The Isuzu UTE A-League returns this Friday – and with it comes a raft of fascinating storylines, a brand new club and a 20th anniversary celebration that will bring two decades of history and nostalgia back to the forefront of the Aussie and Kiwi football consciousness.
In season one, Dwight Yorke swaggered his way into Sydney and lit it up.
In season eight, it was Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and Emile Heskey providing the star power that further propelled our league onto the map.
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In season 20, the role of superstar excitement machine will be played by Douglas Costa (Sydney FC) and Juan Mata (Western Sydney Wanderers), who threaten to turn the Sydney Derby into the hottest ticket in town once again.
Notably though, this time it is what’s around them that makes their arrivals so tantalising.
The A-Leagues now has a recognised identity that – as much as marquee signings – should excite the public as clubs focus intently on producing the next generation of Socceroos and All Whites, amid the backdrop of a fiercely competitive and unpredictable competition.
In the past few years, a constant stream of young talent has emerged and earned high-profile moves to Europe, North America and Asia.
This off-season alone, A-Leagues clubs have done business with outfits in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, MLS and the EFL Championship, en route to record player sales exceeding $20 million in 2024.
Rest assured, there’s plenty more where that came from.
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Western Sydney Wanderers star Nicolas Milanovic (22) turned down a move to Europe to remain with his hometown club; his value could skyrocket after learning off World Cup winner Mata, so too the likes of Alex Badolato (19) and Oscar Priestman (21).
Melbourne Victory’s midfield looks set to be anchored by Ryan Teague (22) and Jordi Valadon (21), while Nishan Velupillay (23) burst onto the national team scene with a debut goal for the Socceroos just last week.
Adrian Segecic (20) is back at Sydney FC after a loan in the Netherlands, to play alongside fellow young guns Hayden Matthews (20), Jordan Courtney-Perkins (21), Jaiden Kucharski (22) and Corey Hollman (21) – oh, and a bloke called Douglas Costa, who could teach them a thing or two.
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Brisbane Roar are unearthing a scintillating next gen led by teen striker Thomas Waddingham (19), who’s rapid emergence last term earned links with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, among other European clubs. Not to mention 17-year-old Lucas Herrington, who was dubbed by his coach ‘the best defender in Australia’ with the ‘highest ceiling’.
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Newcastle Jets have Mark Natta (21), Clayton Taylor (20) and Alex Nunes (17); Perth Glory have exciting attacking talents like of Abdelelah Faisal (18), Joel Anasmo (20) and Nathanael Blair (20) ready to emerge under the guidance of Socceroos legend David Zdrilic.
Western United have been readying their next crop for a while now, headlined by Abel Walatee (20) and Matthew Grimaldi (20) – they even handed a senior contract to a 15-year-old Besian Kutleshi in the off-season. Finally at home in Tarneit, could John Aloisi lead them back up the standings?
Melbourne City could hand the keys to their attack to 19-year-old Max Caputo after the departure of all-time leading goal scorer Jamie Maclaren, while Adelaide United secured their future with some of the longest contracts in A-Leagues history handed to young guns Ethan Alagich (20), Panagiotis Kikianis (19) and Archie Goodwin (19), while the line could be led by Luka Jovanovic (19). And if you haven’t heard of Amlani Tatu (16), you may well soon.
Central Coast Mariners will be on the hunt for an unprecedented three-peat; they may have lost a number of recognisable names, but Mark Jackson’s squad has been bolstered by the return of captain Trent Sainsbury, and you know the youngsters will get a crack.
This season, it could be Arthur De Lima (17), Bailey Brandtman (19) or Miguel Di Pizio (18) who emerge; the latter has already scored the sealer in a Grand Final, no less.
Then, there’s Auckland FC. The A-Leagues’ newest club ignites a new rivalry with Wellington Phoenix, but also brings another pathway to stardom for New Zealand’s youth, who until now only had one professional club to service a population of over five million.
Alex Paulsen’s return will undoubtedly be the main storyline leading into the first New Zealand Derby in Round 3, but there’ll be plenty of experience around him.
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Paulsen is yet another who has gone from the terraces to starring in the A-Leagues before earning their next step; could the next one be in attendance at Sky Stadium on November 2?
Those are the young guns who could put their names up in lights; but they’ll look to the lead of the competition’s established elite to forge their way in professional football.
It would be remiss not to mention stars like Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar), Joe Lolley, (Sydney FC), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Valere Germain (Macarthur FC), Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix), Trent Sainsbury, Brian Kaltak (Central Coast), Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney), Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne Victory), Ben Garuccio (Western United) and Stefan Mauk (Adelaide United) who have been there and done it.
Or reference the countless other foreign signings who arrive with impressive CVs.
There are equally intriguing talking points in the dugout, too.
The arrival of Patrick Kisnorbo at Melbourne Victory will add extra spice to the Melbourne Derby; local boy Alen Stajcic is out to take Western Sydney Wanderers back to the top; Zdrilic will look to bring the Red Bull philosophy to the West.
Over in Wellington, beloved boss Giancarlo Italiano has teased a tactical evolution that will see players play in multiple positions in individual matches a la Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and Thiago Motta’s Juventus, promising: “Even if you’re not a fan, you’re going to love watching us play.”
Last season, we saw all-time highs for stoppage time goals and goals in a season, further confirmation of the unpredictability of the Isuzu UTE A-League, which continues to serve up drama year after year.
This season, the likes of Mata and Costa will almost certainly bring further eyeballs to our backyard to soak up the spectacle.
All signs point to them witnessing another special season of our league.
Bring on season 20.
