The A-League squads of 2015-16 are beginning to take shape, and yet there are plenty of players from last season still without contracts.
Take a look at my Premier Plate-challenging A-League side of current free agents who took part in the 2014-15 A-League season and who are currently on course to miss out on the next season.
Goalkeeper
In goals Nathan Coe is the clear choice for his time at Melbourne Victory, and previously abroad. With an unfortunate injury ending his spell with Victory, Coe needs to be picked up by an A-League club. His understudy is John Solari, who didn’t get his chance to impress with the Newcastle Jets.
Defence
Zach Anderson and Rostyn Griffiths appear at the back as the central defenders – both of whom are free agents by choice. Neither, however, have been snatched up yet, so I thought I’d get to them first.
At right full-back we have Yusuke Tanaka as our first visa spot, and on the opposite flank Iain Ramsey, who was released by Melbourne City despite boasting more than 100 A-League caps.
On the bench in defence we have central defender Sam Gallagher, and attacking wing-back James Virgili – both of whom should expect to land another A-League contract elsewhere after departing from the Jets.
Midfield
At the base of a midfield three we have the inexperienced but highly rated Hagi Gligor, who has always impressed when he has played for Sydney FC, but unfortunately wasn’t given enough chances to show his true value.
Ahead of him he has two extremely experienced midfielders in Milos Dimitrjevic and Kenny Cunningham, who were both surprise exclusions from their respective clubs. These two comprise my second and third visa spots.
Nick Kalmar earns a spot on the bench for some decent performances for Western Sydney last season. He showed potential, but unfortunately Tony Popovic couldn’t get the best out of him.
And in the forward three we have perhaps one of the strongest attacking trios in the A-League. Tomi Juric spearheads the line-up as the former Western Sydney Striker still looks for his next contract abroad after leaving the Wanderers.
Accompanying Juric on the left is Nikita Rukavytsya, whose blistering pace menaced many A-League sides last season, but his lack of contribution to goals and assists sees him released from WSW.
Jamie Maclaren lines up on the right wing after finally departing ways with Perth Glory. You would expect all three to find contracts before the start of 15-16 season, but nonetheless they all remain free agents for now.
Mate Dugandzic earns a place on the bench for his speed and experience in the A-League.
First XI
Nathan Coe
Yusuke Tanaka, Zach Anderson, Rostyn Griffiths, Iain Ramsey
Milos Dimitrjevic, Hagi Gligor, Kenny Cunningham
Jamie Maclaren, Tomi Juric, Nikitai Rukavytya
Bench: John Solari, Sam Gallagher, James Virgili, Nick Kalmar, Mate Dugandzic
Not a bad side for 16 players released from their clubs. It will be interesting to see how many of these players are picked up before the start of the next campaign as many clubs are still several players short of a playing roster.
144
Roar Guru
Wouldn't be surprised if zach anderson ends up at SydneyFC because of the connection to Graham Arnold - besides that is a spot we now have to fill now that petkovic is gone - Not sure how Arnold is going to fix the departure of Milos dimitriejevic - we have two foreign spots free know so who ever he snaps up will be interesting. - need international striker as well marquee
144
Roar Guru
Juric cannot go to another a-league club, he has to make th switch to Europe now otherwise it'll be too late.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Not related but some great news. Tom Rogic has got the Celtic manager and fans drooling over his performance in a pre season friendly yesterday. Making threatening runs forward, doing Zidane turns and generally taking the p!ss from what i can gather. More importantly ( because his technique was never in question ) fans have commented he looks alot quicker and fitter than any other time in his stint at Celtic.
Josh
Guest
It's quite a number, but for the benefit of everyone else it's worth highlighting that it's due to an auto-renewal system for memberships with the club where members had to effectively opt-out, rather than opt-in. No doubt the number of memberships would be significantly lower had people been required to renew their memberships manually, or if the club had been clearer in its intentions with its disastrous WanderPay system.
Fadida
Guest
Gallagher is poor. Duganzic is lightweight and inconsistent.
Fadida
Guest
Ha! Probably right Mantis :)
Mantis
Roar Guru
They would beat the Jets mate ;)
At work
Roar Rookie
If I supported WSW I would be worried about Popas recruiting for this upcoming season, after what he did to last season. Will be a big test for Arnold as to who he brings in too, we have lost a fair group of players so interesting to see who replaces them. I only care if Sydney FC finish somewhere at or near the top again, and I expect Victory to do similar things to last season. I wouldn't be overly confident if I was a WSW or City fan
Realfootball
Guest
Hoping for a good season from Wanderers. Ideal situation is both Sydney teams and both Melbourne teams doing well. Unfortunately, someone always has to suffer. This season I reckon it will be Perth at the wrong end of the table, with Jets, CCM and Roar keeping them company. As long as these teams can win a decent percentage of home games, however, the damage to attendances will be minimised. Having said that, Popa's past recruiting has been so abysmal he may well screw it up again. I personally have no confidence in his ability to recruit well, but I hope to be proven wrong.
Realfootball
Guest
Gligor has great skills, but his small stature will always work against him. Wikipedia list him as 168 cm, shorter than Messi, and just 60kgs. And having seen him play, 168 is probably a generous figure.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
MV just re-signed Daniel Georgievski so unless they come to MVFC as the AUS marquee, I can't see either of them fitting into the Salary Cap. MV really need back-up for Matthieu Del Pierre. Our season hit a major road block when he was out. In the 14 matches Del Pierre started for MVFC, we only lost once.
Sandy
Roar Rookie
Hearing that adelaide is about to announce an exciting young australian player today or tomorrow
At work
Roar Rookie
I know this has been discussed plenty already, but I agree that maybe a stick approach like you suggest would be best to make sure these people come to the game or lend them out to friends and family when they aren't going to attend.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah they've added in additional options and incentives to pass on your ticket if you can't make it. I am pessimistic. I believe the approach should be, if you can't make a minimum number of games, you don't get priority renewal the following season. Often people don't buy tickets because the only seats available are in the far corners of the ground while row after row on the halfway line lies empty. But from a commercial point of views, there's little incentive to push away anyone who gets a season ticket.
Brian
Guest
McLaren at Melb City makes a lot of sense. Local boy they need a striker
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Gligor would fit in nicely at the Mariners also. He and Caceres in the middle has the potential to be a strong, creative engine room.
At work
Roar Rookie
AZZ_RBB I can't remember, but did you guys end up fixing the membership and ticketing issues of previous seasons to allow buy backs to occur for games where members wouldn't attend?
Chris
Guest
MVFC should be looking seriously at both Gligor and Griffiths IMO - to cover the loss of Milligan. Griffiths can play CB if required, helpful with Ansell likely to miss a large chuck of the season. Gligor, I'm quite certain, can play CAM (backup for Gui) if required, too.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Despite making a considerable contribution to the list in the article, WSW have managed to sign up 10,800 members as of this morning. Would be nice to hit 15k by the time the season starts.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Bit harsh on Gallagher and Dugandzic. The others I can argee - Kalmar has struggled to make an impact at every club he has been, though Dugandzic just needs to be in the right environment. Has some speed and can score the odd goal for a winger. Gallagher also has good foundations to become a good CB. Just needs to play alongside someone experienced in defence.