Four key players this week:
Many, many players are crucial to their teams success this week. Here are just four.
John Hutchison (Mariners) Steve Corica (Sydney FC) Robbie Kruse (Queensland Roar) and Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets)
Here's why.
John Hutchison (Mariners)
I've been watching the Mariners and Hutchison in recent weeks and it's clear Hutch is struggling.
He scores goals, see season one, and a couple of note this season against Sydney. He links well and keeps the ball short. He can dig in, and provide a creative outlet to his forwards. Matt Simon would benefit more from Hutch than Sasho Petrovski. At this stage of the season Simon's energy may just be what the Mariners forward line needs.
Petrovski is slow, and so is Hutchison. Last week he looked off the pace when he was caught in wide positions.
He's not the quickest, but he needs to fire through the midfield linking with John Aloisi and Tom Pondeljak.
An under achiever, to slow to be a Socceroo. International football is a fast man's game. But Hutchison is crucial to the Mariners success this weekend.
Play up John.
Steve Corica
Sydney FC's star man. An ageing creator. A goal scorer who may be able to lift for a few more games.
He keeps Juninho out. A World Cup winner who can still run. That is no mean feat.
Sydney FC are in the finals. They dug out results, particularly away from home, but they haven't really impressed. Coach John Kosmina, unlike the hero worshipping Branko Culina, won't play Juninho and Steve Corica together.
He knows his team is weak in midfield and in the forward line. But he can still get results and has.
A lack of firepower, and creativity and that's why Steve Corica is crucial to this weekend's chances.
Melbourne haven't been the quickest team this year, but with Kevin Muscat and Grant Brebner out of the midfield, the team has picked up pace and results.
Can Sydney win? If they do, surely Steve Corica will be involved in scoring or creating. If he's not how many can Sydney score. One at best? Enough to win?
Stevie, now is the time.
Mark Bridge.
Bridge is an Olyroo. A strong performer with a unique style. He slows the play, brings in the others, particularly Joel Griffiths and James Holland.
But he's struggled to score this season. He's struggled to influence games like his potential demands.
But he did last week. Against the Mariners, Bridge had perhaps his best game of the season. And with Griffiths always firing, an extra bit of help will be needed to get the Jets over the line.
Bridge needs to perform. He probably needs to score, as goals will be vital. But he could make a name for himself over the coming weeks.
It's the chance of a lifetime for Mark Bridge.
A Bridge too far? I think not. He's strong on the ball, great control and great vision.
Mark Bridge could sneak the title the Jets way if other results go their way.
Robbie Kruse
Can The Roar win the title? If they win the game, Asia is theirs.
Robbie Kruse, has created and scored numerous goals this season. And missing the Sydney game last week, the Roar lacked threat.
Kruse is injured, he may be back.
Kruse has looked tired in recent weeks, very tired. Maybe like many Aussie players one key difference is their ability to keep going, every game, every year.
When players play 60 plus games overseas, seeing A-League players getting tired in a 21 game season. Makes you think doesn't it.
Kruse could win the game, any game for the Roar. His skill, imagination, is a rare gift in this league.
Can he make a big impact in the finals. If fit, he can win the Minor Premiership for the Roar.
Without Kruse, Queensland may well miss out.
Robbie show us your stuff.
