Outside90’s chief editor Adrian Houghton surveyed five of Australia’s leading football experts about some of the A-League’s potential finals scenarios.
These men and women get paid to talk and write about football, but can they predict what the future holds for the 2015 A-League finals?
Mark Bosnich – Fox Sports commentator and football analyst
Robbie Slater– Fox Sports commentator and football analyst
Tara Rushton – Fox Sports host and football analyst
Lucy Zelic – SBS host and football analyst
Craig Foster – SBS commentator and football analyst
Who is your pick to meet in the Grand Final and who will win the Championship?
Bosnich: My tip is Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC. They have been the two best teams all season and I think that both have exactly what you need in knock-out games. As for the winner, I believe Sydney FC will edge the final because right now they are marginally in better form.
Slater: I’ll go with Victory vs Sydney. Sydney to win normal time because I think they are the best team in the competition. Simple!
Rushton: Based on form, and consistency throughout the season I don’t think you can go past Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. I’ll go with Melbourne Victory to do the double. Yes they are potent in attack this we know, but Kevin Muscat has plugged up the defensive problems of last season. Last season Victory conceded 43 goals, this year 31, and Matthieu Delpierre has provided a much needed pillar in defence for them at the back.
Zelic: I’ve been predicting a Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC final for some time now, not only because they’ve been the two most consistent sides this season, but their respective squads are stacked with some tremendously skilled and quality individuals. Sydney have shown glimmers of weakness this season, namely that they can take their foot off the pedal at times during matches. With that in mind, they’ll know that they can’t afford to do that against a side like the Victory who will punish them for it but I feel that Sydney will be the side walking away disappointed come the final.
Foster: Victory against Sydney FC. Victory to win on penalties as the teams are too close to split after extra time.
Which team is the dark horse of the finals series?
Bosnich: Dark horse during the final series must be Adelaide United. Despite the fact they’re a good side, I do not think that you will find a lot of people backing them to win it. They’ve shown in the FFA Cup they have all the ingredients for knock-out competition. Great goalkeeper, they score goals and can keep possession well.
Slater: Adelaide United. A fit and firing Carussca coupled with the quality of their football means they’re always a chance. I think they’ll win the first match at home to Brisbane which means that’ll they play Sydney away, who haven’t beaten them all season.
Rushton: Brisbane Roar, why the hell not?! They have the experience and getting through by default has them playing with a real sense of ‘nothing to lose’. Their youth have stood up when needed this season, like Devante Clut, Brandon Borello and what about Shannon Brady! They also have the calm and experienced minds and bodies on the field of Broich, Brattan and McKay.
Zelic: Wellington Phoenix. Granted they’ve had both good and bad patches this season but on a whole, they’ve been just fabulous to watch and we’ve got Ernie Merrick to thank for that. When everything is going in the Phoenix’s favour on any given day, they’re entertaining and play an acute, attacking style of football.
Foster: Adelaide United. Just don’t know what they will produce and against Roar is a tight call, but they’re capable of beating the top two.
Who will be the standout player of the finals series?
Bosnich: The stand out player? Well that’s a hard one. The player who helps their team the most to win the Grand Final,so seeing though I tipped Sydney I will go for Mickhal Tavares. Has done such a superb job since arriving and will be vital marshalling Sydney’s mid-field during the finals.
Slater: Marc Janko gives Sydney another dimension. He scores goals, and that’s the difference. He can score spectacular goals and he’s lethal in the air and when he’s on the pitch he cause problems. Holds up the ball, brings others into play – an all round striker. Seems to relish the big occasion.
Rushton: I think we can expect more magic from Fahid Ben Khafallah, already with five goals and nine assists to his name he has been a standout in his debut season in the A League and I can’t wait to see more of him.
Zelic: For me, Ben Kalfallah has been one of, if not the best players to watch this season. He’s a genuine goalscoring threat, a defenders nightmare and whenever he takes to the field, you know he’s going to have an impact. Even on days when he’s been somewhat quiet, he still manages to contribute to the overall result whether that’s through an assist or his impressive work rate.
Foster: Besart Berisha. He’ll score key goals when needed.
Who do you think will score the most goals during the finals series?
Bosnich: Very hard to go past Besart Berisha. Has a proven track record in the finals and is a deadly finisher.
Slater: Bernie Ibini. There’s another dark horse for you. I think he’ll rise to the occasion.
Rushton: Gees! This is a tough one, but I’ll go with Berishsa. The man thrives in the big occasions.
Zelic: Well with Janko’s fitness being called into question and the fact that he’s been a little subdued in the last few weeks, it may open the door for a few others to shine. Berisha has found consistent form in front of goal recently and you can always depend on him to wreak havoc in the box. Likewise, Nathan Burns has developed a reputation for creating and scoring regularly this season so look out for him too.
Foster: Berisha, but it won’t be many. Games are very tight now.
If Melbourne Victory don’t win the Championship will the season be deemed a failure?
Bosnich: No definitely not. Although in Australia the champions are defined by the Grand Final winners,the best team of the regular season is a special achievement which is not forgotton. It has also guaranteed them a place in the Asian Champions League.
Slater: No, absolutely not. Still a success. Premiers plate is an important trophy. They’ve qualified for the Asian Champions no matter what happens in the finals.
Rushton: Not at all! There is no way you could deem the season a failure if they don’t bag the double, although they would be bitterly disappointed to not clinch the Championship.
Zelic: After winning the Premiers Plate, there is a massive expectation that they’ll win the Championship too. For that reason and given that they’ve been the most consistent side this season, I think they would feel some degree of failure associated with it if they weren’t to win, yes.
Foster: Victory’s season is already a success. The league title is the most important trophy. The Finals are a cup competition where luck plays a part
With Perth dumped, do you think Brisbane (with all their finals experience) harbour a sneaky chance?
Bosnich: Brisbane? No I do not think they are much chance in winning it. They may upset Adelaide, but they will not defeat Melbourne Victory or Sydney.
Slater: Yes, because the format is they play two games and they’re in the grand final and they are better away from home. Also, they have won three out of the last four championships and have experienced players like Thomas Broich, Luke Brattan, Matt McKay and Shane Steffanuto.
Rushton: For reasons stated above, absolutely and it wouldn’t shock me either!
Zelic: I don’t, no. I’ve found it very difficult to recognise anything hugely positive about the Roar’s performance in this campaign. They are a mere shell of the team they were last season and it’s been baffling to witness them come from being a Championship winning side to delivering what can only be described as lacklustre in 2014/15.
Foster: Few things are impossible in football but they are a very long shot. Victory and Sydney have more strength in more team departments.
The venue saga, IF, Victory host the final what are your thoughts about the switch from Etihad to AAMI Park?
Bosnich: I have no problem with Melbourne Victory playing at AAMI Park if they were to make the grand final. It is arguably the best football venue in the country and is also the main home ground of the Victory, which is a perk of finishing on top of the table. The atmosphere will be electric due the fans being close to the pitch as well.
Slater: Not happy. Terrific stadium AAMI Park, no doubt about it but for a grand final it’s not suitable. It does create a great atmosphere but the reality is it only holds around 28,000. For me it’s like playing the FA Cup final at St. Mary’s. I find extraordinary that they can’t get Etihad. That’s so out of line from the AFL.
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Rushton: Etihad would have been fantastic holding near 50,000 people, but if it can’t be done it can’t be done. AAMI park is a great venue that will pack out and I believe people will be watching outside the stadium on big screens too. This will encourage everyone to head to AAMI and support their club for the day if it happens.
Zelic: I think it’s a terrible decision to be completely honest, for the simple fact that tens of thousands of fans will miss out on the chance to attend the final. Don’t get me wrong, AAMI Park is a brilliant venue and I’ve always enjoyed watching football there – it’s one of the best kept stadiums in the country. But, with a capacity of just over 30,000, it seems like a paltry option for our competition’s grand final.
Foster: If necessary, it has to be done. The winner should have the opportunity to play in their home town. I can understand switches to larger venues, but not cities, even acknowledging that the grand final is a showpiece event.
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