There’s just a week to go until the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season gets underway. Finally, the wait is almost over.
Need to know more?
Here’s a quick look at each ten clubs and what you need to know ahead of the new campaign.
ADELAIDE UNITED
Can the 2015/16 double champions rebound after their tough season last campaign?
A new coach, new players and renewed hope suggest this will be a much better twelve months for the Reds under new German coach Marco Kurz, who has reinvigorated the side in the off-season and has them one game from an FFA Cup Final appearance.
BRISBANE ROAR
Replacing the goals of his now-departed most potent attackers is the key for John Aloisi, but a very experienced spine remains in Brisbane’s squad.
History tells us Roar will always be in the finals conversation and can never be underestimated, particularly with new Italian striker Massimo Maccarone.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Paul Okon has refreshed his squad from top to bottom and brought in a mix of exciting youngsters and overseas players with fine pedigree.
There’s a lot to like about this side. Are the Mariners a dark horse in 2017/18?
MELBOURNE CITY FC
New coach Warren Joyce continues to tinker with his roster and has significant grunt behind him to acquire the players he needs to push City from finals participant to championship contender.
Oh, and the legend Tim Cahill remains a key part of their push to win a first Championship title, while new signing Ross McCormack will have many fans excited as an injury replacement striker for Bruno Fornaroli.
MELBOURNE VICTORY
On paper, Victory have possibly the strongest first eleven in the competition.
With several signings still to come, Kevin Muscat is assembling a squad which may just be competition favourites come October 6.
NEWCASTLE JETS
Ernie Merrick’s well-known preference for attacking football coupled with the arrival of some very handy players (such as Irish striker Roy O’Donovan) have the Hunter faithful quietly confident their finals football drought will break in 2017/18.
And with Venezuelan international Ronald Vargas adding some attacking spark after signing this month, there’s plenty of optimism in Newcastle.
PERTH GLORY
Out west, Kenny Lowe continues to hone his squad.
However, the well-known potency in his side’s front third means Glory will always present a dangerous attacking threat.
And with Diego Castro in your side, who wouldn’t want to watch Glory do their thing? And he’ll have a quality new Spaniard to help him run riot with Xavi Torres inking a deal with the Glory. Torres is a quality signing.
SYDNEY FC
The Sky Blues swept all before them in 2016/17 and coach Graham Arnold has challenged his players to take their game to even greater levels.
Will Sydney FC continue to set the benchmark, or are the other clubs closing the gap? New signing, Poland international Adrian Mierzejewski
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
New coaches Darije Kalezic and Rado Vidosic are spending every waking moment plotting Phoenix’s route back into finals football.
Kalezic is bringing in key staff off the pitch and a ruthless professionalism which should reap dividends.
Despite the loss of some key players, the Phoenix are building nicely under their new mentors, and with Ali Abbas back in the A-League fold, expect the Wellington outfit to do much better this season.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC
Tony Popovic has swept a broom through his squad, with no fewer than 14 players gone from last season and nearly a dozen signing on.
The new-look squad, with an impressive Spanish flavour, appears very potent as the Wanderers look to improve their consistency in 2017/18.
For many, they are favourites to finally win that elusive Championship in what looms as a very even league in 2017/18.
