A-League review: David Davutovic rates Victoria’s outfits … with one coming up well short of the mark
One pronounced failure and two relative successes. That’s the sum total of Victoria’s A-League contribution so far this season with grand final success not entirely out of the question. Who flourished and who flopped?
Melbourne City
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The A-League season is so close to the finish line, and Football Federation Australia will attempt to complete the season in coming months, pending medical advice.
David Davutovic provides a 2019-20 season report card on Victoria’s three A-League clubs.
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MELBOURNE CITY
This was City’s best chance at giving the title a shake, since joining the A-League in 2010 as Melbourne Heart.
French coach Erick Mombaerts was building momentum for the finals series, overseeing City’s most balanced campaign in terms of style and personnel (depth).
With Australian youth internationals Connor Metcalfe, Tom Glover and Ramy Najjarine – who missed a month with the Olyroos – and Markel Susaeta beginning to make an impact in the run home, City looked most likely to challenge ladder leaders Sydney FC.
Socceroo Jamie Maclaren has been key, beyond that there has been an even spread of contributions at various times from Adrian Luna, Josh Brillante, Craig Noone and recently Florin Berenguer. Defensively, Curtis Good and Rostyn Griffiths have led alongside skipper Scott Jamieson.
City remains a big shout if the season resumes by May.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
JAMIE MACLAREN
Maclaren’s 18 goals are the reason City sits in second place.
UNSUNG HERO
ADRIAN LUNA
The Uruguayan is a superb all-round midfielder, chipping in four handy goals.
SEASON RETURN
12 WINS
4 DRAWS
7 LOSSES
42 goals for, 34 goals against
MARK: B+
MELBOURNE VICTORY
As it stands, 2019-20 will go down as the most disappointing season in Melbourne Victory’s proud history — and it has nothing to do with coronavirus.
For a club Victory’s size, fielding a team deemed capable of winning the title, sitting second last is inexcusable, merely propped up by the woeful Central Coast Mariners.
Kevin Muscat’s exit left a greater vacuum than most realised, and club chiefs should apply their steep learnings into a full-scale review, with the global pandemic a timely chance to reset on and off the field.
New coach Marco Kurz ended an uneasy six-month union with Victory in January. Despite a famous record-breaking maiden Champions League away win at Kashima Antlers, displays under interim Carlos Salvachua and A-League results (one win, two draws, five losses, with seven goals scored and 17 conceded) have been underwhelming.
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Victory must investigate the source of its injury woes, for prime movers Robbie Kruse and Tim Hoogland have played just 17 games combined, while Andrew Nabbout, Toivonen, Broxham and now departed Tommy Deng also suffered soft tissue injuries.
Recruiting must improve.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
OLA TOIVONEN
Without the Swede’s 10 goals in 18 games, it would have been even uglier.
UNSUNG HERO
LEIGH BROXHAM
When Broxham appears, Victory’s a chance. Played in four of its five wins in many roles.
SEASON RETURN
5 WINS
5 DRAWS
11 LOSSES
24 goals for, 35 goals against
MARK: D-
WESTERN UNITED
Predictable inconsistency for an expansion club, and seldom a dull moment on the pitch.
Emphatic wins (6-2 and 5-1 in recent weeks) have mixed with woeful patches but, to Western United’s credit they have never been smashed despite the threat of score blowouts.
Coach Mark Rudan and United are still finding their feet, with a mini mid-season makeover (Ersan Gulum, Scott McDonald and Connor Chapman departed) seeing the average age plummet.
Considering the off-field movement and instability — including three home venues and a separate training ground — the results have been solid.
Veteran Andrew Durante has been the defensive linchpin playing all 20 games, with a revolving door of players around him, while Besart Berisha’s goals, Alessandro Diamanti’s final pass quality and Josh Risdon’s industry down the right flank have been pivotal.
Beyond results, the fledgling club must review its broader club vision, for this should align with its recruitment drive.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
BESART BERISHA
A 15-goal return (in 19 games) for a guy who was written off by many.
UNSUNG HERO
CONNOR PAIN
His slimline frame has flourished in the new wingback role.
SEASON RETURN
8 WINS
3 DRAWS
9 LOSSES
34 goals for, 28 goals against
MARK: B