It’s Grand Final time. With the stakes as high as they come, and the prospect of a penalty shoot-out capable of deciding a champion, it’s the goalkeepers of both Melbourne City and Western United shaping as two of the key protagonists ahead of Saturday night’s decider at AAMI Park.
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Former City custodian and Denmark international Thomas Sorensen runs his eye over the battle between Tom Glover and Jamie Young, who are set to face one another from either end of the park as guardians of the goals.
Tom Glover: A redemption arc brings City gloveman back to familiar ground
For the third season running, Glover will deputise for City on Grand Final day. In 2020 Glover, then 22, was exceptional in a losing side, keeping Sydney FC at bay before eventually conceding in the first half of extra time.
Last season he was on the winning side, beaten once by a Kosta Barbarouses rocket in a 3-1 victory.
Glover’s form has been patchy this season; City boss Patrick Kisnorbo even called on Matthew Sutton to relieve Glover of his duties for two games in March. A less-than-convincing shift in a 2-0 loss on the road to Perth Glory on the cusp of finals saw increased scrutiny – but Sorensen has watched Glover turn a corner since, and lauds Kisnorbo’s decision to back in his No 1.
“I think he’s been very solid,” Sorensen said. “The two semi-finals he made a couple of good saves, and I think in general he has looked secure, looked confident. That’s what was needed in those games.
“He seemed to have turned a corner. He’s definitely put that criticism behind him.
“You just have to go into these games with the mindset that it doesn’t really matter what happened before. If he goes in and puts on a great performance like he did in previous Grand Finals, I think that can wipe away all the doubt from himself and from everyone else, and spur him on for the next season.
“In general, it hasn’t been his best season. The stats say it, the eye test, I think you’re looking at those two keepers and you’d definitely say that Jamie Young has been ahead of him this season in respect to stats and performance. But on the other hand it’s one game, and anything can happen really.
“He’s coming into this game a little bit differently this year because it hasn’t been a great season where everyone has been applauding his play. He had to deal with that. But also, that makes you stronger if you get through that.
“I had difficult periods in my career, and it’s never great when you’re in it, but when you get through it and come out on the other side, you come out stronger. You know a lot more about yourself, about ways to approach it. That’s hopefully what we’re seeing now, that he gathers himself and refocusses, and moves forward.”
Where Glover can make a difference
“One thing that counts for Tom Glover is you’re looking at the penalty statistics,” Sorensen said. “I think he’s saved 40% of the penalties he’s faced. Going to a penalty shoot-out he could potentially have a slight advantage there. He’s definitely proved to have a knack for that.”
Glover has faced five penalties this season, saving two – including one against Western United struck by Alessandro Diamanti.
Jamie Young: ‘People know of his strength, of what he can do to a game’
Sorensen says Young’s impact behind Western’s defensive line is a factor City are well aware of heading toward the Grand Final: “For sure, it plays a part. I know it’s been noticed. People know of his strengths, of what he can do to a game.”
Sorensen added: “Looking back at the signings that Aloisi made at the beginning of the season, with Lacroix coming in and Prijovic as well, definitely Jamie Young has been an absolute key for them. Experience is important.
“But I think where he stood out has been coming up big in big moments. You can actually put a fair few results down to his heroics. I think the two semi-finals were probably the pick of the bunch. He played a vital part.
“He’s an exciting keeper to watch, because he pulls off big saves; it’s very dramatic, he makes it look dramatic but it’s exciting to watch. The main thing is, he gets the job done. He’s been so important for them.”
Where Young can make the difference
Young was beaten twice over two semi-final legs against Melbourne Victory. It took a pair of world-class Jake Brimmer strikes to do so.
It’s what makes Sorensen sure of City’s need to not only create chances – which is a given – but to be clinical – which isn’t.
Coming up against Young, who leads the league in saves (109) and clean sheets (11) this season, City’s star-powered forward line will subconsciously aim for the corners on Saturday night, knowing that anything less than perfection is likely to leave Young with a chance of coming up with a clutch save.
“That’s the thing, it has an effect on the opposition,” Sorensen said. “They can get frustrated. Leading into the final, I think for Melbourne City, that’s where they probably struggle a bit, I think they’ve not looked as sharp of late.
“Looking at the two games against Adelaide, they actually had plenty of chances but didn’t really get it done, that’s where when you’re up against a keeper in that kind of form, that can be a mental hurdle you have to get past as well.”
Experience v Youth: Which comes up trumps?
Glover (24) and Young (36) will perform on the same stage on Saturday night, but at very different points in their careers.
“Mindset-wise it does change a bit,” Sorensen said. “From my own experience, when you’re young you tend to exaggerate things a bit – good and bad. Things can play on your mind, or you can get too cocky. You can have some worries, they’re things that just drain you a bit.
“They’re both at different positions in their career – but I wouldn’t call Glover inexperienced. He played at the Olympics, which is huge, and he’s played in two Grand Finals, winning one.
“What I found, and Jamie Young will probably be the same, is that when you’re older you know you don’t have many years left, and you tend to enjoy the moments a little bit more, you’re a lot more relaxed, you’re a lot more comfortable with where you are and your ability.
“In some ways it’s easier going into these games when you’re at the end of your career when you’re younger. That’s probably the mindset he’ll be in.”
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