New A-League season kicks off as Melbourne takes on Brisbane Roar

The 2021/22 version of the A-League will deliver a transformed competition boasting Free to Air Network coverage on Channel 10, with clubs now managing the league, the arrival of broadcaster Paramount as well as a new naming rights’ sponsor.

The revamped Isuzu UTE A-League Men will fittingly blast off with reigning Premiers and Champions the all-conquering Melbourne City hosting Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park next Friday evening, and Western United and Melbourne Victory facing off in ‘The Bridge Derby’ the following night.

Last season Paddy Kisnorbo’s troops finally made the leap from perennial under achievers better known for big name performers like Bruno Fornaroli and Tim Cahill but now feared for consistently delivering the squads’ rich ingredients in irresistible form just when it matters most.

This was most evident in their Grand Final demolition of previous League benchmarks Sydney FC. This emphatic win resounded beyond the 3-1 score line, with the contest foreshadowing one champion’s demise and another rising in their place. Stefan Colakovski and Marco Tilio ran riot with Sydney bereft of inspiration or the legs to deal with their constant threat. Their presence is sufficient to alarm any opponent, but the strength of City’s squad for season 2021/22 means they may not be guaranteed places in the Match Day squad.

Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar
City have strengthened a daunting roster acquiring Socceroo Mathew Leckie from Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin after 10 seasons in Germany. Andrew Nabbout will strive to shake the injuries which have plagued his career since breakout performances culminated in his World Cup appearance against France at Russia 2018. Potentially these two will flank last season’s leading marksmen, the marauding Jaime Maclaren, a prospect equally mouth-watering for fans as it is terrifying for opposition rear guards.

If the prospect of this powerful trio supported by Tilio and Colakovski is not imposing enough, the platform for last year’s success remains intact. Skipper Scott Jamieson will corral a backline anchored by rock like Curtis Good and Rostyn Griffiths. In midfield Aiden O’Neill looks ready to advance his career to the level which delivered EPL football to his resume, partnered with Connor Metcalf who shows similar promise. Joe Marston Grand Final medal winner Nathaniel Atkinson looks primed to build on his eye-catching Tokyo Olympics displays.

With City primed to start the season with the powerful assurance of last season, visitors Brisbane Roar will need to be fully organised to keep pace. Their squad has a new look to it, peppered with youngsters, beginning with newly acquired keeper Jordan Holmes and attackers Nikola Mileusnic and Luke Ivanovic joining from Adelaide United and Sydney FC respectively. They may be joined in the front line by Liberian born Cyrus Dehmie, who announced his arrival with a hat trick in the Roar’s recent FA Cup victory over Queensland Lions. Each has speed and trickery to trouble defenders, but it may be tough first up against City keeper Tom Glover.

Coach Warren Moon’s Brisbane will be looking to experienced captain Tom Aldred and fellow stalwarts Scott Neville and Corey Brown to steady the ship, but it’s difficult to see them overcoming what looks to be a juggernaut Melbourne City.

Western United v Melbourne Victory
If Melbourne City’s kick starting of the season reflects a club basking in glory primed to build on success, the following night’s fixture between Western United and Melbourne Victory at GMHBA Stadium presents two teams in serious transition. Each team has undergone major changes in the winter following difficult and ultimately disappointing fortunes. United slipped from their previous seasons fifth spot finish to tenth. Following a COVID-disrupted season, fabled Socceroo John Aloisi takes over from Mark Rudan. Aloisi has recruited experienced shot stopper Jamie Young as well as seasoned defender Nikolai Topor- Stanley to bolster his defence alongside Ben Garuccio rebuilding his career after being injured playing for Hearts in the SPL. Western have landed one of the more intriguing deals of the new season, with 31-year-old midfielder Rene Krhin. The Slovenian midfielder has played in La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A where he played at Inter. He slots into midfield with fellow signing Neil Kilkenny.

Last season Melbourne Victory tasted the bitter tang of the wooden spoon for the first time in their storied history. A demeaning moment for this proud club boasting the largest club membership in the A-League and years of domineering performances on and off the pitch. This nadir follows several seasons of instability in the wake of Kevin Muscat’s departure from the dug-out in 2019. Grant Brebner and Steve Kean’s exits makes replacement Tony Popovic their fifth coach in two seasons. The steely ‘Poppa’ returns to Australian football following his ill-starred venture with Xanthi FC in the Greek Super League 2 and will be eager to re-establish himself and Victory as preeminent players in the local scene.

Popovic has recruited strongly in some areas with Chris Ikonomides a quality acquisition. The prized Socceroo winger should bring out the best in veteran Robbie Kruse, Marquee Marco Rojas and fresh recruit, Nick D’Agostino in Victory’s attack. He has also signed Jason Davidson and Brendan Hamill and coaxed highly decorated Mathew Spiranovic back from footballing wilderness to shape a defence in his own miserly image. Last season Victory conceded an eye-watering 60 goals and Popovic’s priority will be ensuring his side is built on defensive stability. Jason Geria and skipper Leigh Broxham look set to help Keeper Matt Acton bond the defence, while Josh Brilliante is a key component shielding the back four.

In this sixth “Westgate” or “Bridge Derby’, the stakes are as high as ever, with both teams desperate to hit the ground running. Battles between them are typically spicy with several players having appeared across both clubs and Western’s early run of four wins and a draw ending when Victory slammed in six last time around. As always, the dazzling Alessandro Diamanti will provide a constant threat to the newly shaped Victory line up. Difficult to spot a favourite here with so many new faces presenting an intriguing matchup, promising a tantalising insight into the directions these clubs will take this season.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
The other major clash of the first-round features Western Sydney Wanderers hosting last season’s grand Final runners up and nearest rivals Sydney FC in the Sydney Derby at Bankwest next Saturday night. It looks likely to be a sell-out pitting Corica’s settled outfit against a Wanderers side much changed from last season.

All in all, a great way to start this newest A-League season with 2 big fixtures in Melbourne. With so many changes both on and off the field at Club and organisation level this season promises to be a memorable one. And most promisingly of all, it looks like we just might be able to get fans back into the stadiums where they want to be. Fingers crossed and scarves ready.