Match Day 9 of the A-League mens is in the rear-view mirror. Here’s how things stand in the power rankings.
12. Perth Glory
A disappointing return from the World Cup break sees Perth anchored to the bottom of our power rankings – and the A-League mens ladder.
A home draw against Wellington just before Christmas and a loss to Macarthur on the road for their last two outings have been far from impressive, while recording just a home win at Macedonia Park against an underwhelming visitor in Western United.
11. Newcastle Jets
The Jets have papered over the cracks of an underwhelming December with a very ugly win over a dusty Adelaide United on the road.
Newcastle fans could be forgiven for thinking they are supporting a box of Christmas chocolates, as Forest Gump famously said “You never know what you’re going to get”.
The one thing Jets fans are yet to see is top shelf football, they have the talent on paper in the attacking thirds, but can they live up to it, your guess is as good as ours – but we may see on New Years Day versus Sydney FC.
10. Sydney FC
The once power house force of the A-League is a shadow of their former self and need to wright the ship rapidly as they have become the third string side in their own city.
This was exacerbated when they shipped three goals to the harbour cities newest side in their last outing, following on from a loss to their noisy northern neighbours – Central Coast.
Face a make or break trip up the M1 Motorway to kick off 2023, lose to the Jets and they will quickly be the worst side in the state, not just Sydney.
9. Western United
The defending champions have been sluggish to start the season to say the least, red cards and discipline are cruelling their chances.
They sit equal top of the league for red cards, with Nikolai Topor-Stanley having the unwanted mantle of being the only player with two so far this season in only seven games.
Something really needs to turn around for the defending champs, however the good news is the logjam on the table means even though they are eleventh (10 points), they are only one win away from the Central Coast Mariners (13 points) in fourth.
Next up is Melbourne City before two crucial games against Newcastle Jets & Sydney FC at home, if they can claim five or more points from their next three games their season will be well on its way to recovered.
Western United’s victory seems a long time ago. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
8. Adelaide United
Were well on their way to being on the outskirts of contender territory before the World Cup break, however returning with a draw against Brisbane Roar on the road followed by losses to Wellington and then a lacklustre loss to Newcastle means they are rapidly on the slide and looking for answers.
They have a star-studded line-up on paper, lead by World Cup star Craig Goodwin and complemented by young stars aplenty including Musa Toure and Nestory Irankunda the results should be far more substantial. Next up is a must win match against last-placed Perth.
7. Brisbane Roar
Undefeated in their last 6 games after a start to the season that saw them claim only two points from their first three matches, the Roar are flying under the radar and a side to watch.
The big question at Moreton Daly Stadium is how will they deal with the departure of homesick Englishman Charlie Austin, they had the least potent attack in the A-League with him on board, how will they find the back of the net without him?
Three straight games on the road (Western United, Melbourne Victory & Perth) in 12 days will really clarify where the lads from the Sunshine State are at as we head into January.
6. Melbourne Victory
While they haven’t been 100 percent convincing, you can’t help but feel that this stacked squad is only moments away from clicking and firing on all cylinders.
It appeared they had done just that when they barrelled four past a dismal Jets in early November before they closed out the pre World Cup period with a three-goal spanking by Adelaide.
If we can get the consistent best of the Victory they will be a top four side, as it stands they are in a tooth and nail scrap for a finals berth on current form. A New Years Eve trip to Gosford will be a quality measuring stick of Tony Popovic’s men.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
5. Wellington Phoenix
Many people again wrote off the trans tasman crew before a ball was kicked in anger this season, and they were mistaken to do so.
Ufuk Talay has his side in decent shape as we hit the first third of the season, if only wanting for a touch more consistency.
Bringing in Steven Ugarkovic and Kosta Barbarouses to bolster his squad has seemed a masterstroke, with both turning back the clock to star for the ‘Nix.
Ben Waine’s star continues to rise and imports Bozhidar Kraev and Oskar Zawada have shown they know the way to goal. A big test and opportunity all in one come up next on January 2 as they host runaway ladder leaders Melbourne City.
4. Western Sydney Wanderers
Sit second on the ladder thanks to a miserly defence, but have come back to earth in recent weeks as a struggle to net goals continues to haunt them (only Brisbane Roar & Perth Glory have scored fewer goals).
They are yet to win a game in which they have conceded or lose a game in which they have scored, so the recipe is simple for Marko Rudan, clean sheet equals three points.
The Wanderers take on fellow high flyers Macarthur and Melbourne City across the next three rounds so they will need to find their best defensive form again ASAP, while also hoping they can net a few goals.
3. Central Coast Mariners
The boys from Gosford have continued their impressive form from last season under their talismanic Scottish manager Nick Montgomery, who is closing in on Graham Arnold-type win percentages at the Mariners (48.2% vs 47.5%).
The Mariners continue to unearth young talents from their academy system, but will soon bid farewell to their latest wunderkind, Garang Kuol who heads to the English Premier League in January.
Outside of a blip against Newcastle a few weeks ago, their form line has been solid, they got their revenge with a 3-0 derby win in the rescheduled Match Day 1 fixture on 21st December before taking it to Melbourne City and falling just short on the weekend.
They will be eyeing off a big farewell to Kuol at their traditional NYE clash as they host Melbourne Victory.
2. Macarthur FC
The biggest name signing in the off season being a manager may have surprised many, but the return of Dwight Yorke to the A-League as manager of the Campbelltown based side not only drew headlines but also brought the first piece of silverware to the Bulls trophy cabinet as they took out the Australia Cup in October.
The Bulls have been up and down since but last weeks drubbing of cross town rivals Sydney FC showed they mean business and have the firepower to back up their desire to be the biggest show in town.
Dwight Yorke (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
They will test this desire as they clash in a bumper Sydney derby with second on the ladder Wanderers at Comm Bank Stadium on New Years Day.
1. Melbourne City
Absolutely no surprise here that the run-away leaders of the table, who sit four points clear with a game in hand are top of the pops.
Their star studded line up is led by Socceroos’ World Cup star Matthew Leckie and national squad mates Jamie Maclaren and Marco Tilio up front.
Imports Nuno Re and Valon Berisha are more than worth the price of admission. The boys in Sky Blue certainly have the target on their back and will embrace the pressure as they look to go one better than last season and back up their premiership and supplement it with a championship.
It would take a braver man than I at this point to say they cannot do it.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Maybe Sydney need to market themselves better. We shouldn't micromanage clubs, even if their chosen identities overlap. Otherwise, clubs could become just as gimmicky as BBL franchises.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Anyone know know anywhere in Newcastle showing the Wanderers game on sunday? Its not on FTA so difficult!
Garry
Roar Rookie
yes but doenst mean it has to, and Australia is a small pond with plenty of other options available. Think about it..when you think Sky Blues Sydney used to be the immediate thought, now you have to stop & think.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Two teams can share colours. Happens in countless competitions.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Some of your picks are wrong..Cacsres remains one of our best players, Wilko (Alex) is still playing well and I saw enough out of Rodwell to be worth a punt. Losing Nieweunhoff has been shown to be a big mistake. Now Tilio I totally disagree with ..he was being slowly eased into the side but thought he’d get more game time at City. He was wrong (and continues to be so). He has displaced Nabbout at the moment which is harsh on Nabboutt ( a possible igning?) .
Garry
Roar Rookie
well they shouldve really won at CCM but were thrashed (without Burgess plus a red card) by Macarthur so they could go either way. :stoked: :silly:
Garry
Roar Rookie
I agree Berisha is a touch overrated & Van Der Venne is a bit of a plowhorse but usually they get better second season. What I think we should be a bit tougher on is making clubs play locals. Sure have 5 forign players but play only 3 at a time maybe. I feel often the forign players are played because the club paid for them but there is better players on the bench..eg I dont rate Mak yet, Id rather try Segeicic & Wood. Adelaide & CCM develope more youngsters because their forced to play them!
Garry
Roar Rookie
“The boys in Sky Blue ” whilst actually true its not officially Sky blue yet is it? isnt it City blue..what a joke! THis is one mistake the FA made when kowtowing to the power of Manchester City. The SKY BLUES are Sydney..its always has been & always should be, its part of the chants. To me this is an issue that shouldve been boycotted, it goes to the heart of Sydney FC. ps it is apparently now officially Sky blue… the cowardice of the APL shows no bounds
Vic Ram
Guest
Last few years Sydney has been winning because it was Graham Arnold's set up team and players, now these players have left and Corica has signed up all pensioners and rejects from other clubs. Corica including Bratten, Luke Wilkinson, James Donachie, Anthony Cacrears, Jack Rodwell, and a few more need to go., Its time for a change, we lost good players like Mark Tilio to other district because Corica never gave them game time and stuck with oldies!!!!
Grem
Roar Rookie
Great to read a football article that’s about what happens on the field. I think your ratings are accurate, except for 1. As a Sydney FC supporter I am wondering why they are 10? I think 11 or 12 would be more accurate based on the last 5 weeks!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The biggest issue I see in the A-league is the variability in effort levels. Last season City finished top of the table in highly dubious circumstances. If it wasn't for Shaun Evans 3 points and even then they didnt beat another of the top teams in the season anyway. This season they are looking better defensively than last season mainly thanks to good fullbacks with Bos starting over Jameison and Talbot replacing Jenkinson. They are not scoring as many goals I dont see Berisha as that good let alone worth the price of admission, Van Der Venne is average. The best player is Leckie , sometimes Tullio puts in a good peformance. Whats really helping City this season is the opposition, I suppose they have been lucky with CCM having their midfield missing, There is no real other contender and the other teams seem to have the attitude its the super rich City group lets not put up a fight so we can curry favour with them except for Sydney FC.
Tigertown
Guest
Cheers, Macca. Yes, a massive NYE game in Gosford. It would be wonderful if a departing Kuol scores a few crackers against Victory.