With the 2021/22 A-League season set to kick off on 19 November, it’s time to take a look at the main pretenders to win the Championship.
Melbourne City clinched a memorable Premiership-Championship double last term. Can they win back-to-back titles? Or will a different side claim the bragging rights this time around?
Let’s find out.
Melbourne City won 15 of their 26 regular-season games last term, finishing two points ahead of Sydney FC to win the Premiership. A few weeks later, they beat the Sky Blues in the Grand Final to clinch the Championship.
Jamie Maclaren netted an outrageous 25 goals in 24 appearances last season, finishing 11 goals clear atop the Golden Boot leaderboard. If Maclaren picks up where he left off last term, City will be difficult to stop.
Before the previous campaign, Sydney FC won both three Premierships and three Championships in four years. Last season, however, they were outclassed by City.
Along with experienced players like Adam Le Fondre, Milos Ninkovic and Bobo, the Sky Blues have rising stars such as Joel King and Patrick Wood in their ranks. The blend of youth and experience could help Steve Corica’s side to reclaim the crown.
Perth Glory endured a campaign to forget last season, finishing ninth on the ladder. In fact, the 2018/19 Premiers registered their worst finish in a decade last term, meaning they will be eager to make amends.
The Western Australian outfit have, remarkably, managed to lure Daniel Sturridge to HBP Park during the offseason. The former Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool forward adds a wealth of experienced to the squad.
Just like Perth, Western Syndey underachieved last season. The Wanderers ended the previous campaign in eighth place – four points outside the Finals Series spots.
WSW have now failed to qualify for the Finals in each of the past four seasons. Having secured three top-two finishes in four years no so long ago – including a Premiership triumph in 2012/13 – Western Sydney will be desperate to bounce back.
It’s fair to say that Macarthur FC exceeded all expectations during their maiden A-League campaign. The newcomers secured a sixth-place finish last term before reaching the Semi-Finals in the postseason.
Macarthur have made a number of notable acquisitions during the offseason, including Ulises Davila, Craig Noone and Tomi Juric. If all the new signings can gel quickly, the Bulls will be a force to be reckoned with.