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Sport Nation
Monday Musings: AFC Adulation, Passionate Port, and Vociferating Victory
Alex Chapman • May 19th, 2025 2:25 pm
Photo: Rob Prezioso/AAP
Fresh from his time in Melbourne with the Sport Nation commentary team, Mornings co-host Alex Chapman recalls the big moments from AAMI Park.
Advantage Auckland FC
If you were to build a half a house, finish half a meal, or read half a book, you wouldn’t say it was completed.
In fact, some would call it half-arse.
So, yes, the Jay Cartwright/Inbetweeners references can wait another week.
And so for Auckland FC, the job’s not done. And you can bet your bottom dollar (responsibly) that they won’t half arse it this weekend.
But Saturday’s 1-0 win over the Melbourne Victory in the first leg of the A-League semi-finals is the safety net that they didn’t know they’d bring back with them. And they can now also use it as a comfort blanket knowing they don’t have to leave the country again.
More than 14-thousand punters turned up to AAMI Park, (over 2.5 times the amount of the previous night’s game between two Victorian sides) to watch the Black Knights’ playoff debut, and if it was anything other than a win, it was a reminder.
It was a reminder of the physicality they play with, the desperate determination they have, and the ability to silence the most vocal of opposition fans (more on the Ultras soon.)
There were moments of Victory vigour, though those were countered by dogged defiance and the composure of captain Hiroki Sakai turning to his team and telling and gesturing for them to calm. down.
It was the reassurance that they’d be ok, and the reminder to fans, whether braving the Melbourne weather, in a bar or Takutai Square, or nestled at home, that they’d be ok.
Not even the transformation of Alex Paulsen’s goal-box into a mud pit could stop Auckland from winning.
We mentioned it on The Saturday Session that morning, and it’s even more applicable now; I don’t know how the Victory score more than Auckland.
The newcomers have now denied the four-time champions a goal in three games, and restricted them to just four shots on target. No, not on Saturday, all season. And the way their defensive system is setup then allows them to attack, as shown by one Francis de Vries.
Should AFC have scored more goals? Perhaps. After all, they had 15 shots. But when both posts deny you, as they did Neyder Moreno, that one breach of defence after the persistent door knocking, is enough. The welcome mat will be out at their sold-out fortress this week.
Should AFC have scored more goals? Perhaps. After all, they had 15 shots. But when both posts deny you, as they did Neyder Moreno, that one breach of defence after the persistent door knocking, is enough. The welcome mat will be out at their sold-out fortress this week.
A-League semi-finals? Completed it (half of it) mate.
The Port
Put in the corner of AAMI Park like a group of raucous, naughty schoolkids, the traveling faithful’s singing, flag waving and drum beating was ever-present for the entire game.
The resounding singing at the ground of “Sha la la la la la la, Auckland FC” being louder than vehement Victory boos after Logan Rogerson found the back of the net, says it all.
Given they’d been enjoying local hospitality non-stop for a few days, you can understand why they perhaps had extra warmth, both vocally and that extra metaphorical coat that many of us know well.
The comedic chanting of “we’d win that too” while they watched the end of an AFL game was somewhat quietened when fans of both teams in said match arrived – as loud as the Port were, they couldn’t overcome those who had just been part of a near-70-thousand crowd down the road at the MCG.
But speaking to local publicans, they enjoyed the entertainment the visiting supporters brought. Though as one mentioned while “shoes off if you love Melbourne” rung around the bar “they could’ve changed their socks.”
Photo: Rob Prezioso/AAP
Victory Ultras
By contrast...hey Victory fans, the cops would like a word.
With their faces covered and red flares lit, the cohort, chanting for their boys in blue, marched through streets as they ascended on the stadium. The forecast of rain and single digit temperatures doing little to curtail their zeal.
There had been suggestion of misbehaviour, especially given some pubs don’t show the A-League because of previous incidents involving Victory fans.
But the only real indication of what really was to come on Saturday evening, was a lady standing outside the ground telling anyone who would listen that her son was part of the group, and that she was “furious” about it.
“I’ve got cancer and so don’t have the energy to argue with him.” she shared. “But I have to be here to make sure he doesn’t get hurt or arrested, or do anything stupid.”
It should be mentioned, this wasn’t all of the Victory fans, but the arrival of police by horse and car (not cart) suggested they were bracing for the large group which was heading towards them.
As the sound of the rain hitting the road grew louder, so too did the noise...
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The banging of a drum growing closer and progressively louder, as the red haze of morphed into a full fury of smoke.
When they arrived outside the gates, those at the front of the obstreperous group made it abundantly clear to go away. Same amount of words, more blunt.
They eventually moved onto the stairs to go inside, standing for a couple more chants, before running to the turnstiles and to their seats.
During the game, they sung, they chanted, they jumped. All of that, well and good.
But the pre-match behaviour? Gross at best. Classic hooliganism in the worst possible way.
Their team may have lost 1-0, but the vociferous Victory fans were the real losers.
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the A-League Men Semi-final Leg 2 between Auckland FC and Melbourne Victory from 5pm Saturday - with no delay commentary available in-stadium at Go Media Stadium.
Auckland FC win first leg of ALM semi-final against Melbourne Victory | Sport Nation
