Making a fast start to a season is always the desired outcome of coaches and players.
But, historically, just how important is round one in the Isuzu UTE A-League?
Western United begin their title defence in a Grand Final rematch with Melbourne City in the league’s curtain-raiser at AAMI Park on Friday, October 7.
THE COMPELTE 2022-23 ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE SEASON DRAW
Sydney FC will open the new Allianz Stadium with the blockbuster visit of Nani and Melbourne Victory for the ‘Big Blue’ on a Saturday that will also feature Dwight Yorke’s coaching bow in Macarthur FC’s trip to Brisbane Roar as Central Coast Mariners host Newcastle Jets in the F3 Derby.
The round will wrap up on October 9 with Wellington Phoenix versus Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers up against Perth Glory.
MORE: WHAT DOES ROUND ONE MEAN IN THE ALM?
With the help of Opta, KEEPUP assesses what the opening round means in the ALM.
History against round one losers?
The scenes at AAMI Park in May will live long in the memory of Western United and their supporters after clinching a maiden A-League Men Championship.
Western’s triumph came after they lost in round one – against Melbourne Victory.
But they are the exception, not the rule.
Two of the last five ALM champions have won the Grand Final after losing their opening game of the season. Melbourne Victory were the other team in 2017-18. It had never happened previously in the history of the competition.
In good news for John Aloisi and Western, each of the last three champions have gone on to win their opening game of the following campaign – as many times as they had done so in all 13 seasons prior.
Melbourne City are the reigning Premiers, however, the 2011-12 Central Coast Mariners remain the only team to finish top of the standings at the end of the regular season having tasted defeat in the club’s opener.
The fast and slow starters
When it comes to round one, look no further than the Mariners.
Central Coast, who reached the Elimination Final last season, have won more opening-round fixtures than any other team in ALM history – eight.
In 2021-22, the Mariners kicked off their campaign by claiming bragging rights over Newcastle Jets in the F3 Derby.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Jets and Perth Glory have lost the most first-round fixtures in the history of the ALM – both seven.
Last term was a season to forget for Sydney FC, who missed the finals for the first time in six years.
But Sydney – ushering in a new era at the state-of-the-art Allianz Stadium – have dazzled in round one previously, scoring a record 21 goals.
Overall, City have logged 1.8 points per game in the opening-round fixtures – the most of any team (minimum three seasons), while Western Sydney Wanderers (0.8) are the only team to have scored less than a goal per game in round one (minimum four seasons).
