A-League Goal of the Week – Round 3

With 67% of the vote, Jeremy Brockie’s match-winner for Newcastle Jets against Central Coast Mariners is the winner of Round 3’s Goal of the Week. A late push brought Besart Berisha’s goal into contention but that campaign stalled at 33%. Neither Shane Smeltz nor Jamie Coyne received a single vote.

A-League Golden Boot – Round 3

Perhaps it’s too early to start this count, but I’ll be keeping track of the Golden Boot contestants throughout the season. Here’s where it stands after Round 3:

Shane Smeltz – 3

Besart Berisha – 2

James Brown – 2

Mate Dugandžić – 2

Ryan Griffiths – 2

Mitch Nichols – 2

A-League Goal of the Week – Round 3

Round 3 A-League Team of the Week

Manager – Craig Deans (Newcastle Jets)

Goalkeeper – Ante Čović (Melbourne Victory)

Defender – Simon Colosimo (Melbourne Heart)

Defender – Jamie Coyne (Sydney FC)

Defender – Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix)

Midfielder – Erik Paartalu (Brisbane Roar)

Midfielder – Terry Antonis (Sydney FC)

Midfielder – Mate Dugandžić (Melbourne Heart)

Midfielder – Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar)

Midfielder – Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets)

Forward – Alex Smith (Wellington Phoenix)

Forward – Shane Smeltz (Perth Glory)

Round 3 A-League Weekend Results

Saturday October 21:
Adelaide United 1
Sydney FC 2

Melbourne Victory 0
Melbourne Heart 0

Sunday October 22:
Perth Glory 1
Wellington Phoenix 0

Newcastle Jets 1
Central Coast Mariners 0

Brisbane Take M1 Derby 3-0

Brisbane Roar won for the third time this season, completing a 3-0 victory over M-1 derby foes Gold Coast United at Suncorp Stadium. Erik Paartalu (pictured), Besart Berisha and Mitch Nichols all scored for the Roar, who made it thirty-one consecutive without a loss. Paartalu’s opener came as a header in the 13th minute but was almost equalized in the 21st when Dylan Macallister hit the crossbar for United. The visitors played well in the first half, particularly through new recruit Maceo Ritgers, but it was not enough to compete with the depth and skill of Brisbane. When Ange Postecoglou inserted Kofi Danning and Massimo Murdocca just before the hour, the match completely turned. Murdocca assisted almost immediately, providing service to Berisha who scored his second goal in as many games. It was then Berisha who set up Nichols for the Roar’s third in the 78th minute, a goal that only emphasized just how good Brisbane are. United were lucky to leave down only three as Paartalu hit the post late on. The Roar retain their top spot on the ladder while Gold Coast await the results of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures to see just how far they fall from sixth.

Gary van Egmond Returns to Newcastle Jets

With their derby coming this weekend against Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets have been running television adverts reminding their rivals which club were Grand Final winners. With that message in mind, the Jets have brought back manager Gary van Egmond, architect of that 2007/08 championship side, as their new manager. Signing a two-year deal to return two years at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), van Egmond brings optimism ahead of the F3 derby this weekend. Of course Newcastle have not beaten the Mariners in two years, so the return of van Egmond certainly signals a hope of bringing success in the most important regular season match and a return to normalcy after the surprise sacking of Branko Čulina.

A-League Predictions – Round 3

Friday October 21:
Brisbane Roar 2
Gold Coast United 1

Saturday October 22:
Adelaide United 2
Sydney FC 2

Melbourne Victory 1
Melbourne Heart 1

Sunday October 23:
Perth Glory 3
Wellington Phoenix 1

Newcastle Jets 1
Central Coast Mariners 1

Round 3 Fixtures in US Time Zones

Oct. 21 – Brisbane Roar v Gold Coast United – 2:30am PT / 5:30am ET
Oct. 21/22 – Adelaide United v Sydney FC – 11:30pm PT / 2:30am ET – Live on FSC
Oct. 22 – Melbourne Victory v Melbourne Heart – 1:45am PT / 4:45am ET
Oct. 22/23 – Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners – 11:00pm PT / 2:00am ET
Oct. 23 – Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix – 1:30am PT / 4:300am ET

Fred Set to Miss Melbourne Derby

After suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury against Perth Glory, Fred will miss out on his first Melbourne derby. The former Melbourne Victory star has returned to the A-League with the Heart but will not be able to face his former club while wearing red due to the injury that forced him out of last weekend’s home tie. The loss is a big one for Heart, who have lost each of their first two matches. The timetable seems to be about two weeks but given his status as captain and an important recruit, Heart would be wise not to rush him back. In the meantime, the two Melbourne clubs sit in the bottom three with Sydney FC after the first two rounds. As if the derby needed more intensity or meaning, the absolute need for points should make this edition either more thrilling or desperate.