The Hyundai A-League is back in full swing this weekend and it’s time for Fantasy A-League managers to reflect on their team heading into the second half of the season.
With just 12 rounds remaining time is fast running out to make a serious impact in this season’s competition. Â
Click here to sign up or login and change your team. It’s free to play and there are weekly prizes with new league’s starting every round!
So whether you’re challenging for the overall title or just trying to gain some bragging rights over your mates, The Scout is here to give you a helping hand.
The competition returned a fortnight ago with a split round to accommodate for the Asian Cup and there was some eye-catching football on display despite a three-week hiatus.
Marcelo Carrusca was a standout for Adelaide United in their 7-0 thumping over the Newcastle Jets, while Marc Janko produced a timely double for the Sky Blues in their 5-1 rout of Central Coast Mariners.
Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory underlined their Championship qualities after playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw, with gun-strikers Andy Keogh and Besart Berisha both on the scoresheet.
The disappointment of missing the Socceroos’ Asian Cup squad has seemingly abated for Aaron Mooy, with the 24-year-old a standout in Melbourne City FC’s 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers. Â
Wellington’s four-match winning streak ended at the hands of Brisbane Roar, though Roy Krishna continued his hot-from in front of the goal with a poacher’s finish.Â
The Roar’s acquisition of former Wanderers utility Jerome Polenz has been a shrewd pick-up, punctuated with the German’s cross for Juan Carlos Solarzano’s winner against the Phoenix. Â
The Melbourne derby highlights the fixtures for round 16 and it promises to be a cracker with Victory talisman Besart Berisha claiming mid-week that the Big V are the number one team in Melbourne. Â
Sydney FC’s visit to the Glory on Saturday night also promises to be a hard-fought affair and the Sky Blues will be confident of knocking off the league-leaders after their dismantling of the Mariners.
Here are the Scout’s picks for this week – choose wisely and happy managing!
THE SCOUTS XI
OUT > David Carney IN > Thomas Broich
OUT > Manny Muscat IN > Sam Gallagher
Star Man
Marcelo Carrusca ($401,000) – The Argentinian is in rare form for Josep Gombau’s side and notched an impressive 17-points last round, albeit against a terrible Jets outfit. The midfielder netted a brace against Newcastle and looked threatening whenever on the ball. The Reds travel to Gosford to tackle the lowly Mariners this week and you’d fancy Carrusca could have a day out against Phil Moss’s men.
Dud of the week
Mariners defence – The Gosford-based club were humbled by Sydney FC and questions must be asked of the Mariners’ back-four after conceding five times on home soil. The side has lacked continuity in their defensive unit all-season and with a red-hot Adelaide United coming to town on Saturday afternoon, it could get worse before it gets better.
Coach Killer
Iain Ramsay ($136,000) – The 26-year-old has been in-and-out of Melbourne City FC’s line-up for much of the season and didn’t do himself any favours after missing an absolute sitter against the Wanderers. With the scores locked at 1-1, the ball found its way to Ramsay at the back post but the winger skewed his shot wide with the goal-gaping. Luckily for City, Aaron Mooy produced a thunderous strike with less than 20 minutes remaining to get them across the line.
Value Pick
Marc Janko ($286,000) – Sydney FC’s marquee man has been much-maligned this season but is slowly starting to show the quality which Graham Arnold paid the money for. The big Austrian scored a round-high 17 points against the Mariners after bagging a brace and picking up an assist. At just $286,000 – Janko is a good option to have as a second or third choice striker.
Pick of the week
Jacob Melling ($141,000) – The 19-year-old is becoming an integral part of Melbourne City FC’s midfield and showed his attacking instincts with a well-taken goal against the Wanderers last week. Melling is forming a strong partnership in midfield with Aaron Mooy and is superb value for managers at $141,000.
