Ben Somerford


Australia‘s Hyundai A-League is getting underway, with plenty of fans Down Under eagerly anticipating the kick-off after arguably the biggest off-season ever.

The arrival of a host of big names like ex-Liverpool ‘God’ Robbie Fowler, along with a long list of current Socceroos who’ve returned back to Australia including Jason Culina, boosts the fledgling competition and makes the league a little bit more attractive to an international audience.

Plus, with the introduction of two new franchises, Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury, the A-League offers a fresher tournament for the pundits to be excited about. After a pre-season which included the visits to Australian shores of English Premier League clubs such as Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as Scottish giants Celtic, football fans Down Under justifiably can’t wait.

A-League champions Melbourne Victory have slightly gone under the radar in the off-season despite splashing out an Australian record transfer fee for Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez in May. But Melbourne are truly Australia’s biggest club and should be considered favourites for the title.

It has been all the brash talk of newboys Gold Coast United, with their millionaire owner Clive Palmer, who’ve stolen the attention from the Victory. Palmer has already claimed United will go through their first season in the A-League undefeated and win the premiership. It’s a bold claim, which is probably more about marketing than realistic expectations.

But there’s plenty of contenders for the A-League title this campaign, with Sydney FC’s new humble East European regime, Brisbane Roar’s blend of youth and experience (plus Rangers expats), Perth Glory’s big-spending and even the perennial challengers Adelaide United.

 

 

Adelaide United

Last season’s beaten Grand Finalists seem to have fallen a few cogs off the pace during a difficult off-season for the club, with financial problems the chief culprit. But the Reds are a consistent club, who always perform admirably.

The major loss is central defender Sasa Ognenovski who left for Korea after last term and rumours are floating around about the club’s replacement for him, although no-one’s been confirmed yet. Goals are a problem too, with just 32 in 25 A-League matches last season. The signing of former Ghana international Lloyd Owusu to play alongside Cristiano in attack is a move towards resolving this situation.

Perhaps another title challenge is a bit of a stretch for Aurelio Vidmar’s men, but making the finals will be expected.

Last season: Runners-up
Top scorer: Cristiano (8 goals)
Marquee player: none
Prediction: 6th

 

 

Brisbane Roar

Frank Farina’s Brisbane Roar (renamed during the off-season) haven’t been too busy making roster changes in the Australian winter as they try to build on the progress the club has made in the last two years. The Roar enjoy the services of a number of top youngsters alongside some impressive veterans such as skipper Craig Moore and Scottish midfielder Charlie Miller.

The key to the club’s improvement will be the development of youngsters like Mitch Nichols and Michael Zullo. That’s why the loss of exciting 20 year-old Tahj Minniecon to the Gold Coast is such a blow. The ageing legs of Miller and the goalscoring form of Dutch hitman Sergio van Dijk will be important for their chances too.

But Farina’s squad is one of the better ones in the A-League and the club’s fans will fancy another finals campaign at the very least. Challenging for a Grand Final spot isn't out of the question, but they’ll need to improve their home form and get a bit of luck along the way to make it that far.

Last season: 3rd
Top scorer: Sergio van Dijk (12 goals; 11 A-League, 1 finals)
Marquee player: Craig Moore
Prediction: 4th

 

 

Central Coast Mariners

Ever since the departure of influential Australian international midfielder Mile Jedinak to Turkey last January, the Central Coast have been on a downward spiral. In fact, the club hasn’t won a competitive match since Jedinak left. It raises questions about Lawrie McKinna’s Mariners and whether or not they can realistically challenge for a finals spot this season.

And the Central Coast’s off-season recruiting crusade hasn’t really impressed either with a bunch of players joining the club from the fringes of British teams. They have also lost goal-poacher Saso Petrovski to Newcastle which leaves the club needing to find another avenue to goal. Young Australian striker Matt Simon provided 11 goals last season, but it his output drastically decreased after Jedinak’s departure.

Indeed, the Mariners desperately need to replace the influential central midfielder but looking at their squad now, it doesn’t seem they have found anyone. It could be a long season for the Mariners.

Last season: 4th
Top scorer: Matt Simon (11 goals)
Marquee player: none
Prediction: 7th

 

 

Gold Coast United

The new ‘Bling’ outfit of Australian football are backed by their mining magnate millionaire owner Clive Palmer and coached by free-speaking Miron Bleiberg. The pair make for quite the marketing team, but can they put their money where their mouths are and deliver on the park? Initial impressions, based on pre-season form, suggest they can.

Australian international Jason Culina, who was with Dutch giants PSV last season, will wear the number 10 shirt and be central to the way the Gold Coast play. Another plus are proven goal poachers in New Zealand international Shane Smeltz and Hartlepool United’s 2008/09 top scorer Joel Porter. Big Dutchman Bas van den Brink impressed in pre-season too, which allays worries about the club’s defensive stocks.

But the Gold Coast have plenty to prove after the brash comments of those in charge. Initial impressions are that they should do okay, and whilst perhaps delivering an undefeated season is unrealistic, a Grand Final berth isn’t.

Last season: N/A (new franchise)
Marquee player: Jason Culina
Prediction: 3rd

 

 

Melbourne Victory

Ernie Merrick’s champions failed to make the finals the season after their first A-League premiership three years ago. It remains to be seen if Merrick and co have learned from that experience, so for Victory fans another ‘premiership hangover’ is the fear.

But realistically, Melbourne have all the makings of an excellent team, with the club’s heart Kevin Muscat re-signing for a few more years in the big V. Carlos Hernandez, Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp make up a forward-line which has been causing A-League clubs problems for years, while the loss of stopper Michael Theoklitos is offset by the arrival of New Zealand international Glen Moss, who impressed at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Melbourne are a club all about being successful and you would think there will be no ‘hangover’ this time. Another good crack at taking home the title is on the cards.

Last season: Champions
Top scorer: Daniel Allsopp (13 goals; 11 A-League, 2 finals)
Marquee player: Archie Thompson
Prediction: Champions

 

 

Newcastle Jets

The champions of the season before last are looking at a difficult campaign despite a reasonable performance in the AFC Champions League recently. From champions to wooden-spooners was the ultimate fall from grace, and with premiership winning coach Gary van Egmond leaving it seems hard for new boss Branko Culina to suddenly turn things around.

From the side which won the premiership in 2008, the Jets current squad is unrecognisable. And the latest departure is Fabio Vignaroli, who was to be the club’s marquee man. It leaves them with a huge gap to fill and no time to do it.

The Jets still do have a lot of good players in their squad, including Ljubo Milicevic, Saso Petrovski and Song Jin-Hyung, but Culina has a lot to do to get them working together. It will take time and that is something the short A-League season doesn’t really offer.

Last season: 8th
Top scorer: Joel Griffiths (7 goals)
Marquee player: none
Prediction: 8th

 

 

North Queensland Fury

The A-League’s newboys could be up for a tough first season in Australia’s top flight despite possessing the services of Robbie Fowler. A rookie coach and a squad made up mostly of fringe players from other A-League squads does not bode well.

Fowler will need service too, so a lot of the midfield creativity will be expected from Ufuk Talay, Fred Agius and Jason Spagnuolo and it remains to be seen if they can offer much. And of course, Fowler’s fitness remains a concern, although the signing of Socceroo David Williams from Brondby is a good proactive move to allay that fear.

But on paper North Queensland’s are clearly one of the weakest in the A-League and pre-season results don’t suggest any different. Avoiding the wooden spoon would be good for the new club, while staying in the hunt for a top six spot until deep into the season would be brilliant.

Last season: N/A (new franchise)
Marquee player: Robbie Fowler
Prediction: 9th

 

 

Perth Glory

After years down the wrong end of the table, finally some optimism is returning to Members Equity Stadium after a huge off-season of spending and signing players. The question is will Perth Glory's big-spending pay off and see them reach their first ever A-League finals?

That spending spree has included the arrival of Socceroos trio Mile Sterjovski, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne along with ex-Blackburn skipper Andy Todd and former Bundesliga striker Branko Jelic. The squad is certainly stronger than ever before, but there are still worries about the side’s midfield which may lack the creativity to supply the big names up front.

On the other hand, the club seems to have remedied their leaky defence (the worst in the A-League last season) which puts them in good stead for a top six challenge. However, the question remains about whether or not their midfield can provide the service for their impressive strikeforce.

Last season: 7th
Top scorer: Eugene Dadi & Nikita Rukavytsya (10 goals)
Marquee player: Mile Sterjovski
Prediction: 5th

 

 

Sydney FC

The East European revolution has taken place at Sydney FC during the off-season with the arrival of new coach Vitezslav Lavicka who has gone about changing the club’s culture from ‘bling’ to humble professionals.

And all indications in pre-season are that Lavicka’s magic is working. Sydney still enjoy a strong squad, with the likes of A-League stars such as Simon Colosimo, Steve Corica, Alex Brosque and John Aloisi, combined with some exceptional youngsters like Kofi Danning. Now they have got the coach to make the most of their talents and one wonders how far they can go.

Last season there was no standout goalscorer, but if Aloisi can return to form, Sydney might be on their way. And with experienced players combined with youth and a smart coach, Sydney might have the right mix for a surprising title push.

Last season: 5th
Top scorer: Alex Brosque (5 goals)
Marquee player: John Aloisi
Prediction: 2nd

 

 

Wellington Phoenix

New Zealand’s A-League franchise the Wellington Phoenix achieved a decent result last term finishing sixth, but having lost international stars such as Shane Smeltz and Glen Moss, their squad is looking much the weaker and Ricki Herbert will have a lot of work to do, to get them near the finals.

Last season the Nix scored the fewest goals in the A-League with just 23 in 21 matches. But alarmingly, Smeltz scored 12 of those, which suggests they desperately need to replace him. Their off-season signings have been underwhelming with English lower league players Chris Greenacre and Paul Ifill the ones the New Zealand side are pinning their hopes on.

Unfortunately for the Nix, it seems they have not managed to keep up with the progress of everyone else. Perhaps they have gone backwards. Indeed, you would suggest 2009/10 might be a tough season for the Kiwis.

Last season: 6th
Top scorer: Shane Smeltz (12)
Marquee player: none
Prediction: 10th

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