The A-League returns for an eleventh time later this year, and with it plenty of excitement and anticipation for what is shaping to be another fascinating season of football.
Every year there are one or two players who emerge in a breakout campaign. Think the Awer Mabils and Adam Taggarts – young players who make an impact and cement their starting spots throughout a season.
The 2014-15 season saw Jacob Melling make a name for himself as a hard tackling, ball-playing centre mid. We also saw Devante Clut emerge as a real talent for Brisbane, scoring several key goals for the Roar and always looking to get forward and create.
Connor Chapman is now a mainstay in the Melbourne City defence, thanks to some disciplined performances last season, and Alex Gersbach is expected to play a key role for Sydney FC this season following a fantastic breakout campaign last year.
With several A-League clubs relying on the old guard to compete in the upcoming campaign, almost all squads will need a year of replenishment. So who will emerge this year on the A-League stage and force their way into their club’s starting XI?
Jonathon Aspro
Aspro debuted for Western Syndey last year, and has always look composed and sharp in the back line. He is tall, and extremely comfortable on the ball – the perfect replacement for the departed Matthew Spiranovic.
He won’t play every match this year, but with Tony Popovic’s rotation policy, expect the youngster to see plenty of game time.
Corey Gameiro
Gameiro’s injury at the start of last season saw the promising young forward sidelined for the year. Already a household name, this could be his season to shine at arguably the best Melbourne City side the A-League has seen.
Harry Ascroft/Jake McGing
One of these central defenders will emerge as a regular this season in the departure of Zac Anderson for Central Coast Mariners. Harry Ascroft looks the most likely, with his previous experience in the Netherlands, though Jake McGing has looked just as comfortable in pre-season.
George Blackwood
A prolific goal-scorer in the NYL, Blackwood simply needs game time to adapt to the speed of the A-League. Graham Arnold was spoilt for choice for strikers last year, so while Blackwood had to wait, he might see more game time this year under a coach who loves to develop young footballers.
Mitch Austin
After several years of plying his trade in the lower divisions of English football, Mitch Austin returns to Australia at the age of 24 with plenty of pace and menace on the left wing. He is one to watch this season for the Central Coast Mariners.
Josh Macdonald
Of five or six young players to trial with Western Sydney in the pre-season, Josh Macdonald was the only one to earn a contract. Previously a Sydney FC youth player, Macdonald spent all of last season in Championship side Nottingham Forest’s youth set up, and returns to our shores looking a threat in the creative positions up front.
He may not get heaps of game time as there are some good players ahead of him, but if the youngster can take his chances when they come, he may be able to force his way into a strong Wanderers squad.
There are plenty of players to keep an eye on for the coming A-League campaign. Roarers, have I missed any?
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Anthony Kalik from CCM.
cm
Guest
Cheers james. Worked alright the first time around. Last season was a nightmare in terms of fixturing as well though. My point is - to my mind, a rotation policy is one where players are not included as a matter of course, regardless of fixturing or opponents etc. What popa did in the last two seasons was to try to manage the squad as effectively as possible to have players ready to go in a busy schedule filled with long travel legs. It was too much last season in the end - but the one before, it won him the ACL. With only the A-League to focus on, I would expect to see a much more settled side, and, while I rate Aspro, I will be surprised if he gets a whole lot of game time (injuries permitting). Popa is not going to cycle through players just because - that's not what he does. I figured you probably considered Gersbach more established - he certainly was a breakout last season - still a youngster to watch though!
fadida
Guest
Brandon Borello looks to be an exceptional talent. Direct and with serious pace
James Anderson
Roar Guru
I hope you're right - it didn't seem to work too well. Gersbach is on my list as a breakout player of last season.
marron
Roar Guru
Without any cup or champions league fixtures to navigate, and hopefully none of the injury concerns, I don't think we'll see popa's "rotation policy" (sigh) nearly as much. Gersbach should probably be on your list of youngsters to watch.