A is for Ange

Ange must be tasting the irony in all this like someone putting 'big red' source on the meal his mum slow cooked for hours.

He spent 5 plus years ignored by the A-League. Now just about every club sees him as 'the answer'. Like they just read he won 2 national titles as a player and now 3 as a coach.

He is a smart, articulate man. He matches it with the toughest journalists, leads them to the answer. Fixes miss-perceptions deftly.

He can also live in the world where he discreetly lays down the law. But in public on game day he is in the background. He knows how to handle young men, do as he says or they will miss out on being part of his team. And yes you want to be part of his team.

Ange is a planner and strategist. Seeing the big picture, not trying to solve all the problems at once.

Having said that, the cornerstone of his plan is the 'known' way to get results in modern football. Play out from the back, but not always. Play and run off the ball into continuously forming triangles. Pass short and forward. Go wide and straight down the middle. Follow the curriculum. Play the right way and mistakes are forgiven.

And yet for all his success in doing it 'his way', this role at Brisbane Roar has added something for him. A new charisma in which he sweeps all before. Jumping ship even for family could jeopardise what he dreams of... being the ACL champion. He moves - and that is another 2 years of risk. But without more resources he knows he will struggle against Urawa and the rest. You can do so much with unproven or low cost players. The top flight needs some higher cost magic.

And then there is the FFA. Melbourne Victory was its cash cow, yet it is now fading in quality and finances. And Heart's investors have lost heart. Even though they have done as well as could be expected. Both teams think the answer is Ange. More than just it can't be both teams' answer, it must be neither team. They must find their own Ange. Otherwise the magic is at risk for them, as the weight of expectation catches up with the charisma (you can't buy it, sorry).

And worse Queensland, the state of opportunity and untapped wealth, is at risk for FFA. Without Ange, the players would loose their mojo, anybody else would be a compromise - someone Victory and Heart did not want. The fans would again be cynical after being let down again. With Fury gone, Gold Coast seemingly on the edge, Brisbane would be next. Then who? No, FFA must do what Ange wants, money, 2 marquee players and no empty spots in the squad. Then probably a guest too - then we may see Brisbane rock - 30,000 every game, then 40,000.

Then the ACL.

That would be best for Ange.

Victory and Heart get creative. The Answer isn't as simple as A is for Ange.

Brisbane 2 v Central Coast 2 (Brisbane 4-2 on penalties)

50,100 were there. More than 10,000 left early (who will admit that in years to come).

More later.

Sustainability and this Grand Final

This is a big game for the A-League.

Up until November 2010 the Roar's brand was still in trouble. Perhaps a result other than the incredible and unpredictable winning streak you we have seen would have seen the A-League in full retreat across Queensland. Gold Coast's future is unclear, but we could have seen all Queensland teams under FFA management. Perhaps with little prospect of new owners.

This makes what the FFA does next absolutely vital. And they aren't giving much away.

And unfortunately, the result on Sunday is critical. Somewhere in FFA there must be at least a little thought that world wrestling's business model would be a good option. Or perhaps even the controlled outcomes we see from AFL (where important markets are given access to money, the best coaches and the best young and old players until their cash flow is positive). But you can't do that. This is the world commodity game, globalised and with the least trade barriers, much of the 'net' money flows towards FIFA. FIFA, by and large, is the only part of the structure with a robust monopoly. And we know that in the long term, to make above average returns on capital employed you need a monopoly (among friends let's call it a competitive advantage).

My advice, make the most of the lead up. Savor every moment and every pass of the game. Next season is going to be, as the saying goes, interesting.

FFA throw dice: Matthew Breeze to ref final

Matthew Breeze is quite prepared to sent someone off in the early minutes of a Grand Final - ask Adelaide. I assume the FFA have thought this through.

The plus side is that Breeze is his own man, who walks to his own drum beat. I other words he will be another 'player' on the field.

Anything could happen. Well 50,000 people need to go home home entertained. So Matthew could do it.

Go Matt.

Brisbane get 10 out of 12 in Team of the Year - new home of Australian soccer

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 All-Stars (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Michael Theoklitos (Brisbane Roar)

Defenders: Luke DeVere (Brisbane Roar), Joshua Rose (formerly Brisbane Strikers), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Cassio (Adelaide United),

Midfielders: Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Marcos Flores (Adelaide United), Thomas Broich (Brisbane Roar)

Attackers: Sergio Van Dijk (formerly Brisbane Roar), Robbie Kruse (formerly Brisbane Roar), Kosta Barbarouses (Brisbane Roar)

Coach: Ange Postecoglou (Brisbane Roar)

When you get to the game:

Precinct activities commence at 2pm.

Pre-Match activities in-Stadia
3pm - Qantas Choir, 1997 NSL Champions Brisbane Strikers and Westfield
W-League 2011 Champions Brisbane Roar Women presented to the crowd
3.20pm - Players warm up
3.30pm - Hyundai A-League Retiring Players Honoured
3.45pm - Performance by Regurgitator

COLLECT YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE AND AVOID THE QUEUES
We recommend picking up your tickets before you head to the venue. Click
on the link below to see a list of the Ticketek agencies where you can
collect your tickets.
http://premier.ticketek.com.au/Content/Outlets/agency.aspx

ALLOW EXTRA TRAVEL TIME
Be sure to allow extra time to get to and from Suncorp Stadium as there
will be major event road closures, parking restrictions and a capacity
crowd in attendance.

CHOOSE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Free Travel on QR Trains and BT Bus Services only - conditions apply.

For more information on public transport to and from the game, visit the
Translink website:



Info from ticketec.

Brisbane's mid-field

For 6 years Matt McKay and Massimo Murdocca have powered the Roar's mid-field. This year McKay has stepped up and Massimo has played the supporting role as Ange's possession and move forward game has kicked in.

Matt McKay 10/10

26 games 26 starts, 3 goals and 5 assists.

Brisbane's own stared for the Roar and the Socceroos in Asia. Matt has justified his status as the highest paid player under the salary cap. Clearly the right choice over Sergio Van Dijk, whose presence probably cost Adelaide a finals spot (forcing them up through the middle). Back to McKay - great energy, great motivator.

Thomas Broich 10/10

31 games, 31 starts, 6 goals and 12 assists.

While Marco Flores won the players' player of the season, Broich and McKay were the fans' players. Broich will face more thuggery from CCM this weekend, so far he has shown he is up to the challenge. A wizard down the left, also magic down the right. Always capable of something special.

Erik Paartarlu 9.5/10

32 games, 32 starts, 3 goals and 2 assists.

Is Erik a defender or a mid-fielder? Quietly cleaning up in the lower middle third, Erik has been the value find for Brisbane from a back water of Scottish football. In return his career has been given new life.

Mitch Nichols 9.5/10

Mitch, along with Henrique, brings something different to the pitch. Mitch has made Kosta. Another fan favourite who come create some 'in the box magic' that could win the Grand Final for Brisbane.

Massimo Murdocca 8/10

26 games for 18 starts, 1 goal and 3 assists

Massimo has brought commitment and energy to the bench to a throw at a tiring opposition. Helps the Roar to play at top speed throughout the full 90 minutes plus.

Luke Brattan 6/10

6 games from the bench for 1 assist.

Brattan showed some of the potential that is expected from him. One for next year.

Rocky Visconte 5/10

Twitter: @visconte14

14 games and 1 start, 1 goal.

Another player from a low profile Scottish club. Injury interrupted Rocky's start and lost him an opening spot. Fans love his name, but the results haven't come, yet.

Henrique 8.5/10

Twitter: @henrique10roar

13 games, 7 starts, 3 goals and 1 assist.

The fans' favourite player - perhaps across the league. The guy that says 'I love you Brisbane' into the TV camera when he scores. Has the ability to light up a game and turn it in favour of the Roar with guile, speed and skill.

James Meyer 7/10

4 games, 2 starts, 4 goals and 2 assists.

James could rock the A-League next year. Came to change games this year. Played up front and in the mid-field. Great surprise, can't wait.