I sit here on the shortest day of the year, attempting to summarise what seems like the longest and most disjointed season in A-League history.
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Somehow we have arrived in grand final week, with the two best teams in the country to meet, almost fittingly at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Both sides have been affected by players lost to international duty, with many key contributors for much of the season forced to watch the match from somewhere in international quarantine.
Both outfits have adjusted to the absences, Sydney perhaps a little earlier, but City improved markedly in Sunday's semi-final win over Macarthur.
Sydney won quite comfortably over Adelaide, as I expected they would, and are a better side than Macarthur in most areas, but Melbourne City still have the speed and athleticism that troubles the Sky Blues on occasions.
Melbourne City have the speed and athleticism to trouble Sydney.
Whether the game is played in Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong, Adelaide or Darwin, we can hope for a good spectacle, even luck, a quiet day for VAR, and a goal or two.
The key for me lies in Sydney's ability to play through City's press, and not get smothered in their own half.
It should be very tight, but I will stick to a prediction made about six weeks ago, Sydney 1-0, with Adam Le Fondre scoring.
Quite some distance away from that stage, the Jets are preparing to announce their new coach.
The plan is to start anew, not for the first time in recent seasons, reshaping direction, philosophy, and their roster.
I interviewed Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske last week at the annual Rangers of 1884 pre-grand final event, and he outlined the club's goals, priorities, and ambitions.
An announcement on the head coach seems imminent, and he will have a new-look roster, with an emphasis on youth and the future.
This is not the first time we have heard this tune, and probably won't be the last, but if you want to see what solid foundations can build, look to Sydney FC and Melbourne City.
But, yes, you are correct, resources and capital are required to initiate and maintain said foundations.
It is so hard to provide one without the other.
The Jets were competitive to a point this season, but lacked overall depth, enough attacking threats, a touch of class, and midfield authority.
Can that be turned around in a season, without increased investment?
Should we expect that?
The answer to both is probably no, but I'd imagine that a team with youthful athleticism at its core can be counted on to provide a more effective press than the Jets could sustain this season.
At least, reading between the lines, that seems to be the philosophy that will be adopted, applied and entrenched.
It provides an opportunity for incremental development and growth, but requires patience from supporters and sponsors, and an ability to retain players as they grow, and hopefully improve.
It seems, as Mattiske confirmed on Friday, that the new TV-rights agreement has been based on continuing a summer-based competition, starting in late October, or early November.
The Ten network and its partners obviously fancy their chances of competing with cricket and basketball during the warmer months, rather than the Goliaths of the AFL and NRL in winter.
Much more suitable in terms of ground availability, and spectator comfort, particularly if those 4pm and 5 pm kick-offs in mid-summer can be avoided.
The picture should be much clearer soon, and Jets fans will know if they are Arthur or Another!