A-League Rankings – Round 17

Please note that these rankings do not take into account games played in round 18.

1. Adelaide United (3)

Adelaide United may only sit sixth on the A-League table, but they are the form team of the competition. Having not lost a game since round eight, they look like a side ready to play finals football despite a horrible start to the season. Sunday's one-nil victory over the Jets was United's fourth straight victory and has them eight points within the six. Although the performance did not live up to their incredible 4-1 victory over Brisbane, Marcelo Carrusca's 43rd minute goal proved enough, in a scrappy affair. Their Friday night game against Sydney FC could see them jump over FC into fifth, which considering their start to the season is incredible.

2. Melbourne City (1)

Melbourne City looked done and dusted in a big way after falling three-nil behind to the Wanderers on Friday Night. For 77 minutes City's brilliant attack was blunted, however two goals in as many minutes had City right back in the hunt. Although they would concede a fourth, they would also score a third and fall just a goal short of a point that seemed many miles away at three-nil down. Aaron Mooy added three assists to his incredible tally while Fornaroli continues to find the back of the net. The opening 77 minutes won't please too many within the City ranks, but the final 23 minutes plus stoppage time showed just how dangerous this side can be.

3. Brisbane Roar (4)

Brisbane rebounded from their 4-1 hammering at home to Adelaide United with a dominant win of their own, 3-1 over Sydney FC. Jamie Maclaren returned from Olyroo duty and scored the opening goal inside ten minutes, and also scored the match-sealing goal 15 minutes from time. His second goal capped off a beautiful counter attack and wrapped up three deserved points. Matt McKay was the beneficiary of some brilliant work from Dimitri Petratos, who is having a season to remember. The win over FC puts them within two points of league leaders the Wanderers, with a home game to the Mariners presenting a good chance to go top.

4. Western Sydney Wanderers (5)

The Wanderers have now put two straight wins together following their derby loss, so you could say they have bounced back in a positive way. Their 4-3 win over Melbourne City was one of the more incredible games this season. Mark Bridge's goal in the 66th minute put the home side up three-nil and looked as though it was just the icing on a brilliant performance, but two goals in two minutes turned the game on its head. Super sub Brendon Santalab's second goal in two weeks sealed a very deserved three points, although there was time for City to grab a third. Nichols and Bridge are two of the form players of the competition.

5. Sydney FC (2)

Sydney FC fall sharply following their second straight loss, this time a 3-1 loss at home to the resurgent Brisbane Roar. After falling one goal behind early, it took until the 52nd minute for them to find an equaliser, however once Brisbane kicked into gear on the back of Henrique's introduction, they lost their grasp on the game. Sydney's usual solid defence was caught out and they were punished. Fans at Allianz were frustrated with the performance, which again showed signs, but lacked quality in the final third. That has been the story of Sydney's season to date. Alex Brosque's return isn't too far off, yet can't come quickly enough for fans of the sky blues.

6. Perth Glory (7)

Perth, following a second straight victory, are unlucky not to move up the rankings here due to results around them. Although last weekend's 6-1 win will garner more headlines, their 3-2 win over the A-League champion Victory is certainly the bigger victory. The Glory took til the 82nd minute to take advantage of a man advantage they were gifted after Fahid Ben Khalfallah's brain snap in the 56th minute. A late penalty was needed to put the Victory away, but this could be a season defining result. They're now eight points out of the finals spots, but it has set them up for a late charge, with a game against the Phoenix to come.

7. Melbourne Victory (6)

To think that the Victory are just two wins off the top of the table despite their indifferent form is downright strange. Last week they beat Sydney FC in a heated big blue contest, but this week they fell away from home to the Glory. Khalfallah's dismissal in the 56th minute was a real head scratcher, although he really can have no other than himself to blame after kicking out. They did show their championship fight, fighting back to two-all despite being a man down, but Nick Ansell's silly push handed the hosts the chance they needed to wrap up the points. Besart Berisha continues to have little trouble finding the back of the net, adding two more goals to his tally.

8. Central Coast Mariners (8)

Luis Garcia turned back the clock in a big way with an outstanding performance against the Phoenix. A ridiculous back-heel goal sent the Mariners on their way, before playing a big part in his side's other two goals. Although they did concede an injury time goal, it won't be remembered after the Spanish master's performance. The win was the side's first away win in 22 games, which equates almost to a full A-League season. To score three goals from just nine shots is a brilliant conversion rate. They may sit in last place and out of finals contention, but there is a lot to be gained in the remaining rounds of the competition in terms of development of their squad.

9. Newcastle Jets (9)

It's been a tough fortnight for the Jets. Last week they were embarrassed 6-1 at home, this week they were beaten by Adelaide, and their form player David Carney has left the club to sign for Sydney FC. It has not been a good season on the Hunter, and despite having their chances, no one outside the Newcastle fan base thought they were on their way to victory over United. Newcastle fought hard, as they have in most games this season, but unfortunately, also as they have in most games this season, failed to find a way onto the scoreboard. With the Mariners finding a way to win away from Gosford, the Jets are now looking over their shoulder more-so than looking at finals football.

10. Wellington Phoenix (10)

If the Phoenix season wasn't already over, it is now. Needing a win in a big way, after going winless since round nine, the Phoenix had their chances against bottom-placed Central Coast Mariners, but in the end had their pants pulled down in front of their home crowd. Four wins in 17 games is not great reading for a side who in all honesty is better than that. Powell's 92nd minute consolation goal was little more than that, although it should be something Ernie Merrick can use to build on as the Phoenix fight for, what now looks like a very unlikely finals spot. 20 shots, only four on goal, one in the back of the net. Sums it up.