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Foxsports.com.au tells you everything you need to know - and a few things you don't - about the A-League finals series.
A-League Finals: Week OneFriday, February 18
Elimination final:
Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix, Hindmarsh Stadium, 8pm (EDT).
Saturday, February 19
Major semi-final, leg one:
Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar, Bluetongue Stadium, 7pm (EDT)
Sunday, February 20
Elimination final:
Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory, Skilled Park, 5.30pm (EDT)
(Elimination final winners meet in minor semi-final during week two. Losers are eliminated.)
Matt McKay voted foxsports.com.au player of season The Life and Times of Kevin Muscat 
Kevin Muscat: maniac or simply misunderstoodRetirement: Muscat hangs up his boots+114Muscat's Many Misdemeanours Explaining the finals system:
Week one features three games - the first leg of the major semi-final between the top two teams at the home of the second-placed team - and two elimination finals - third place host sixth place while fourth place have a home match against fifth place. The second leg of the major semi-final highlights week two as the minor premiers get to strut their stuff back on home territory. The aggregate winner not only qualifies for the grand final but also hosts the big game. Meanwhile, the winner of the two elimination finals from the previous weekend play in the qualifying final. Week three features just one game with the winner qualifying for the grand final on week four.
Who can win in week one?
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Brisbane Roar may have taken all before them during the season but finals football is a different matter. Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold is confident of making the most of home advantage in the first leg of the major semi-final and then defending it in Brisbane in week two. Melbourne Victory could unleash a star-studded attacking line and that spells trouble for Gold Coast. Adelaide have been a bit unpredictable of late but a home final against Wellington shouldn’t be too difficult to negotiate.
Whose likely to make a first round exit?
Wellington may have upset the odds to beat Adelaide two weeks ago but the home aside won't be fooled again. After looking safe bets for the top six for months, Gold Coast have limped into the finals series and will need to improve considerably if they are to hold out Melbourne Victory’s Archie Thompson, Robbie Kruse and co.
Finals odds
Brisbane Roar - $2.30
Central Coast Mariners - $2.75
Adelaide United - $6.50
Melbourne Victory - $8.50
Gold Coast United -$11
Wellington Phoenix - $26
Players to watch
Brisbane Roar: Thomas Broich - leads the statistical figures in many attacking categories and has an impact on the A-League beyond the wildest dreams of Ange Postecoglou and the Roar. The creative spark in an outstanding midfield, Broich can be expected to feed striker Jean Solarzano and Kosta with plenty of chances.
Central Coast – Adam Kwasnik – after letting the kids have all the fun in recent matches, coach Graham Arnold seems certain to revert to experience for the finals, and that means an important role for Adam Kwasnik. The 27-year-old has scored nine goals this season and forms a formidable frontline with Matt Simon that gives defenders plenty to think about.
Adelaide United – Travis Dodd - the captain hasn’t risen to the heights of previous campaigns and needs to step up if Adelaide are going to upstage the top two. He is the main link to top-scorer Sergio Van Dijk up front and at his best chips in with some crucial goals.
Gold Coast United – Shane Smeltz – while the team on the whole has struggled of late, striker Shane Smeltz continues to put away chances. But the A-League’s all-time top goalscorer needs a better supply from an underperforming midfield. If he gets that, then he single-handedly has the ability to keep Gold Coast afloat beyond the first week.
Melbourne Victory – Robbie Kruse - sounds as though Melbourne Victory are planning on some pretty entertaining finals football and that means a big role for Kruse. The Socceroos striker has a great goalscoring record this season and will prove a handful for opposition defences.
Wellington Phoenix - Dylan Macallister - Paul Ifill is back in the fold but Macallister has been one of the team's form players leading into the finals. The 28-year-old has never really fulfilled his potential but he has the potential to really unsettle opposition defences with his sheer bulk and sublime touch.
Paying the penalty
Penalty shootouts played a big part in deciding the qualifiers from last season’s week one of finals. The two elimination finals were decided by spot kicks as Newcastle Jets edged out Gold Coast United and Wellington Phoenix beat Perth Glory. Later, of course, the grand final also came to a shootout conclusion. The only other time penalties have come in to use was in the 2006-07 preliminary final when Adelaide United beat Newcastle 4-3 after a 1-1 draw. It didn't do Adelaide much good though as they were beaten 6-0 by Melbourne in the grand final.
Last season in week one
Melbourne Victory beat Sydney FC 2-1 in the first leg of the major semi-final at Etihad Stadium. Nik Mrdja opened the scoring for Victory on 16 minutes and Carlos Hernandez doubled the lead on 40 minutes. John Aloisi got one back for the visitors on 43 minutes and even though Mrdja was sent off late on, Victory held out. In the elimination finals, Newcastle and Gold Coast fought out 0-0 draw before the Jets won 6-5 on penalties while Wellington beat Perth 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw
How have minor premiers' gone in the finals series?
2009-10 - Sydney did the double. 2008-09 - Melbourne Victory did the double. 2007-08 - Mariners were minor premiers but Newcastle won grand final. 2006-07- Victory won the double. 2005-06 - Adelaide were minor premiers but didn't make final. Sydney FC won.
Did you know?
- The top three from this year finished in the bottom three positions last season - Adelaide were last, Brisbane were second from bottom and Central Coast were third from bottom
- Perth Glory players received 10 red cards this season and 73 yellow cards. Defender Brent Griffiths received six yellow and two red cards in just nine games.
Stats corner
- Brisbane have had 50 goal assists this season, while Melbourne Victory have only notched 32. Thomas Broich leads the individual goal assists with 12 with Josh Rose second with eight.
- Wellington forward Chris Greenacre has been caught offside 26 times this season.
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