What a weekend of football action that was. We’re now 12 games into the new season, and it’s fair to say there have been some vastly contrasted starts around the competition.
Here are your A-League Round 2 talking points.
Stars young and old shine on wild Sunday
There had already been quite a few goals over the first three games of the round, but an action-packed Sunday schedule added another 17 to the tally, an average of over five per match.
Victory striker Bruno Fornaroli wound back the years with a brilliant four-goal haul, before the effervescent Nestory Irankunda dispatched a terrific free-kick that got the Reds off the mark on the way to a 6-0 dismantling of Melbourne City.
The quality of play has fluctuated quite a bit as sides look to gel and build combinations, and we have seen a few blowouts but some of the goals and individual efforts have been fantastic. Let’s hope there’s plenty more where that came from.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
How much trouble is Corica in?
Sydney FC’s disastrous start to 2023-24 has plenty questioning whether Steve Corica is the right man to take the club forward.
The season-opening loss at home to old rivals Melbourne Victory was on Friday night followed up by another poor showing at Suncorp Stadium, condemning the Sky Blues to a 0-2 record.
They have conceded five times, and are yet to trouble the scorers themselves after 180 minutes of football, despite boasting very likely the two best wingers in the competition, and an ostensibly capable visa signing at No.9.
It’s clear something has to change in Moore Park because as much as Sydney’s first two results can be attributed to awful individual errors, the trend of underperformance at the club started after the Grand Final defeat to Melbourne City two and a half years ago.
Since then there has been little to cheer about, with their highest regular-season finish being fifth and just one finals win.
Corica’s tenure couldn’t have started much better, with three titles in his first two seasons in charge which, combined with his exploits as a player, rightfully would’ve earned plenty of credit in the bank. This month’s Australia Cup triumph should also be acknowledged, but if his side’s league form does not improve soon, Bimbi could be in serious trouble.
New-look Wanderers put United to the sword
Marko Rudan’s challenge over the off-season was always going to be maintaining some semblance of stability when the likes of Tomislav Mrcela, Calem Nieuwenhof, Kusini Yengi and Morgan Schneiderlin departed the club. To his credit, Rudan has managed to plug the holes and the new-look WSW side absolutely dismantled Western United on Saturday evening on the back of a five-goal first-half blitz.
Another big coup was holding on to Socceroo Brandon Borrello, whose 13-goal, five-assist 2022-23 campaign surely caught the eye of overseas clubs. Borrello is forming a formidable strike partnership with new man Marcus Antonsson, who’s also a proficient goal-scorer.
I’m not one to make early season predictions as they invariably go horribly wrong, but most of the experts have Wanderers in the top four – at minimum – and that seems a pretty safe bet. With Grand Finalists Central Coast and Melbourne City likely due for a regression it opens up the competition nicely.
On a negative note, it wasn’t the biggest crowd in Parramatta but the on-field energy gave the RBB plenty of inspiration as the Wanderers ran rampant.
As one of the biggest clubs in the A-League it’s incumbent on Western Sydney to do their fare share of heavy lifting crowd-wise – let’s just hope more of those fans from their inaugural season premiership run and ACL championship are tempted to return.
Progress made on Jets’ ownership debacle
Having been without independent ownership since Martin Lee was stripped of the licence almost three years ago, finally some movement in the sale process for the Newcastle Jets. Sydney-based professional services firm KordaMentha – which also oversaw the recent sale of Perth Glory – have stated their goal is to finalise the transaction “before Christmas.”
Kosta Grozos celebrates his goal against Perth Glory for Newcastle Jets. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
The optics of the ownership mess were terrible, with the Jets being propped up in the meantime by other clubs, including Sydney FC and Western Sydney. Unsurprisingly, in that time they’ve failed to make the finals – never finishing higher than ninth in the regular season – without even a decent Australia Cup run to cling onto.
It’s also great news for the long-suffering fans of the Hunter club, who’ve seen little success apart from a special run to the 2017-18 Grand Final that ended in defeat. This region has a proud football history, and while they’ll never be the Knights, the Jets are capable of capturing the city’s imagination.
The squad in its current composition is not a top-six side and desperately needs an injection of talent. It’s unrealistic to expect any changes in the January window – if the sale will even be completed in the target timeframe – but perhaps the new ownership can make some much-needed moves in the off-season.
Quick hits
-The fans didn’t exactly turn up in their droves for Roar’s return to inner Brisbane, with 7688 going through the turnstiles at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Kayo Stadium – located about 40 kilometres north of the city – was not the right home for Brisbane but it must be said anything less than about 15,000 makes Suncorp look quite cavernous.
-Andrew Redmayne’s usually got a clanger in him, but this failed clearance has to be one of his worst.
-Young Wellington gloveman Alex Paulsen impressed again, this time keeping out Adam Taggart’s penalty to preserve his side’s three points at Sky Stadium. His opposite number, Oli Sail, conversely had a horror moment early on, providing former teammate Oskar Zawada a great assist for the opening goal.
-Definitely not as fun watching a broadcast from across the ditch if Jason Pine isn’t calling the game.
-If you were hibernating over the weekend or for some reason didn’t see it, check out Lachlan Brook’s early goal of the season contender.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
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Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
With Paddy not doing so weel in France, perhaps you will see him back before too long??
Tellthetruth
Roar Rookie
Joyce has displayed great evasive skills to date.
Tellthetruth
Roar Rookie
Early days however strange to see Melbourne City, CCM & Sydney FC struggling. Enjoying seeing Sydney goalless & pointless however.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Love your passion Cam.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Aloisi hires a 40 year old striker when he wants to get a paid out of a contract, he never failed with MacLaren. People with faulty memories also dont remember how bad Young was in that year easily his worst.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
That would be nice. Talay seems to know what he's doing and just the change would be good for Sydney.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont remember anything about predicting Adelaide would be better without Goodwin it was oh its terrible he is going and the club is a shambles. The main things Adelaide have this season over last is Irakunda fitness and him starting, this gives Adelaide real penetration and pace from the start, last season even as a sub he was 15-20 minute player, Yull starting he seems superfit and can pass unlike Darrigo, biggest difference is lopez being out, Madanha has been good in attack and defence.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yes please.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Talay would be the obvious option.
chris1
Roar Rookie
I love what Adelaide are doing. Their own ground, stands named after their own stars and a real siege town mentality. Plus they are quality. The football they play is just really enjoyable to watch. That goal by Toure. Wow. Quick turn, short back lift and near post finish. Exceptional
chris1
Roar Rookie
I have to disagree with Sydney FC's performance. Defensively Roar tore us to shreds. In fact if not for Redmayne (clanger and all!) it could have been 6. There are too many stationary defenders not tracking player runs and Roar were able to get in behind us, through us, and over us. It was horrendous to watch actually. I think Corica might be in trouble but who do you replace him with?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
The highlight and goal of the round for me came 47 seconds into the Roar-SFC match, Henry Hore. As for Sydney, I think Macklin Freke deserves a lot of credit, and a couple of the defenders in front of him.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Thanks for all the insights.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Vidosic is under pressure as well, but there's no use comparing an Australia Cup with an A-League premiership. Not to mention it was City who emphatically eliminated Sydney from the finals.
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
Agree with some of the below, seems a bit odd focussing on Corica when he was the most recent manager to win a trophy. Surely Vidosic is way more under threat, and Corica surely has more credit in the bank than Popovic, who despite winning the first two, by his own admission, needs to deliver. I’m sure Sydney will bounce back against this shadow of a Melbourne City side
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
It was a phenomenal weekend of action. Le Italiano with his new fluid formation where Tim Payne was interchanging with Al- Taay swapping fullback and midfield roles in a 2-1-3-4 formation. This was prompted by David Ball being out though Perth played with good intensity previous week at home, but now away they were well off that level which is their recent pattern. Did the Italiano move totally confuse them as Tim Payne became Wellingtons running man, somehow he managed to get clear away with no one tracking him the right, Bennie who was a live wire and doubled up on the winger last game was stuck watching Al-Taay. Wellington got the points thanks to a penalty save by their new star Paulsen the keeper. They just used one sub till the last 10 minutes the youth policy is defenders and goal keeper. CCM Macarthur , Kaltak was already back, Theoharis started if he can last longer then that could be the key to Mariners improrving .The game was open, Kuol and Wenzell finishing needs to be better and Wilson as a winger. Macarthur their foreign striker did a great finish and some hold up player. Wanderers and Western United 5 goals in one half, it wasn't that Western United were that bad apart from defending crosses, their intensity was down but not to that extent, Brook opening goal was a superb strike, the second goal the ball was good fortune though Brook still had to do the finish, the three headed goals were all cases of bad defending . Western United has been a fortress there with Topor Stanley , LeCroix now they look vulnerable. The one big issue with Western United was Danzaki, for some reason instead of marking his fullback he went to press the centerr backs or the dm that dropped back . Borello was working very hard at the end maybe worried about his position the others are scoring goals. Victory and Newcastle United, it was Newcastle United doing line dancing, the first goal they must have had 6-7 players in a line across the goal and Fornaroli steps back and is free for Arzani to find. Why Hoffman is center back instead of Jenkins is a puzzle now Hoffman must be the only player I have seen play every position. For some reason the ball comes in and Hoffman lets it go maybe thinking the keeper is getting it but instead it goes to Fornali. Natta as well should be marking Fornaroli as well, Natta does he know what he is supposed to be doing.. The rabona goal thats going to be contender for goal of the season, this time Newcastle are in a line ahead of Fornaroli , Hoffman at the near post his job is to block off the ball across goal was slightly forward of the position leavin fornaroli, Natta he is supposed to be watching Fornaroli not lining himself up with Hoffman. The ball is behind Fornaroli, so the real beauty of that goal is thats the only way it could been scored. the Rabona is not for show he cant pull back the other leg its already down. Newcastle actually did well in attack they scored 3 goals and should have one more the VAR decision was wrong. Clayton Taylor is now their star and they showed you can exploit Arzani as well. City have got a lot of problems. Why they spent the money on two centerbacks who are quite slow, and Good is better than them. Aiden Oneill he busted his gut to cover for them is not there. Aslan is their one good addition, and they have no real wingers. Then they have to play in the ACl which is going to be absolutely hard to do. It used to be ACL was end of season, knockouts pres season, this is going to be really tough. The loan player was very casual and doesn't track back it was worse bringing him on. Adelaide looking good but is Ibusuki on borrowed time, the others are scoring for fun albeit against a tired City. Corica is probably looking to make hay while the sun shines, wiinning the Australia cup gives him latitude for him and captain Brattan. While the media thinks his will be sacked every week it will take a lot more losses before .
Cameron
Roar Guru
Just a thought. Sounds like expansion should occur in Adelaide next!
NickA
Roar Rookie
He'll be brought back down to Earth when he goes overseas and is not the hotshot anymore though - and he will have to grow up quickly.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
theres lots of things that arent reported in the public that i've discussed on here. *he is a rock star at his high school - teachers want to get selfies with him as much as the students do. *he has to deal with the temptations of females at an age for a boy when hormones are flying high. *he has friends and some members of his family that are involved in crime the criminality element must not be taken lightly, it already wrecked the career of a former youth team club captain (ryoun tonyik) who is likely going to face jail for that assault i broke on here a few years back