Christmas is a time of joy. A time for love and cheer. A time for making memories to last throughout the year.
But what does it mean exactly in the Isuzu UTE A-League? Will Santa bring a Championship to the team that tops the ladder on Christmas?
Reigning premiers Melbourne City currently top the standings, above Western Sydney Wanderers, heading into Round 9.
As those sleigh bells jingle, KEEPUP trawls through the history of the Isuzu UTE A-League and how clubs have fared after sitting atop the summit at Christmas.
Excluding the 2020-21 season as it started after Christmas, there has only been six occasions in the history of the competition that a team top of pile at that time of the year actually went on to win the Championship.
Melbourne Victory in 2006-07 (Premiership and Championship double), Brisbane Roar in 2010-11 (Premiership and Championship double), Central Coast Mariners in 2012-13 (Premiership and Championship double), Brisbane Roar again in 2013-14 (Premiership and Championship double), while Sydney FC achieved the feat in 2016-17 and 2019-20 (both (Premiership and Championship doubles).
Here is a complete breakdown of the previous seasons:
2005-06
John Kosmina’s Adelaide United were top of the table at Christmas and went on to win the Premiership. However, Dwight Yorke and Sydney FC were crowned champions, having been second in the standings at Christmas.
2006-07
Melbourne Victory led the league at Christmas and Ernie Merrick’s men were not to be denied the Premiership and Championship double by season’s end.
2007-08
Central Coast Mariners were top of the table at Christmas and they did go on to win Premiership. Their F3 rivals, Newcastle Jets, however claimed the Championship, having occupied third position in the table at Christmas.
2008-09
They were at the summit at Christmas but Adelaide United eventually finished second. Rivals Melbourne Victory were third at Christmas and powered towards the Premiership and Championship.
2009-10
Christmas say Melbourne Victory first before they dropped to second as ‘Big Blue’ rivals Sydney FC got their hands on the Premiership and Championship, having been second at Christmas.
2010-11
Ange Postecoglou’s trail-blazing Brisbane Roar topped the table at Christmas and stormed their way to the Premiership and Championship double.
2011-12
Central Coast Mariners clinched the Premiership after sitting pretty atop the table at Christmas. But, champions Brisbane Roar were third in the standings at the time as they went on to go back-to-back.
2012-13
Unlike the previous campaign, Graham Arnold’s Central Coast Mariners were top of the table at Christmas and won the Championship. Western Sydney Wanderers were fourth at Christmas and won the Premiership.
2013-14
Mike Mulvey’s Brisbane Roar swept the Premiership and Championship after topping the Christmas standings.
2014-15
Perth Glory, led by Kenny Lowe, were top of the table at Christmas but went on to finish seventh in the league. Melbourne Victory were second at Christmas before securing the Premiership and Championship.
2015-16
Tony Popovic and Western Sydney Wanderers were top of the table at Christmas before falling to second at the end of the regular season as Gui Amor’s Adelaide United rallied from ninth position to hoist the Premiership and Championship aloft.
2016-17
Sydney FC top of the table at Christmas with Arnold at the helm, and progressed to celebrate Premiership and Championship glory.
2017-18
Arnold’s Sydney FC were the pick of the bunch at Christmas and the Sky Blues were Premierships winners. However, Championship honours went to Kevin Muscat’s Melbourne Victory, who were fourth at Christmas.
2018-19
Perth Glory were top of the table at Christmas and Popovic’s chargers did take home the Premiership. But when it came to the Championship, Steve Corica’s Sydney FC were crowned the league’s best, having sat third in the standings at Christmas.
2019-20
Top of the table at Christmas, Sydney FC celebrated the Premiership and Championship double.
2021-22
Ante Milicic’s Macarthur FC led the league at Christmas before dropping to seventh and out of the finals picture. Melbourne City – fifth at Christmas – won Premiership, while John Aloisi’s Western United went from second at Christmas to Championship victors. Adelaide United were 11th at Christmas and finished fourth.
