March 18, 2013, 10:30 p.m.
Michael Bridges of the Jets is congratulated by teammates after he scored a goal during the round 25 A-League match between Adelaide United and the Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium on March 15, 2013 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images
JETS coach Gary Van Egmond talked about saying "a few Hail Marys and Our Fathers" after his side drew 1-1 with Adelaide on Friday night, and I'm determined to record the first "resurrection" pun in regards to the Jets' final-round match on Good Friday against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium.
Given the failings of all other top six aspirants to record maximum points - in fact, to record any points in most cases - on the weekend, victory in the final game of the regular season will in all probability see the Jets' title hopes reborn, on the holiest of days.
There are still a host of possible outcomes for several teams, but the only way the Jets won't be realistically alive on Good Friday is if Sydney FC beat the Wanderers in the derby this weekend, and Brisbane have won both their final home fixtures by the Thursday night before Good Friday.
Of course, the Jets' "rebirth" is almost certainly reliant on the small matter of beating the Wanderers on Good Friday, but that is hardly mission impossible, despite their opponents having won 10 games in a row, possibly 11 and a minor premiership, come game day.
"Isn't that a little optimistic, Lowey," you ask.
Possibly so, but given the propensity of teams in the bottom half of the competition to spurn opportunities to progress up the ladder, it's not totally unreasonable.
The attitude of the top two sides in the competition in round 27 will be, as I mentioned last week, crucial to outcomes. Graham Arnold, the Mariners coach, has already floated the prospect of fielding a youth team in either the A-League or the ACL in coming weeks.
If the Wanderers wrap up the Premiers Plate by beating cross-town rivals Sydney FC this week, that may mean Melbourne Heart face a seriously depleted Mariners side in round 27.
Of course that would only be of any consequence if there really is an early Easter miracle, and the Heart win their first game outside of Melbourne this season and roll the Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
It's easy to get totally mixed up and confused (as I'm illustrating here), trying to decipher all the what ifs and maybes. Suffice to say that if the Jets can beat the Wanderers on March 29, they are about a 75 per cent chance of playing semi-final football.
On the subject of resurrections, there was a very happy and well-deserved ending to one that seemed most unlikely four or five weeks ago.
Michael "Sonny Bill" Bridges earned a new contract with the Jets after showing everyone he still has much to offer in a football sense.
I hope he accepts the "Sonny Bill" moniker in the good spirit it is intended, because fair dinkum, I've never seen anyone else generate as much publicity while lacing up the boots only a handful of times in two years.
What the affable Englishman, perhaps soon to be Aussie, has reminded us all of is the fact that talent and ability are is still the most valuable commodities in a footballer's arsenal.
Certainly those of us who witnessed firsthand the muscle wastage on one already spindly leg at the beginning of last season, and the limping gait that accompanied it, would appreciate the work he has done to overcome the latest in a litany of injuries.
Most would have understood if his pride had told him to pack it in. After all, someone with more than 200 games in the EPL to his credit need not be labouring in the youth team of an A-League club to finish his career.
But his love of the game and desire to finish on his own terms have seen him rewarded with a contract for another season at the Jets.
His determination, tenacity and persistence have all contributed to his resurrection, but one other fact trumps all of those admirable traits.
Two words that say it all in football circles - "can play" - apply 100 per cent and have never really been in question.
In fact it's been a pretty good season for the "elder statesmen" in the A-League.
Alessandro Del Piero has starred at 38-39 years of age, Daniel McBreen is joint leader of the goalscoring charts at the ripe old age of 35, and Archie Thompson, of the same vintage, is still the most important player at Australia's biggest club.
Of course, people will argue that the biggest story in the game, the success of the Western Sydney Wanderers, has come within 12 months of the club's formation, and under the direction of a young, up and coming manager.
That's a fact, but Tony Popovic has orchestrated it by adhering to good old-fashioned principles that have applied since the beginning of competition football.
An old coach of mine once said a good level of fitness was 80 per cent of the battle (wish I had listened). Former Jets strength and conditioning man Adam Waterson has overseen that requirement.
"A good defence wins championships" is another old chestnut that rings true. The central defensive pairing of Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Michael Beauchamp is not the silkiest in the competition, but it is hard to beat for effectiveness.
Both are quick, good in the air, strong in the tackle, and hard to beat in a one-on-one contest.
Neither is afraid to kick it in the stands when the need arises. Their fullbacks get forward, but not to the degree of some of those in other sides.
The Wanderers work hard and are well organised, again prerequisites of successful sides from Barcelona to the Barnsley Bulldogs.
Tactically, the Wanderers are more expansive and aggressive at home, and often play with a defensive midfielder in place of a creative player when on the road - a hallmark of the European leagues Popovic has played and coached in.
In a world that keeps telling me how much the game has changed, it seems that good application of tried and true basic principles and a healthy dose of talent still get the job done.
No comments:
Post a Comment