A-League predictions for 2013-14
The dawn of the new A-League season is now upon us and what a cracking season it promises to be. Last season, we witnessed numerous ups and downs (pardon the idiomatic expression…); Central Coast Mariners won the A-League Championship for the first time. Also, Western Sydney Wanderers defied belief, breaking numerous records including longest winning streak, as they went on to become Minor Premiers and A-League runners-up in what was their inaugural season.
There were disappointments aplenty; Lucas Neill failed to impress, Melbourne Heart were lacklustre throughout after a promising pre-season, Sydney FC crumbled in the opening weeks and who could forget 3AW’s shock jock?
But with all of this seemingly behind us, the upcoming season promises to be the biggest and most exciting yet. And on that note, From The Stands asked several of expert football writers, from home and across the ditch, for some bold predictions for the ninth installment of Australia’s premier club competition – the A-League.
A-League Champions
Cronan Yu: Western Sydney Wanderers
Cam Gordon: Melbourne Victory
David Hards: Melbourne Victory
Laurence Rosen: Melbourne Victory
Daniel Palmer: Melbourne Victory
Simon Overall: Brisbane Roar
Minor Premiers:
Cronan Yu: Central Coast Mariners
Cam Gordon: Melbourne Victory
David Hards: Western Sydney Wanderers
Laurence Rosen: Brisbane Roar
Daniel Palmer: Melbourne Victory
Simon Overall: Brisbane Roar
Wooden Spoon:
Cronan Yu: Melbourne Heart
Cam Gordon: Newcastle Jets
David Hards: Newcastle Jets
Laurence Rosen: Newcastle Jets
Daniel Palmer: Wellington Phoenix
Simon Overall: Wellington Phoenix
Best Youngster (Under-21)
Cronan Yu: Connor Pain
Cam Gordon: Louis Fenton
David Hards: Joshua Brilliante
Laurence Rosen: Storm Roux
Daniel Palmer: Connor Pain
Simon Overall: Corey Gamiero
Top Scorer
Cronan Yu: Alessandro Del Piero
Cam Gordon: Besart Berisha
David Hards: Besart Berisha
Laurence Rosen: Kosta Barbarouses
Daniel Palmer: Besart Berisha
Simon Overall: Besart Berisha
Best Coach
Cronan Yu: Tony Popovic
Cam Gordon: Ange Postecoglu
David Hards: Ange Postecoglu
Laurence Rosen: Ange Postecoglou
Daniel Palmer: Ange Postecoglu
Simon Overall: Mike Mulvey
Best Transfer
Cronan Yu: Isaias Sanchez
Cam Gordon: Kenny Cunningham
David Hards: Harry Kewell
Laurence Rosen: Pablo Contreras
Daniel Palmer: Kosta Barbarouses
Simon Overall: Marcos Flores
Worst Transfer
Cronan Yu: Matt Jurman
Cam Gordon: Liam Reddy
David Hards: Orlando Engelaar (Is it too late to say Ljubo Milicevic?)
Laurence Rosen: Kew Jaliens
Daniel Palmer: Orlando Engelaar (due to injury)
Simon Overall: Harry Kewell
Best Player
Cronan Yu: Alessandro Del Piero
Cam Gordon: Marco Flores
David Hards: Mark Milligan
Laurence Rosen: Shinji Ono
Daniel Palmer: Alessandro Del Piero
Simon Overall: Alessandro Del Piero
Continue the conversation via Twitter: @Cronan_Yu, @hardsy05, @userlastname, @Cambo_Gordon, @MVFCLR22, @SimonOverall
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