A-League 2024/25 A-league Men Grand Final Thread - Melbourne City V Melbourne Victory

[AJ_2000]

Well I was half right...

Should have buried the header

 

[Ice-Wolf]

I don’t think anything bad happened apart from a few flares being lit msm overhyping as usual.

"except for a few flares"

1 flare is too many!

 

[giggler99]

City now by far the more successful club since both have been in the league: both with two champions trophies, City three premiers plates to Victory's one, Victory two Australia cups to City's one.

More than half of Victory's major silverware was won before Heart/City existed (I consider the premiership and championship of roughly equal importance, with the Australia Cup a very distant third). It's really been a relatively lean decade and a half for them, particularly the last 10 years.

We've made 5 Grand Finals and won 2 of them in that 10 years! Lost one Grand Final in a penalty shootout and one in extra-time after being only 5mins away from winning. In terms of Premierships yeah its been lean but can't fault our finals performances in this period. (well you can we could have won those Grand Finals we lost). I think our poor seasons have been really poor through in the some time period a wooden spoon under an out of his depth coached Brebner two second last placings and a few smashing's along the way in those seasons. We probably could've should've won one more Grand Final last season probably the one that got away. Obviously doesn't compare to the consistency of the early days but overall I don't think it's been all that bad considering how up and down Victory have been the last 10 years.

 

[SM]

The insinuation that it was somehow an on-duty police officer's fault is a disgrace.

Why should thugs wearing face-coverings be given the benefit of the doubt? There's only one reason they cover their faces in the first place.

A disgrace is it?

Yeah no cop has ever been heavy handed in a confrontation with football fans have they?

Give your head a wobble.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

A disgrace is it?

Yeah no cop has ever been heavy handed in a confrontation with football fans have they?

Give your head a wobble.

Anyone wearing a face covering/balaclava to avoid being recognised and prosecuted is not a "fan" and yes, you are a disgrace.

 

[SM]

Anyone wearing a face covering/balaclava to avoid being recognised and prosecuted is not a "fan" and yes, you are a disgrace.

You reckon perhaps it's because they were letting off flares not planning to assault law enforcement?

I could link you endless videos of police using excessive force to remove people from stadia just for supporting their club, a close friend had his father assaulted by a police officer while they were already peacefully leaving the stadium, so a big **** you for that go lick some pig boots elsewhere.

 

[Chicken Treat]

The heavy handed use of police resources on Saturday night is just a reminder that the problems associated with machetes, other gang problems etc in Melbourne are also the fault of the police.

And that Channel 7/9/10 are also contributors to the criminal problems they get outraged about.

They go after easy targets and prejudices as opposed to criminal targets they should be prioritising.

 

[6dimsims]

I for one am glad I live in a city and a state that has the luxury of being able to close half a dozen police stations on a Saturday night in order to police a football game.

Imagine if we lived in a world where every 2nd tobacco shop is firebombed, teenagers run rampant with machetes, a domestic violence death at least once a week or a police force that is about 1000 frontline officers short of full staffing requirements.

Victoria - The safe state

 

[Ice-Wolf]

You reckon perhaps it's because they were letting off flares not planning to assault law enforcement?

STOP LETTING OFF FLARES FFS!

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

You reckon perhaps it's because they were letting off flares not planning to assault law enforcement?

I could link you endless videos of police using excessive force to remove people from stadia just for supporting their club, a close friend had his father assaulted by a police officer while they were already peacefully leaving the stadium, so a big **** you for that go lick some pig boots elsewhere.

Why would they be letting off flares?

I was on a (relatively empty) train in to Jolimont at about 6pm and overhead a women (I'd guess in her 40s) and her son who would have been about 10 (wearing City colours), talking to a guy with an English accent who was just going into the game with his mates and said he was notionally a Victory supporter (because his mates were). They were having a friendly chat and the women shared her story of her son being scared after they'd been abused by Victory fans at last year's finals and he had to be convinced to even go along to Saturday night. That's a problem.

I was there. The supporters around my area (aisle 20) were fine: City fans, Victory fans, supporting their teams, no problems. The glee clubs at each end though: morons with massive chips on their shoulders and a comically inflated sense of their own importance. I include City active support in that as well, trying to get a "If you love City, stand up" chant going about 15 minutes in.

Black shirts, balaclavas, "mobilising" down Swan Street, lighting flares, "just supporting their team"... spare me. They know exactly what they're doing, what EVERYONE thinks of them. And they'll continue to play their stupid games, win their stupid prizes and bleat about how unfair it all is.

 

[giggler99]

Media and Police takenote:

 

[giggler99]

Grand Final ratings

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Media and Police takenote:

Yes, you have to wonder why aren't there as many police when the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United active supporters are marching down Swan Street lighting flares before the game?

 

[SM]

Why would they be letting off flares?

I was on a (relatively empty) train in to Jolimont at about 6pm and overhead a women (I'd guess in her 40s) and her son who would have been about 10 (wearing City colours), talking to a guy with an English accent who was just going into the game with his mates and said he was notionally a Victory supporter (because his mates were). They were having a friendly chat and the women shared her story of her son being scared after they'd been abused by Victory fans at last year's finals and he had to be convinced to even go along to Saturday night. That's a problem.

I was there. The supporters around my area (aisle 20) were fine: City fans, Victory fans, supporting their teams, no problems. The glee clubs at each end though: morons with massive chips on their shoulders and a comically inflated sense of their own importance. I include City active support in that as well, trying to get a "If you love City, stand up" chant going about 15 minutes in.

Black shirts, balaclavas, "mobilising" down Swan Street, lighting flares, "just supporting their team"... spare me. They know exactly what they're doing, what EVERYONE thinks of them. And they'll continue to play their stupid games, win their stupid prizes and bleat about how unfair it all is.

Hold up, you're complaining about active support trying to get a chant going?

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Hold up, you're complaining about active support trying to get a chant going?

I'm commenting on the stupidity of expecting 30% of the people in the stadium to stand up on their command and block the view of the other 70% of the people behind them.

Along with asking you (what seems to be a reasonable question): why would they be letting off flares?

 

[SM]

I'm commenting on the stupidity of expecting 30% of the people in the stadium to stand up on their command and block the view of the other 70% of the people behind them.

Along with asking you (what seems to be a reasonable question): why would they be letting off flares?

Who said they're expecting it? They're trying to get some atmosphere going ffs. If you want to sit in your seat in silence go watch a chess match ffs.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Who said they're expecting it? They're trying to get some atmosphere going ffs. If you want to sit in your seat in silence go watch a chess match ffs.

So, no answer on why they were lighting flares then? Because "They weren't wearing balaclavas because they were planning to assault police officers; they were wearing balaclavas so they could commit other offences, which they are specifically warned NOT to do countless times every time they play in Melbourne" isn't as compelling an argument as you seem to think it is.

I thought they were expecting people who supported City to stand up, because: "If you love City, stand up" seems an odd thing to chant if the message is "We're trying to create some atmosphere, so if you're supporting City, you could stand up, but we don't expect you to, you know, whatever's fine." Sounds like they could use some help with their messaging.

 

[SM]

So, no answer on why they were lighting flares then? Because "They weren't wearing balaclavas because they were planning to assault police officers; they were wearing balaclavas so they could commit other offences, which they are specifically warned NOT to do countless times every time they play in Melbourne" isn't as compelling an argument as you seem to think it is.

I thought they were expecting people who supported City to stand up, because: "If you love City, stand up" seems an odd thing to chant if the message is "We're trying to create some atmosphere, so if you're supporting City, you could stand up, but we don't expect you to, you know, whatever's fine." Sounds like they could use some help with their messaging.

I think you're crossing some wires here, I'm suggesting that the cop getting involved in a fraccas was likely not blameless based on countless evidence that demonstrates how overzealous police can be. Someone suggested people were wearing balaclavas essentially so that they could assault police, which is what I pushed back on. We can go back and forward all day on the pros and cons of flares and how dangerous/deadly they are and the illegality of them but this was about the cop.

Sounds like you don't really understand going to football matches. One of the key points of differentiation of football to other codes in Australia is atmosphere and crowd engagement. If that's not for you by all means stay seated and curl your toes up all you want at the unruly people yelling loudly, but I think you're at the wrong sport if that doesn't suit.

 

[Zidane98]

So, no answer on why they were lighting flares then? Because "They weren't wearing balaclavas because they were planning to assault police officers; they were wearing balaclavas so they could commit other offences, which they are specifically warned NOT to do countless times every time they play in Melbourne" isn't as compelling an argument as you seem to think it is.

I thought they were expecting people who supported City to stand up, because: "If you love City, stand up" seems an odd thing to chant if the message is "We're trying to create some atmosphere, so if you're supporting City, you could stand up, but we don't expect you to, you know, whatever's fine." Sounds like they could use some help with their messaging.

There was 1 arrest at the game and 4 penalty notices issued for flares. Those 5 individuals plus 6 others were ejected from the fixture before the final whistle.


For the most part, was a very well attended game. Those who attended with me including family friends who hadn't been to an A-League game before now can't wait to go back again. Thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

[SM]

There was 1 arrest at the game and 4 penalty notices issued for flares. Those 5 individuals plus 6 others were ejected from the fixture before the final whistle.


For the most part, was a very well attended game. Those who attended with me including family friends who hadn't been to an A-League game before now can't wait to go back again. Thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.

You mean they were ok with being asked to stand up? Outrageous.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I think you're crossing some wires here, I'm suggesting that the cop getting involved in a fraccas was likely not blameless based on countless evidence that demonstrates how overzealous police can be. Someone suggested people were wearing balaclavas essentially so that they could assault police, which is what I pushed back on. We can go back and forward all day on the pros and cons of flares and how dangerous/deadly they are and the illegality of them but this was about the cop.

Sounds like you don't really understand going to football matches. One of the key points of differentiation of football to other codes in Australia is atmosphere and crowd engagement. If that's not for you by all means stay seated and curl your toes up all you want at the unruly people yelling loudly, but I think you're at the wrong sport if that doesn't suit.

You're talking about points of differentiation. Well, why aren't police allowed to have points of differentiation in how they respond, compared to other sports?

I don't understand your argument.

 

[SM]

You're talking about points of differentiation. Well, why aren't police allowed to have points of differentiation in how they respond, compared to other sports?

I don't understand your argument.

I can tell you don't understand what I'm saying as what you've just posted makes zero sense. Police should be allowed to assault people as retaliation for letting off flares..?

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

There was 1 arrest at the game and 4 penalty notices issued for flares. Those 5 individuals plus 6 others were ejected from the fixture before the final whistle.


For the most part, was a very well attended game. Those who attended with me including family friends who hadn't been to an A-League game before now can't wait to go back again. Thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.

I actually agree and that was my experience on Saturday night as well.

What does my head in is these elements of the crowd who cause all this (absolutely justified) criticism of active supporters behaving like a mob and then having an enormous sook when they're treated like any other mob would and nothing but deflections and excuses when it inevitably results in serious incidents. And I'm not a real supporter for calling them out for what they are: a pack of f-wits

I can't recall an AFL game where a 30,000 strong crowd was collectively patting themselves on the back for just the one arrest, one police officer assaulted with the Acting Commander stating that it was completely unprovoked, 10 ejections and a handful of flares.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I can tell you don't understand what I'm saying as what you've just posted makes zero sense. Police should be allowed to assault people as retaliation for letting off flares..?

Police are allowed to have a different response (and a much larger presence) to an A-League crowd as they would against a Big Bash crowd, or an NRL crowd, or an NBL crowd, or an AFL crowd if the A-League crowd is going to insist on behaving in a much more overtly aggressive and hostile manner. You know and I know that they do.

And since - contrary to your post - it's actually a police officer who's been assaulted here, I don't think the police planning for these games will be changing any time soon.

 

[SM]

Police are allowed to have a different response (and a much larger presence) to an A-League crowd as they would against a Big Bash crowd, or an NRL crowd, or an NBL crowd, or an AFL crowd if the A-League crowd is going to insist on behaving in a much more overtly aggressive and hostile manner. You know and I know that they do.

And since - contrary to your post - it's actually a police officer who's been assaulted here, I don't think the police planning for these games will be changing any time soon.

Er, didn't Zidane point out that there was next to no issues in the stadium?

There was a brawl at the AFL Friday night, where's the carry on and police presence there?

You're way off base here.