From Keisuke Honda’s media masterclasses to Mark Rudan’s split from Wellington Phoenix, the past seven months of the Hyundai A-League served up stories to keep supporters of all teams in constant conversation.
Major talking points were threaded through from Round 1 to the Grand Final as discussion around player movements and Perth Glory alike bubbled in the background of a season that ended with Tony Popovic’s side taking the Premiers Plate and the Championship going to Sydney FC.
Here, www.a-league.com.au recounts the tales that set tongues wagging by revealing the most viewed article for each club.
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Adelaide United
THE STORY: Adelaide have their say on Marco Kurz
Marco Kurz’s future attracted intense speculation until confirmation of his impending exit from the club arrived on March 19.
Speaking in a news conference less than a week earlier, the German claimed negotiations had reached an impasse with talks having not taken place for approximately a month.
Adelaide chairman Piet van der Pol responded in a public statement, clarifying that prearranged discussions were already scheduled for his return from an overseas trip.
Brisbane Roar
THE STORY: Bautheac one of 14 departures as Fowler’s Roar rebuild begins
Appointed on April 23, new Brisbane boss Robbie Fowler needed only a week to begin making the big calls.
The Liverpool legend sanctioned the release of 14 players following the end of a sub-par season, including Goal of the Year winner Eric Bautheac.
Brett Holman, Luke DeVere and Alex Lopez followed the French winger out the door as Fowler set about overhauling Queensland’s fallen giant.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6035964401001
Central Coast Mariners
THE STORY: Mariners sign former Premier League midfielder
Central Coast landed a coup in the January transfer window when they completed the capture of former Reading, Galatasaray and Bolton midfielder Jem Karacan.
With a full season of English Premier League experience and many more in the Championship behind him, the 30-year-old brought a cool head to a young team that needed leadership.
The best part for the Mariners is that Karacan still has plenty to offer going into next term.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6014660518001
Macarthur FC
THE STORY: New club confirms name, colours and logo
Western United are set to command the spotlight when the new season starts later this year; 12 months later, attention will shift further north.
Macarthur FC peeled back the first layers on their identity in May with the unveiling of their club name, colours, logo and inaugural head coach, Ante Milicic.
It will be intriguing to watch further elements of the new outfit come together as they build in the background.
Melbourne City
THE STORY: Bruno bombshell: Fornaroli leaves Melbourne City
It was the news Melbourne City fans did not want to hear.
After a frustrating campaign – which saw the player dropped by then coach Warren Joyce in November – City’s Uruguayan forward agreed terms with the club in February to cancel his contract.
The Hyundai A-League’s Golden Boot winner in the 2015/16 Season with 25 goals, to nobody’s great surprise Fornaroli soon found another club, signing for Perth Glory for the new campaign.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6016704463001
Melbourne Victory
THE STORY: Keisuke Honda interview gets football world talking
Keisuke Honda makes headlines wherever he goes and that didn’t change during an entertaining stay in Melbourne.
While his performances on the pitch were a treat to watch, the Japan legend was equally impressive off the field.
Team-mates often highlighted his immense professionalism and Honda, speaking to Michael Zappone of Fox Sports in December, gave an engaging insight into his drive and determination that captured the imagination of many on social media.
“I am not satisfied yet,” the Victory star said after a resounding 4-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, in which he scored the opening goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5974278787001
Newcastle Jets
THE STORY: Boogaard delivers to keep AFC Champions League dream alive
Amid a campaign that failed to deliver the same thrilling highs of the 2017/18 Season, Newcastle fans found multiple reasons for real enjoyment in a midweek match against unfamiliar opponents in February.
First was the final result of a nail-biting 3-1 extra-time win over Indonesian side Persija Jakarta, and the second came with a rare and crucial goal from captain Nigel Boogaard.
The defender was a popular scorer when he popped up to restore Newcastle’s lead in the 101st minute, setting the stage for Matthew Ridenton to later seal a hard-earned victory.
Kashima Antlers brought the Jets’ bid for AFC Champions League qualification to an end the following week, but the supporters in the Hunter went home happy for the time being.
Perth Glory
THE STORY: Perth Glory to host Hyundai A-League 2019 Grand Final
Before the Grand Final heartbreak, there was heart-pounding Glory glee.
Tony Popovic’s impressive Premiers punched their ticket to a May 19 decider at Optus Stadium in remarkable fashion, outlasting plucky Adelaide in a penalty shootout filled with tension and goalkeeping heroics.
Hosting rights were secured and Perth supporters flocked to the first news of ticket details as a record Grand Final crowd eventually grew to 56,371 people.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6035383453001
Sydney FC
THE STORY: Corica reacts to Aloisi news ahead of Brisbane clash
Never mind spoiling Perth’s party, it was an altogether different moment that attracted the most eyeballs for Sydney FC.
John Aloisi’s surprise departure from Brisbane in December rocketed to the top of the Australian football agenda and Sky Blues boss Steve Corica was as surprised as anyone about his former team-mate’s resignation.
“Wow,” Corica said as he learned of the development. “It’s unfortunate for him and the football club. It’s a big reaction there.”
Corica encouraged Sydney FC to be wary of a backlash from Brisbane and the eventual Champions narrowly did the business the following day, prevailing 2-1.
? This is the moment Head Coach Steve Corica finds out mid-press conference that Brisbane Roar Head Coach John Aloisi had stepped down…
What a game we're in for tomorrow!#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs pic.twitter.com/LadLxHByM3
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 28, 2018
Wellington Phoenix
THE STORY: Mark Rudan to depart Phoenix at season’s end
This coaching change had been more widely anticipated – but came as no less of a blow to Phoenix late in a campaign that heralded the club’s return to prominence.
A rookie in Hyundai A-League terms, Rudan fostered talented young players, guided Wellington towards a first Finals Series appearance in four years and then announced his decision to step down with three games to go in the regular season.
The Kiwi side confirmed the news midway through April and Rudan went on to lead his vibrant, entertaining team to an Elimination Final at AAMI Park.
As we now know, Ufuk Talay has been entrusted with keeping the ball rolling.
Western Sydney Wanderers
THE STORY: A look inside the Wanderers’ new Bankwest Stadium home
The countdown is on to Western Sydney’s much-anticipated first match at the shiny new Bankwest Stadium, against Leeds United on Saturday, 20 July.
Anticipation has been building since the finishing touches were made on the 30,000-seat Parramatta venue in April.
www.a-league.com.au shared an inside peak via a gallery of images, and judging by the response Wanderers fans cannot wait to get started in their new home.
Western United
THE STORY: Three young Aussies join Western United
Name, colours, coach – the pieces are coming together as Western United prepare to set sail on their debut season.
The new club’s inaugural roster is also closing in on completion, with a big statement made on the recruitment front in March.
Talented young trio Sebastian Pasquali, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Dylan Pierias all signed on the same day and will have important parts to play in 2018/19.
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