Does the final weekend's fixtures disadvantage us?

Does the final weekend's fixtures disadvantage us?

Having looked at the current league table, if we win on Friday in Melbourne, Adelaide and Central Coast just need to draw with each other on Sunday to win the title and get fourth place respectively.  Surely this is a huge disadvantage to us, the games should be played simultaneously to avoid this sort of situation.  Austria v West Germany World Cup '82 anybody?

Have a look on the Nix v Tards thread

Interesting point, why is it that the A-League don't have all the last round games on at the same time? Presumably its a TV issue.
In terms of it being a disadvantage you could look at it both ways, it could be seen as us going out and laying down the gauntlet to CCM, we won now come and get us if you are good enough. I think if we had won last week and had the second game this weekend it would have been a massive advantage because a draw may have got us there depending on the CCM result which would have allowed us to pick a different team (maybe) but because we have to win no matter what it doesn't really matter and psychologically may actually be the better option

I still think if two teams know they only need to draw, there is no incentive whatsoever to go hell for leather just out from the playoffs.  It can affect choice of line up, tactics etc.  No teams should be given that sort of advantage.

But as Stevo pointed out if we beat Melbourne then Queensland will definitely be looking to beat Perth - and should do - because they will go top. Adelaide will then need at least a point, but probably all three, against CCM to finish top themselves. It's only if Queensland don't beat Perth that will Adelaide then go into that last game knowing they've already won the minor premiership.

If we don't beat Melbourne then who cares?

Uhhh... I dont know if I have missed something big like CCM being disqualified or something like that.
If we dont beat we dont go through to the finals series..
Players
Coaching Staff
Fans

Thats alot of people who care.

I think he was implying that if we don't beat Melbourne then why does it matter when CCM play and whether that is a good/bad thing.
Does anyone know the actual reason though why the A-League choose to spread the last round out as opposed to other leagues who have the same kick off times?

Exactly. My comment was in the context of the rest of my post. I tend to do that - follow one thought with another associated, relevant thought. Sorry if it threw you off Stefan, but it's nice to know you care anyway.

Yes, Queensland beat Perth by 2 or more and we avoid the potentially gut-wrenching situation.

I see them doing so, the Roar (let's face it) have been the form team in the A-League for some time. Perth have been awful on the road and notoriously struggle against Queensland, losing 4-1, 3-0 and 4-1 the past three regular season meetings.

I'm sure it's the TV.

its just liek any other round of the season, one game Friday night, one/two on saturday and then the last game/s on sunday, all for tv. Doesn't really matter what other teams know or don't know....its a siomple thing we have to win! After that its a matter of watching and waiting. If we lose it don't matter what happens, if we win then its a nail biter, but we've done all we can.

It is usual practice in most European leagues to play all the games in the last round at the same time to prevent any machinations.
But I guess it's not the standard practice in Australian sport, so A-league is no different in that respect.

I think the 8 games we lost are more of a disadvantage than the fixture list.

Only way it will disadvantage us is if we lose on Friday it will f**k up the whole weekend. Jag2009-01-20 15:18:34

The draw was done months ago. The fact that it comes down to the last game is just luck-- or bad luck

Everyone's well aware of that. Some people are simply making the point that most European leagues play the last round of matches all at the same time to avoid this type of situation and why such a scenario doesn't apply in the A-league.

pretty usual for a league as tight as the HAL, you'd think that it wouldn't be too hard for the FFA to fix up the contract with FoxSports a little to avoid this for next year

If we beat you, the CCM will field a second rate team vs Adelaide.

Easy then, dont beat us!

He is just worried torne

Poor thread title grammar makes me sad .