The fact that Mat Leckie put in a Joe Marston level performance, not just with the nose gash - but going into the game with a strained hamstring that he knew would likely keep him out of the Socceroos... Legend status.

Victory lineup is wild - forced by the injuries to Bos and Traore. Valadon squeezed into full back? Three at the back? Whichever way they do this, this is going to be a very different Melbourne Victory to what we're used to.

My take on this morning and what it means to be 'Spursy', from my one-day-only hiatus of being an Arsenal supporter. #LovingBigAngeInstead

Hahaha the towel is gone 🤣

These conditions well suited to Auckland I reckon. Less flashy football, more 'get stuck in', win the physical battle. #MVCvAKL

Really watchable game of football. Western press not allowing City possession to dominate too heavily. Enough chances for both teams to score a few, excited for the second quarter. #WUNvMCY

Irony is that the atmosphere of a game like this would actually be insane in a 5,000 seater. #WUNvMCY

Aaaand Sydney's season is over. Big picture - this is absolutely disastrous for a club with such a talented list. #MCYvSYD

This game is such a genuine toss of the coin for me. So much on the line for both. #MCYvSYD

Pretty stoked to have made my NPL Victoria commentary debut last night for the Oakleigh v Heidelberg clash. Everyone kept saying this league is the centre of the universe, and with innovative tactics like Yaren Sozer's double-wall, it's easy to see why 🤣

Asumah Abubakar has been at the centre of a lot of the good things happening for the Roar in the last month. No brainer to extend his deal beyond the initial half-season. #BRIvWEL

My god... might be the worst this Suncorp surface has looked all season. Thankfully the last time we have to deal with it this season. #BRIvWEL

Season over for Macarthur. They made a conscience decision in January to prioritise the long term of the club over the short - so not a surprise. The foundations are there though - this club will challenge under Sterjovski. #MACvMVC

Bullet. Possibly his last in Victory colours as well. No way Ryan Teague is still in the league next season. #MACvMVC

Mitch Langerak injured in training - Diles doesn’t know the full extent of it. Quite fortunate they’ve got a keeper on the bench that has played around a dozen quality A-League games this season… #MACvMVC

Two rounds to go... plenty of movement and surprising results in Round 27! Spotify: spoti.fi/3Ce2Ltu YouTube: bit.ly/4faBxCC

Alex Paulsen hasn't got as many headlines this season compared to last - largely because he's been protected so well... But proving again he is clear as the best keeper in the league. #MVCvAKL

This back end to Adelaide’s season is a Shakespearean level tragedy. Absolutely hilarious and sad at the exact same time. #ADLvWEL

That loss from Western makes it very hard for top two now. We break down the run home in detail on the latest @RoundBallAus pod - but Sydney and Auckland to close. 6 points likely not even enough. #BRIvWUN

One positive out of yesterday is that the win (on the night) lifted Australia back above Malaysia in the AFC East coefficient rankings. Doesn't affect our slots for 26/27, but an important step. Gained ground on China as well - who we should be targeting in the next 3-4 years.

A disappointing evening. Sailors were massive though. Scored some bangers in the first leg and were defensive beasts in the second. Well deserved. #SYDvLCS #ACLTwo

The biggest game in Sydney FC's history is here! 2-0 deficit to overcome. Douglas Costa ready to make an impact. Adrian Segecic in rare air. An opportunity to host a Champions League final. Don't miss it! Live on YouTube from 7:55pm. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypau...

For the coefficient!

I think Segecic just has to start tonight. You can't afford to have someone so in form, not play in such an important match. If Klimala still isn't right then it's easy - Lolley up top. But if he is, I'm benching Lolley... #SYDvLCS #ACLTwo

Adrian Segecic - Socceroos Cap #650. Unavoidable now. #SYDvAKL

Insane! Adrian Segecic's goals per 90 must be absolutely insane... #SYDvAKL

Medium rotation - perhaps. Think this is probably about right. Midfield isn't completely set regardless, Douglas Costa the number #1 candidate for a break and Segecic deserves a start anyway. #SYDvAKL

Big for Victory - next week against Auckland now becomes all the more important. Win that and all of a sudden in with a genuine shout of 2nd place given the weakness of their fixture list compared to City and Western United. #WELvMVC

Ummm... I know it was offside... but how on Earth is Ishige missing that!? #WELvMVC

Giancarlo Italiano's contract situation will be the centre of a lot of talk in the next few months. This is the argument to keep him. Peak Chiefy-ball this goal. #WELvMVC

Zero chance that Nishan Velupillay is at Melbourne Victory next season. That Socceroos shirt has brought the best out of him for club and country. Victory should cash in big. #WELvMVC

Interesting trend in Australian coaching at the moment - the belief that you should always play 'your way' and rarely adjust for your opposition. See Ange, and domestically - Talay. I know there's a lot of believers, but IMO it can only take you so far. Both being tested atm.

Absolute rocket aside - Lion City still the better of the first half. Not dire - Sydney plenty of the ball and still have an automatic goal (Sega) on the bench. At least a draw important to hook in a good crowd for next week though. #LCSvSYD #ACLTwo

Last chance to pick one up if you were on the fence. Every dollar going back into RBA - appreciate everyone who's ordered one already 🙂

Is Carl Veart on his way out of Adelaide United at the end of the season!? Spotify: spoti.fi/3Ce2Ltu YouTube: bit.ly/4faBxCC 📸 Joshua Davis / Round Ball Australia

Adelaide have conceded 18 goals in their last 5 games. One of those was a 1-1 draw. No lineup excuses anymore, this is a very poor defensive team. #MVCvADL

That’s football that. #MVCvADL

Sydney’s domestic season officially in the red zone after that. You’d imagine they’d probably need ~10-12 points from their final five games to make finals from here. That’s at least 3 wins with Auckland, Western United and City again in that run… #SYDvMCY

Perry Park mentioned in the report just once in the name of grassroots support. Still more to learn about how this will impact football long term.

Football going to Cairns and Townsville for the 2032 Olympic Games, just confirmed by David Crisafulli. But also said upgrades to Perry Park are on offer!? Slightly confusing, but that's not the worst-case scenario?

D-Day for Perry Park tomorrow. Queensland Government set to make public the findings of the Brisbane 2032 infrastructure review. Hoping for good news 🤞

Big one from Nish last night.

Been a long time coming on this - very happy with the result. If you appreciate the work we do trying to grow the profile of Australian football, please consider picking one up. It's the best way to support us, and every dollar is going back into our content.

🔜

Tony Bloom, majority owner of Brighton & Hove Albion, has acquired a 19.1% ownership stake in Melbourne Victory. ✍️ Lachie Avil

Sydney FC's efforts as a club over the last ~9 months being rewarded heavily last night. All the pieces are coming together...

What a night!!! Sydney in a commanding position going into the second leg. OFC Pro League drama with #AusChampionship and A-League teams putting their hands up. Perry Park's date of destiny coming up soon, and more. Spotify: spoti.fi/3Ce2Ltu Youtube: bit.ly/4faBxCC 📸 Sydney FC - X

Great piece here from Kev with quotes from both the Roar and the Strikers on the use of Perry Park or another T2 stadium in Brisbane.

Been busy recording the podcast for tomorrow morning, but that is just so big for Sydney. Will get looked down upon because it's the second tier, but that is a quality Korean side they just beat well away from home. Close it out next week. #JBHvSYD #ACLTwo

Adelaide United's first penalty for Verstraete's trip on Alagich should not have stood according to weekly referee review panel. ✍️ Lachlan Avil