The new 2017-2018 A-League season kicks off today with the double-winning Sky Blues bidding to retain their title.
Under Graham Arnold, Sydney FC were a tour de force last season, losing just one game and romping away with the competition. This campaign they look just as strong, even if not stronger, than 12 months ago. Goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has been replaced by Leyton Orient shot-stopper Alex Cisak, and Slovak Filip Holokso has been replaced by Polish international Adrian Mierzejewski. The classy 30-year old midfielder might just be the signing of the season.
Young talent Paulo Retre and Anthony Kalik has also been recruited, with George Blackwood and George Timotheou departing. The rest of Arnold’s champion side has been retained, and is already on attract for another FFA Cup final.
Melbourne Victory finished second last season, losing to the Sky Blues on penalties in the grand final, and they will be seeking to go one better. They have spared no expense with current Socceroo skipper Mark Milligan joining former international Rhys Williams, All White Kosta Barbaroues and Thomas Deng as new arrivals. The cleanout has been extensive, with Daniel Georgievski, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Alan Baro and Marco Rojas all leaving. Much will be expected of new foreign signings Matias Sanchez and Leroy George, while the pressure will be on the defence with both Baro and Nick Ansell gone.
Western Sydney have suffered a massive blow just a week before the start of the season. Tony Popovic, the only head coach the club has ever known, has unexpectedly left to join Turkish side Karabukspor. Popovic has taken most of his coaching staff with him leaving Hayden Foxe as the caretaker manager.
The Wanderers disappointed last season by their standards, only finishing sixth, but much is expected of them this campaign. With three talented Spaniards headed west, along with Chris Herd, Mark Bridge, Josh Risdon, Michael Thwaite and Roly Bonevacia, they have great depth. A top four place is expected. However, replacing a force of nature like Popovic is going to be difficult.
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Brisbane Roar is another club going through its own period of change. John Aloisi is still in charge but the squad has been overhauled with nine departures, the biggest being Thomas Broich, and seven arrivals. The Roar have been given the ‘Dad’s Army’ tag with nine players aged 32 and over, and five 34 or older. The pick of the bunch is 38-year-old Italian striker Massimo Maccarone. Will Brisbane’s age catch up with them? Time will tell.
Melbourne City have a new coach in Warren Joyce and have taken a big hit with the loss of marquee Bruno Fornaroli with injury. But as far as replacements go Scottish striker Ross McCormack is a handy one. City have gone with veterans in Marcelo Carrusca, Iacopo La Rocca and Eugene Galekovic, but their squad still seems light in match-winners. This could be Tim Cahill’s final season on the pitch.
Like Western Sydney, Perth Glory have gone Spanish with their signings Andreu and Xavi Torries. Perth have the talent to make the top four but question marks remain over their consistency and mental strength. No one really knows exactly how Adelaide United will fare in 2017-2018. Coach Marco Kurz has only been at the club four months and 12 players have been shown the door, with seven headed to South Australia. Results in pre-season have been respectable, but it may take them time to gel.
New coaches are certainly in vogue in the A-League and Wellington also have one in Bosnian-Swiss Darije Kalezic. The Phoenix struggled last season and it could well be another tough 27 rounds this time round. Much will depend on how Easter European duo Andrija Kaluderovic and Goran Paracki fit in. The Kiwi will need goals from Roy Krishna and ex-Socceroo Dario Vidosic.
Wellington’s old coach Ernie Merrick has resurfaced at Newcastle after Mark Jones was sacked. The Jets claimed the wooden spoon in 2016-2017 but finally some funds have been released to strengthen their roster. With the Petras brothers, Roy O’Donovan, Mario Shabow and Venezuelen striker Ronald Vargas in the front third, Newcastle might finally trouble some opposition defences and end their finals drought.
Last but not least is Central Coast Mariners. Hope is starting to grow at the A-League’s smallest club that they are finally on the up again. The Mariners have suffered only one loss in pre-season and with their new Dutch duo and Spanish contingent, they finally have some experienced visa players who can entertain and lead from the front. Look out for young Aussie pair Tom Glover and Danny De Silva to also make their mark this season.
