Great Australian talent, returning stars, quality foreigners and Australia’s greatest ever goalscorer returns for the 12th edition of the A-League.
This has been possibly one of the most anticipated seasons in Australian football and its build up has been nothing short of tantalising and unbearably nail-biting.
One of the greatest crops of Australia footballers returns this year. European quality has arrived on our shores as attacking guile such as Bobô, Aleksandr Kokko and Australia’s greatest ever Socceroo, Tim Cahill arrive in Oz. This comes as well as experienced armour at the back who will make up the bricks and mortar of defences this season.
But whom will finish top come April? Who will take out the grand final prize? Who will show terrific aspects of ‘individual brilliance’ worthy of a ‘Tim Tam Biscuit’ this season? All that and more will be answered in my 2016-17 A-League preview.
Adelaide United – Predicted Finish – seventh
Adelaide United ran out victorious last season with one of the most extraordinary title victories in A-League history – as well as the grand final prize. Unfortunately, most of the title winning side has sought pastures new with critical first team players Bruce Djite, Bruce Kamau, Stefan Mauk and Craig Goodwin jetting off for the next chapter in their careers.
With Asian Champions League during the season, a few injuries may send Guillermo Amor’s title titans into season stragglers.
Brisbane Roar – Predicted Finish – sixth
John Aloisi did exceptionally well to take a struggling Brisbane Roar to a Champions League play-off spot, whiskers away from the title. Playmaker Corona was key to their creativity going forward.
The midfield, still commanded by Matt McKay, looks set as former Socceroo Brett Holman and Danish midfielder Thomas Kristensen occupy the middle of the park. They are the fuel that can feed the fire that is Tommy Oar, Jamie Mclaren and Dimi Petratos.
Their defence, however, is alarming and ongoing issues within the club may leave that area a major flaw for the upcoming season.
Central Coast Mariners – Predicted Finish – 10th
Most goals conceded home and away, most matches lost, worst goal differences, zero clean sheets. These are all the unsatisfactory records that Tony Walmsley’s side broke last season. With the departure of Walmsley’s false ‘entertaining’ brand of football, a confident manager in Paul Okon arrives.
The recruitment of Sky Blue Brothers Mickael Tavares, Jacques Faty and Ivan Necevski solved the experience and leadership issues in the squad. It’s the rebuilding phase for the Mariners, but often, to take a step forward, it requires two steps back. This season is the first step.
Perth Glory – Predicted Finish – fourth
We all appreciate Kenny Lowe’s down to earth, get stuff done attitude, one that only kicked in after December with the arrival of Andy Keogh to finish inside the top six. Their best piece of business was securing Johnny Warren Medalist Diego Castro on another marquee deal.
Lowe’s game plan in recruiting quality Western Australian players has seen his squad look hot enough for a title challenge with the arrival of former Socceroos Rhys Williams and Adam Taggart. A strengthened defence will propel Perth further and Taggart’s inclusion could add another 10+ goal to Castro and Keogh’s combined 23 last season.
Newcastle Jets – Predicted Finish – ninth
It went from bad to worse in the preseason for the Jets as a backroom quarrel sent head coach Scott Miller and assistant coach Luciano Trani packing.
They were only replaced three weeks before the beginning of the season with Mark Jones and Clayton Zane taking the helm. Jets must look forward to the positives. A full season for new striker Morten Nordstrand who impressed in his first few months at the squad as well as Steven Ugarkovic and Ivan Vujica, promising Australian talent.
Western Sydney Wanderers – Predicted Finish – fifth
We all know Tony Popovic has unfinished business at the Wanderers and he won’t stop until he lifts that grand final Championship.
It seems he may have to wait for his ultimate prize. The Wanderers have recruited well, bringing in Japanese winger Jumpei Kusukami and Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Martinez, but can they replace the likes of Mark Bridge, Dario Vidosic and Romeo Castalen?
Possibly not. With the stress of ACL on their shoulders as well, they might have to settle for only finals football.
Melbourne Victory – Predicted Finish – first
Briefly looking through Melbourne Victory’s squad next season, it has a terrific balance of skill, strength and leadership. It’s personified by their returning skipper Carl Valeri who occupies an all-Australian midfield of James Troisi, Oliver Bozanic and Leigh Broxham.
Mathieu Delpierre’s shadow is filled by new Spanish recruit Alan Barò, and the inclusion of the prodigal Kiwi song, Marco Rojas adds, even more, firepower to the front three that everyone loves to hate including Besart Berisha and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
Sydney FC – Predicted Finish – second
Graham Arnold’s Sydney FC future could be on the line this season after a nightmare seventh placed finish last season. They seem to be getting back on track as a semi-final berth in the FFA Cup is a good step forward.
Marc Janko’s replacement seems to be found as Brazilian marquee Bobô leads the Sydney FC line. Their Australian recruitment has been one of the best as they secure Socceroos with a point to prove, with Josh Brillante, Alex Wilkinson, Michael Zullo and Bernie Ibini all out to prove their worth to Ange Postecoglou and the Socceroos.
Wellington Phoenix – Predicted Finish – eighth
Wellington had a torrid last season as key men Roy Krishna suffered an injury which ruled him out of most of the season, and Jeffrey Sarpong was deemed candidate for marquee flop of the season. Taking away only 14 points from a possible 39 at home explained their need for defensive and attacking recruitment.
Marco Rossi steps in to replace Ben Sigmund who retired at the end of last season and Melbourne Victory duo Gui Finkler and Kosta Barbarouses add some firepower up top. These signings are only the first piece of Ernie Merrick’s puzzle.
Melbourne City – Predicted Finish – third
Melbourne City over the past 12 months has been a revolving door of headlines, from Aaron Mooy and Bruno Fornaroli to Tim Cahill. Although they had the best attack last season which blasted goalscoring records, they managed to end up outside the top three.
Once again they seem a shoe-in for a top two finish with a front four like Fornaroli, Cahill, Bruce Kamau and Nicolas Colazo but if John Van’t Schip cannot fix his defensive irregularities, they might have a late season repeat this year.
Who do you think will finish top?
punter
Guest
'Where is my Dole Cheque?, clap, clap, clap, Where is my dole cheque?, Clap, clap, clap'.
AZ_RBB
Guest
"At Parramatta on the east side bay 25 was full of fans who appeared to want to be in the RBB" I've spent the last 3yrs in 23 and I know a lot of us in there stand in the RBB for away games. Also most people know the chants regardless. Helps that most don't have many or any words. We'll always do the first couple of renditions of each chant. "quite a few of them got into the northern end and took over albeit on a smaller scale!" This was a little problematic. The people who took over have a history of causing problems within the active group. Thankfully these sorts of things have been a rare occurrence. "There is an opportunity for chants and retorts, songs, choruses etc etc that is missed for whatever reason" You get the odd random chant but too often they're your standard "rugby league chants" meaning something anti-referee or repeating BS. We like the songs we already have. "make up of active support is often quite different" Very true. I did MVFC away last Easter and we spent most of the night doing uncharacteristically reactive chants. Would never happen on bigger trips. Although it was a nice change but I prefer our normal way. "Mind you, last time round, the club did very little to either promote or organise away trips" I've written to the club many times to promote away trips more. I think they've left that up to the RBB. They have a rewards program which rewards not attending games better than rewarding going to away games. Bring on Derby Day!
Buddy
Guest
AZ- I like your comment on not minding a song and dance in the non active areas..... The whole subject at WSW is quite fascinating and has never been fully explored or exploited really. At Parramatta on the east side bay 25 was full of fans who appeared to want to be in the RBB and on one occasion when the RBB walked at half time and had the confrontation with the police outside, quite a few of them got into the northern end and took over albeit on a smaller scale! There are lots of fans in non active area who sing along to many of the songs and want to engage on a far greater scale than just the "who do we sing for" routine. The difference is the style of support and not necessarily wanting to be sprayed with beer or bourbon when the ball gets somewhere near the goalmouth! There is an opportunity for chants and retorts, songs, choruses etc etc that ismissed for whatever reason........I presume singing is the domain of the RBB and it has some level of copyright or is at least protected! It is interesting seeing the dynamics at away games.....I don't mean the big ones, I am referring to the ones where there are usually a few hundred travelling supporters.........there are often familiar faces from The RBB but most likely due to cost etc the make up of active support is often quite different and it will be interesting to see whether we get any kind of turn out away in Asia next year. Mind you, last time round, the club did very little to either promote or organise away trips...... Most was left to individuals. Love to see the interation between bays and fan groups ramp up especially being away from Parramatta....but not conducted by a ground announcer bellowing down a microphone... One of my pet hates, being told the score is 1-0 having just watched the proceedings! Anyway looking forward to next Saturday night...lots of anticipation but no idea what might happen, that being the worst aspect of having a derby game first up.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Last season will be hard to top for drama on and off the field. But with a ton of marquee fixtures peppered across the season, it might be a great season for the metrics Don't completely write any team off. Might come back to bite you in a few months.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Is that the Cove's newest inventive chant?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I can see the 'Nix doing some real damage this season. Their squad looks well balanced and has talent. The international fixture squad damage will preclude them from topping the table however they may well be the King makers and could still threaten for the toilet seat if there are no FIFA dates during the finals.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Surely last season was the best yet in the HAL. Uncertain till the very end and with phenomenal performances from Bruno and Castro and MC providing a mouth watering goal festival - at both ends of the ground :) Bottom three similar to last season: CCM, Jets, Nux in no particular order. If this season comes close to last then we're in for a hellova roller coaster ride. Grand final will be between MV and MC. Timmy to score winner and get keys to the City.
punter
Guest
Hissssss!
AZ_RBB
Guest
NRL GF very rarely gets under 80k. Which is staggering considering how expensive it is to attend. I think this year seats up in the clouds are $150. Still expect it to sell out or get close. 70k for a 4yr old rivalry is amazing. But it will only get bigger. If the two clubs and fan bases play their cards right this could become one of the great derbies of the world. Of course there are dozens of great derbies around the world. But to be in that elite (albeit large) group would be amazing. As an aside. SFS derbies are the best and will remain so until Homebush it turned into a proper rectangular stadium. Nothing beats that feeling of standing amongst a sea of red and black face to face with a cesspit of sky blue.
c
Guest
i think 70000 is significant another 30000 and we match afl grand final not bad for a 12 year old ps what does nrl grand final get ?
AZ_RBB
Guest
WSW have started to sell active tickets to the broader membership base. Unfortunately with all the restrictions on active fans, I don't think we'll see a big active presence. But as it often is with WSW, the non-active don't mind a song and a dance as well.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Hearing that Sydney Derby ticket sales have soared past 60k and approaching 70k. Confident it'll be 70k+ now. This will be unlike anything Australian sport has ever seen.
Bfc
Guest
If Luke DeVere is fully fit (he has played some pre-season games so...here's hoping!) I am not sure the Roar defence is the weakness as suggested by this article. DeVere, North and Bowles are decent centre halfs...Hingert is almost a certainty at RB but Brown is still 'rocks or diamonds' at LB, so maybe Bowles will start as the LB? Depth may be a problem...the presumed starting XI is experienced but the backup attacking players are very young, if talented. WIll JA start Broich on the bench to be an 'impact player' against tiring defences...? This assumes a starting front three of Oar/McLaren/Petratos and a MF comprising of McKay/Kristensen/Holman..
AZ_RBB
Guest
So do I my friend. So do I. One more week of boredom and then the fun, madness and misery begins.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Head. Heart says the club will fold by Christmas.
MatthewSkellett
Guest
I think it'll be a very exciting season . WSW are supremely underrated and hopefully put on a showing that will go one-better this season . Gee I wish the start of the season was THIS weekend lol :-)
Aethelbert
Guest
Is that your head or your heart talking RE Sydney FC?
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
I actually think Brisbane's squad is better now than it was last season, especially with the acquisition of Holman and Tommy Oar having a full preseason. Then again, I'm happy to see Brisbane written off, so that they can prove the doubters wrong. MV's squad does look strong, but I'm not convinced by Sydney FC. City will be up there again, but I think you are selling WSW short at this stage - Poppa always makes his squad work well as a unit, and will take some beating. Glory the smokies for the Premiership, especially if that attacking lineup you listed can gel together.
sportz fan
Guest
I agree with the comment above that Melbourne Victory Sydney FC & Melbourne City look to be good teams. All 3 have gone okay in the pre season but anything can happen and as mentioned In the article Citys defensive area needs some improvement/ consistency. It is too hard to rate the 2016/17 A - League outcome in order just before the season starts. What about Wellington Phoenix , with Bonevecia, McGlinchey , Krishna,and new additions of Finkler and Barbarouses & a defender. I thought that they could be given a better predicted outcome than a potential 8 th finish with this group.Then again as with every club it will depend on how quickly their major new additions gel with their respective teams etc .
AZ_RBB
Guest
Well done Nicholas. Your articles have improved a lot this year. Unfortunately the intelligence of those frequenting this site has gone backward. Anyways I'm not sure if this will be the most exciting season. But then again is there such a thing as a boring ALeague season? As always it's all very unpredictable at the moment. Not that I think we'll have much of an idea even after a month or two. I admire your courage to predict the final table. I honestly have no clue. Mvfc look very strong. So do City. The rest could do anything. I think sfc will start strong but hard to tell if they have depth or not.