Ballwatching: All the highs and lows from Round 8 of the A-League

For the most comprehensive wrap from a dramatic weekend of A-League action, don’t miss this week’s edition of #Ballwatching.

For the most comprehensive wrap from a dramatic weekend of A-League action, don’t miss this week’s edition of #Ballwatching.

The moment: Melbourne Victory’s corner routine that led to their fourth goal against Brisbane Roar on Friday night was sublime. Straight off the training paddock, the move worked to perfection. Keisuke Honda’s low corner was met by an advancing James Troisi, whose flick found Kosta Barbarouses, who rolled the ball home. The 10-man Roar completely fell asleep and paid the ultimate price as the Victory extended their lead to 4-2 on the stroke of half-time and crushed any thoughts Brisbane had of an unlikely comeback. WATCH IT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE.

The drama: Brisbane Roar marquee man Eric Bautheac was deservedly sent off at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. He should have be given a red card straight away for his ugly foul on his former teammate Corey Brown, but escaped with a booking. For him to carry on after it and lash out at the face of Ola Toivonen and James Troisi was unacceptable, and rightly led to a second booking and subsequent red card. Bautheac let his team down - badly.

What was already a tough task against an imposing Melbourne Victory side became a near-impossible assignment for the Roar when they had to play 70 minutes of the match with 10 men.

Player of the week: It was a mixed weekend for goalkeepers, but Melbourne City gloveman Eugene Galekovic was excellent in his side’s 2-0 win over his old club Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday. His second-half save to deny Reds defender Scott Galloway was particularly outstanding. At 37, Galekovic has wound back the clock this season as he continues to preferred over Mark Birighitti, who many expected to be City’s first-choice custodian on his return to the A-League.

A round to remember for … Jacob Tratt. The 24-year-old defender finally made an A-League appearance for Sydney FC. And not only did he play a senior A-League match for Sydney for the first time, he scored. And it wasn’t just any game, it was the Sydney derby. Having previously been at Sydney and captained the club’s youth team, Tratt left the Sky Blues in 2016. Soon after he joined Wellington Phoenix, where he made his A-League debut. After a season there he returned home for “personal and family reasons”.

Jacob Tratt celebrates his goal in his first A-league appearance for the club. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Currently on an injury replacement deal at Sydney, Tratt finally got a chance off the bench on Saturday night and was thrilled to contribute to the win.

A round to forget for … Vedran Janjetovic. What was the Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper thinking at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night when he needlessly charged out of his penalty area in the first half trying to be first to a ball near the sideline? And then to make matters worse, he used his hands outside the box in trying to make a save despite having cover behind him. He was deservedly sent off, with his dismissal being the turning point of the Sydney derby. Leading 1-0 at time, the 10-man Wanderers were beaten 3-1 by Sydney FC.

Talking Point 1: Was Western Sydney Wanderers coach Markus Babbel wrong to substitute Alex Baumjohann straight after goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic was sent off in the 26th minute of his team’s 3-1 loss to Sydney FC?

Anyone who suggests he made an error, doesn't know much about football

— McWanderer (@Wandererstragic) December 15, 2018

A former Asian footballer of the year thinks he got it wrong. Reckon he knows a little about football!

— Daniel Willoughby (@willodaniel) December 16, 2018

He has copped a lot of flak for this but I don’t think he had much of a choice. Had to keep shape so that means either Alex or Riera had to be replaced.

— Frank Arruzza (@FrankArruzza) December 15, 2018

Talking Point 2: Where should teams 13 and 14 be based if the A-League eventually expands to 14 teams?

Canberra and either Woolongong or Ipswich.

— #BlockedByCahillIRL (@TiernanWalker) December 16, 2018

Canberra and Wollongong. 2nd Brisbane wont happen until a 2nd boutique stadium is sorted.

— 80sTimmo (@TimberTim2) December 16, 2018

Canberra and Tasmania. That'll therefore mean there will probably be 4th teams for Sydney and Melbourne. Y'know, more derbies and stuff

— Matt Luff (@Luffy_1991) December 16, 2018

Brisbane / ACT.
Open two areas and say bring your bids

— Nick Meredith (@Fof1967) December 16, 2018

Canberra and give the Wolves a run if they're ready...

— Luke Blair (@22Duke81) December 16, 2018

Most surprising: Adelaide United losing at home on Sunday to Melbourne City. More was expected from the Reds at Coopers Stadium against a solid, yet unspectacular, City outfit. Adelaide did have a few chances but again, they lacked the knockout blow in the final third. Coach Marco Kurz needs to bring a new striker to the club in next month’s transfer window.

Least surprising: Central Coast Mariners being beaten on Saturday in Wellington. The Mariners have made the worst ever start to an A-League after eight matches, and are on a six-match losing streak. Central Coast coach Mike Mulvey says it’s time to give youth a chance, but whether that will make a difference is doubtful. It’s looming as a long season for Mariners supporters.

John Aloisi needs to turn his club’s form around. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Under pressure: Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi needs to turn his side’s season around. Plenty was expected of the Roar this season, but their start has been disappointing. They have won just once and have now lost three successive matches. While their 4-2 loss to a star-studded Melbourne Victory on Friday night wasn’t their worst performance of the season, particularly considering they played most of the match with 10 men following Eric Bautheac’s dismissal, the Roar need to start winning again. This Saturday’s match against the Phoenix in Wellington is crucial.

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Originally published as Ballwatching: All the highs and lows from Round 8 of the A-League