The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

The Free XI: A-League's best free agents

Still without a club, Tomi Juric would be a handy free signing. Credit: SNPA / Dean Pemberton
Roar Guru
1st July, 2015
24

The A-League squads of 2015-16 are beginning to take shape, and yet there are plenty of players from last season still without contracts.

Take a look at my Premier Plate-challenging A-League side of current free agents who took part in the 2014-15 A-League season and who are currently on course to miss out on the next season.

Goalkeeper
In goals Nathan Coe is the clear choice for his time at Melbourne Victory, and previously abroad. With an unfortunate injury ending his spell with Victory, Coe needs to be picked up by an A-League club. His understudy is John Solari, who didn’t get his chance to impress with the Newcastle Jets.

Defence
Zach Anderson and Rostyn Griffiths appear at the back as the central defenders – both of whom are free agents by choice. Neither, however, have been snatched up yet, so I thought I’d get to them first.

At right full-back we have Yusuke Tanaka as our first visa spot, and on the opposite flank Iain Ramsey, who was released by Melbourne City despite boasting more than 100 A-League caps.

On the bench in defence we have central defender Sam Gallagher, and attacking wing-back James Virgili – both of whom should expect to land another A-League contract elsewhere after departing from the Jets.

Midfield
At the base of a midfield three we have the inexperienced but highly rated Hagi Gligor, who has always impressed when he has played for Sydney FC, but unfortunately wasn’t given enough chances to show his true value.

Ahead of him he has two extremely experienced midfielders in Milos Dimitrjevic and Kenny Cunningham, who were both surprise exclusions from their respective clubs. These two comprise my second and third visa spots.

Advertisement

Nick Kalmar earns a spot on the bench for some decent performances for Western Sydney last season. He showed potential, but unfortunately Tony Popovic couldn’t get the best out of him.

And in the forward three we have perhaps one of the strongest attacking trios in the A-League. Tomi Juric spearheads the line-up as the former Western Sydney Striker still looks for his next contract abroad after leaving the Wanderers.

Accompanying Juric on the left is Nikita Rukavytsya, whose blistering pace menaced many A-League sides last season, but his lack of contribution to goals and assists sees him released from WSW.

Jamie Maclaren lines up on the right wing after finally departing ways with Perth Glory. You would expect all three to find contracts before the start of 15-16 season, but nonetheless they all remain free agents for now.

Mate Dugandzic earns a place on the bench for his speed and experience in the A-League.

First XI
Nathan Coe
Yusuke Tanaka, Zach Anderson, Rostyn Griffiths, Iain Ramsey
Milos Dimitrjevic, Hagi Gligor, Kenny Cunningham
Jamie Maclaren, Tomi Juric, Nikitai Rukavytya

Bench: John Solari, Sam Gallagher, James Virgili, Nick Kalmar, Mate Dugandzic

Advertisement

Not a bad side for 16 players released from their clubs. It will be interesting to see how many of these players are picked up before the start of the next campaign as many clubs are still several players short of a playing roster.

close