Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Farewell Inaugural Icons
They were the faces that launched Van't Schip's season; luring crowds into AAMI Park, selling memberships and helping to secure the immediate future of Australia's newest football club.
Two of Australia's football legends; John Aloisi and Josip Skoko have not only brought their invaluable ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Adrian Zahra - One on One
Whilst derbies usually divide a city, Melbourne's third edition seemed to unite the Australian football community. Kevin Muscat's now infamous 'challenge' on Heart starlet Adrian Zahra was universally condemned by every person with the true interests of the game at heart.
The brilliant contest ...
Dejan Kalinic
The Main Event
Version three of the derby has an intensified meaning and rivalry so late in season six.
Add finals spots to a city derby and passion should go to a new level, as well as the will and want to win.
Although the red and white areunbeaten in five, the last two have ended in draws and could have ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Aziz Behich - One on one
In the build up to this Saturday's third and final Melbourne derby it seems fitting that the first player to play for both clubs should have his say on the biggest clash in Victorian football.
Last week I was fortunate enough to interview one of Melbourne Heart's most impressive youngsters: ...
Dejan Kalinic
Veteran Status
Veterans. There are two whose careers beyond this season remain largely unknown, but who perhaps deserve a second crack after decent first-up goes.
Josip Skoko and Gerald Sibon are 35 and 36 years of age respectively, but both have had their moments wearing red and white in season six.
Sibon ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
The Difference!
As the race for finals football intensifies at an electrifying rate, one aspect of the table throws a dark shadow over our chances of qualifying for an inaugural appearance: our goal difference.
There is no greater feeling when you're sitting comfortably up in the stands, watching on as your ...
Dejan Kalinic
Home Is Where The Heart Is-n't
Familiar surroundings, home ground advantage and a home crowd have done little to help. The stats say the red and white have collected the least points of any team in home games in season six.
Fans must look back to October 8 against Victory to pinpoint the last home win.
Since then, there ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
A Festivus Miracle
'Be wary of the side that has no chance, for they have everything to play for'.
As the holiday season is upon us, it seems appropriate to take a seat at the FourFourTwo dinner table and give thanks for the extraordinary events at Hindmarsh stadium last Friday night:
The Feat of ...
Dejan Kalinic
No goals, few points
Goals. They don't come easy, or they don't come at all.
Even with Gerald Sibon's fine free kick in the derby, the red and white have scored just that once in the last 618 minutes of football.
The man to score prior was also Sibon, sweeping home from the edge of the box at home to Brisbane.
Par...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Make or break: The week that beckons...
The luxury of playing at home is something we must take full advantage of if we are to continue pushing the ball out wide come February.
This week could potentially make or break our campaign.
Two massively important battles will be fought on our ground, one on Wednesday night against a side ...
Dejan Kalinic
The Wayne Srhoj
"THE Wayne Srhoj". No, I'm not hailing the midfielder or giving him special recognition.
Nor is he becoming "The Wayne Srhoj". This is more the recognition of a move, or skill, or therefore lack of, mastered by the central midfielder.
Definition: earning an unnecessary yellow card and ...
Dejan Kalinic
The Form Ladder
The A-League ladder says fifth. The Form ladder says 10th. We know which one matters, but the other one is worrying. After a boost in form with an undefeated run, the red and white has lost three consecutive games.
The reason a win is important against Sydney FC on Saturday is not ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Simply the Best.
Ah, that famous line: "To be the best, you must beat the best!"
Playing first and second in consecutive matches is an excellent opportunity to prove yourself, unfortunately, we were outplayed and humbled by two more deserving and well polished outfits.
Our first half against Brisbane was a joy ...
Dejan Kalinic
Game of Two Halves
Domination. Utterly dominated. It was the game of two halves that unfortunately left the red and white coming away from home without a point.
It was a fine game of football against one of the finest, if not the finest, football teams the A-League has ever seen.
To play so well for most of the ...
Dejan Kalinic
Winning When You Shouldn't
The sound of the final whistle brings a sense of relief. The players and coaching staff leave the Dairy Farmers Stadium pitch having won a game they shouldn't have.
But who's to complain? To steal a common phrase from Ange Postecoglou this season, these things tend to even out, although North ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Park the Bus!
From Melbourne to Newcastle, Newcastle to Perth and Perth to Townsville, it's been a long journey for the players and coaching staff of Melbourne's newest football club.
The A-League fixture saw Heart travel to Newcastle to play the Jets on October 31, then onto Perth on November 3 and ...
Dejan Kalinic
The Smell
Little compares to the smell of clean sheets. The two happiest men leaving the football pitch after a 0-0 stalemate are generally the goalkeepers.
On Wednesday night, one can't help but feel that both Glory and Heart were happy to come away with a point.
As skipper Simon Colosimo pointed ...
Dejan Kalinic
When the leader falls...
It was a tactical move not often seen. A captain dropped to the bench as a make shift centre back resumes his role and that of the team leader.
Simon Colosimo might not have seen it coming and most people wouldn't have.
Questions of an injury or tiredness were raised.
Not according to coach ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Keep developing Aziz
Most fans will be excited with the news that Aziz Behich has been rewarded with a place on the club's permanent roster until the end of the 2011/12 season.
This not only recognises the achievement of a fine young player, but also strengthens the club's commitment towards developing Victorian ...
Dejan Kalinic
As good as a win(d)
It was so close, but yet so far.
Clever flick from Manny Muscat, before Leo Bertos's shot got the most wicked movement to beat Clint Bolton in goal.
More shots were to come from distance, surely.
They didn't and the red and the white held on for a very, very good point.
Playing against a ...
Dejan Kalinic
A Streak of Inconsistency
Loss. Draw. Loss. Draw. Win. Loss. Win. Loss. Win. The last was a fabulous derby win forever etched into A-League history.
The three wins from the last five outings is a fine record, but it doesn't win championships and it probably won't play finals.The inconsistency is evident - not once have ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Our Grand Final
"It's THE match we HAVE to win", I nervously muttered to an equally apprehensive mate as we sat in our AAMI Park seats an hour and a half before kickoff. He simply nodded.
Slowly but surely the crowd drifted in; the Victory fans decked in navy, carrying their signs of protest. The Heart fans in ...
Dejan Kalinic
The day has finally arrived
Finally, it's derby day.
For those who had doubts and were unhappy about the decision to postpone the game a week due to the AFL Grand Final, the last three or four days have shown it was the right one.
The game hit the back pages of Melbourne's biggest paper and has now attracted a sell out ...
Nathan Dunn-Simpson
Is it a grand, final derby date?
The decision to reschedule the inaugural Melbourne derby has the Australian football community talking. Many supporters of both clubs are now unable to make the match having planned trips and events around the original date. Despite the disappointment of a minority, it would seem a sensible ...
Dejan Kalinic
Away Form TBA
On the eve of a fourth away trip this season; it's time to look for some form on the road.
My fellow Heart blogger wrote earlier this week about the club developing a winning culture at home.
He's not wrong, two wins and a draw from four hosting games is a very good return.
But it's time to ...
