This was Melbourne Victory’s season in every sense as they moved ahead from the rest early on and ended their campaign with the most comprehensive Grand Final performance in Hyundai A-League history.
Here is the story of the season
STAR POWER
Nicky Carle (Newcastle Jets)
Fred (Melbourne Victory)
Benito Carbone (Sydney FC)
Romario (Adelaide United)
GAME OF THE SEASON
Perth Glory 3 Newcastle Jets 3: these two met in the penultimate game of the regular season and with the scores locked at 1-1 late in the game, Glory grabbed two quick goals to seemingly snatch all three points. However, Joel Griffiths netted twice in added time to earn the Jets a point which would prove vital in their run to the finals series.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
To score five goals in any game is special, but to do it in a Grand Final is simply iconic. Archie Thompson’s five-star show at the then Telstra Dome will live forever in Hyundai A-League folklore.
BIGGEST UPSET
When Adelaide visited the New Zealand Knights in round two, an easy away win seemed on the cards, but a thumping late strike from import striker Malik Buari earned the Auckland-based Knights a famous 1-0 victory.
GOAL OF THE YEAR
With the scores locked at 1-1 late in their Newcastle’s round 10 clash with Adelaide, Nicky Carle won possession deep in his own half and set off on a 70-metre run, before caressing a clever strike with the outside of his left boot into the far corner for the winner. Cue mayhem in Newy.
GOLDEN BOOT WINNER
Danny Allsopp (Victory) 11
PREMIERS
Victory were tied for the lead in the first two weeks of the season but held top spot from there on, building an unassailable advantage and eventually finishing a dozen points clear of second-placed Adelaide United.
STORY OF THE FINALS
Victory won through to the Grand Final with a hard-fought two-legged win over Adelaide, but when the Reds joined them in the Grand Final a fortnight later on February 18, 2007, it was a different story.
Ross Aloisi’s red card didn’t help the visitors, but by that stage Victory were already 2-0 up and went on to win 6-0, easily the most lop-sided scoreline in Hyundai A-League Grand Final history. Archie Thompson’s five goals were a personal triumph within a sublime team performance.
