Season 11 of the Hyundai A-League kicks off tonight (Oct 8) in Parramatta. Excited? We are. Over the next few days an eye-catching number of talented new names from across the football globe will help kick off the season here in Oz.
Remember Thomas Broich and Bes Berisha arriving in Brisbane? Hardly household names when they landed. We reckon there may be a few new signings across the A-League in their bracket of class this season.
Players with great experience from top European leagues such as Diego Castro at Glory, Dimas Delgado at Wanderers and Jeffrey Sarpong at Phoenix.
A-League clubs have done some sensational business in the off-season. We are most definitely on the world’s radar now after ten seasons of growth.
Click here for the top ten Hyundai A-League signings this off-season
But there’s so much more.
Who wouldn’t want to watch Melbourne City’s Socceroo Aaron Mooy? The playmaker is turning into something very special.
Young Alex Gersbach is a genuine future Socceroo at Sydney FC, Anthony Caceres at Mariners is an excitement machine set to take it to another level, and Glory’s Josh Risdon is one young Aussie to watch.
Then there are the teams. The derbies. The fans. The big games…
Click here for Melbourne Victory’s season preview
Melbourne Victory are the new benchmark and what a standard they have set. With 25,000 members it’s staggering how big this club has become, and can be.
Oh, and you have to admit they play a cool brand of football, inspired by Ange Postecoglou and fine-tuned by rising star of the coaching ranks, Kevin Muscat.
Click here for Sydney FC’s season preview
At Sydney FC, they are still hurting after their grand final capitulation at the hands of Victory last season.
Some top-class foreign talent and a renewed desire to succeed will again make the Sky Blues a danger.
Click here for Adelaide United’s preview
No Gombau – that lovable, slightly mad but very clever Spanish coach. But no worries, Guillermo Amor has all the pedigree to make a success of the role at the Reds.
It’ll be fascinating to see how they evolve under Amor, someone so respected he’s often name checked by Pep Guardiola after their time at Barcelona.
Click here for Wellington Phoenix’s season preview
Who’d write the Kiwis off? The determination to succeed is there and they will have learnt from their disappointing Elimination Final exit last season.
And in Sarpong, their powerful new import, they might just have a new X-factor in the post Nathan Burns era.
Click here for Melbourne City’s season preview
All the building blocks are in place at City. There are no excuses for not making the finals – or even top two.
The squad is strong across the board. The facilities are amazing. Time to deliver for the Cityzens of Melbourne.
Click here for Brisbane Roar’s season preview
For the last four years, Brisbane has been a byword for Hyundai A-League success. Now, can new coach John Aloisi refocus the club for a renewed push back up the ladder?
Fresh faces from Spain and McLaren looks a great buy, but no Brattan. Should be fascinating seeing how the orange army go this time.
Click here for Perth Glory’s season preview
Life is never dull down Glory way. Likeable coach Kenny Lowe’s media musings are often madly brilliant, the club’s financial irregularities last season thrust them into the spotlight for the worst reasons and they have a happy knack of doing smashingly well in the Westfield FFA Cup.
Get ready for another eventful season. But can the Purple reign next May?
Click here for Central Coast’s season preview
Coach Tony Walmsley wants to bring showtime back to the Coast. Can’t wait to see the new, more expansive, style on show.
It won’t be easy for the Mariners this season, but they’ll innovate off the pitch and battle on it for their loyal fan base. And who knows where that’ll take them.
Click here for Wanderers’ season preview
They’re rested, rejuvenated and refashioned. One of the fascinating sub-plots of this season will be how the Wanderers will rebound after last season’s extraordinary rollercoaster.
Many neutrals will love to see the red and black doing well, seeing and hearing their amazing supporters in full voice. And it all starts tonight in Parramatta.
Click here for Newcastle Jets’ season preview
And finally, the Jets. It’s a new era down Newy way. We love what Scott Miller is trying to do at the club, and with the help of assistant coach JP and a good squad, this could be the story of the season.
Could last season’s wooden spoon side bounce back and make the finals? We’d love to see that.
So, this is our league. The Hyundai A-League. And after ten seasons we should be very proud of what’s been achieved.
Click here for the Hyundai A-League team of the last 10 seasons
So get out and make some noise for your boys this season.
Ladies. Gents. The excitement is back!
