Blog

Position: 2nd
(defeated Perth 2-1 in the Grand Final)

Change in position from 2010/11: ↓ 1

Win-draw-loss record: 14-7-6
(50 goals scored, 28 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Besart Berisha (21)

Average attendance: 15,963

Looking to become the first club to successfully defend their A-League championship, the Roar’s pre-season got off to a shaky start, losing captain Matt McKay and striker Kosta Barbarouses to overseas clubs. Undeterred, manager Ange Postecogolou brought in Canadian midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran and Albanian striker Besart Berisha to plug the holes left by those departing players. And from week 1 of the 2011/12 season, it looked like nothing had changed at the Roar, as they went undefeated through the first eight weeks of the competition to set a new Australian domestic sporting record, with 36 games unbeaten on the trot.

But, from there, the Roar stuttered, losing the next 5 league games and managing to score just two goals in the process. Fortunately for their fans, it was just a small stutter, with the Roar losing just … Continue Reading

Position: 1st
(knocked out of the finals by Perth 1-1 (5-3 on penalties))

Change in position from 2010/11: ↑ 1

Win-draw-loss record: 15-6-6
(40 goals scored, 24 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Bernie Ibini-Isei, Matt Simon and Patrick Zwaanswijk (7)

Average attendance: 9,505

2011/12 was another fruitful and successful season for the Central Coast Mariners, going on to win their second premiership plate in club history. Behind the guidance of coach Graham Arnold, the Mariners were just as good as they were in 2010/11, going one step further and beating out Brisbane Roar in a tight race for top spot on the standings table.

Coming into this season, Arnold had retained the core of the team that heartbreakingly lost in a thrilling grand final the previous season. The defensive trio of Ryan, Wilkinson and Zwaasnwijk were back, as were the two full backs Rose and Bojic. A few new players were brought in to strengthen the squad, with Bernie Ibini being promoted from the youth team, Adriano Pellegrino being … Continue Reading

Position: 4th
(knocked out of the finals by Perth 3-2)

Change in position from 2010/11: ↑ 2

Win-draw-loss record: 12-4-11
(34 goals scored, 32 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Paul Ifill (8)

Average attendance: 8,780

Off the park, the Wellington Phoenix’s 2011/12 season couldn’t have got off to a worse start. Owner Terry Serepisos was forced to sell the club due to financial issues, new owners stepped in just weeks before the season kicked off, and the playing squad was barely reaching the minimum required size with a matter of days before their season opener against Gold Coast United. A pre-season knee injury to new signing Lucas Pantelis exacerbated the squad issue, with the former Adelaide midfielder confirming he was to miss the entire season. However, the last minute signings of American midfidler Alex Smith and ex-Phoenix player Nick Ward pushed the squad up to the acceptable size, just in time for the season to begin.

On the park, and the Nix’s season didn’t get off to a … Continue Reading

Position: 6th
(knocked out of the finals by Perth 3-0)

Change in position from 2010/11: ↑ 2

Win-draw-loss record: 9-10-8
(35 goals scored, 34 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Eli Babalj (9)

Average attendance: 9,082

With the aim of making the A-League finals for the first time in their short history, the Heart began their pre-season in subdued fashion, taking a back seat to the Harry Kewell saga that was taking place across town. The signing of Fred was the Heart’s biggest drawcard going into the 2011/12 season, with attack-minded players like Germano, Maycon and Williams brought in to shore up a forward structure that had lost Aloisi, Skoko and Sibon from the previous season. With youngster Mate Dugandzic signing from cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory, and former Victory championship player Fred being handed the captain’s armband, there was a storm of anticipation hanging over a city desperately waiting for week 1 of the 2011/12 season to start.

Once the season proper kicked off, however, it was anything but smooth sailing … Continue Reading

Position: 5th
(knocked out of the finals by Wellington 3-2)

Change in position from 2010/11: ↑ 4

Win-draw-loss record: 10-8-9
(37 goals scored, 42 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Bruno Cazarine (8)

Average attendance: 11,861

After a disappointing 2010/11 season that saw Sydney FC finish outside a finals place, and was marked by average attendances plummeting to a new club low, the 2011/12 pre-season saw renewed vigour and optimism surround the club, with the appointment of new CEO Dirk Melton and the major off-season marquee signing of Socceroo Brett Emerton. Emerton was hailed as a coup not just for Sydney FC, but along with Melbourne Victory’s capture of Harry Kewell, for the A-League in general.

Experienced Dutch central defender Pascal Bosschaart was brought in to shore up Sydney FC’s previously shaky defence, and was partnered with another new recruit in Socceroo Michael Beauchamp in Sydney’s new look defensive line up. The season started well for the Sky Blues, with an opening round draw to fierce rivals Melbourne Victory followed by a … Continue Reading

Position: 7th

Change in position from 2010/11: No change

Win-draw-loss record: 10-5-12
(38 goals scored, 41 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Jeremy Brockie (9), Ryan Griffiths (9)

Average attendance: 12,117

With the new owner Nathan Tinkler in place and an impressive pre-season, there were high hopes and much optimism for the future of the Newcastle Jets, but the season started like so many others; in turmoil. Just days before the season kicked off, coach Branko Culina was ousted and the lauded signing of his son Jason left in tatters as the new Jets owner swung the axe to leave the club in disarray. In the form of previous coach Gary van Egmond, the prodigal son returned. Much to the delight of the majority of fans, the man known as ‘Dutchie’ did a complete U-turn and returned to the club.

Despite the pre-season confusion the team started positively with a win over Melbourne Heart but their form lacked consistency. Just when they looked like growing into genuine top four material, they … Continue Reading

Position: 8th

Change in position from 2010/11: ↓ 3

Win-draw-loss record: 6-11-10
(35 goals scored, 43 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Carlos Hernandez (10)

Average attendance: 19,208

With all the pre-season hype surrounding the Victory, with Harry Kewell’s arrival and the formation of a ‘deadly’ forward structure, it’s fair to say that Victory fans’ hopes were high leading into week 1 against Sydney FC. But looking back, it was an underwhelming and unacceptable season from the biggest drawing club in the league. Since the departure of Ernie Merrick during last season’s Asian Champions League, Melbourne have headed downhill. Onto the third full-time manager in the space of a year, the Victory finished the season in 8th place, far below the expectations that the public and the media placed on them before the season started.

35 goals from such a potent and deep forward list ranked 7th among A-League teams for goals scored. 43 goals put the Victory ranked 2nd worst for goals conceded. And without … Continue Reading

Position: 9th

Change in position from 2010/11: ↓ 6

Win-draw-loss record: 5-10-12
(26 goals scored, 44 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Sergio van Dijk (8)

Average attendance: 8,829

It was a tumultuous season for Adelaide United in 2011/12, with the sacking of Rini Coolen mid-way through the season after a less than stellar start that yielded only 2 wins from the opening 11 games. Hopes were high pre-season with the signings of Socceroos Jon McKain and Dario Vidosic, and the return of Bruce Djite to Hindmarsh Stadium. However, the season didn’t start as planned. Adelaide scored only 8 goals and conceded 21 in the 11 games Coolen managed before his eventual sacking. Management and the fans weren’t happy with the formation being fielded by Rini, as it was neither producing results at the pointy end of the field nor was it keeping the opposition out at the other. The arrival of former manager John Kosmina to take over the reigns brought a new captain (Eugene Galekovic), … Continue Reading

Position: 10th

Change in position from 2010/11: ↓ 6

Win-draw-loss record: 4-9-14
(30 goals scored, 42 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: James Brown (6)

Average attendance: 3,438

Gold Coast in 2011/12 was a club riddled with problems, very few of which were on-field problems. Turmoil in the front-office led to the eventual removal of the club’s licence from the existing owners, and it’s hard to see how this couldn’t have had an effect on the on-field performance of the club. Players uncertain of their future, only one player on a contract beyond the current season – this doesn’t make for a positive footballing environment. However, the one word that sums up Gold Coast’s season is ‘promising’.

Before the season started, it was clear the focus at Gold Coast was going to be on youth. Glen Moss, Peter Jungschlager, Michael Thwaite, Kristian Rees and Paul Beekmans were to be the older spine of a team surrounded by exciting young talent and prospects. In the end, it’s fair … Continue Reading