A SEASON IN REVIEW

With the 2012/13 A-League Fixtures wrapped up, and the Minor Premiership going to the Western Sydney Wanderers, It’s time to look back on the season that was. First and foremost, Congratulations to the Wanderers, not many clubs can boast a Minor Premiership in their Inaugural season. Australian Billionaire Clive Palmer tried to achieve this in 2008 when he decided to invest his money in Gold Coast United, and made a lofty statement that the club were in it to win it during their first full season (2009/10), so kudos to Tony Popovic and all the boys In Western Sydney. Looking back on this season, It’s hard to name anything specifically as a standout moment during this 2012/13 A-League, as there were many. But I think one player who stole the show throughout the season was 38 Year Old Italian Alessandro Del Piero. His dazzling runs, sublime skills and clever finishing was proof that he was worth every bit of the 2 Million Dollar Annual pay cheque he gets. It also showed there’s plenty more inside the tank of this World Cup Winning Legend. 

On the other side of the spectrum there was perhaps (in some people’s eyes) the fall from grace for last year’s Grand Final outfits the Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory. With the Roar finishing the season in 5^th Spot and the Glory in 6^th, it seems like a sudden reversal of fortune since last year. Although they both make in to the Top 6 for a Finals playoff, it doesn’t seem likely we’ll be seeing these two teams in this year’s Grand Final. But the final thing about this 2012/13 A-League season, is the closeness and competitiveness in which these fixtures were played. If you look at the end of season table, not a lot separated 6^th spot from 10^th, and there were never any easy fixtures for any club. This is a great sign of how far the League has come in the last 8 years and It’s only a sign of things to come. So as Finals Football approaches, and the crowds flock in droves across the Country, one thing we can be proud of Is how far we’ve come in Australian Football. In the words of a 2007 song by Matchbox Twenty, “Let’s see how far we’ve come”, well when looking back It’s a long way and for the better. Enjoy the Finals.

Written by Alex Stilianos.