THEY SAID IT: "I'm not going to watch the game with high expectations. I'm not thinking Adelaide are going to do us a favour. It's whether Mariners have the discipline to finish the season with a win, and I don't see any sort of evidence that suggests that they're not going to." - Wellington coach Giancarlo Italiano doesn't expect a miracle in Adelaide's clash with the Mariners that could hand his charges the premiership ahead of Central Coast.
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THEY ALSO SAID: "It would be nice to hear from Ange (Postecoglou) , but I don't think it works like that. He is generating interest from some big teams and it is warranted." - Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich isn't surprised 19-year-old striker Thomas Waddingham is attracting interest from Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Udinese.
MAN OF THE WEEK: Despite Melbourne Victory's loss to Western Sydney, fringe Socceroo Daniel Arzani reminded everyone just what he's capable of. The talented winger scored two wonderful goals for his first ALM brace and heads into the finals in strong form.
TALKING POINT: After their premature exit from the U23 Asian Cup, four Olyroos - Alou Kuol, Nicolas Milanovic, Lachlan Brook and Jordan Courtney-Perkins - all scored in the ALM on the weekend.
STAT ATTACK: It was a brutal end to the season for wooden spooners Perth Glory, who conceded 19 goals across their final three games, including copping a 7-1 loss to Sydney FC last-up.
BEAT THAT: The Wanderers didn't make the finals but they threw everything at Melbourne Victory. Oscar Priestman was the hero in the 4-3 comeback win when he fired home the winner from the edge of the box in the 87th minute.
UNDER PRESSURE: Western Sydney had high expectations but ultimately flopped, missing out on finals to Melbourne City on the final day. It piles pressure on coach Marko Rudan, and makes for an intriguing off-season.
WHAT'S NEXT: Central Coast can claim the premiership on Wednesday with a draw or win over Adelaide. Then the finals get under way, with Sydney to host Macarthur and Victory to play City. The Mariners and Phoenix have the bye next weekend.
Australian Associated Press
