It is a damp Saturday evening in Melbourne and I am sitting behind the goal at the northern end of AAMI Park with my 14-year-old Main Son. The first half has been tense, if not electrifying. The Wanderers score, the Heart respond. But the atmosphere has been sedate.

On 60 minutes, the Wanderers take the lead - as is their habit - prompting the Heart supporter group to migrate from its Yarra end habitat to the opposite goal - just below where we are sitting, and adjacent to the Wanderers fans in the north-east corner.

Western Sydney Wanderers fans let off flares in the stands during the Sydney derby in December. Credit:Brendan Esposito

At the time, it seemed the Heart supporters had moved to the end their team was attacking in the hope of inspiring a revival. Later, it emerges they were protesting about the alleged heavy-handed tactics of security at the other end. Whatever their motivation, a small handful of gung-ho teenagers move towards the Wanderers fans - who are separated by police and security - making insulting gestures.

It is a moment that demonstrates the problem the game has ensuring one of its greatest assets - passionate, committed fans - does not become a public relations nightmare. A scenario that can also make the game an easy target for those who wilfully misrepresent the extent of ''crowd violence'' at A-League games. This season, thanks largely to the exceptional Wanderers fans, more Australians have been exposed to ''football culture''.