Season 2015-16 of the A-League kicked off on Thursday night with the Wanderers falling 3-1 to Brisbane Roar at Pirtek Stadium. Going off from a cracking opener, it’s time to make some bold, crazy and bizarre predictions.
First: Melbourne City
Melbourne City have looked exciting heading into this season and with one of the best full strength starting line-ups, they could shock a lot. Unlike their rivals in Melbourne Victory, they’re without Asian Champions League commitments and this could assist them in going all the way. My only concern is John van ‘t Schip doesn’t come across as the championship type.
Second: Perth Glory
Despite the off-field dramas that derailed last season’s run to the finals, they still have quality on the park to surprise many. Granted they have learnt from last season’s mistakes, they’ll once again be up the top and could very well challenge for the title.
Third: Melbourne Victory
How could you look past Melbourne Victory you crazy person? Well the fact no side has ever gone back-to-back for the premiership is one factor, the other will be the challenge of juggling A-League and ACL commitments. Not many sides have been able to have a successful run in the ACL without it severely impacting the A-League season.
The benefit for Victory is the squad depth that has been retained. Despite the loss of Mark Milligan, they’ll be able to move on without him fairly easy. Like many teams before them, one competition will have to give way for the other to be successful.
Fourth: Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers. You live by the sword and you die by it. For me, that appears to be Tony Popovic and like a western saloon door swinging open entry and exit, the fact Popovic has never been able to settle on a squad may affect him greatly.
He has talked a big game and watching them during the pre-season you can see the direction he’s trying to take the squad. I think they’ll once again be a side no one wishes to face at Wanderland but I just don’t think the side will gel quick enough, but if anyone has proven it can be done it is Popa.
Fifth: Adelaide United
Had Josep Gombau remained and lost the quality of players he did, Adelaide United would have been my tip for first. Looking at the team they are littered with quality but under a new coach I don’t think they’ll be a big enough threat for the premiership. Add the potential commitments of ACL and I think fifth is a more than reasonable finish.
Sixth: Brisbane Roar
Brisbane have had negativity surrounding them all off-season, but I think the way John Aloisi has addressed fans, and the vibe I get from the playing group, is that they’re switched on and just want to play football. I’m unsure of how Aloisi will go, he must improve on his last outing as a coach or this could be his last. Pressure is on Aloisi.
Seventh: Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets are under the ownership of the FFA and a new coach is at the helm. It’s a time of moving forward and getting the place back in order. They’ll have a respectable season but I don’t think they’ll light it up.
Eighth: Sydney FC
Shock horror, no way! Yep. I’m afraid to say I don’t think this will be their season. You watch though, they’ll probably prove me wrong. I’ve always struggled to associate consistency with Sydney and without looking at history, for I may be proven wrong, it’s just a feeling I’m getting. Purely based on a feeling.
Ninth. Wellington Phoenix
No Nathan Burns, no finals for Phoenix. This season will also surely be the time we find out their future in the A-League. Would it be really bad of me to suggest there is a possibility that this could be their last season? Their owners want a 10-year license but from all reports the FFA do not have the confidence in this and are only willing to supply a five-year license. Over to you Phoenix owners.
10th: Central Coast Mariners
Central Coast have done nothing to inspire me whatsoever. I have no confidence in what they’ll be able to achieve for the upcoming season but you know what Mariners fans say… ‘never write us off’.
Now I know what you’re thinking, I’m mad! But I’ve predicted the past two grand final winners, the top six for season 2013-14 and four out of the top six for season 2014-15. If it’s any consolation, this season will surprise many and will go down as one of, if not the, closest seasons on record. I think we could be seeing a few first timers this season.
Golden Boot: Besart Berisha
Johnny Warren medallist: Aaron Mooy
Grand final winners: Perth Glory
So come on, let me have it! I want the conservative bunch to have a crazy and wild guess how the season will go as well. I think I’ve officially lost it.
josh
Guest
NTS is fine, without him there is no WSW.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Melbourne Victory to do the league and cup double.
Bradley Jurd
Roar Rookie
Wow. Surprised by your predictions, especially Sydney FC finishing 8th (I'm a WSW, I'd be happy if this happened). Even WSW being 4th is surprised. They're gonna take a while to get together and gel as a team, with so many new players. I think we saw that they're long off the finished product on Thursday night. Brisbane I think will surprise a few, but ultimately miss the top 6. I think we'll see a disappointing season from the Nix, after such a strong 2014/15. Expectation might get the better of them. Yet Melbourne City have recruited the best out of all A-League clubs. Don't be surprised to see an all Melbourne grand final come May. I'd love Perth Glory to push the top position; glad to see them return to their glory days of late 90s/early 00s. My tips; 1st Melbourne City 2nd Melbourne Victory 3rd Adelaide United 4th Perth Glory 5th Western Sydney Wanderers 6th Sydney FC 7th Brisbane Roar 8th Wellington Phoenix 9th Newcastle Jets 10th Central Coast Mariners
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
It's been a long & boring winter I agree, now go take a bex & lay down & watch the football.
Pat malone
Guest
Sokkah to drop back to its nsl days. It's the new nbl
Bondy
Guest
I think JVS is likely to be sacked more so than winning a Premiership . I dont see the placings changing a great deal at all from last year maybe Syd FC may beat home Mlb Vict and you've always had it in for us Mariners ....
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
I think Glory will be around 4th-6th, you never know if our imports fire we might be at the pointy end of the table again.
Realfootball
Guest
Just stirring the pot, CK. I expect WSW to improve exponentially over the first month. NTS, however, is looking like he's run is his A League race.
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
Yeah... No. I agree with Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar's placing's (with CCM a tentative agreement), but can't support the others. Perth may have good FFA Cup form and they'll probably make the finals but Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC taking 2nd and 3rd respectively - running City close. This leaves Perth in 4th/5th - a few points behind the big 3, and the team vying with them will be Wellington. Ernie is a great coach and don't forget, Nathan Burns was pretty poor before arriving at the Phoenix - he'll get the best from his. WSW to have a better campaign than last (how could they have a worse one?) but that defence is awful and needs fixing quick. They'll finish 8th with Adelaide pushing for finals but they'll miss Josep and just fail to make the cut. Leaves us with Newcastle who'll challenge for the spoon. And that's my neck on the line there.
The Minister
Guest
SFC at 8th ? Pfff.... Ok then mate....
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
oops posted in the wrong discussion area
Cameron
Roar Guru
Wanderers have never won an opening season game so can't just go off one match. Perth have looked solid in pre-season and FFA Cup. I know I'm probably a bit crazy but at least I've not provided a carbon copy of the typical predictions we've seen :p
Realfootball
Guest
Bizarre indeed. Wanderers at 4? Sydney at 8. On what I saw last night you need to swap those two. Perth at 2. Now that is really bizarre. The really interesting question is how much rope Popa has left. He looked bereft of ideas last night.