What a weekend it was in the Hyundai A-League. Two absolutely thrilling semi finals sets up what should be a fantastic grand final in Newcastle this weekend between the Jets and the Melbourne Victory! We take a look at the big game on Saturday night and give our betting tips below.
Melbourne Victory caused possibly the upset of the year in their semi final against Sydney FC on the weekend. With the Victory up 2-1 at the end of regulation, they looked destined to reach the grand final before a 95th minute own goal sent the game into extra time. It took until the 117th minute before midfielder Terry Antonis kicked the sealer for the Victory to send them to their second consecutive grand final and a record 6th in league history.
After conceding in the 14th minute to go down 1-0, Newcastle pulled off a fantastic comeback in their semi-final, headlined by one of the best goals in A-League history by youngster Riley McGree. The Jets will go into the final as the second highest scoring team of the year with 57 goals, and are always a massive threat to find multiple goals.
It would be one of the ultimate steals if the Victory were able to win the premiership this year. By their lofty standards, they have had an extremely inconsistent year, while the Jets have had by far their best year in the league since winning the title back in 2008. They also bounced back from finishing last on the ladder last season, so a Newcastle win here would be a story to remember.
Tough match to call, Newcastle have been the more consistent side all year, but Melbourne Victory definitely have the star power. Bersat Berisha, Leroy George and James Troisi make up an extremely damaging front three for the Victory.
It will be the first time in A-League history that the two sides have met in the finals, and while Victory hold the advantage over the Jets all time, Newcastle have won their last two games against the Victory at home by an aggregate of 6-1.
Only one team in A-League history has ever won the grand final outside of their home state, which makes Melbourne Victory a slight $2.50 underdog to take out their fourth grand final.
As much as all signs are pointing to the Jets having a fairy-tale finish to their season here, I just cant get past the Victory’s pure match winning ability. Bersat Berisha has put Melbourne on his shoulders throughout the post-season so far and he is maybe the best big game player the A-League has seen and I can see him lifting the trophy at the end of the night.
TIP: Melbourne Victory to lift the trophy - $1.92 at CrownBet
