Welcome to Made With Mitre Moments, where aleagues.com.au brings you all the biggest talking points from each round of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Read on for all the biggest talking points from Round 20, thanks to Mitre.
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Coach’s prediction for Newcastle star and the big ‘headache’ he’s facing
Robert Stanton had a feeling about Lachlan Bayliss as soon as he arrived at Newcastle Jets. Now, he is repaying the faith.
When Stanton was appointed at the start of 2023-24, Bayliss was recruited on a scholarship contract from F3 rivals Central Coast Mariners. Fast forward to now and the 22-year-old is flourishing in the Hunter region. So much so, the Newcastle head coach has backed him to be called up by the All Whites.
MATCH REPORT: High-flying Jets soar to seven-year first on memorable night for star signing
The New Zealand youth international, who featured at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, produced another impressive display as the resurgent Jets defeated Brisbane Roar 3-1 to claim three straight wins for the first time since 2018 while keeping their finals hopes alive.
“Lachie was a kid that along with Clayton Taylor, I signed him on a scholarship when I first got here. I had a really good feeling he would play a lot of games in those pockets,” Stanton recalled in his post-game interview on Friday night.
“What happened to Lachie, he started quite well and picked up some OP (osteitis pubis) in his groin or something we thought was OP and it kind of side-tracked him for a bit. Clayton kicked on and we sort of lost him there.
“As he came back from it, we managed him. I just saw something different in him that he could play a little bit deeper. I threw him in there one game and the rest is history.
“What you’re seeing now is, off the back of that he got picked for the Olympics for the New Zealand team. He got to experience something not a lot of people get to experience. He has taken that on board with all the work he has put him. He appreciates all the opportunities.
“He has a lot of desire and hunger. The way you see him play, that’s how he trains every single day. I couldn’t be happier for the kid for the reward he’s got, people noticing he is a quality player.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at some stage they may even look to him for the senior national team for New Zealand at some stage down the track.”
WATCH: Wholesome interview with Newcastle Jets’ new fan favourites
It is an exciting time for the Jets, who are ninth but seven points adrift of the top six after 20 rounds.
Star recruit Kota Mizunuma – who scored his maiden A-Leagues goal against the lowly Roar, and Lachie Rose have been key to Newcastle’s resurgence but an unheralded positional change has also proved crucial.
Rocked by an injury to Aleksandar Susnjar on the eve of the January 4 showdown with Sydney FC, Stanton turned to captain Kosta Grozos. A midfielder by trade, the 24-year-old has stepped up and filled the void at centre-back.
Not only has he filled the void, but thrived and it has created somewhat of a problem for Stanton.
‘THE CALIBRE IS SURPRISING’: Socceroo’s DMs could unlock the next wave in 10-player influx
“That’s a headache I have to deal with in two-three weeks at some stage. That came off the back of Susnjar getting injured the day before we played Sydney,” he said when asked if Grozos would stay in defence.
“I had to make a quick change and I didn’t want to change the system. I had a feeling Kosta could do that.
“Two years ago people would’ve said you’re mad but I think that’s a sign of leadership. Me empowering him to be captain and taking responsibility, and when I asked him to play that role, he knew it was a difficult situation and he stepped up and taken on the challenge. He’s done a tremendous job.
“He doesn’t look like a centre-back but what he does with the ball and his vision, and what he sees with his passing and range, it’s fantastic.
“We will see. I don’t know. I have to make a decision at some stage.”
‘We are the best team in New Zealand’
It is clear, according to Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica.
MATCH REPORT: Phoenix ‘pulverised’ by Auckland as 6-1 rout completes NZ Derby clean sweep
In front of a sold out and record crowd at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, league-leading Auckland put Wellington to the sword 6-1 as they completed a season sweep of the 2023-24 Semi-Finalists the Phoenix.
‘THAT’S QUITE FUNNY, ISN’T IT?’: Coaches divided after Auckland fans’ cheeky Derby bus tactic
Neyder Moreno’s hat-trick fuelled the devastating rout in Auckland, where the newcomers extended their lead atop the summit.
“That’s a very special one,” Corica told reporters.
“To win that by that much in any game, I’m obviously proud of the boys.
“But in a derby, that’s something special. Especially after the first two derbies we won, this just showed convincingly we are the best team in New Zealand.”
When asked if they showed they are the best team in the Isuzu UTE A-League, former Sydney FC boss Corica replied: “Not quite yet, a lot of work to go in that one.
“But in New Zealand, we showed with the three wins over them, the boys should be proud.”
‘YES’: Chiefy was asked about his Phoenix future after derby rout
‘That’s not the representation of our team‘
Mark Jackson’s look said it all after Central Coast Mariners’ 4-0 defeat at the hands of Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday evening.
Central Coast – much-changed after their historic treble-winning 2023-24 season – were no match for Western Sydney as they were left in 10th position and seven points outside the top six.
MATCH REPORT: Wanderers trounce the champions to soar into top six
“It shouldn’t have caught us unaware because we fully knew what they’re about,” head coach Jackson said when asked if his team were surprised by the Wanderers’ pressing approach. “That’s the third time we’ve played this season – twice in the league and once pre-season.
“The pre-season game and today, they outfought us, suffocated us and outmuscled us.
“We were prepared for that, we spoke about it and how we needed to be because we know when we do play our game and we are strong and win duels, we can compete because we did it at their place.
“We didn’t do that today.”
Jackson was also asked about Central Coast’s defensive structure and formation to which he responded: “People always talk about a back three and back four against us.
“We are 4-4-2 out of possession and 3-5-2 in possession. That’s how we played last season and it’s the same this season.
“Whatever you see on a team sheet and line-up, that’s a perception of someone else. We have a way of playing and we haven’t changed our way of playing, we trust in that and we didn’t execute it today.
“The main reason for that is we didn’t win the battle. That’s it. That gave them the momentum and three goals.
“We have to take responsibility for that because that’s not the representation of our team.”
Victory coach’s dig after Melbourne Derby draw
Melbourne Victory head coach Arthur Diles took aim at rivals Melbourne City following Saturday night’s thrilling 2-2 draw at AAMI Park.
MATCH REPORT: Surprise penalty taker rescues City a point in Melbourne Derby
A sea of blue for Victory’s home fixture, Diles stoked the flames post-game as he highlighted the “one-sided” nature of the rivalry when it comes to crowds.
“You look out there tonight when it’s our home game and it’s pretty one-sided in terms of fans. You look when it’s their home game and it’s pretty much the same,” Diles told reporters.
“There’s one team that’s really making this derby fill the stands. Unfortunately that’s the reality. You’d like to see more from the opposing team to turn up to make it an even bigger derby.
“But it’s credit to our fans, whether it’s home or away, our fans turn up in numbers. That’s what makes this club what it is.”
As for counterpart Aurelio Vidmar, the City boss could not hide his frustration after conceding a penalty on the stroke of first-half stoppage time.
Leading 1-0, Victory were awarded a spot-kick upon a VAR review after German Ferreyra was adjudged to have fouled Nikos Vergos. Zinedine Machach converted the penalty to cancel out Marco Tilio’s opener before Santos and Kai Trewin traded goals in the second half.
“Disappointing from our part to concede a penalty in the last minute before half-time,” Vidmar told reporters.
“I don’t know how the hell that is a penalty. I don’t know where the game is going.
“If that’s a penalty, then we are in trouble.”
‘Invaluable’ Glory recruit leading evolution
Perth Glory held AFC Champions League Two quarter-finalists Sydney FC to a goalless draw at HBF Park, where a January recruit earned plenty of praise.
MATCH REPORT: Keeper’s late heroics help Glory shut out Sydney’s star cast
There was another player who further highlighted his importance to the rebuilding and second bottom Glory – Tomislav Mrcela, who recently arrived for the remainder of the campaign after agreeing to a second stint in Perth.
“His impact when he first came in, we suffered a couple of defeats,” said Glory head coach David Zdrilic after his side kept Sydney two points outside of the top six.
“He has gone through that whole period and seen how we have evolved and he’s been a big part of that.
“He’s not always the loudest, but those little conversations – you probably see it on the field – calming guys down, goes and talks to them to settle them down.
“That’s invaluable to us. He’s been excellent.”
John Aloisi’s advice to Golden Boot leader and Socceroos hopeful
Will Noah Botic earn selection for next month’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers?
MATCH REPORT: Western up to third as Golden Boot leader enhances Socceroos hopes in front of notable onlooker
The in-form striker took his tally to nine goals for the season as he joined Sydney FC’s Joe Lolley atop the Golden Boot standings.
“I know we’ve spoken a lot about him. I keep mentioning he just wants to keep improving,” said Western head coach John Aloisi.
“He was one of the ones who was really angry about losing to Auckland. He carried it with him until the beginning of the week. Maybe he felt they were there for us to get a result and he didn’t score. That’s a good sign when a striker is upset they didn’t’ score.
“I felt he was going to give us something good today.”
BOTIC INTERVIEW: ‘Next Viduka’ has been ‘dreaming of the Socceroos since he was 10’. This is proof he’s ready
Pressed on whether Botic is knocking on the door of the Socceroos this coming FIFA window, Australian great Aloisi had some advice.
“I don’t know about these windows, I’m not the coach of the Socceroos but in terms of the way he is performing, I would love Noah to get selected for this window,” he told reporters.
“If he doesn’t, it doesn’t mean he won’t be a future Socceroo. I really do feel there’s so much left in him. This is by no means a finished product of Noah. He still has a lot to learn and improve on.
“Physically he’s just starting to get better and better. I still feel he is little bit off where we think his ceiling can be. IF he doesn’t get selected, I don’t think he should be too upset. He just needs to keep going, keep moving and keep improving and then the other things will fall into place.”
‘THIS IS MY SECOND HOME’: Abel Walatee’s heart-warming post-game interview
