Welcome to Best of the Press, where aleagues.com.au brings you everything you need to know from coach and player press conferences in the lead-in to the weekend’s action.
It’s Round 1 in the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 campaign and, ahead of kick-off on Friday night, potential debuts for new signings and injury updates were the talk of the league.
EXPERT PREDICTIONS:Â Johnny Warren Medal shock and is a veteran primed for Golden Boot?
Hear from coaches around the grounds ahead of Round 1 below.
WEEKEND PREVIEW:Â What you need to know for Round 1 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
2025-26 ULTIMATE GUIDE:Â Fixtures, signings, kits & more
‘It’s never a write-off’: Mariners interim keen to face challenges head-on
Newly-appointed Central Coast Mariners interim head coach Warren Moon says he’s never shied away from a challenge – and he’s not about to now – as he leads the club into the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season.
Speaking ahead of his first game in charge – an F3 Derby against Newcastle Jets, no less – Moon said he’d spend the next week properly assessing the Mariners squad after an “exciting 48 hours” spent settling in on the Central Coast.
Hear every word of Warren Moon’s first press conference as Mariners interim below.
WEEKEND PREVIEW:Â What you need to know for Round 1 of the Isuzu UTE A-League
2025-26 ULTIMATE GUIDE:Â Fixtures, signings, kits & more
‘We want to be one of the best teams in the country, regardless of the sport’
Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Alen Stajcic has raised expectations leading into the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season, revealing his ambition to turn the Wanderers into the best team in Australian sport.
Whether it be membership, fanbase, on-field performances, results or producing players, Stajcic said the Wanderers “want the whole gamut” in a motivating address prior to his side’s Round 1 clash with reigning Isuzu UTE A-League Champions Melbourne City.
Stajcic also hailed the impact of off-season signing Angus Thurgate – who he describes as “The Country Bumpkin from Port Maquarie” – since the midfielder’s arrival at the club, while stating a healthy competition for spots has pushed his squad onwards since last season’s disappointing Elimination Final exit.
Hear every word of Alen Stajcic’s pre-game press conference below.
ROUND 1 INS & OUTS:Â Jets star sidelined, new signings galore and a legend is BACK
‘We’re not here to defend the title. We’re here to earn it again’
It was the coldest quote of the off-season delivered by Melbourne City head coach Aurelio Vidmar as the head coach of the reigning Champions returned for his first pre-game press conference of 2025-26.
After defeating Melbourne Victory in last season’s title decider, City return as the hunted this season and Vidmar is eager for his side to scale the peak once again.
Vidmar addressed fitness concerns surrounding Socceroos star Mathew Leckie on the eve of the season, explained how strength in depth could lead to young Australian Kai Trewin playing a number of roles in his system, and lauded Young Socceroos striker Max Caputo as a player capable of making another big jump forward in his flourishing career this season.
Hear every word of Aurelio Vidmar’s press conference below.
SECURE YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND 1 FIXTURES!
Mata fit for Round 1 ahead of potential Victory debut
Melbourne Victory head coach Arthur Diles says star signing Juan Mata is fit and ahead of where the club anticipated him to be ahead of a potential club debut against Auckland FC on Saturday.
Mata joined the club from the Wanderers in the off-season and has “put himself up for selection” in the season opener.
But with the good news surrounding the veteran World Cup winner comes a double dose of bad news for Victory, with Socceroo Nishan Velupillay and key creator Reno Piscopo both unavailable through injury.
Hear every word of Arthur Diles’ press conference below for a full update on player availability at Victory for Round 1.
SECURE YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND 1 FIXTURES!
