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Opinion
Let’s face it, we will be guessing when it comes to A-League tipping in the opening round of the competition as it begins on Friday night.
Traditionally, predicting the form of teams across the early rounds has been near impossible, with the outsiders winning many matches and then launching into excellent seasons that exceed the expectations and views expressed by ‘experts’ during the preseason.
As usual, we will do our best here on The Roar with our tips and predictions panel, yet Round 1 tipping will be based more on crystal balls than hard analysis or form.
What is certain, is that football is back. Apart from the disturbing scenes that played out at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, the Australia Cup built a nice level of awareness and interest leading into the new season.
World Cup fever is definitely in the air, the Socceroos’ clashes with New Zealand were nicely executed with a direct nod to the pioneers of 1922.
In addition, the Matildas have a sequence of upcoming matches that coach Tony Gustavsson hopes will prove to people that he does indeed have a masterplan that will produce success in next year’s World Cup on home soil.
With COVID-19 very much in the rear-vision mirror and the league about to experience a normality it has not seen since mid-2019, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) will be hoping things begin with a bang.
Frankly, they should.
Round 1 features a grand final replay at AAMI Park on Friday night, when Melbourne City hosts Western United, the F3 derby returns for another edition in the Saturday twilight, and Sydney FC’s return to Allianz Stadium for a Big Blue clash with Victory on Saturday will anchor the weekend.
Wellington’s late-season return to Sky Stadium will be doubled down on by the locals when they host Adelaide on Sunday afternoon and positive chatter around Wanderland should attract a decent crowd for Western Sydney’s first home match of the season that same day.
Attendance figures will be an interesting aspect of the opening weekend of play. Are A-League fans set to come out in droves after two years of fear and uncertainty? We can only hope.
No doubt the bumper crowd expected at Allianz for Sydney’s homecoming will boost numbers nicely and 80,000-plus through the gates across the opening weekend is a fair expectation given the matches slated.
Despite no live coverage on Network Ten’s main channel, with the Saturday night primetime Big Blue and the Wanderers’ Sunday afternoon clash with Glory being show on Ten Bold, there are high hopes that the Paramount+ streaming service is a little more reliable for all customers in its second campaign.
There were clunky moments last season and those spruiking the line that a dedicated platform broadcasting all male, female and Australian international matches was to be game changing, quickly retracted their views when the ratings appeared and they were reminded of the reality of covering football in Australia.
Some decent numbers on Saturday night, for what does loom as a ripping clash between the fiercest of rivals, will be brilliant news for the A-League.
As would dynamic starts from some of the exciting recruits that are about to play their first league matches on Australian shores.
Hopefully Nani reminds us all of his talent with a promising performance against the Sky Blues, Charlie Austin slams in a goal for Brisbane against Macarthur on Saturday, and Robert Mak and Joe Lolley give the frustrated Sydney fans something to hope for in 2022-23.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Thomas Lam and Valon Berisha loom as great signings and integral players in another Melbourne City run at the title and, along with a host of other new names across the league, provide a freshness that could play a role in getting season 18 off to the best possible start.
With some decent weather, eager fans, a reliable application and a decent promotional effort during the week that reminds people across the nation that the football is back, we could see a promising start to the season.
It is one for which we have waited patiently, with some of the stadium issues resolved and a little extra cash at the disposal of the recruiters certain to have a positive impact.
I am ready and I hope you are as well. A-League season 2022-23 is here and hopefully about to launch with the biggest of bangs!