In case you have been living under a rock in the last few months, the new A-League is getting closer by the day. There’s less than 4 months until the start of the World Club Championship Qualifiers (the only qualifiers we’re destined to enter under the new banner) and just over 130 days until the inaugural season kicks off. So for this week’s main course, I thought that it would be appropriate if I updated you on the happenings around the clubs.
QUEENSLAND ROAR
It’s fair to say that the Roar have signed a few rejects and players that we haven’t heard of. Not too many players remain from the days of the Strikers (only 6 have made the cut), particularly with a number of youngsters from around the local region and from the Lions added. There are also 4 international players from the many that the Lions trialled, although the saga of Min-Suk Jang who decided to tell a few too many fibs could make them a laughing stock (even more so considering that his agent was already signed by the club as a player!!!). I wouldn’t expect too much from the Roar in the OCWC Quallies, but then again you could say that for many of the other clubs.
NEWCASTLE UNITED JETS
The steel city is abuzz with anticipation of what the newly named Jets can offer, particularly with the Rugby League team performing about as well as Yahoo Serious in his 3-film career. They were quick to snap up the country’s most prolific home based sharpshooter in Ante Milicic, and have built a solid core around him. With 2 big signings on the horizon, and the possibility of some input from one T.Vegetables, perhaps Newcastle could be the sleeper. The big question mark is over the fans, who have a habit of only turning up when the side is winning (at least that was the case in the days of the Old United and the Breakers before them). If the side plays well, then Newcastle would be the last place teams would want to visit.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
It seems that stability is a key phrase in Gosford. They have had their 18 players on the books secured for a while, and have become the first Australian club to formally announce a captain in Noel Spencer. In a nutshell, and thinking back to the NSL days, it’s the old Northern Spirit in personnel and ambitions as the old administration (if you can call it that) were looking to the Central Coast as a future base. The good news is that the market is not that saturated with National League teams in any major sport; however, the local rivalry with Newcastle (now the closest thing to a local derby until expansion begins) will be one to watch.
SYDNEY FC
The so-called glamour club of the new league is leaving no stone unturned in trying to win over the volatile Sydney market. So far they have proclaimed veteran Australians returning home, signed some of the best kids in Australian (and in the case of Salazar, American) football, have had expats now making a name for themselves on the small screen invest in the club, and have even tried to lure one Dwight Yorke to Sydney. They certainly won’t be dying wondering what might have been if the project fails (which does not look like it happens). Now all that remains is that elusive title, and they might take the first step as they are warm favourites to take out the World Club Championship Quallies in Oceania let alone Australia.
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Of the Australian clubs in the A-League, Victory has signed the least amount of players and will only fill 19 slots. To make matters a little more frustrating for a very loyal bunch of supporters around forum land, some of the signings won’t be on deck for the WCC Quallies because of other commitments. However, they do have the best-qualified coach in the country that is good with young talent, something that Victory won’t have a problem with providing. It seems that the fans are also concerned with home ground issues (as in where they will play) rather than the 1st match as a club, but for them May is not when the side is expected to peak.
NEW ZEALAND KNIGHTS
An eerie silence has fallen over New Zealand, at least until yesterday. As they are not entered in the WCC they have a little more time to sign players and certainly have taken more time than some dildo with no idea on the question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. There are concerns from plenty of Australian football followers over the state of the club, with many predicting the grim reaper to arrive at the club before any other club falls over. It is also very difficult to get any attention for the club when the nation is talking about Rugby. With New Zealand football possibly at its lowest ebb in living memory, the taste of wood may be sweet at North Harbour.
ADELAIDE UNITED
Not much has changed in the city of churches since they arrived with a BANG in the last NSL season. It’s all the same save for a few changes in personnel, so all that’s left is for the fans to return to make Adelaide the hub of Australian football once again. Could well be Sydney FC’s main danger in the WCC Quallies due to the familiar nature of the team, although John Kosmina’s record in a 2nd season with several club has not been that great in past appointments. The fans are also very much looking forward to the 1st clash with Melbourne, a rivalry that continues the tradition of Victorians and South Australians having a hatred for each other.
PERTH GLORY
For the 1st time since the Perth Glory came into existence, and certainly for the 1st time in many years, the Glory are not on the top line of betting for the championship. Whilst the quality of player that they have secured is still as strong as ever, one has to worry about the quality compared to other clubs like Sydney FC. New coach Steve McMahon has to uphold the winning culture of the club, and it certainly won’t be an easy task for him or the 16 players currently on the books. One also has to question whether the fans will also make a return with the new league. A pathetic 13000 turned up for the Indonesia friendly and the crowds were dropping slightly over the last few years. Likely finalists, but how far they progress will be up to them.
MY EARLY MARKET FOR INAUGURAL A-LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP (No bets please!!)
