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Having claimed every trophy the A-League has to offer, Melbourne Victory faces a challenge to hold the core of their squad together for the title defence and another crack at Asia.
The Victory’s controversial 1-0 win over Adelaide United at Telstra Dome on Saturday night delivered them a second championship, to go with their pre-season cup and premier’s plate.
They became the first team in the A-League’s short history to claim all three titles in one season and also the first club to win the A-League title twice.
But as every A-League champion so far has found, including the Victory after their 2006/07 triumph, backing up the next season can be much harder.
Inaugural A-League champions Sydney FC bombed out in the first round of the finals the following year, Melbourne failed to even reach the finals after their maiden title, while last season’s champions Newcastle plummeted to this season’s wooden spoon.
Melbourne’s attempt to break that pattern will rely heavily on their ability in the coming weeks to re-sign a group of players integral to their success, led by skipper Kevin Muscat.
Muscat, who said in the lead-up to the grand final he was weighing up retirement, refused to give any hint of his intentions as Melbourne celebrated their win on Sunday.
“I haven’t given it any thought,” the 35-year-old, who has led the club since day one, said.
“Today, last night, the rest of the week is about a group of people, 22-odd players, 15, 20-odd staff and the football club.”
The two-time club best and fairest, who played every minute of every game this season, would leave a major hole if he was to pull the pin.
His leadership in defence is pivotal, but grand final goal-scorer Tom Pondeljak said the skipper was also the team’s binding force.
“When you’ve got someone like Kevin Muscat as a leader of your team and every player’s got the utmost respect for him and listens to every word he says and the board generally listen to him and believe in him I don’t think you can go too far wrong,” Pondeljak said.
“I haven’t been involved in too many teams that have got a leader like that, so I’m privileged and honoured to have someone like that in the side and hopefully he stays on for a few more years yet.”
Compounding the issue, fellow defender Sebastian Ryall has already committed to Sydney FC for next season, Michael Thwaite is bound for the Gold Coast and veteran goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos is out of contract and keen to head to Europe.
There is also significant work to be done in shoring up the midfield.
Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez, whose enormous value as a playmaker came to the fore during the finals series, has reached the end of his loan deal from LD Alajuense.
While he wants to stay, the Costa Rican club is seeking a hefty transfer fee if Victory is to keep him.
Fellow attacking midfielder Nick Ward, who has become an important part of the Melbourne set-up, is also out of contract.
Coach Ernie Merrick acknowledged the difficulties in both defending a championship and building for an Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign more than a year away.
“Unfortunately (the ACL) is a year off so again we’ve got to look to the future and try to sign the players that will … add to the culture of this club and the winning attitude,” Merrick said.
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