GRAND FINAL COUNTDOWN
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday March 19, 2010
THE TREATMENT TABLESydney FC:Shannon Cole (hamstring - test), John Aloisi and Steve Corica (hamstring), Kofi Danning and Rhyan Grant (knee).Melbourne Victory:Tom Pondeljak (hamstring - available), Billy Celeski and Matthew Kemp (knee), Nik Mrdja (suspended).THE GAME IN NUMBERS4The number of red cards shown in the past four A-League grand finals. After no player was sent off in the first decider between Sydney and Central Coast in 2005-06, one player each was sent off in the next two finals (Adelaide's Ross Aloisi against Melbourne and Central Coast's Danny Vukovic against Newcastle) before two players, Cristiano (Adelaide) and Danny Allsopp (Victory), were dismissed last year.WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY"Melbourne have the advantage of home ground and a deep squad featuring the competition's best and most experienced players and personalities. Sydney bring a robust system and a shrewd tactician, but lack the personnel and team balance necessary to overcome the odds. Melbourne to prevail." Kimon Taliadoros, former NSL Golden Boot winner.PLAYER IN FOCUSLeigh Broxham: Often derided as the weak link in the Melbourne chain, Broxham (pictured training at Olympic Park in Melbourne) has battled on admirably to prove himself as a more than capable player this season. Previously pigeon-holed as a defensive midfielder, he's also shown the capacity to play in defence or at wing-back. The 22-year-old is still a work in progress, however, Victory coach Ernie Merrick believes he's replaced the tough-tackling presence of Steve Pantelidis who left to join Gold Coast United - all without the yellow cards or turnovers.WHAT THE FANS SAY"Sydney FC's killer Bs are back on song. Return of Bridge not only adds pace and creativity, but makes Brosque look more dangerous. Aloisi looked old and second rate for front half of season. Return of Bridge has validated that." GregPankhurst, Twitter.PAST GRAND FINALSSeason Four: 2008-09Melbourne Victory 1 (Pondeljak 60) bt Adelaide United 0 at Etihad Stadium. Crowd: 53,273.Melbourne: Theoklitos; Kemp, Vargas, Muscat, Ryall; Ward (Berger 56, Lopez 89), Celeski, Hernandez, Pondeljak (Brebner 83); Thompson, Allsopp (red card 65).Adelaide: Galekovic; Jamieson (Cassio 73), Cornthwaite, Ognenovski, Mullen; Pantelis (Agostino 63), Reid, Salley, Barbiero, Dodd;Cristiano (red card 10).
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