20250222 r20 Aleague Men Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City-245

Daniel Arzani in action for Melbourne Victory during the 2024/25 A-League Men season. Photo: Marcus Robertson/Round Ball Australia

Macarthur FC

IF Mile Sterjovski believes in the future of the Macarthur Bulls…

THEN fans should jump on board too.

The news of Sterjovski’s contract extension at the Bulls should be viewed as a really positive move for the future of the football club.

He’s been hamstrung by his losses in his squad since January, but being able to work a brace out of Harry Sawyer – who offers a very different profile to Valere Germain – one through the assist of January recruit Saif Eddine Khaoui as well, shows his versatility.

Only a point in this fixture means that their tilt and holding on for finals football looks all but over, but with Mile at the helm there should be plenty of reasons for optimism.

Bringing in the likes of Khaoui, Boli and Makrillos at least shows a recruitment department that is connected as plans with contingencies.

And with some payroll freed up by Germain’s departure, don’t rule out a little bit of cash being splashed on another marquee name as the Bulls look to capitalise on the AFC Champions League Two competition next season.

Lachie Avil

Newcastle Jets

IF Robbie Stanton is to leave at the end of the season…

THEN what do the Newcastle Jets look like without him?

In recent press conferences, Stanton has continuously dismissed the importance of his future at the football club, instead shifting focus onto the development of the players and club as a whole as the Jets look to develop their way into A-League contention.

Reports from James Gardnier in the Newcastle Herald suggest that a decision has already been made, that Stanton will leave, despite signing a contract extension last Christmas.

That should leave Jets fans a little nervy, as it is clear that Stanton has acted as somewhat of a galvanising force behind the playing group in recent weeks.

His unselfish approach seems to have brought the team together, resulting in impressive up-ticks in form from the likes of Lachie Rose, Eli Adams, Noah James and company.

Do these players look the same without the influence of Stanton? It’s an interesting thought to ponder.

Lachie Avil

Central Coast Mariners

IF there was a game with nothing on the line this round…

THEN it had to be this one.

10th against 13th on the ladder with both teams out of finals contention barring a miracle is probably not enough to get you excited to clear your schedule at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, but we must play the hand we are dealt.

Mariners’ fans had a bit to be excited about with Alou Kuol netting his fourth of the season inside five minutes with a deft glancing header, however poor marking from yet another set piece let Perth back into the game on the 10th minute mark.

From there it played out like many of Perth’s games have this season, with gaps to exploit. Coming against the Glory these days is more a case of staying in the game long enough before capitalising on a mistake they will inevitably make.

In this case it was a penalty conceded that gave CCM the confidence to push on for the remainder of the 90 minutes. Christian Theoharous popped up with his thrice a season moment of magic and slotted in a well-struck effort from distance to seal the deal.

Will Mark Jackson be able to show enough in these last few rounds to keep the Mariners’ faith, or is it at the point of his tenure where a rebuild seems like too tall an order, and that he may feel there are greener pastures elsewhere?

Will Booth

Perth Glory

IF Glory fans have made it this far…

THEN they can put up with things for just a few more weeks.

All eyes should be on the season ahead for Perth Glory at this stage. This year has proven to be un-salvageable and now the point of the remaining games should be identifying the dead-weight, and for the Pelligra Group, running the equation over David Zdrillic’s management.

Jaylan Pearman has been somewhat of a revelation, but there are more examples like him that could still be unearthed during this period, and the more minutes these young players can get now, the quicker they will be able to step up when called upon next year.

Whilst they are on equal points with Brisbane Roar, the Roar do have two games in hand, but with the form they find themselves in it would not be shocking if the two teams remained in a deadlock after these catch-up games have been played.

This represents an opportunity for Glory to avoid that dreadful claim to the wooden spoon, which would go a long way in keeping heads held high as they go into the 25/26 campaign.

Will Booth

Sydney FC

IF you could point at Sydney’s defining period of their campaign…

THEN it would be these next few weeks.

Another do-or-die match, another roller-coaster 90 minutes, and another game closer to somehow missing finals with a squad that is potentially one of the strongest we have ever seen in the A-League Men competition.

Sydney fans can not say they have not been entertained this campaign, whether that be goals flying in left and right in their games, or their barnstorming run that is yet to come to a close in Asia. The predicament they find themselves in now however is being just three points shy of the finals positions hot on the tail of Adelaide United after slipping on a few banana peels throughout the year.

Some good news for the Sky Blues is that their next match is against Adelaide, and a win would see them jump United into sixth spot, so the challenge for the finals remains firmly in their own hands, and now as Adelaide look to be stumbling, will be as good a time as ever to face them.

This performance against Melbourne City was like many others we have seen this year, scintillating when going forward but timid and frail when defending. Adelaide may just be the perfect match-up as Sydney would hope they can pile on the goals early and keep United on the back foot.

After letting it slip to City, so much of the rest of the season hinges on the Round 35 fixture, with a loss meaning the Sky Blues have an uphill battle to climb, whereas a win will allow them to carry momentum into their semi-final clash against the Lion City Sailors.

Will Booth

Melbourne City

IF Marco Tilio can keep up his post-injury form…

THEN he could just carry Melbourne City toward a Championship-tilt.

Out of all of the injured players to return for Aurelio Vidmar’s side over the past few months, Tilio has arguably made the biggest impact.

And in this game, showing the goal-creating prowess that in part earned him his move to Celtic after his blistering 22/23 season.

The pin-point cross for Memeti and disguised reverse pass for Caputo were two dimes of the absolute highest quality.

With all the other complementary pieces around him, City are continuing to build their case as one of, if not the form team of the competition as we enter the final month of the regular seasons.

It’s been on the radar of City fans for a while, but this full strength team is a side to be reckoned with.

Adelaide United

IF Adelaide wanted to make finals this year…

THEN they may have blown one of their last chances.

Defending again let down the Reds, who looked on top for portions of the Original Rivalry on Saturday. The front-line was efficient. Archie Goodwin and Zach Clough were again on the score-sheet, joined by first-timer Jonny Yull. But as has become commonplace this season, Adelaide simply couldn’t keep the ball out of their own net.

This game had a lot on the line, with both Victory and United teetering on the edge of falling out of the six. Victory have now built a gap, and whilst Sydney lost to City, there’s not a lot Adelaide can cling onto, with just three points separating them from the Sky Blues.

That’s now one win in the last nine for Adelaide, with 10 goals conceded over the last two games. Carl Veart admitted post-game that the coaching staff need to do more work with the defenders, but if rumours are to be believed Veart himself may be on thin ice anyway.

The positives? Yull’s strike was tremendous, the fight back shown to start the second half was undeniable, and the away fans put on one hell of a display. Oh, and the Reds face Sydney at home next. One last real chance to save their finals hopes.

Jacob Stevens

Melbourne Victory

IF Daniel Arzani can’t stay consistent from now until the end of the season… 

THEN he should be regarded as the most frustrating player in the competition. 

Having received his fair share of criticism for not pulling his weight and living up to his potential this season, it was only natural for Socceroos fans to question Tony Popovic’s decision to select Daniel Arzani in the recent squad off the back of one promising showing against the Central Coast Mariners. 

Against Adelaide on the weekend, Arzani’s first half in particular was simply brilliant. His curling effort on goal showed the skill and poise of a player dubbed the next big thing in Australian football. 

But what was different about Arzani’s performance was that he showed up for the full 90 minutes, barely losing the ball and running rings around Ryan Kitto. He opened up spaces in behind to create positive movement and quick passing combinations, most notably contributing to Victory’s second goal. 

Against the Wanderers before the recent international window, it was Arzani who proved he does have the maturity to respond to harsh assessments, cop it on the chin, and use that criticism as motivation. He certainly carried that same positive mentality against the Reds, adding his second goal from the spot. 

In saying that, it’s no use if Arzani continues to show up when he feels like it. These past few weeks need to be the benchmark to excel and ensure he takes the next step in his promising career. For him, it’s all between the ears. 

Christian Montegan

Wellington Phoenix

IF this was the Phoenix of 12 months ago…

THEN three points would’ve been a near certainty.

What a difference one season makes in football. The Phoenix went from near invincible to counting down the days until pre-season for 2025/26.

Despite the possibility of finals football done and dusted, Giancarlo Italiano’s squad managed to secure a point at home against a soaring Wanderers outfit brimming with confidence. 

The Nix pulled ahead in a winning position not once, but twice, only to concede a last-gasp equaliser in what would have been difficult to see last season under a solid and resolute defensive structure. 

Nicolas Milanovic and Bozhidar Kraev found it too easy to string passes and slice open a shaky Wellington defence – a crucial part of their tactical identity in their incredible finals run last campaign. 

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, has Chiefy done enough to warrant an extension?

Christian Montegan

Western Sydney Wanderers

IF this match was a championship contender test… 

THEN they failed.

This might not have seemed like a must-win for the Wanderers given their six-match unbeaten run before facing Wellington, but in terms of title legitimacy, it was crucial. 

Unfortunately for Alen Stajcic and his side, a 2-2 draw away from home is two points dropped considering the horrific form of the Phoenix this season. 

With Auckland, Western United, and Melbourne City (all in the top-four) coming up in the next three weeks, it could be the beginning of an unwanted slump before the finals series. 

Could it be viewed with a glass half full approach? Perhaps. But if the Wanderers are serious about contending for the championship come season’s end, these are the types of fixtures they MUST win.  

Christian Montegan

Brisbane Roar

IF we really needed another reminder that Suncorp Stadium shouldn’t be a regular host of football…

THEN we got one.

After the confusing news around Perry Park in last week’s 2032 Delivery Plan from the Queensland Government, the Roar and other stakeholders were left in limbo as to exactly what the legacy impact for football would be from the Games.

There’s still more to be resolved, and hopefully the fact executive pair Kaz Patafta and Zac Anderson attended the Auckland game with the Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing, Tim Mander, means that positive discussions have taken place.

But, the cavernous stadium and horrible pitch conditions echoed again a similar sentiment that has been lingering over the Roar all season, that no one really wants to be there.

Get the Roar into Perry Park. Give them a quality pitch, intimate atmosphere and a home to be proud of. Do that, and you’ll see the first step toward the Roar returning as a powerhouse of the A-League.

Lachie Avil

Auckland FC

IF The Black Knights were impenetrable through the first phase of the season…

THEN They’re not quite that any more.

Seems odd to say after getting a clean sheet away from home and not losing a game since early January, but there’s just little points popping up here and there that could suggest they’re not locks for the Championship.

Of course, we have to keep this in perspective, they’ve only lost two games all season, and will likely host the Grand Final.

But draws to the Jets and Mariners (could also say ‘only’ 2-0 against Brisbane) leave just a little bit of doubt in their ability to close out games at the moment.

They will enter the finals series as favourites for good reason, and will probably be okay across two legs in a semi-final.

But, to do what the Wanderers couldn’t and back up their debut season Premiership with a Championship to boot, Steve Corica’s side will have to remain diligent in their processes for another two months yet.

Lachie Avil

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