Following the launch of the new Fantasy A-League competition we put the teams under the microscope, with our resident tipster The Scout making some managerial suggestions for the season ahead.
Melbourne City FC:
Team overview
With a new name, huge cash injection and some high-profile signings, City are set to be the big improvers this season. A slow start last campaign saw the club – Melbourne Heart – finish with the wooden spoon but with the likes of David Villa (for 10 games), Rob Koren, Damien Duff, Erik Paartalu and Aaron Mooy on board a finals finish seems a formality. The only question is can they live up to the expectation?
Player price list:
|
Villa |
F |
$376,000 |
|
Koren |
M |
$344,000 |
|
Duff |
M |
$321,000 |
|
Williams |
F |
$321,000 |
|
Redmayne |
G |
$277,000 |
|
Dugandzic |
F |
$270,000 |
|
Hoffman |
D |
$224,000 |
|
Kisnorbo |
D |
$217,000 |
|
Mooy |
M |
$208,000 |
|
Germano |
M |
$203,000 |
|
Chapman |
D |
$191,000 |
|
Ramsay |
M |
$176,000 |
|
Paartalu |
M |
$175,000 |
|
Wielaert |
D |
$170,000 |
|
Murdocca |
M |
$166,000 |
|
Velaphi |
G |
$153,000 |
|
Kalmar |
M |
$127,000 |
|
Garuccio |
M |
$97,000 |
|
Archibald |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Brown |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Marino |
F |
$91,000 |
|
Mauk |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Melling |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Retre |
M |
$91,000 |
Star Man:
David Williams ($321,000)
We’ve seen glimpses of Williams best over the last few seasons but this could well be the pacy attackers breakout Hyundai A-League season. In a side that also includes David Villa, Damien Duff and Rob Koren, Williams should get quality service while he could find a bit more space as well with a little less burden on his shoulders to make things happen.
Bargain Buy:
Erik Paartalu ($175,000)
He might have been the last of coach John van ‘t Schip’s signings but Paartalu could be the most important. A renowned ball-winner in the middle of the park and adept at getting attacks started, Paartalu looms as a key cog in City’s midfield and has experience helping Brisbane Roar to back-to-back championships in 2011 and ’12. Has an eye for goal as well which makes him a gem for a fantasy side.
Likely starting XI: (4-3-3) – Andrew Redmayne (GK), Jason Hoffman, Patrick Kisnorbo, Rob Wielaert, Iain Ramsay, Erik Paartalu, Aaron Mooy, Robert Koren, Damien Duff, David Villa, David Williams
