Soccer: Lop-sided schedule distorts A-League

Perth's Andy Todd congratulates Robbie Fowler on his second goal. Photo / Getty Images

Adding an 11th team has given the A-League a lop-sided look and a muddled mid-season points table.

After week 14 of the 27-week regular season, Perth Glory - after five games in 16 days - have played 16 times (more than half of their scheduled 30 matches). On the other hand, Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets have played only 12 games.

As the race for a place in the top six play-offs heats up, the games-in-hand scenario becomes all-important. On that basis the Jets are up against it. They are down in ninth place - six points behind sixth-placed Melbourne Victory, who have played three more games than Newcastle. The Jets are 21 points behind leaders Brisbane Roar but still in sight of the play-off picture.

But, as Perth and Melbourne Heart have learned, the need to play extra games midweek takes its toll.

After taking an early lead when Gerald Sibon scored after 11 minutes, Melbourne Heart ran out of steam as the Brisbane Roar upped the tempo and eventually got home 2-1 two minutes from time.

They returned on Thursday from the long trip to Townsville where they beat North Queensland Fury on Wednesday night. And before that the Heart had played two away games in three days.

"I think we were the better side but that was not enough because in the first half we had the most chances and we didn't make the second goal that maybe we needed because coming from three away games, I think the fatigue in the team of course was there," said Heart coach John van't Schip.

Perth shrugged off the effects of their equally tough schedule to snap a 10-match winless run by upsetting Melbourne Victory 3-1 in front of 6217 fans at nib Stadium.

Marquee striker Robbie Fowler scored all three for the West Australians to claim the league's first hat-trick of the season.

The first came in the 14th minute when Fowler was brought down by Victory's Roddy Vargas. But his penalty attempt was parried by goalkeeper Michael Petkovic only to fall kindly to Fowler who gratefully accepted a second chance to convert.

Fowler added to his haul in the 55th and 62nd minutes before the visitors claimed a late consolation from substitute Diogo Ferreira. It was the third loss in four games for the Victory who at least had ace striker Archie Thompson back for his first start for the season. The tight schedule might play into Wellington Phoenix hands this week when they travel to play Newcastle.

The Jets beat Adelaide United 3-1 on Saturday, play Brisbane Roar tomorrow night and then the Phoenix on Saturday. But in their favour is having all three games at home.