Poppa with his usual end of season cleanout. I understand one or two, but that list is pretty long including some big big names: http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...p/news-story/58649a1fd894bdf1726967d645e79254
BRISBANE ROAR IN Kye Rowles - 2 year deal Connor O’Toole – 2 year deal OUT Devante Clut (to Newcastle Jets) Jean Carlos Solorzano (released) Steve Lustica Javier Hervas Shane Stefanutto (retired)
NEWCASTLE JETS IN Devante Clut (Brisbane Roar) OUT Leonardo (released) Enver Alidovic (released) Cameron Watson (released) Ryan Kitto (released) RE-SIGNED Morten Nordstrand (one year) Jason Hoffman (two years) RUMOURS Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has not committed to a new deal and is likely to move overseas.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS IN Jacques Faty (Sydney FC) Mickael Tavares (Sydney FC) OUT Luis Garcia (released) Dan Heffernan (released) Tomislav Uskok (released) Francesco Stella (released)
SYDNEY FC IN Alex Wilkinson (Mebourne City) OUT Jacques Faty (Central Coast Mariners) Mickael Tavares (Central Coast Mariners) Ali Abbas (released) RUMOURS Dylan McGowan (Adelaide United)
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS IN OUT Romeo Castelen (released) Andreu (released) Alberto (released) Federico Piovaccari (released) Golgol Mebrahtu (released) Matt Sim (released) Liam Reddy (released)
MELBOURNE VICTORY IN OUT Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix) Gui Finkler (Wellington Phoenix) Matthieu Delpierre (retired) Archie Thompson (released) RUMOURS TO BE GOING? Jesse Makarounas, Connor Pain, Jason Geria, Scott Galloway, Dylan Murnane.
MELBOURNE CITY IN Bruce Kamau (Adelaide United) Manny Muscat (Wellington Phoenix) OUT Patrick Kisnorbo (retired) Aaron Hughes (released) James Brown (released) Jason Trifiro (released) Wade Dekker (released) Marc Marino (released) GOING? Aaron Mooy, Bruno Fornaroli.
ADELAIDE UNITED IN OUT Bruce Kamau (Melbourne City) Pablo Sanchez (released) Craig Goodwin (Sparta Rotterdam) Eli Babalj (returned to AZ Alkmaar after loan deal) OFF CONTRACT BUT NO DECISION YET Dylan McGowan (in talks with Reds this week) George Mells (has a clause in his contract which can lead to a one year extension) Mate Dugandzic Mark Ochieng Ben Warland RUMOURS Ryan Kitto (Newcastle Jets) Marc Marino (Melbourne City) Ben Garuccio (Melbourne City) Jacob Melling (Melbourne City) Mitch Austin (Central Coast Mariners)
PERTH GLORY IN Rhys Williams (Middlesborough) Chris Herd (Chesterfield) Adam Taggart (Fulham) OUT Ruben Zadkovich (retired) Gyorgy Sandor (released) Krisztian Vadocz (released) Diogo Ferreira (released) Good signings by Perth if they stay fit!
WELLINGTON PHOENIX IN Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory) Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory) OUT Manny Muscat (Melbourne City) Ben Sigmund (retired) http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...b/news-story/fc2e1121e4ce8f8063ab88d2074257a4
Herd's signature didn't eventuate but they did get Rostyn Griffith back, which was a good signing. Not sure if the Glory have enough in the centre of midfield to provide the link from the defence to the attack. Definitely got the defense and attackers to cause trouble ... but the skills to provide meaningful linkage??
Five imports who could light up the competition Bobo (Brazil) - Sydney FC Marco Rossi (Italy) - Wellington Phoenix Nicolas Colazo (Argentina) - Melbourne City Thomas Kristensen (Denmark) - Brisbane Roar Joseph Mills (England) - Perth Glory http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-05/five-imports-who-could-light-up-the-a-league/7900106
Looking forward to the start of the season, and seeing not only how the imports perform but also how some of the young Aussies step up this year. Good to see Danny Choi given a contract (injury replacement) with Adelaide too. Shows that NPL players can make the step up if they're good enough. Apparently there are some issues with him getting his citizenship so has to be signed as an international player at the moment (but should qualify as a domestic player soon I am led to believe).
Good season preview, including full draw, tv coverage etc: http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...v/news-story/07eae59b0d3aad46604592e768e4d9ff
I always look forward to the new season but I haven't renewed my membership with Sydney FC. I don't like the lack of direction by the FFA with the domestic competition. Same old teams, no plan for new teams or promotion/relegation. I feel like I can't support those values. I'll be attending the Sydney Derby on Saturday but I won't be attending much more this coming season.
They are making some noises, but yes, nothing is set: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2016/10/04/gallop-pours-cold-water-promotion-and-relegation
I cannot bloody wait for this season. So many exciting signings, especially Melbourne City. Victory lost Finkler and Barbarouses to Phoenix but we got Troisi and Kiwi Messi. Kerem Bulut has come home to WSW, and I'm interested to see how Paul Okon does performs as CCM coach. Can't wait for the Sydney derby! Seriously forget about a pro/reg happening anytime soon, but expansion is happening! Don't give up on A-League. Good things take times.
I personally don't get the argument that it is "stale" with 10 teams or no P/R. Bit of a cop out if you ask me. Sure more teams would be nice, but it doesn't make me not want to support my team. I'd suggest even if they extended to 16 teams that Perth Glory would still by my team. I admit I enjoy watching most games over a weekend ... watching the Mariners last year was better than watching some of the Championship games I've seen this year (Ipswich vs Aston Villa ... not sure how either of these teams could classify themselves as professional clubs). So yes P/R and expansion would be great but I won't let it deter me from enjoying the A-League or my team play week in week out!! Come on Glory!!!!
I'd still be a Victory supporter as I am a Melbournian, but the problem is 10 teams does not cover most of Australia. What about major cities like Canberra, Geelong and Wollongong? What A-League team can they support? I think they are very deserving of a spot in the A-League. I prefer A-League to most European leagues too, but we are very capable of improving.
For me it's about the future of the overall game in Australia. Every club should have the opportunity to play in the highest level. If a club like Sydney United is better organised off the field and better on the field than a club in the A-league, they should have an opportunity to step up. This also makes coaches and players accountable so everyone involved with a football club from the board room to the players need to improve to maintain their status in the top flight. What the Mariners did last season was a slap in the face to everyone involved in football in the lower leagues. I coach in NPL 3 in NSW and to me what is happening is ridiculous. Recycled players and coaches with little opportunity for anyone below. It's not in the best interests of the game. It should be survival of the 'fittest'. That's how we get the best out of everyone.
I'm against the idea of bringing in ethnic NSL clubs (Melbourne Knights, South Melbourne and Marconi Stallions etc). These clubs would not be able to expand outside of their respective ethnic fan bases and that's partially what hurt the NSL. Not to mention the racial violence. I'd feel as if I don't fit in if I were to support the clubs I mentioned as I'm not of a Croatian, Greek or Italian background.
I understand. I would feel the same way to some degree. But, think about all the juniors, parents and staff that have played for Sydney United, Marconi, etc. Even if they are not of that ethnicity, there's a chance that they would support that club because of a positive experience at the club. I know I support my local club now more than Sydney FC because I coach there. Even when I left for a few months, I still found time to go watch some games. Coincidentally, the club was started by Portuguese migrants from Madeira but I had no idea before I joined the club in 2010.