Football Season Guide

Back-to-back very bad campaigns for the A-League record champions. Finished in the penultimate spot last season. Only goal difference kept them above city rivals Wanderers. Scored just 18 goals in 20 games, the joint-worst attack. The consecutive poor campaigns saw coach Juric end his 9-year stay at the club. He resigned in late February. His long-serving assistant James Slaveski took over as a caretaker. In the summer it was confirmed that he will stay on permanent contract. Slaveski will have to find a new key figure in midfield as veteran Hawkesby left. Main goalie Hinz also departed. So did the team’s most reliable centre-back Ayson. Jada Whyman returns after taking a year off to have a child. She was the main goalie before that so she will take over from Hintz on goal. Kiley Dulaney has been signed to replace Ayton. Of course, the defence should get another boost. After missing almost the entire last season with an ACL tear captain Tobin should be ready to help now. Lack depth and class in midfield and attack. That said there are several players that are projected to become stars in this league. Despite their youth all of Hunter, Chessari, Indiana dos Santos and Cassar should see their use increase this season. It’s hard to see the squad being stronger compared to the last few years when Sydney where nowhere near the play-offs. Yet the arrival of a new manager and the potential development of the many young players could see the Sky Blues do slightly better.