Feel like the woodwork has robbed your team this season?
You may be right!
This is what the Hyundai A-League table would look like had all shots which have hit the woodwork gone in over the first five rounds.
And there are some big changes too, with the frame of the goal playing a key role in the seasons of Perth Glory, Western Sydney Wanderers, Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar.
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The Glory would have a perfect record with three additional goals to their name had the woodwork not denied them, while Western Sydney Wanderers would sit fourth and be the competition’s second-highest scorers.
Contrastingly, Brisbane would be last had the woodwork not come into play across their five rounds, while the Mariners would be up and running for the season.
A-League Ladder (inc. woodwork hits) 2018/19 |
||||||||
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Diff. |
Pts |
|
Perth Glory |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
6 |
8 |
15 |
|
Adelaide United |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
7 |
2 |
10 |
|
Sydney FC |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
9 |
4 |
7 |
|
Melbourne Victory |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
9 |
3 |
7 |
|
Melbourne City FC |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
-1 |
7 |
|
Newcastle Jets |
5 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
-1 |
4 |
|
Central Coast Mariners |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
13 |
-6 |
4 |
|
Wellington Phoenix |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
11 |
-6 |
4 |
|
Brisbane Roar FC |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
12 |
-6 |
3 |
The real ladder
Perth Glory would have five wins from five
Had Alex Grant not headed a Neil Kilkenny corner onto the crossbar in their Round 1 clash against the Wanderers, Tony Popovic’s side may well have has a 100% record to their names.
As it is proving, the Glory have not suffered too much from that 1-1 draw against the Wanderers in the opening round.
Popovic's men have also hit the crossbar an two other times this campaign, most notably via a deflected Jamie Young save from Andy Keogh.
Brisbane Roar would be rock bottom
Jamie Young has been in fine form for the Roar this season, but the woodwork has also proved to be a saviour.
Had the crossbar not come to the rescue for John Aloisi’s side in their opening two matches against Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix, the Queenslanders would currently be propping up the competition ladder.
Connor Pain’s effort off the post in Round 1 and Steve Taylor’s incredible miss from close range one week later could prove to be key moments for the Roar.
Central Coast Mariners would be up and running
The Central Coast Mariners are still waiting for their first Hyundai A-League win of the campaign.
However, it Connor Pain's curling effort had gone in off the far post in the club's Round 1 stalemate with Brisbane, Mike Mulvey's men might have been up and running.
Western Sydney Wanderers would double their goal tally
There's no wonder Red and Black fans have been lamenting their side's inconsistent start to the Hyundai A-League campaign.
Markus Babbel have blown hot and cold in the matches opening rounds, and have hit the woodwork seven times - more than any other side this season.
That stat means 9% of their shots taken so far have hit the frame of the goal.
