- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Great Australian talent, returning stars, quality foreigners and Australia’s greatest ever goalscorer returns for the 12th edition of the A-League.
This has been possibly one of the most anticipated seasons in Australian football and its build up has been nothing short of tantalising and unbearably nail-biting.
One of the greatest crops of Australia footballers returns this year. European quality has arrived on our shores as attacking guile such as Bobô, Aleksandr Kokko and Australia’s greatest ever Socceroo, Tim Cahill arrive in Oz. This comes as well as experienced armour at the back who will make up the bricks and mortar of defences this season.
But whom will finish top come April? Who will take out the grand final prize? Who will show terrific aspects of ‘individual brilliance’ worthy of a ‘Tim Tam Biscuit’ this season? All that and more will be answered in my 2016-17 A-League preview.
Adelaide United – Predicted Finish – seventh
Adelaide United ran out victorious last season with one of the most extraordinary title victories in A-League history – as well as the grand final prize. Unfortunately, most of the title winning side has sought pastures new with critical first team players Bruce Djite, Bruce Kamau, Stefan Mauk and Craig Goodwin jetting off for the next chapter in their careers.
With Asian Champions League during the season, a few injuries may send Guillermo Amor’s title titans into season stragglers.
Brisbane Roar – Predicted Finish – sixth
John Aloisi did exceptionally well to take a struggling Brisbane Roar to a Champions League play-off spot, whiskers away from the title. Playmaker Corona was key to their creativity going forward.
The midfield, still commanded by Matt McKay, looks set as former Socceroo Brett Holman and Danish midfielder Thomas Kristensen occupy the middle of the park. They are the fuel that can feed the fire that is Tommy Oar, Jamie Mclaren and Dimi Petratos.
Their defence, however, is alarming and ongoing issues within the club may leave that area a major flaw for the upcoming season.
Central Coast Mariners – Predicted Finish – 10th
Most goals conceded home and away, most matches lost, worst goal differences, zero clean sheets. These are all the unsatisfactory records that Tony Walmsley’s side broke last season. With the departure of Walmsley’s false ‘entertaining’ brand of football, a confident manager in Paul Okon arrives.
The recruitment of Sky Blue Brothers Mickael Tavares, Jacques Faty and Ivan Necevski solved the experience and leadership issues in the squad. It’s the rebuilding phase for the Mariners, but often, to take a step forward, it requires two steps back. This season is the first step.
Perth Glory – Predicted Finish – fourth
We all appreciate Kenny Lowe’s down to earth, get stuff done attitude, one that only kicked in after December with the arrival of Andy Keogh to finish inside the top six. Their best piece of business was securing Johnny Warren Medalist Diego Castro on another marquee deal.
Lowe’s game plan in recruiting quality Western Australian players has seen his squad look hot enough for a title challenge with the arrival of former Socceroos Rhys Williams and Adam Taggart. A strengthened defence will propel Perth further and Taggart’s inclusion could add another 10+ goal to Castro and Keogh’s combined 23 last season.
Newcastle Jets – Predicted Finish – ninth
It went from bad to worse in the preseason for the Jets as a backroom quarrel sent head coach Scott Miller and assistant coach Luciano Trani packing.
They were only replaced three weeks before the beginning of the season with Mark Jones and Clayton Zane taking the helm. Jets must look forward to the positives. A full season for new striker Morten Nordstrand who impressed in his first few months at the squad as well as Steven Ugarkovic and Ivan Vujica, promising Australian talent.
Western Sydney Wanderers – Predicted Finish – fifth
We all know Tony Popovic has unfinished business at the Wanderers and he won’t stop until he lifts that grand final Championship.
It seems he may have to wait for his ultimate prize. The Wanderers have recruited well, bringing in Japanese winger Jumpei Kusukami and Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Martinez, but can they replace the likes of Mark Bridge, Dario Vidosic and Romeo Castalen?
Possibly not. With the stress of ACL on their shoulders as well, they might have to settle for only finals football.
Melbourne Victory – Predicted Finish – first
Briefly looking through Melbourne Victory’s squad next season, it has a terrific balance of skill, strength and leadership. It’s personified by their returning skipper Carl Valeri who occupies an all-Australian midfield of James Troisi, Oliver Bozanic and Leigh Broxham.
Mathieu Delpierre’s shadow is filled by new Spanish recruit Alan Barò, and the inclusion of the prodigal Kiwi song, Marco Rojas adds, even more, firepower to the front three that everyone loves to hate including Besart Berisha and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
Sydney FC – Predicted Finish – second
Graham Arnold’s Sydney FC future could be on the line this season after a nightmare seventh placed finish last season. They seem to be getting back on track as a semi-final berth in the FFA Cup is a good step forward.
Marc Janko’s replacement seems to be found as Brazilian marquee Bobô leads the Sydney FC line. Their Australian recruitment has been one of the best as they secure Socceroos with a point to prove, with Josh Brillante, Alex Wilkinson, Michael Zullo and Bernie Ibini all out to prove their worth to Ange Postecoglou and the Socceroos.
Wellington Phoenix – Predicted Finish – eighth
Wellington had a torrid last season as key men Roy Krishna suffered an injury which ruled him out of most of the season, and Jeffrey Sarpong was deemed candidate for marquee flop of the season. Taking away only 14 points from a possible 39 at home explained their need for defensive and attacking recruitment.
Marco Rossi steps in to replace Ben Sigmund who retired at the end of last season and Melbourne Victory duo Gui Finkler and Kosta Barbarouses add some firepower up top. These signings are only the first piece of Ernie Merrick’s puzzle.
Melbourne City – Predicted Finish – third
Melbourne City over the past 12 months has been a revolving door of headlines, from Aaron Mooy and Bruno Fornaroli to Tim Cahill. Although they had the best attack last season which blasted goalscoring records, they managed to end up outside the top three.
Once again they seem a shoe-in for a top two finish with a front four like Fornaroli, Cahill, Bruce Kamau and Nicolas Colazo but if John Van’t Schip cannot fix his defensive irregularities, they might have a late season repeat this year.
Who do you think will finish top?
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.