A-League: Finals so far

OK, I'm a terrible person. I'm going to catch you up on the finals as they stand now, and I'll do a live text on sunday for the Grand Final.

Elimination Final 1: Wellington Phoenix 3-2 Sydney FC
Wellington rightly triumphed over a Sydney side after an intense match which saw plenty of goals at either end. The first half was a pitiful affair, but after the break the match stormed into life. Lots of bookings, and 4 goals in 7 minutes ensured this was an Elimination Final to remember.

Elimination Final 2: Perth Glory 3-0 Melbourne Heart
Perth maintained their end of season form at just the right time. Shane Smeltz scored a second half hattrick that ensured Glory reached the minor final for the first time in...I can't remember how long. Melbourne never really looked like making a match of it, and will have to look forward to next season without Van t' Schip.

Major Semi-Final: Brisbane Roar 5(2+3)-(0+2)2 Central Coast Mariners
Brisbane ran the Mariners ragged over both legs and have avenged themselves for the bitter disappointment of losing out on the Premier plate on the final day of the regular season. They won the first leg 2-0 thanks to goals from Henrique and Paartalu, and the second leg, while closer, was the same story. Roar dominating possession, and Mariners having to feed off scraps. A 3-2 win for Brisbane meaning they advance straight to the Grand Final while Mariners have to play the winner of the minor semi final, the winner being...

Minor Semi-Final: Perth Glory 3-2 Wellington Phoenix
Perth. Wellington failed to do much in this match, aside from their two goals. Perth opened with Van Den Brink scoring early on, before Greenacre and Muscat took Wellington to the brink of their first ever A-League Grand Final Qualifier. However it was not to be. Billy Mehmet scored with 15 minutes to go to take the game to extra time. Substitute Howarth ended Phoenix's dream in the 112th minute and gave Perth hope of reaching the Grand Final for the first time since their NSL triumph in 2004.

Grand Final Qualifier: Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Perth Glory (Perth win 5-3 on penalties
This naming convention is starting to get a bit silly now. However, Perth are in the Grand Final and will face a capacity Suncorp stadium on sunday. Despite having a penalty against them missed by Zwaanswijk, they fell behind to an Adam Kwasnik goal in the 33rd minute, and fought like dogs to get back on top. Their reward for their hard work came...just a minute later. Shane Smeltz, the man who has single handedly dragged Glory kicking and screaming through the last few months levelled after just a minute of play. And when the scores were locked at 1-1 at the end of extra time, penalties loomed. All of Perth's were converted well, and with Mike McGlinchley sending the hosts' fourth penalty over the bar, captain Jacob Burns scored the decisive spot kick to send them through to their first Grand Final in 8 years.

So yeah, they'll face Brisbane at Suncorp on sunday, and I'll be here with a live commentary. Not sure how many people will read it, you should all be at the game. But for those of you who like me cannot go, I'll be here. :)