fullbacks proved the weakpoint in the end. Ryan Kitto, who was so incredibly pinpoint and fantastically unlikely to provide the equaliser to take the match into extra time, eventually cost his side two goals through defensive lapses.

It's a very harsh adjudication, he, like all of Adelaide's players, put in a superhuman effort to make it to this stage. But ultimately he and Scott Galloway, who failed to handle Castro for Perth's second, were a step below the likes of Jason Davidson and Ivan Franjic.

Ultimately the one percenters proved the difference. But there was a far bigger gap than that between the two sides, so that in itself is a tribute to Adelaide.

The Kurz debacle worsens

It became more unbelievable with every game since Kurz and Adelaide announced their split that the new Reds' owners were willing to forgo such a talented and galvanising figurehead. 

He is a serious candidate for coach of the season despite Tony Popovic's incredible turnaround of Perth Glory, if for no other reason than the heart he's instilled Adelaide with this season.

Here's hoping Melbourne City pick him up, or maybe they fast-track South West Sydney into the A-League. Either way, we can't let this guy leave the country.

Perth far from infallible

Melbourne Victory or Sydney FC would have eaten their heart out watching Perth cough up three goals and penalty after penalty in the search for a maiden A-League Championship.

It's clear how much it means to the storied Western club, but that can be a bigger disadvantage than advantage in the heart-stopping nature of finals football.

Set-pieces seem to be a genuine issue, a fact Sydney exploited earlier in the season. Likewise, counter-attacks, as Melbourne proved in their most recent matchup, could provide a weakness.

Of course, there's one even greater pockmark on the horizon. Popovic has three A-League Grand Final appearances but only runners-up medals to show for it. After that performance, you have no idea what's in store.