It has been a long wait, but it is finally here. The most important and long awaited season of A-League is upon us. This season promises to be the best one yet.
Brisbane Roar
Ange Postecoglou’s ‘Roarcelona’ are the standard-bearers of the league right now. Their style of play was superior to nearly all before them as they went on a unbeaten streak to record their first premiership and championship. It is a different looking Roar side this year, out go McKay, Solorzano and Barbarouses and in come Issey Nakajima-Farran, Sayed Mohamed Adnan, Besart Berisha, Kofi Danning and Matt Jurman.
In the midfield there are Paartalu, Nichols and Murdocca, and they have retained Thomas Broich, which will be key. Postecoglou has bought a team-first mentality to the club and we saw system triumph over player. I expect that to continue this season.
My tip: 1st
Central Coast
Arnie’s men will be spurred on by their epic grand final defeat last season. They have added Troy Hearfield, Adriano Pellegrino, Brad McDonald and Stuart Musialik to their playing ranks but have lost Argentine playmaker Patricio Perez.
It is a massive plus to hang onto Mustafa Amini for this season, although injury will delay his start. Not much will change for the Mariners. Arnie’s narrow 4-4-2 diamond took them to the grand final and with added depth to the squad, they are a real chance to end up where they were last year, fighting for the Championship.
My tip: 2nd
Melbourne Victory
Been a massive off season at the Victory. A new coach, the recruitment of young talent in Rojas and Cernak and the signing of Australia’s most famous footballer has left its fans salivating (including yours truly) at what’s to come.
Goals will not be in short supply with the likes of Kewell, Thompson, Hernandez, Allsopp and Solorzano around. One area I feel the Victory need to improve on is the back half. Too many goals last season were conceded from mistakes and set pieces, that needs work. It is a new side with Durakovic at the helm and I’m expecting a top-three finish from the Victory
My tip: 3rd
Adelaide United
Although they were dealt huge blows with Matt Leckie and Marcos Flores leaving, Adelaide have recruited well in the off-season, with Dario Vidosic, Jon McKain, Spase Dilevski, Bruce Djite and Zenon Caravella joining the Reds.
It is a totally different side compared to last season. I expect they will take time to gel and get used to playing next to each other, but with the pre-season as long as it was, it shouldn’t take long. Rini Coolen has made this side his own, recruiting players he wants.
They played an attractive brand of football last season and I can’t see why they can’t do the same this year with more talent in the squad.
My tip: 4th
Sydney FC
A potentially defining season for the Sky Blues is here. Thay have bought back the ‘bling bling’ with Brett Emerton coming back, a massive coup for not only Sydneybut for the League.
They have regained Karol Kisel and brought in Pascal Bosschart, two solid signings for them. I’m expecting a huge season from Nicky Carle, he had a horror season last season but showed glimpses of his class toward the end.
I’m expecting Lavicka to go with the midfield diamond, with Carle in behind Cazarine and Makela, with Emerton and Kisel out wide and McFlynn holding. Also will be interesting to see how young Antonis goes this season. I’m expecting Sydney to make the finals
My tip: 5th
Melbourne Heart
The Heart have a great attacking set-up this season with the recruitment of Mate Dugandzic, Fred, and David Williams adding to the silky Alex Terra. They have the pace and skill to worry defences this season.
In the midfield, Shroj, Kalmar and new signing Jonathan Germano will be crucial. Heart’s greatest weakness is their defence. With Beauchamp and Heffernan leaving and with questions over Simon Colosimo’s future, Heart’s defensive stocks look thin.
A lot will rely on Matt Thompson and Brendan Hamill staying fit. Their attacking talent should be enough to make the finals… just.
My tip: 6th
Newcastle Jets
Absolute madness at the Jets now only a day out from the season. They have sacked their coach and want to get rid of their marquee player. They could not have picked worse timing.
Anyways… the Jets have bought in Tiago Calvano, Byun Sung-Hwan, and Chris Payne. Joel Griffiths has been linked to the Jets for a guest stint. I’d expect Ryan Griffiths and Ruben Zadkovic to be big-time players for them.
Goals will be needed, as the Jets struggled with their finishing in front of goal last season. With Jesic, Abbas, Payne, and R. Griffiths prowling around, I’d expect some goals for them. But other teams are ahead of them and that will keep them out of finals.
My tip: 7th
Perth Glory
Plenty have written off the Glory before the season, and I think I’m one of those people. They have recruited well, snaring Shane Smeltz, Liam Miller, Billy Mehmet, Travis Dodd, Adam Hughes and Bas van den Brink. The key to their season is the pairing up front of Smeltz and Miller.
I’d have Glory in a 4-4-1-1 with Miller behind Smeltz and with Burns and Hughes holding in the middle. I’m not a particular fan of the way Perth play. It’s boring and unadventurous at times. I hope it changes this season.
My tip: 8th
Wellington Phoenix
Struggling times are ahead for the Phoenix. They have lost players that they haven’t replaced. It is also worrying that they have a thin squad, financial issues and a change of owners earlier in the week.
In come Tsattalios, Downey, Pantelis (who will miss the season) and young Kiwi Cam Lindsay. Positive news for them with Paul Ifill staying also. The Phoenix have always enjoyed a great home advantage, will be enough to see them stay off the bottom, but not much else.
My tip: 9th
Gold Coast United
The team from the glitter strip have lost quality players in the off-season with the likes of Culina, van den Brink, Djulbic, Caravella and Smeltz leaving. In come Dutchmen Beekmans and Jungschlager, as well as striker Marceo Righters.
A lot will rely on the experienced hands of Michael Thwaite and Joel Porter, and Righters has an unknown quality about him. He could be anything.
I don’t know if the team can recover from those sorts of players leaving, but they have a funny, eccentric and solid coach in Bleiberg at the helm. I don’t think it’ll be enough to keep them off the bottom.
My tip: 10th
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