A-League 2020: Western United deal won’t stop Scott McDonald taking them on in the finals
Roar striker Scott McDonald won’t be stopped for a second time from playing against his former club Western United.
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BRISBANE Roar striker Scott McDonald will be free to play against his former club Western United in the A-League finals after having been prevented from taking on the Victorian team earlier this season.
McDonald joined the Roar in January after an unhappy stint with United.
But under the terms of the former Socceroos attacker’s release from United, he couldn’t line up against his former teammates when United hosted Brisbane in Ballarat in February.
At the time, United CEO Chris Pehlivanis said McDonald would also be stopped playing against the A-League newcomers if the teams met in the finals.
“He can play against us next season but not this season because he was contracted to us until the end of this season, but he wanted to break the contract and left,” Pehlivanis told News Corp Australia six months ago.
“We didn’t get anything in return from him going so why should we let him play against us?”
We’ve found @WenzelHalls’ secret talent 🎶 #RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/GydfeMVkDe
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) August 17, 2020
It continued a tense relationship between the clubs after United coach Mark Rudan had a post-match spat with then Brisbane coach Robbie Fowler and Roar CEO David Pourre after the sides met in December.
However, with the Roar adamant the clause to stop McDonald going head-to-head with United only applied to regular season matches, Pehlivanis has softened his stance.
“If the release says it was just for the regular season, then no problem, he can play against us in the finals,” Pehlivanis said.
“We’ve got no issues with Scott.”
McDonald has been in great form for the Roar, having scored six goals in the club’s past seven matches.
The fourth-placed Roar are a point ahead of United on the ladder, but United have a game in hand – Wednesday night’s clash against Melbourne City at Jubilee Stadium.
If United beat City, they will finish in third spot and meet Perth Glory in a sudden-death finals clash this weekend.
But if City defeat them or the match ends in draw, United will instead take on the Roar on Saturday or Sunday in a knockout finals match.
Originally published as A-League 2020: Western United deal won’t stop Scott McDonald taking them on in the finals