With finals places up for grabs, escape plans from cellar-dwellers, and a World Cup in the background, it’s shaping up as a very interesting Round 17 for the Hyundai A-League.
This week in Australian Football Weekly and The Full90, we talk to red-hot Wellington Phoenix striker Paul Ifill how the move south has reignited his love of the game, why he signed on for two more years with Wellington, and why he wants to finish his career in the A-League.
We won’t go into the woes of Adelaide United, but young gun defender Scott Jamieson admits there’s nowhere to hide as the club fights to escape last place on the ladder, and says everyone in the side needs to find the belief they an do it for the fans.
In previous years, Sydney FC have been criticised for failing to connect with fans and the community, but with a cross-town rival on its way and encroaching from other codes, CEO Edwin Lugt says the Sky Blues are doing everything they can to build for the future.
And ignore the rumours about Gold Coast United marquee man Jason Culina – the Qantas Socceroos star says he’s not going anywhere until he’s done the job for his new team.
And Perth Glory prepare to enter the crunch time with three of their most important players planning to leave; it’s not ideal, but coach Dave Mitchell has known all along it could happen, and now has to adjust his side at a crucial point in the season.
All this plus the nonsensical statistics of the A-League by the numbers, Mile Jedinak opens up on what the World Cup means to him, the Westfield W-League is building up to a massive finale, and Leigh Broxham’s secret fans.
