The instalment of the sixth Hyundai A-League season encompassed many changes on and off the pitch. An abundance of quality players playing their trade on our shores and the upmost superior technical standard of play witnessed since the inauguration of the reenergized competition has seen major improvement in the standard of play.

The accumulation of mid-week fixtures has allowed clubs to build the intensity and assemble a higher benchmark in fitness levels while strength and conditioning standards have also been making amends.

Notably for Victorian football, the catalyst of a new franchise was brought into fruition. The red of the city would make their presence felt: Melbourne Heart was installed as the 11th A-League club giving the competition its first true cross-town derby.

Victory’s supremacy on Melbourne:

Once a monopoly driven market, the Victory took full advantage of their powers in the opening five seasons of the competition. A successful winning formula with the likes of inspirational captain Kevin Muscat in company with marquee man Archie Thompson helped bring the Victory to life.

The club helped rejuvenate football within Victoria, growing their fan base and surpassing previous football clubs on and off the pitch in the upmost professional manner. Football was making significant inroads in the mainstream media, a prospect which was rather difficult in the later stages of the now defunct National Soccer League.

Triumphing obviously helped the cause- winning the decorated double crown on two occasions by claiming the Premiers Plate and in also the Championship prize is held in high regard.

However, the cultural elements and atmospheric emotions illustrated by the fans were the major selling points for Victory. In contrast to the other football codes in Australia, Victory’s style of support encompassed a rather unique and emotional sense of passion which is an exclusive trait that is not evident in the other codes. Fans were allowed to be actively involved rather than being an ongoing spectator. A

mid the success the club had, it built a winning formula for the club on and off the pitch. Finally people who were not affiliated with football previously truly started to understand and appreciate the cultural components the game held around the world.

Despite the fact that Victory was building their dominance on the Melbourne marketplace not everyone was a fan of the outfit. With former VIS head coach Ernie Merrick at the helm and controversial inaugural captain Kevin Muscat leading the team many fans within the football community held their opinions on the Victory playing style and other facits the club inherited. For some people, winning football games didn’t correspond towards an emotional bond with the club.

A changing of the guard:

Ultimately, the 2010-11 season the city of Melbourne was split into two. Melbourne Heart- the red side were the 11th team pioneered into the A-League. Initially many people were sceptical and had their doubts that football could support two professional teams’ given Victory’s dominance since the A-League’s inception; although the rivalry proved to be a success and brought out the true passion exhilarated between the sets of fans. An innovative logo, colours, name and playing style were seen as a positive for Victorian football.

Melbourne Heart’s football philosophy was one of their major selling points. Heart brought in a trio of experienced names including John van’t Schip, a former assistant coach for the Dutch national team and Ajax and in addition the head coach of FC Twente.

The inclusions of Sydney FC’s championship trio- John Aloisi, Simon Colosimo and Clint Bolton along side Josip Skoko, Gerrard Sibon and Rutger Worm were a few names which created a buzz around the club’s foundational season. Van’t Schip’s 4-3-3 Dutch philosophy and style of play- retaining possession and moving the ball forward in a quick and efficient manner was a major talking point.

Derby culture:
The three derby encounters were all closely contested with both outfits claiming a victory while the finale ended all square with a 2-2 stalemate. The excitement, flare, passion, hatred, rivalry, animation and enthusiasm were all brought to life throughout each fixture. Reminiscent of all derby encounters around the world, bragging rights were up for grabs. Many fans take these encounters as a higher priority over their rightful table placing when recalling the season that has been. Whether it’s in the office, having a beer with a mate or in the school yard, claiming rightful ownership over one’s city is what defines a true derby.

In some respects, Victory can claim ownership for this season given their higher placing on the table- 5th in contrast to Heart’s 8th. However, Victory’s supporters have been left to feel aggrieved following the team’s early exit in the finals-series, going down 1-0 to Gold Coast United in the opening week.

Looking forward to next season:
Victory:

Many Victory followers feel that it’s now a time for transition for the club after the recent retirement of influential leader Kevin Muscat and a season which many believe the club underachieved.

Unfortunately, Victory will in all likelihood lose two young exciting prospects. Robbie Kruse, 22, is seemingly on the outer with speculation linking him to Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany’s second division following a decorated season which saw him take the A-League by storm while also making a big impression on Socceroos’ coach Holger Osieck at the Asian Cup.

While Mate Dugandzic, 21, has had a falling out with officials and has refused to sign a contract extension, consequently Victory has left him out of the ACL squad. Speculation is escalating that a move to rival Heart is not too far away.

Assuming the two youngsters depart, it is of more importance that Costa Rican Marvin Angulo signs an extension. His loan deal expires at the conclusion of the ACL’s initial stage. Angulo took some time to adapt to the Australian style, although his technical ability on the ball and fluency in and around his team-mates is a major asset for the club to retain. A massive loss to the attacking foray if he departs Victory.

Exciting young prospect Isaka Cernak, 21, has signed a two year contract and has joined the Victory for their ACL campaign. The talismanic attacking-midfielder joins the Melbourne club following the uncertainty surrounding embattled club North Queensland Fury.

In addition, former Olyroo shot stopper and Perth Glory number one Tando Velaphi, 23, will also join the club for their ACL campaign, signing a two year deal. With Michael Petkovic’s one year agreement ending at the conclusion of the current campaign, there have been no indications whether he will be retained for next season.

Furthermore, Marco Rojas, 19, will be crossing the Tasman to join Victory in the upcoming season on a multi-year deal. The electrifying versatile attacking winger who can function centrally or wide made an impressive onslaught during the second half of the A-League season. He was said to also be interested in joining Adelaide United, however has chosen Victory. Rojas’ signing would further enhance Victory’s depth and would ease the pressure given the likely departures of Dugandzic and Kruse.

Youngsters Petar Franjic and Diogo Ferreira both of whom did their apprenticeship with the Victory youth team are both bright prospects for the Melbourne outfit following a season which saw both demonstrate vigour and mental strength to work their way into the starting XI. With the departure of Muscat following the initial stages of the ACL, Franjic will have a greater opportunity to show his worth next season.

Last week Victory also announced the re-signings of veteran defender Rody Vargas and holding midfielder Billy Celeski on one and two year deals respectively.

Victory’s ageing core of players- Thompson, Allsopp, Brebner, Pondelijak, Vargas and Kemp are all in their 30’s. The recent younger signings will help the cause. The squad needs to be revitalised in order to be competitive and stay in touch with the benchmark teams. A combination of potent youth and experienced players is the correct recipe for a winning formula. An imbalance of either and the team will not live up to its potential. With Muscat endorsed as a full-time assistant coach, he’s impact on the squad could be imminent. Given Victory’s towering standards, a top four finish is a minimum requirement.

Heart:

In contrast, the inaugural campaign of Melbourne Heart was passable given it was their opening season, without being exceptional. Heart showed glimpses of their potential and at times but illustrated the lack of depth and cohesion in their squad.

An influx of older players aged over 30 years was unfortunately the major issue surrounding the club. At times they were value assets to the team in the bigger fixtures; however the reliance on their abilities was brought under criticism following an invasion of injuries to key players.

The retirements of Socceroos’ legends- Josip Skoko and John Aloisi and furthermore Dutchman Gerrard Sibon are big losses in terms of experience. Nevertheless it will provide an opportunity for the club to sign younger prospects who won’t be as susceptible to injury.

Heart have already bolstered their squad for the next campaign by signing exhilarating Australian Institute of Sport captain Curtis Good on a two year deal. The central defender will add much needed depth following a season which saw Matt Thompson occupy the position as a makeshift centre half.

John Didulica, general manager of football operations is thrilled with the capture of the young defender.

“We feel as if we have picked up the number one draft pick,” he said. “As captain and a key central defender, Curtis was one of the outstanding players at the AIS which in our view makes him one of the most promising players in Australia.”

“Long term, our recruiting strategy is to build from the bottom up, so to be able to bring in another exceptionally gifted young player to the team to compliment our core of existing experienced players is exciting.”

The signing means 19 players are registered in Heart’s squad for 2011/12, with seven under the age of 20. The composition of quality youth is great for the club, however an appropriate balance of players in between the young and the old in necessary.

If the club wants to make a significant impact on proceedings next season then more quality players in their mid to late 20’s need to be signed in order to have a noteworthy impact throughout the complete season.

A finals appearance would be the minimum aspiration for the new franchise next season following an inaugural season which encompassed highly inconsistent performances on a weekly basis. Given it was Heart’s inaugural season, it was understandable amid a new football department, coaching staff and squad for the club to miss.

A much more reliable and heady season is what the fans will be expecting.

Robbie Di Fabio is a writer for Goal Weekly.