A-League Season Preview

The new A-league kicks off this weekend with new ambitions, new hopes and a whole stack of new teams. Sebastian Hassett tells us who will finish where and why.

After a wait of nearly a year and a half, domestic Australian football is back. And it’s not called soccer any more. This time, it’s football – but, as the slogan says, not as you know it.

Eight teams from eight different cities have been packaged into the brand new ‘A-League’, and it all kicks off tonight when Newcastle hosts Adelaide, before Perth tackles Central Coast later in the evening.

It should be a cracking opening night - could the legendary Brian Deane create history by scoring the first goal in the A-League? He already holds the equivalent record in the English Premier League from his famous strike back in 1992. 

That question and plenty more are ready to be answered as the new era of Australian football kicks off.

How they’ll go, team-by-team:

Adelaide United

The good: A tight unit with previous NSL experience. Tough to beat at Hindmarsh.
The bad: Lacks big-name players, queries over attack and defence.
X-Factor: How Qu Shengqing performs is anyone’s guess. If he fires, he might get United into the finals.
Sebastian says: Too many battlers. 6th

Central Coast Mariners

The good: The cream of the old national league crop. Andre Gumprecht and Tom Pondeljak form the classiest midfield duo in the competition.
The bad: In a big-name league, they have a largely anonymous squad.
X-Factor: Nick Mrdja has been scoring goals for fun the pre-season. Can he replicate that form in the big time?
Sebastian says: A quality unit who might surprise. 3rd

Melbourne Victory

The good: A perfect blend of youth and experience.
The bad: Well-spoken manager, but lacks recent experience at the top level.
X-Factor: Danny Allsopp hasn’t looked all that sharp pre-season, but if he fires, he could be lethal when paired with Archie Thompson.
Sebastian says: Winners all over the park - Sydney’s biggest threat. 2nd

Newcastle United Jets

The good: Ante Milicic scores goals wherever he goes.
The bad: Manager Richard Money has no local experience and might be in for a shock.
X-Factor: Ned Zelic. One-time local legend who’s back to prove he’s more than just talk. Enough said.
Sebastian says: The big names need to carry the lesser lights. 5th

New Zealand Knights

The good: Has some quality British imports on the roster, plus former Leeds defender Danny Hay.
The bad: Hastily assembled squad hasn’t had time to gel.
X-Factor: Sean Devine and Simon Yeo carved up the lower leagues of England, but can they do the same here?
Sebastian says: Will flop and it won’t be pretty. 8th

Perth Glory

The good: Fabulous facilities and a sensational stadium. A true fortress.
The bad: Probably hasn’t added enough elite quality to their squad.
X-Factor: Brian Deane has been a fantastic player in the English Premier League for over a decade, but at 37, does he still have what it takes?
Sebastian says: Should scramble into the finals. 4th

Queensland Roar

The good: Might trip up teams who underestimate them.
The bad: Just not enough class to make the finals.
X-Factor: Michael Baird is known for being an extremely talented but lazy striker. Can he deliver?
Sebastian says: Not much to Roar about this year. 7th

Sydney FC

The good: Dwight Yorke, Saso Petrovski, David Zdrillic, Steve Corica. Ouch.
The bad: With so many big stars, there’s bound to be a few egos floating around.
X-Factor: Will the expectation of success prove to be too much?
Sebastian says: Just too much brilliance. And they have Dwight Yorke. 1st

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