Parramatta will come alive this Saturday night when thousands of football supporters pack out CommBank Stadium for the Elimination Final between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory.
The sold-out sign is certain to be nailed to the gates of the 30,000-seat venue for this Saturday night’s blockbuster clash between the fourth-placed Wanderers and fifth-placed Victory.
Speaking after Western Sydney’s 3-1 come from behind win over Macarthur last weekend, Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic said he’s looking forward to his first Finals series in charge of the side.
“Of course! It’s going to be a great game against Melbourne Victory,” the former Matildas coach said.
“It was probably the best game of the year when we played them five or six weeks ago, it was a fantastic contest.
“30 unbelievable players entered the pitch that day, so if you want entertainment, come out and watch it.
“It’s going to be a great game. So many talented players on display and two teams that are jampacked with talent.”
Like the glory days of the Wanderers early years, the club had thousands of supporters pack out Campbelltown Sports Stadium last weekend, outnumbering Macarthur Bulls fans to create a spectacular atmosphere.
Stajcic said the support his side has received this year – especially at the back-end of the season – has had a massive impact on their recent 12-game unbeaten run.
“It’s had a massive impact on the team,” he said.
“I’ve been saying it from the first day I walked in to the club, how much it means to the players and they all genuinely care about how many are coming to the game and how much support they are getting each week.”
“They can feel the love, they can feel the joy growing. It helps them to perform better and hopefully we can keep growing. It’s a huge occasion next week and hopefully we can pack it out and really show the Wanderers are back,” he said.
In other A-League Finals news, Melbourne City locked in second spot in the final round of the regular season to join Premiers Auckland FC in the Semi Finals, and earn a week off.
Western United successfully sealed third spot after defeating Premiers Auckland FC 4-2 last Saturday, to set up a home elimination final against sixth-placed Adelaide United. The two teams will do battle this Friday at Ironbark Fields with the winner advancing to the two-legged Semi Finals.
Having secured the Premiers Plate in the penultimate round, Auckland FC has also locked in a home Semi Final second leg at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, May 24.
The Black Knights will face the lowest placed Elimination Final winner, while Melbourne City will take on the highest placed Elimination Final winner over two-legs, with City to host the second leg at AAMI Park on Saturday, May 24.
The two Semi Final winners will progress to the 2025 Grand Final, with the highest placed team from the regular season earning the right to host the decider on Saturday, May 31.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.