The 2012/2013 Hyundai A-League regular season will conclude this weekend in somewhat climatic fashion.
Western Sydney Wanderers travel to Newcastle on Friday and with a win or draw will claim top spot and the Premier’s Plate. Should they lose however the Central Coast Mariners, who play Saturday, can snare the silverware with a win at home to Melbourne Heart.
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| Credit: Lowenna Rappo |
What a glorious end it will be to the season for the club that finishes number one on the A-League ladder. The catch? Should it be Wanderers, they will not be presented the Premiers Plate in Newcastle.
Football Federation Australia have decided to dull the occasion and award the plate at the winner’s home venue, A-League boss Damien de Bohun claiming:
“Winning silverware is a proud moment for any football club and we think it’s right that the fans are part of the occasion as much as the winning players and coaches,”
It’s despite the fact that Hunter Stadium is expecting a bumper crowd filled with around 8000 travelling Wanderers fans.
Were Newcastle Jets to get up over Wanderers then a home presentation should be a last resort if Melbourne Heart were to cause an upset and win/draw with Mariners.
For the scenario that Central Coast came out on top, the silverware and confetti rockets only have a short run down the F3 on Saturday morning ready for that should it eventuate.
In seasons past the decision has been easier for the governing body. Last year’s Premiers Central Coast Mariners played their final game in Wellington whilst Brisbane played later that night on the Gold Coast; an impossible commute for Ben Buckley and the Premier’s Plate.
So instead the silverware and the regular season triumph it represents wasn’t treated with importance. In 2011/12 the Mariners received it whilst on Foxsports FC, the now defunct Tuesday night panel show. Crass.
Coulda shoulda woulda. There’s always next season I guess.
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