Western United will enter the new A-League Men season as champions, but coach John Aloisi is confident he will not have to worry about a post-success hangover.
The reigning champions, who broke through to lift their first silverware last season, will kick off the defence of their title in Friday night’s Grand Final rematch against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
Aloisi – whose Western are undefeated in their last five games against City – insists the players have plenty of drive to kick on from last season’s triumph.
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“The hunger’s there,” the former Socceroo told AAP.
“A lot of teams have had success, and the things that you look for are if complacency creeps in or you lose a lot of players.
“We’ve kept the majority of the squad and there’s been no complacency.
“All the players have come back really motivated, hungry, working hard.”
Western will be without marksman Aleksandar Prijovic and co-captain Alessandro Diamanti for the visit to City, with both still working on their fitness.
But Aloisi backed the likes of Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Dylan Pierias and Nicolas Milanovic to fill the goalscoring void, and hoped new signing James Troisi could unlock defences.
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“He’s brought quality of course, because we all know what James can bring in that aspect,” Aloisi said of the veteran playmaker.
“But his work-rate’s been really good, he’s fitted in very easily within the group because they can see what he brings, how hard he works.
“He’s one of those players that can open up a team.
“If we’re chasing a game, or a team’s sitting off, he’s got that final ball. At times last year, especially when Diamanti wasn’t playing, we didn’t have that type of player.”
Three of the last four ALM reigning champions have begun their season with a victory after it had happened just twice in the history of the competition prior; Melbourne Victory (lost in 2018) are the only one of the last four champions to not begin their next season with a win.
Cross-town rivals City have lost Connor Metcalfe but new signings Valon Berisha, Thomas Lam and Richard van der Venne are all expected to add quality.
“It’s always exciting but it adds a little bit more when it’s a local rival and it is a grand final replay,” Aloisi said.
“We had some good games with them last season and we know it’s going to be a tough one again.
“They’ve recruited really well, they’ve signed some top-quality players.”
The game will mark City captain Scott Jamieson’s 300th league appearance.
