The six Isuzu UTE A-League finalists are set – but who’s on the up, who should we look out for and who will be the key figures? Matt Comito and Tom Smithies dive into the form guide.
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MELBOURNE CITY
Finished: First.
Recent form: Patchy from the Premiers. Defeats to Melbourne Victory and last-placed Perth Glory bookended City’s month-long absence from the A-League Men’s on AFC Asian Champions League duty. But Patrick Kisnorbo’s side managed to end the regular season with a win – albeit a slender one against the understrength Phoenix – to seal top spot and the Premiership.
Last season, City won just once in five games heading into the finals before beating Macarthur and Sydney FC to clinch the title.
Most improved player: It’s odd to look at a Socceroos veteran as City’s most improved player, but after Mathew Leckie’s underwhelming start to life back in the A-League Men’s, that’s exactly what the City forward became.
Expectation was rife for Leckie to take the league by storm, but he went seven games without a goal to start the season, with plenty of scrutiny directed toward himself and City’s misfiring attack. Leckie went on to score nine goals in his next 10 league appearances.
Most important player: Jamie Maclaren’s Golden Boot season makes him a genuine candidate, but Florin Berenguer’s best-ever form in a City shirt means the Frenchman takes the mantle.
Berenguer has contributed 10 goal involvements (five goals, five assists) this season. His 49 chances created are a team-high. Out of action since suffering a hamstring strain against Victory in early April, City fans will pray their prime creator returns to action in time for the semifinals.
Surprise package: City’s squad has retained a very similar feel to that of the one which won the Premiership/Championship double last season. But amongst the bonafide stars of the squad, 19-year-old full-back Jordan Bos has emerged as a bright star for the future.
Bos put in four consecutive 90-minute shifts between March and April this season in four wins, bagging his maiden A-League Men’s goal in the last game on that run against the Sky Blues. Should injuries prevent Kisnorbo fielding his preferred XI, Bos could get his chance as a finals starter for the very first time.
READ HERE: City retain the Premier’s Plate
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Finished: Second.
Form: Seven wins in their last nine games took Tony Popovic’s side to within an inch of the Premier’s Plate – an incredible turnaround for a side that finished last the previous season. The imperious way in which Victory brushed Sydney FC aside was a warning to the other teams in the finals of the goalscoring threats studded throughout Popovic’s squad.
Most improved player: Nishan Velupillay has become a key weapon for Popovic off the bench thanks to his industry and awareness. Both his goals this year have been crucial, delivering his side a win on each occasion, and now the 21-year-old looks likely to get a call-up for the Australian U23 side that will gather for a tournament straight after the grand final.
Most important player: at 24 he still doesn’t attract the headlines but Jake Brimmer’s contributions have been invaluable for Victory’s renaissance. Five goals and seven assists are the stark numbers but his movement continually poses problems for other teams. His freekick in the 4-1 demolition of Sydney FC last weekend showed off his technique in full.
Surprise package: Rai Marchan. We knew the Spanish midfielder had pedigree, having come through the Real Madrid youth system, but Marchan’s performances have shown how astute an eye for import buys Popovic has. Not even a horrible facial injury that ruled him out for almost two months has knocked the elegant midfielder off his stride, though Victory only one two of the six games missed.
WESTERN UNITED
Finished: Third.
Form: For all the positivity surrounding John Aloisi’s first campaign in charge of Western United, the regular season ultimately ended in disappointment as the one-time Premiership favourites missed out on a spot in the top two thanks to a three-game winless run heading into finals.
After losing just three of 16 games to start the season, Western lost four times in 10 to round out the season – including a 4-1 defeat to Wellington Phoenix: their elimination final opponents.
Most improved player: Lachie Wales. The Western winger has three goals and an individual record of six assists to his name so far this season. The 24-year-old has already featured in six A-League Men’s campaigns, but is arguably producing his best form to date in green and black. To go with his career-best assist tally, his 40 chances created, 1108 touches, 718 passes and 40 shots are all his best figures to date.
Most important player: Ageing like a fine wine is Jamie Young, Western’s 36-year-old gloveman with 96 saves to his name after the regular season – and 10 clean sheets. Young’s off-season acquisition was a master stroke from head coach Aloisi. If he isn’t in between the sticks come grand final day, there’s every chance Young will feature for the A-Leagues All Stars against FC Barcelona in the days prior, such has been his excellent form this season.
Surprise package: Leo Lacroix. The former Swiss international brought plenty of experience to Western, having played in Europe domestically as well as in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. But, as is the case with all overseas arrivals, judgement on his ability was saved until performances are seen on the pitch in the A-League Men’s. Lacroix has exceeded expectations, becoming a crucial figure in Western’s back three. He, like Young, is a favourite to contend for a spot in the All Stars squad.
ADELAIDE UNITED
Finished: Fourth.
Form: Red-hot from the Reds. Carl Veart’s side is purring ahead of the post-season, winning five games on the bounce on their way to the finals. The winning streak helped Adelaide seal fourth spot on the table and a home final against the Mariners.
Victory over third-placed Western United in the last round of the season will give Reds fans plenty of confidence their side can take it to anyone in the finals.
Most improved player: George Blackwood has played just 14 times this season, but a player who has been much maligned in the past is showing greater consistency in the final third than he’s managed across seven A-League Men’s campaigns. Blackwood has five goals and one assist to his name from his 14 appearances; that’s 0.43 goal contributions per game. His next best? 0.21 in 2017/18.
Most important player: It doesn’t take a genius to figure out Craig Goodwin is by far and beyond the most important player to the Reds’ fortunes. The Socceroos winger will contend for the Johnny Warren Medal this season, his nine goals and seven assists from 24 games the most of any Adelaide player in both categories.
Surprise package: Nestory Irankunda. The teenage sensation, appearing off the bench 11 times and finding vital goals on three occasions. Irankunda has rescued the Reds points twice this season, points that have proved vital in the race for the top four. The 16-year-old has shown he’s not afraid of the big stage, and should Adelaide need a goal late in a final, Veart may just look to Irankunda to make his mark off the bench.
READ HERE: Adelaide, Mariners ready to trade blows
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Finished: Fifth.
Form: The defeat of Newcastle in the final round means the Mariners have equalled last year’s points tally, under a coach in his first season and minus last season’s two top scorers. The fact that comes from five straight wins means Nick Montgomery’s side are sailing into the finals on a high, with 13 goals scored in that quintet of fixtures.
Most improved players: Jacob Farrell and Dan Hall. Two youthful members of the Mariners back four have really stepped up this year, playing with an assurance beyond their years. Farrell remarkably is one of the most fouled-against players in the A-League, while Hall’s calmness at centreback has more than offset the unavailability of Ruon Tongyik for personal reasons.
Most important player: it’s tempting to go for the obvious candidate in Jason Cummings but Mark Birighitti’s form in goal has been outstanding. His direction and organisation has helped a very youthful defence stay in shape, and his shot-stopping has led many judges to express incredulity that he’s not in the Socceroos. At 31 the goalkeeper is in career-best form.
Surprise package: Garang Kuol. To be fair, Kuol’s goal in the Australia Cup in December hinted at good things to come, but few observers expected the Mariners to unearth another Kuol so quickly after elder brother Alou’s remarkable exploits last season. Four goals in seven games have played a big role in his side’s strong finish to the campaign, and he will be a weapon to deploy in the finals.
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WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Finished: Sixth.
Form: it’s fair to say Phoenix have limped into the finals, literally, but the fact they are there at all is an incredible achievement. Injuries have mounted up and the stress of playing in exile continued until almost the end of the regular season, but two wins in their last four games – both against Western Sydney – allowed Ufuk Talay’s side to finish in sixth.
Most improved player: goalkeeper Oli Sail has had an inspired season, so good that he is in the New Zealand squad for the intercontinental playoff with Costa Rica for a place at the World Cup, and is being monitored by several European clubs. Sail’s decision not to be available for the A-League All Stars, and focus on All Whites commitments, had fans in uproar.
Most important player: Gael Sandoval was the man entrusted with filling the departure of Ulises Davila, and the Mexican winger has grown into the role with six goals so far. The first of those came on his debut, days after contracting COVID, and since then he has been persistently influential in a midfield missing injured captain Alex Rufer.
Surprise package: Finn Surman was summoned across the Tasman as one of several reinforcements for Talay’s squad after a COVID bout and numerous injuries, and the Phoenix academy graduate – one of eight called into the first team squad – has made the most of his chance to become a fixture since Talay switched to a back three.
