Harry Kewell’s debut season in the A-League will come to an early close this weekend. With the Victory out of the race for the A-League finals, Saturday’s game against Perth Glory will be the last chance fans have to see the 33-year-old until later this year.
So how has, to rework the title of Grant Wahl’s book following the first days of David Beckham’s move to LA Galaxy, “the Kewell experiment” gone?
The sheer scale of how bad this season has been for the Victory both on and off the pitch makes it hard to assess this question effectively. But while the club was imploding around him, Kewell often managed to inspire his team to some positive results.
In his debut A-League campaign, we also saw the former Leeds starlet played in a range of positions and roles as first Mehmet Durakovic and then Jim Magilton tried to find the right formula for the Victory.
It raises the question of how best to use Kewell.
I spent the last week and a half in Russia following former Socceroos manager Guus Hiddink at his new club, Anzhi Mackhachkala.
I bring this up because the way Hiddink is using Cameroonian super star Samuel Eto’o could well be instructive for the Victory.
Before Hiddink took over, as Anzhi struggled to create opportunities against the many deep lying defences employed in the Russian Premier League, Eto’o would drop deep – often receiving the ball in his own half from Anzhi’s centrebacks – and try to create opportunities himself.
While Hiddink’s early focus has been on securing the team’s defence (they’ve only conceded one goal in his three games in charge) Eto’o has been stopped from dropping deep and instead sticks right on the shoulder of the opposition centrebacks.
Essentially, the Dutch tactician is looking to maximize his star striker’s effectiveness by putting him where he is most dangerous.
Hiddink is on such big money in Russia because of this knack of looking at a squad and finding the key players and setting the team up to take advantage of this.
So, is the best place to play Harry at the point of a defence, getting on the end of attacking moves and peeling wide to create or behind the striker? Or further back where he can arrive late into the box and instead allow Archie Thompson to play in his more favoured advanced position?
These are questions the next permanent Victory coach – whether it be Magilton or otherwise – will have to find the answer to for the two-time A-League champions to succeed.
These are difficult decisions to make and it’s why Victory must do their due diligence in appointing a permanent coach.
In fact the whole A-League needs the Victory to get this decision right and it’s not just because the Victory are the league’s biggest club (though that’s a fair point).
The Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar have dominated for two seasons now, but their football has failed to significantly progress in this campaign as was highlighted in the opening stages of the ACL.
When these teams came up against more organized defences than we see in the A-League, they struggled to break them down.
While both clubs will hopefully learn from their Asian experience, they need the rest of the competition to significantly improve to push them to keep developing – something which didn’t happen this season.
The Roar and the Mariners have taken the first step in the development of Australian club football, now their A-League rivals must push them the rest of the way starting with Melbourne Victory.
Beau
Guest
The media always try to portray him as selfish, he must have dont someting to them at some point, or they hated that he seemed to never want to play for Australia... maybe becasue without Harry playing they weren't given permission to report on the games or somehting who knows. I love that he has come here and proved the media wrong in every single way. He played every match (or did he miss one early after a socceroos game I can't remember), so much for his durability issues. He also showed he's not too old to match it and exceed it in the A-League. What he also did was showed he cares. Getting the highest paycheck you can is something we all do in our lives. Once the deal was done, he's come out and put everything into trying to win games. Another non reported thing Harry did was make himself available for the fans. He often called him teammates over to greet fans and thank them, and was always there after games shaking hands and signing things. He's been the ultimate club man. The media would love us all to believe he is so selfish and wants the spotlight on him but another thing I have noticed is that often when a teammate scores he is the first one over to them to celebrate with them. A selfish player may be all annoyed it wasnt them scoring but nope, theres no one happier for a teammate to score than Harry. He plays for his team. Ive noticed it in old premier league and international games too, first one over to a goalscorer to celebrate - look out for it! ;) As a Leeds United and Melb Victory supporter I'm completely biased, but it's been a dream for Harry to come back and play for Melbourne... never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined it could happen - 7 years ago we didn't even have a league! (at least we were in between them and I didnt follow the NSL). Hopefully the team does better next season and the crowds lift up further, and we got the positive energy back at AAMI Park!
nearpost
Guest
Davide, did you watch the CCM in their last ACL campaign. Flogged 5 -0 at home by a Japanese Club - now that was embarrassing. If you can't see the giant strides made by the Mariners in Asia then you know sod all about football and perhaps shouldn't be writing about it. We need better more astute football writers. Your points on Harry are interesting, your points on the Mariners and Brisbane are just insane. When did you see two Aussie teams really trying to play football from the back - in Asia. Focus on the ball. The Mariners had 4 U19s taking on Nagoya - two in the attacking central role. There is a lot to celebrate about the Mariners progression in Asia. And no mention of Adelaide our 9th place teams acheivements thus far. Are have you written them of as well after two games even though they top the group. So wake up Davide. Mariners are on two points last time I looked - along with every other team in the group. Cheap shot!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Futbanous You're spot on - I'm like you, only ever saw him on national team duties, and in the early years that was quite sporadic. And then he had a long run of injuries, it was easy to form the view that he was somewhat fragile, so all in all, this season is really the first time I've had a close look at him as a club player. Early on, people may have thought him a selfish player, out for the money, not a team player, etc, etc, and I admit, I would have been one of them - but he has turned out the opposite. His work ethic and determination is as good as anyone's at the Victory, probably better - you could not accuse him of not giving his all. I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise, we're talking about someone who made it pretty far in professional football - he's obviously made of the right stuff.
Westie
Guest
Noticed the new Victory coach was featured as one of many of Flavio Briatore's managers while the Italian owned Queen's Park Rangers in the fly on the wall doco, 'Four Year Plan'. Essential viewing if you are interested in what it is like at a pro sporting club behind the doors. It started okay, but it was about a fortnight before Flavio considered Jim an idiot. Flavio, should never be allowed near management in any field again from what I could see. The man is a raving psychopath. He can barely put two words of English together and he is there telling guys who have been playing and managing the sport for decades what to do. Anyhow, Jim was chucked out for having an altercation with a player which turned out to be a lie. They need to comb the country for talent and then have the coaching to bring it all together. Can't see it happening.
Titus
Guest
Emerton has actually been a pretty consistently good squad player. I think it is often underestimated what he contributes and with Carle, Kisel and Antonis in midfield it has actually been a pretty good midfield. Sydney FC crowds are up by by 30-40% and Emmo can claim some of that......as can Kewell.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Just read that. All speculation at this point from that report. He may end up in one of the Middle East leagues ;-)
Nathan
Guest
Someone mentioned it to me today, what would have happened if Victory started the season with a bang. If they won their first two home games the bandwagoners would have jumped on board like flies. They would have been averaging 25,000 a game and making a killing money wise. Those two nil all draws really shaped the season for us. Although I thought we made a pretty big impact in the media, with us doing bad it's made big stories in Melbourne. Although we're are still the envy of other clubs even though we didn't make finals. Most of our games were probably the most entertaining and a joy to watch for the neutrals. Whereas Emerton on the other hand has really overall done rarely anything.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
I just bet they are.
Behold
Roar Rookie
SBS's TWG are talking up him playing in either the MLS or in South Korea.
Paul
Guest
As long as he sticks around. I hope he does, but there needs to be stability at managerial level. A proper manager would do wonders for Harry and the club in general.
Griffo
Roar Guru
From what I've seen, I don't think the 'Kewell A-League experiment' has failed. From Kewell's point of view, has coming back to the A-League helped extend his career with an eye on Brazil2014? And what is he going to do in the long off season to keep in shape for next round of World Cup qualifiers? I don't think he will be an automatic selection into the national team if he isn't playing come June. Holger has basically indicated that when Harry arrived this season. So, is he going to seek a loan to another club? Where is he going to?
Futbanous
Guest
The Cattery Have watched Harry from afar since he was a lad & of course for the Socceroos. However until I had the opportunity to see him week in week out I never realised how competitive he is,a fighter as you indicate.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Just to add to that, let's not forget that Harry is a fighter, he gives his all, he goes up for headers that he has no right to win, he tracks back, he does the hard work as well, he has been fantastic this season.
Michael
Guest
He really is a delight to watch, even as a supporter of a rival club. He has a gracefulness about the way he moves, and his technical skills are still outstanding.
JimmyMac
Guest
I concur with comments above. Also, for Harry personally, and with regards his aim of getting to Brazil, it really couldn't have gone much better. His outstanding effort up front for the Roos v's KSA capped off a fine season.
Futbanous
Guest
How to utilise a marquee player is a subject for serious debate. Unfortunately what is a more serious debate is "When are A-league clubs going to utilise the Marquee player option?"
apaway
Guest
There's one thing MVFC did get right this year - how to utilise a marquee player. Harry Kewell must surely be in the running for the A-League Player Of The Year and that's just for what he did on the pitch.
Roger
Guest
Harry's been great. Crowds are up, his play has been great (after a slow start to the season), and he's a delight to watch.
Futbanous
Guest
And surely thats all that needs to be said. Living in Brisbane its all Moomba Joomba to me,but apparently in Melbourne its a big deal. On the park,especially in the second half of the season Harry has been magic both at home & away. Pleasure to watch a player who is clearly a cut above the average. Seen him twice at Suncorp,gave me the jitters whenever he was near the ball. Shame that Dukes never got to play in the A-League. Off the park crowd figures speak for themselves. At home I guarantee at least another 5000 average on MV's gate if they hadn't been Dysfunctional FC this season. Away also, he's pulled them in.
Trent
Guest
"It’s no coincidence that 9 of the top 10 attendances across the league featured Melbourne Victory either as the home or the away team." I think this is a coincidence - or at least it's not just related to Harry Kewell. The Victory are usually over represented in the top 10 crowds list for each season. Last year it was 7 of the ten largest which includes the grand final. This year will be the same (it's currently 8/10, not 9/10). In saying that, he did pull in some brilliant crowds early season, with the numbers tailing off as the season progressed. The two 40k games early season could be put down to Kewell, shame they were nil alls.