Dont forget Segecic too, just needed to used to play there and not on the wing or as a DM which happens alot with Aussie attacking midfielders.

Torres won't be in the A League next season. 

Well what a great night for orange Suncorp lovers.

We played some of our fast, close football, took some chances, and had a ripping good game (for orange eyes and neutrals as MelbCityGuy says).

Have to get the rubbish out of the way first - Natel is a diving cheat, City got away with professional fouls all night with only warnings, and the ref missed a bucket load of fouls. Bloody annoying to see promising attacks fouled from behind with ankle taps and grappling only to have yet another warning administered. I think I heard somewhere that the ref was changing his first name from Alex to Jo - but I don't know how reliable the source is. I think he got the balance very wrong in what he let go and it caused too many promising attacks to be unfairly stifled.

And on to the good...

Jelacic and Burke-Gilroy are having a massive impact. Both with and without the ball, and going forwards or backwards they are both making such a positive contribution. I don't care that Jelacic bombed a pretty sure goal over the top - he was there for the opportunity and racked up plenty of points in his favour the rest of the game. Burke-Gilroy came flying back with quite brilliant interventions to cut out City threats all game and he is showing himself able to remain composed under considerable pressure.

Hore was at his livewire best tonight forcing up to four City players to cover him at one point. Nikolovski had another strong game at the back and is working out to be a very good CB for us. Mileusnic is now limiting most of his speedy bursts to attacking play - which means he can keep threatening all game and while I like having him race back and shutting threats down he is one of our main attacking outlets so having the legs to do that job longer helps us. He was involved in some very tidy periods of play, receiving and releasing the ball to great effect.

O'Shea got to play a dominant role again and you've just got to love his composure, ability to hold the ball while being challenged by three players, and vision to run or pass. He also swoops back often to pinch a ball or disrupt the opposition and his skill and strength on the ball make him much more than just a simple inconvenience.

Trewin is a very good CB and we have looked so much stronger at the back with Trewin and Nikolovski. Still not rock solid but so much better. It will be interesting to see what Zadkovic does when Aldred and Neville are back. At the least we have two real quality CBs putting pressure on the incumbents to perform.

Hingert did a good job against the early attacks on our right hand side. The obvious diving and flopping of Natel was rewarded once then largely ignored - but when he threw himself over backwards long after any contact he deserved a card for simulation and nothing came. When he was beaten, Jack did not lunge in stupidly or throw up his hands - he trusted in his team mates and came to help. He also brought the ball forward well and made one very intelligent run along the goal line to create peril when his usual option is to bomb the ball in. Just the fact that he can introduce some variety to unsettle and move defenders round is promising - hopefully he mixes it up more from now on.

Waddingham did more off the ball tonight than we have seen of him - pinching a few and disrupting the early buildup for City. His pace is lacking as we saw when he tried to run with the ball from halfway and got hauled in very easily - but he was back to using his strength, height and body to create options to receive the ball. He has been due for a few games and tonight he collected.

And Caletti just worked his arse off in the middle in both directions doing exactly what we need to keep the ball moving and move opposition players around. Not all that dominant going forward, but that is O'Shea's role.

Then on the bench we had Rojas, Armiento and Berenguer to add to the attack when players got tired - and we never have anyone on the bench that might scare opponents when they come on. Brown was not a drop in our overall capability when he came on either.

Freke was massive in goals with several really good saves and some brilliant reflex moments.

Just a really good night when things clicked for us and didn't for City.

Subbing in Antonis, Leckie and Jakolis from halftime had me a bit nervous - but it looks to me like Vidmar has City playing a lot more close and grubby football than the beautiful combinations and waves of attack that we have seen in previous seasons. Hard to keep quality quiet though and the three subs found a lot of time and space to start creating havoc. Had we not been sooooo far ahead on the scoreboard, their impact could have really put pressure on Roar's stability and cohesion - but a bit of luck and riding the energy of the game saw us only concede the one goal. Another night and City would have scored more - but not this night my Melbourne friends!

And more rain to play in.

The team is starting to play together again and it is such a great feeling having a team who can pass the ball to each other, trust in each other to do our jobs, and play with the cohesion and commitment we need to see in our teams to feel like we actually are a team.

The ref missed a bucket lol

Thought segecic was an 8?we are producing tons of quality  8s

:)

I assume you are referring to that incident. Perhaps my choice of words was not the best in hindsight.

Was at Suncorp last night smack bang in the middle of the Den.

Shoes off....for the roar! Lol.

What a hoot of a night and a cracking win!

Just watching CCM Sydney replay.

How's all the Sydney fans with the Hawaiian shirts, pool noodles and blow up water toys? Hahaha.

So good.

Another crazy game this time between WSW and Newcastle.

Once again the ref the talking point, I think the 2nd yellow card on Russell was a bit harsh then again he should have been sent off for the Taylor tackle in the first half.
Then there was another bad tackle this time the Jets defender on Brook it probably should have been a red but they deemed it not red card worthy, the Hendrix was right call red card all day for that.
Otherwise a very eventful game so much drama with WSW games recently lol.

During covid I realised it was less about the football and more about friends, travel and experiences. Of course the football re-entered the focus once the game started yet if the A League can get people travelling to games for  a mix of reasons then that's a good thing.

Neat goal by Jake Hollman for Mac. I haven't seen a lot of him yet, but from what I've seen of Hollman he looks like a very good prospect.

Also, liked Taggart's classic back post striker's finish for Glory.

Glad to see Roar with a big win, after struggling at times.

A league is fun as I don't care what anyone says 

What about the complete miss by Evans of the cocked elbow to the face of Badalato?

Red card on Hendrix was right, Stanton said in his presser he didn't think deserved a second yellow. Stanton also said the Grimaldi tackle was dangerous and he was preparing for a red card.

He is coming off the bench for a div 2 dutch side who sydney offered on loan with a buy option. Let's not get our hopes up

Young players are often in and out of the xi in europe to protect their body and teach them consistency

What matters is minutes over a season

Boladato is kind of something in between a 10 and a 2nd striker, a trequartista maybe? Im liking what i see so far

how was Woods attempted finish's.
Couldn't believe it.

Second yellow to the WSW player who stepped on the bloke's foot to give away the penalty was way harsh.

Would like to hear the rationale behind it.

Nothing more than an accidental trip for mine.

As much as I struggle with consistency across refereeing decisions, anyone who thinks those decisions should overshadow the actions of Lederer post game is misguided.

This is a guy who owns one of the major clubs, in very much a football heartland, who at the time of acquiring it had an extremely strong following in Western Sydney. Under his leaderships the Wanderers following has dwindled and, sorry to say it, but the 9k to 10k they keep posting each week is total BS. He is / was one of the major players in the break away of the APL from the old FFA and, surely it is fair to conclude by now, that has also been a total failure.

Now he is entering the field of play to abuse match officials, being employees within the very organisation for which he is a major shareholder (and former board member). It is just so incredibly unprofessional, and when you wonder why the A-League is dropping down the ladder in terms of connecting with large corporates and media (something Lowy was extraordinary at), remember moments like this at the degree of professionalism shown by those now in charge.

I am very interested to know what punishment the APL will impose on him for those actions. Or can the FA impose a penalty?

He is a current board member. No longer the chair but still an APL board member. (https://aplfootball.com.au/our-business/board/)

Badalato or Lopane.
Both from Wanderers Academy. 
Equivalent?

spot on 

Disciplinary action is a Football  Australia responsibility.

Badalato is slightly younger than Lopane, but both are good prospects. Lopane has been played our of position at RW for most of his time with City, as his best position is #10. He's a skilful player. Badalato has been playing at #10 & this suits him - it looks like he's got good control & a great passing game with a couple of outstanding assists so far. He's unlucky to not have scored a few goals as well. Looking forward to see both develop over the next few years. 

Lopane doesn't look anything special at all. He'll be a average a league player which is still a pretty good career