Jamie Maclaren has gone and Bruno Fornaroli will miss a significant chunk of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season through injury.
The way seems clear for the Hyundai A-League’s all-time top goalscorer to claim the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Nike Golden Boot.
But will a Brazilian, a Fijian, a couple of Irishman, two Spaniards or an Italian be contenders to challenge the legendary Besart Berisha for this prestigious honour?
Or will their be a Golden Boot bolter? We assess the field ahead of the new season.
ANDY KEOGH: PERTH GLORY
The Irishman has reached double figures in each of his three seasons in the Hyundai A-League, mixing a superb first touch with the toughness gained from playing in England’s rugged leagues. Thrives off the service provided by Diego Castro and very capable of topping this list.
ROY KRISHNA: WELLINGTON PHOENIX
The Fijian flier has become a genuine Hyundai A-League striker, scoring a dozen times last season, frightening defenders with his pace and finishing power and being unexpectedly difficult to dispossess. Needs just six goals to become Wellington’s all-time leading goalscorer and history would suggest he’ll claim that milestone in 2017/18.
ROY O’DONOVAN: NEWCASTLE JETS
A shift from Central Coast to Newcastle will do nothing to blunt the Irish front-man’s effectiveness; if anything, he should get more chances inside Ernie Merrick’s attacking system. An old-fashioned centre-forward who is also capable of spectacular strikes, his exploits this season could help the Jets fly into the top six.
BOBO: SYDNEY FC
A brilliant debut season saw the Brazilian score 15 goals for the record-breaking Sky Blues and with Sydney FC looking every inch a title contender again, he’ll receive all the service he needs to better that tally this year. Good in the air and with both feet, he also takes Sydney’s penalties which gives him a great chance to top the goal-scoring charts.
MASSIMO MACCARONE: BRISBANE ROAR
He’s the man charged with replacing Jamie Maclaren’s goals at Roar and the Italian veteran certainly has the pedigree for the job, with two decades of top-flight football in Europe. He may not have the pace of his younger years, but goalscoring is a habit, and if chances come his way, you’d expect Maccarone to supply the finishing touch more often than not.
ORIOL RIERA: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Freshly arrived, the new Wanderers front-man has already displayed his pedigree in the Westfield FFA Cup, scoring goals in various ways and leading the line in ominous pre-season fashion. Tony Popovic looks to have unearthed another gem and with countryman Alvaro Cejudo providing the service, Riera will fire off plenty of goal-bound efforts this season.
DIEGO CASTRO: PERTH GLORY
When you watch the sublime Spaniard’s general skills and creativity, it’s easy to forget how prolific he’s been in front of goal during his two seasons with Glory. In fact, he’s been their top scorer in both campaigns, netting 26 goals in 53 games – that’s Golden Boot material without a doubt.
BESART BERISHA: MELBOURNE VICTORY
Regardless of their credentials, there’s no doubt every other striker is chasing “Bes”. He’s achieved an unprecedented six consecutive double-figure goal-scoring campaigns and became the Hyundai A-League’s first goal-scoring centurion last season. His incredible work ethic, utter determination and seemingly unquenchable thirst for goals make him a short-priced favourite to claim the Golden Boot for a third time.
