NOT only are Melbourne setting the benchmark on the field, they are setting it off the field, especially when it comes to setting the trends for recruiting.
After a disappointing first season, Melbourne set the benchmark for recruiting the following season with the signing of the "Trio from Rio". And whilst you could argue that all three didn't come off, they sure went a long way to both bringing the crowds in and secure our first Premiership/Championship double. We will always hold Fred close to our collective hearts.
Following that success almost every other team has made a foray into Latin America, all with varying success, with the exception being the Mariners, who have stuck to getting their overseas talent from the British Isles.
In Season Three in an attempt to replace the aforementioned Fred, Merrick and Co. looked a little further north and set their eyes on the little country that is Costa Rica, signing some guy who made an appearance in the 2006 World Cup. Two seasons on, Carlos Hernandez has well and truly entrenched himself as one of the stars of the A-League and a fans' favourite.
Whilst last season was a little quiet in terms of trendsetting this season has surely seen Victory return to the forefront with their dalliance with South East Asia.
When the signing of Thai international, Surat Sukha was announced many questioned as to whether he would be able to handle the perceived physicality of the A-League. Since making his debut off the bench against Brisbane Roar in Round Two, Sukha has been a permanent fixture in the starting XI, even though he is playing out of position at right full-back.
Technically very sound and comfortable on the ball, he rarely has put a foot wrong with the only blip being his performance against Sydney a few weeks back. But he certainly wasn't alone in the respect.
Obviously buoyed by the success of Sukha, Melbourne again surprised everyone with the signing of fellow Thai international, Sutee Suksomkit on a nine week guest stint. Most people would have expected Suksomkit to make an appearance off the bench in his first game, but Merrick again pulled a rabbit out of the hat and started him up front with Thompson on Saturday night against Adelaide. It definitely caught me off guard, and I reckon it also caught Aurelio Vidmar and his Adelaide team off guard as well.
And like Sukha, Suksomskit slotted easily in the starting line-up and caused many a headache for his opponents with his pace and skill. His presence of mind to set up Dugandzic for the opening goal more than justified the start. If we see more of the same, and maybe a few goals, it sure wouldn't surprise me to see make some sort of an ACL appearance next February.
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On a slightly different note I have been challenged by fellow blogger, Ben O'Neill to come up with best Melbourne Victory side of the first five years. To be honest it wasn't really that hard, so here it is:
Theoklitos
Kemp - Vargas - Muscat - Leijer
Celeski
Kitzbichler -- Hernandez -- Fred
Thompson - Allsopp
Neil often wonders if it possible to play Adelaide every week.
