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Since the Mariners clinched their maiden Championship with a 2-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in last season’s decider at Allianz Stadium, plenty has happened in Australian football.
Football fans were spoiled back in July when Manchester United and Liverpool toured the country to engage with their faithful supporters who packed Australian stadiums.
How can we ever forget hearing ‘You’ll never walk alone’ at a full MCG.
Hawthorn and the Sydney Roosters were Premiers in their respective football codes and Tony Abbott was elected the Prime Minister of Australia.
Tonight the real football begins back at Allianz Stadium as Sydney FC host Newcastle Jets in the season opener, the first-ever A-League game to be televised on free-to-air.
Sydney FC welcomes back Nicky Carle into their squad and it will be interesting to see where he will play.
Will he be the number six player in the team, or play the number ten role he has done in the past with Newcastle and Sydney FC?
When the two teams last met at Allianz in Round 2 last season the Jets won 3-2 thanks partly to a goal from Emile Heskey, while Alessandro Del Piero’s superb free kick ignited the Sydney FC and football faithful.
Both sides should have a defensive focus after being among the worst defensive sides in the league in season eight.
I have tipped Sydney FC to win in what should be a tight game.
On Saturday we have two blockbuster games with Central Coast hosting Western Sydney Wanderers in the first.
The Wanderers’ passionate army of fans should turn up in big numbers to avenge their Grand Final loss and begin the new season with a victory.
There will be questions going into this match as to how Tony Popovic sets his defensive structure, with new players Matthew Špiranović and Dean Heffernan coming onto the roster.
The other big question is how Graham Arnold prepared his new squad in the off season.
Six players from last season’s Championship-winning side have departed a number of key players have been brought in, including Marcos Flores. It will be interesting to see how his teammates play around him.
Last time the Wanderers traveled to Central Coast they won 1-0. I believe this will be a different game to what we saw in last year’s Grand Final. I have tipped a draw in this fixture.
The second blockbuster on Saturday night will be the Melbourne derby at Etihad Stadium.
Victory for me have looked to have strengthen their squad with Kosta Barbarouses and Mitch Nichols, two players who were key for Brisbane Roar during Ange Postecoglou’s successful stint at Suncorp Stadium.
Postecoglou has shown in the past he can get his teams to go to the next level and I think Victory will be one of the title contenders this season (big call to make, I know).
Across town, the Heart recruited Harry Kewell in the off-season. It will be interesting to see whether Kewell can get close to the form of his prime.
The Heart will need to have a better season this year and one of their main challenges is to win outside of Melbourne. If they can achieve that, then finals football should be there for them.
Coach John Aloisi has released last year’s veterans and replaced them with youth.
Will this be the right move or not? Time will tell as the season progresses.
Melbourne is a tough market to break into, particularly with the Victory being the stronghold supporter-wise.
But if the Heart win games and if Kewell can have an impact then maybe this team can match their big brother. I have tipped Melbourne Victory to win this game easily.
In the first of the Sunday games Wellington Phoenix host Brisbane Roar.
Wellington will be interesting to watch as Ernie Merrick is back in the league, and Carlos Hernández has also come across.
Brisbane Roar in my opinion will be another team contending for the title as they welcome back Socceroo Matt McKay into the squad and his ability in the midfield will help with players like Besart Berisha and Thomas Broich.
Brisbane is the team I tip to win this fixture.
Adelaide United host Perth Glory in Adelaide in the final game of the round.
I am very interested in how United’s new coach Josep Gombau will structure this team.
Last season Adelaide was one of the more boring and predictable teams to watch, and was lucky to finish in the top four thanks to their great start before John Kosmina left the club.
I have tipped Adelaide to win in this match.
So who will be this season’s unknown player? The team who will revolutionise the style of play in the league? Or will the Wanderers have another successful season?
All this questions will be answered as the new season unfolds tonight.
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