The A-League grand final was a victory for A-League side Brisbane Roar, "a victory for the salary cap, a victory for the grand final, and a victory for the foreigners," according to Michael Cockerill of the THE AGE. Anyone who worries about the future of the A-League "needs to watch the video, over and over again." Brisbane "set a new standard by becoming the first team to win the title three times." What the "near-and-yet-so-far performance of Western Sydney does provide, though, is yet more justification" for the talent equalization forced on clubs by the salary cap. We "should also be thankful for another point of difference" -- that we have a championship game. The "Eurosnobs may continue to debate ad nauseam how first-past-the-post should be the benchmark, but again we have seen how much the grand final is valued in our sporting culture." A full house of 51,000, "a world-class atmosphere, and a stage that gives players, and coaches, priceless big game experience." Not to mention "an unforgettable day out for the fans" (THE AGE, 5/4).
