It was mostly a good game (the occasion aside) with a surprising number of really flat uninspiring patches on both sides; probably to be expected from two teams with good defences. I thought we marked Fornaroli out of the game really well. Kosta was similarly given a lot of attention, while Ben Old enjoyed a lot of freedom (or created it).
To my eye we had more scoring chances than Victory, but they converted those they had. That to me was the overall difference, and I do not really agree with the chorus of criticism towards the team that was built effectively from scratch this season by a rookie coach. I think we overperformed overall. If Victory lost to us in the semifinals, their club could ask Poppa to resign. As it turned out we lost, but I would much rather that Italiano and Griffiths stayed on. I would give them both a medal. It was a good season.
To my eye we had more scoring chances than Victory, but they converted those they had. That to me was the overall difference, and I do not really agree with the chorus of criticism towards the team that was built effectively from scratch this season by a rookie coach. I think we overperformed overall. If Victory lost to us in the semifinals, their club could ask Poppa to resign. As it turned out we lost, but I would much rather that Italiano and Griffiths stayed on. I would give them both a medal. It was a good season.