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Posted April 26, 2026 22:46 · last edited April 26, 2026 22:54

Not sure it is just the absence of de Vries or Pijnaker. 
It is also the drop off of the scoring form of Brook and Randall (who in my opinion are both less reliant on de Vries crosses than say Cosgrove). Even Cosgrove's goals were not headers, lately.  And let's not forget the dramatic MIA form of May this season, a few goals he scored as a sub notwithstanding. Potentially Brimmer's absence due to injuries is also a factor.
If you take away the single result of the last NZ derby, their GF are decent but not spectacular.  Their ladder position seems to be more due to their good defensive record all season (only Syd FC had fewer GA) than their scoring performance, outside of the derbies.  
On the strength of their performances leading to the finals, I am not seeing them lifting the toilet seat this season, but they may rebuild for next year and improve to challenge again. That places them in that exclusive elite of ALM clubs that every season are expected to win something.   They had some excellent performances this year and have been fun to watch more often than not. 

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Mainland FC edited April 26, 2026 22:54
Not sure it is just the absence of de Vries or Pijnaker. 
It is also the drop off of the scoring form of Brook and Randall (who in my opinion are both less reliant on de Vries crosses than say Cosgrove). Even Cosgrove's goals were not headers, lately.  And let's not forget the dramatic MIA form of May this season, a few goals he scored as a sub notwithstanding. Potentially Brimmer's absence due to injuries is also a factor.
If you take away the single result of the last NZ derby, their GF are decent but not spectacular.  Their ladder position seems to be more due to their good defensive record all season (only Syd FC had fewer GA) than their scoring performance, outside of the derbies.  
I am not seeing them lifting the toilet seat this season, but they may rebuild for next year and improve to challenge again. That places them in that exclusive elite of ALM clubs that every season are expected to win something.   They had some excellent performances this year and have been fun to watch more often than not. 
Mainland FC edited April 26, 2026 22:53
Not sure it is just the absence of de Vries or Pijnaker. 
It is also the drop off of the scoring form of Brook and Randall (who in my opinion are both less reliant on de Vries crosses than say Cosgrove). Even Cosgrove's goals were not headers, lately.  And let's not forget the dramatic MIA form of May this season, a few goals he scored as a sub notwithstanding. Potentially Brimmer's absence due to injuries is also a factor.
If you take away the single result of the last NZ derby, their GF are decent but not spectacular.  Their ladder position seems to be more due to their good defensive record all season (only Syd FC had fewer GA) than their scoring performance, outside of the derbies.  
I am not seeing them lifting the toilet seat this season, but they may rebuild for next year and improve still.  They had some excellent performances and have been fun to watch more often than not. 
Mainland FC edited April 26, 2026 22:51
Not sure it is just the absence of de Vries or Pijnaker. 
It is also the drop off of the scoring form of Brook and Randall (who in my opinion are both less reliant on de Vries crosses than say Cosgrove). Even Cosgrove's goals were not headers, lately.  And let's not forget the dramatic MIA form of May this season, a few goals he scored as a sub notwithstanding. Potentially Brimmer's absence due to injuries is also a factor. 
If you take away the single result of the last NZ derby, their GF are decent but not spectacular.  Their ladder position seems to be more due to their good defensive record all season (only Syd FC had fewer GA) than their scoring performance, outside of the derbies.  
I am not seeing them lifting the toilet seat this season, but they may rebuild for next year and improve a bit.  
Mainland FC edited April 26, 2026 22:50
Not sure it is just the absence of de Vries or Pijnaker. 
It is also the drop off of the scoring form of Brook and Randall (who in my opinion are both less reliant on de Vries crosses than say Cosgrove). Even Cosgrove's goals were not headers, lately.  And let's not forget the dramatic MIA form of May this season, a few goals he scored as a sub notwithstanding.  
If you take away the single result of the last NZ derby, their GF are decent but not spectacular.  Their ladder position seems to be more due to their good defensive record all season (only Syd FC had fewer GA) than their scoring performance, outside of the derbies.