You've gotta love this time of year, don't you? Champions League round-of-16 matches, new coaches, transfer whispers outside of the window, the annual reminder that the A-League teams are still quite some way from the technical competence and physical prowess of the top Japanese and Korean sides, and leader-biased tracks on showpiece Melbourne race days!
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In a lot of ways, not much changes. The Jets played well for 45 minutes against Melbourne Victory but conceded a soft goal. The real Messi scored four goals at the Camp Nou, to take Barcelona to the top of La Liga - temporarily, perhaps, ahead of El Clasico this weekend. Those of us who have backed Real Madrid to win the Champions League at $17 are hoping they lost at Levante because they rested plenty of starters before their important first-leg clash midweek with those spendthrifts Manchester City!
Jets coach Carl Robinson's first home match started promisingly enough. His team were clearly on top until half-time, but he won't be happy with the concession of a soft goal to the league's most competent striker within five minutes of the restart.
Perhaps Melbourne Victory did change shape, perhaps they changed attitude, but neither of those factors contributed significantly to the equalising goal, which was a case of lapse in concentration. (It might have been called ball watching in less-forgiving times). As goals often do, it shifted the balance of the match. It is a no-no at this level, and has to stop.
On a positive note, Roy O'Donovan netted his first goal since returning to the club. The belated celebrations after VAR awarded the goal reminded me strangely, but warmly, of Benny Hill sketches of yesteryear.
Abdiel Arroyo played a very strong, consistent match, threatened with pace, aerial power, and his excellent chest control, and must have filled the gaffer with hope for the future. Kenny Miller, you'd imagine, would quite fancy the opportunity to mould, influence and improve a player of impressive athleticism and raw ability.
And the big Panamanian may benefit more than most from the return of Irishman Wes Hoolahan. On a day where a lot of things almost went right, the return of the creative midfielder was a highlight for anyone who enjoys sport, particularly those who appreciate quality and longevity, and a genuine love for what you do. Welcome back, Wes.
Abdiel Arroyo played a very strong, consistent match.
As you might expect, his first 30 minutes in almost eight months were a bit of a mixed bag. He produced some exquisite touches, a couple of confident passes to imaginary runners, and no doubt some stress for the lungs. Noticeable, however, was the way the game swung back towards Newcastle after his introduction.
His return, and the addition of Bernie Ibini and possibly Joe Ledley in coming days, will certainly add to the depth and quality of the squad, increase competition for places, and provide Robinson some options, and tactical flexibility.
All of which suggest a late-season resurgence is very much on the cards, unfortunately a little too late to contemplate finals football. Or is it?
The Jets would have to win at least six of the last eight games, and hope an awful lot of other results fell their way. But the true believers can now secure $26 about that prospect.
Last Saturday's opponents Melbourne Victory, barely two points ahead of the Jets, are at $8 to make the finals, possibly on suspicion their front three or four will catch fire. But they have ACL commitments, and poor balance in midfield, and in my eyes will struggle.
And on the subject of struggling, Australia's three representatives in the ACL all look as if they will battle to get out of their respective groups. There are theories presented regarding travel, form, philosophy, and so on, but the answer is pretty apparent. The Japanese, Korean and a number of the Chinese clubs have better players. Pretty simple really. If you can't compete in the market place, surely you have to develop your own?
That's a wide-ranging subject for another day, but if sitting in, defending for your life, and sneaking a result is draconian, or old school, or anti-football, we better get cracking on the solution, because the gap is widening.
Which leaves me with one remaining point, from the opening paragraph list. No, I can't even refer to it as Caulfield, more like Minefield! Why oh why, curators? (See, refs do get a rest some weeks).
I think I might play safe and concentrate on the form at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday, where the Jets host Perth at 5pm.
Will there be new faces? Hope for a late charge? A coach miked up? Now that is a risky first. Is there a seven-second delay? Hello to Willie Gallagher while I'm chuckling. We may very well have all the answers by around 7pm Saturday.
