Western United will be the best thing to happen to the A-League this season in a competition that’s been crying out for new storylines for years.
I love a good bandwagon.
Every season I’m on the lookout for a new and novel idea to throw my full support behind – irrationally, in some cases – just because I’m so excited for the new campaign to start.
Last season it was Usain Bolt – and didn’t that turn out well for all concerned?
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
But this season my latest bandwagon will stick around for longer than just a handful of games. And unlike Bolt, their marquee signings can actually play.
I’m talking, of course, about Western United.
The A-League’s eleventh club? I’m all for them!
It’s not just because one of their founders Lou Sticca once said he “reads my pieces religiously” (thanks Lou, cheque’s in the mail) but because I genuinely think they’ll be a useful addition to the league.
I might be in the minority judging by some of the social media responses to their expansion bid, but here’s why I reckon they’ll prove the doubters wrong.
Firstly, their squad’s not half bad.
Yes, there are some questions marks over the age of a couple of their players. And it’s true they’ve picked up a few cast-offs from other clubs.
But in Filip Kurto, they’ve signed one of the A-League’s finest goalkeepers.
And in Jonathan Aspro and Aaron Calver they’ve got two of the best young Aussie defenders learning from the experience of Andrew Durante and Ersan Gulum.
Scott McDonald is a better striker than his frustrating Socceroos career suggests, and in returning wunderkind Sebastian Pasquali, they boast a genuine X-factor.
There’s also their two big-name foreign stars.
Panagiotis Kone is not only a quality midfielder who spent several years in Serie A, he was also made captain of Bologna in his mid-20s.
So he’s a leader, and he’s someone the Greek community of Melbourne can get behind.
Then there’s Alessandro Diamanti.
Western United signing Alessandro Diamanti (left). (Photo: Western United FC/Twitter)
He should have been playing in the A-League three years ago but for Football Federation Australia rejecting Melbourne Victory’s request to sign him to a guest contract, however Western United were never going to miss their mark.
Forget his goal-scoring record. Don’t worry about his age.
The moment Diamanti jinks past two defenders, ignores an unmarked McDonald at the far post and skies a rising shot into Row F at GMHBA Stadium is what I’m here for!
And I can’t wait to see the mercurial Italian explode with rage the second any of his teammates return the favour.
In all seriousness though, we read all the time about metrics and the need to reconnect with some of the communities who breathed life into the game here.
Might signing a popular Greek international and Italian star not help?
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Much of the online criticism of the new club comes down to their current choice of stadium, and while it’s understandable on one hand, it also ignores a couple of home truths.
It’s true that temporarily playing at an oval in Geelong is perhaps not the most ideal start to life in the A-League.
But the pay-off – when Western United open their own boutique 15,000-capacity stadium in the western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit – will be well worth it.
And it’s not like plenty of clubs don’t play in huge stadiums that are too large for them. Just ask Kone about his Bologna career.
At the end of the day, there are many more pros than cons around this club.
The squad. Those jerseys. The thought of Mark Rudan spending all season winding up their other two Melbourne rivals.
Mark Rudan during his Phoenix stint. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Yes, not every single aspect of Western United is perfect. But nothing ever is.
Fans who want perfection from the A-League will never be happy, so maybe we should be happy with what we’ve got instead.
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
They have a good chance of sneaking into the finals. Especially if the Roar and Adelaide disappoint
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
They might be a top 6 side,just never no.
Richv
Roar Rookie
No one is going to invest until the new Independent A league is up and running.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
I think Kone will be a good addition but I have my doubts about Diamanti who has been very erratic in recent seasons for multiple clubs. It often is fascinating to see how a new team integrates players into a system but Rudan I believe is a coach capable of turning Western United into a competitive club.
RF
Roar Rookie
You are a serial distorter of other people's posts. Either you don't read them properly or you are simply malicious. And I am far from alone, I know, in viewing your tiresomely constant claims to expertise in matters such as these - where you cannot possibly have inside knowledge - with considerable skepticism, to say the least. You are simply responding to media reportage, like everyone else here.
Bruz
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to seeing them and MacArthur come into the league in the next couple of seasons. Expansion wise I think it’s quite smart of the A-League as Western Melbourne and South West Sydney are some of the fastest growing regions in the country.
Nemesis
Guest
I don't think people outside Melbourne understand the business model behind the Western Utd football club. The investors want to make money from developing property in the fastest growing area Victoria & they also has a passion for football. They don't want to develop property in Geelong, so it's ridiculous to suggst their intent is to become the Geelong team. For sure, people can be sceptical about the stadium being built, until the first sod of earth is dug up. But, Western Utd are not going to be permanently based in Geelong. The investors will walk away from the club before they base in Geelong. And, the ALeague Licence would be terminated because they would've breached major terms in the Licence Agreement if they don't do exactly what the they've agreed to do.
Des
Guest
If they try to use some mealy mouthed excuse to weasel out of their commitment to building the stadium, they will be kicked out of the competition and lose their $15M + investment. And at that point, most will say good riddance to them!
Justin Mahon
Roar Rookie
Amen to this..... In all respects.
Waz
Roar Rookie
I only see two problems with Western - the fact their introduction causes a bye and secondly, their nomadic start. Both arguably beyond their control. Other than that the Internet ferals have been out in force. Their name is their name; if someone names their baby and you don’t like it the polite thing to do is shut up. No one has a name for WU that everyone would like so a few people probably need to get over themselves, and their ego’s. Their badge is fine too; the ferals don’t like it but again - who has the one badge that everyone will like? Its long overdue I just wish there were two sides coming in this season and two more next ...
Victor Brincat
Guest
Looking forward to the first practice game at City Vista Court on the 21st August.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
It's funny, I can write off my own team based on logic, and that's ok. People will discuss it rationally. I did before the start of last season too. Suggest a certain other team will struggle and you need a tin hat on this site. Only one team mind. Roar to finish between 7th and 9th btw
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
They have NOT even asked for planning permission yet. There is NO planning permission in place. You can check with City of Wyndham and DELWP. It is still only an idea.
Chopper
Guest
Looks like Petratos has eaten the big city pie
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
8th place? Did you say 8th place Fadida? But how can it be when I'm sure you've already allocated that spot to Roar. Maybe you mean 7th.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
15k? Only MV average that. 7k is fine in a 15k stadium, if you can pay your bills
Fadida
Roar Rookie
He is on the heavy side according to my spies at the last friendly
Kannga2
Roar Rookie
Yes I believe they want the big city pie Those big cities being Sydney and Melbourne are flooded with professional sports teams . They have more pro sports teams then London or Los Angeles , yet Australian sport only generates a small fraction that London or los Angles ... wise men are not going to throw 10 million away .
RF
Roar Rookie
Is Petratos overweight again? That really is critical for him, because he only has the requisite pace when as trim as possible.
marcel
Guest
Please provide links to documentation supporting your assertion that it has been approved..It should be easy for you to do as it is a legal requirement for both the application and approval to be made publicly available, online..... as far as I can see they haven't even lodged a DA...In planning terms that means that it is still " just an idea "