7. Musti-mania gets encore
We almost lost the charismatic, crazy-haired playmaker during a busy off-season of wheeling and dealing, but now that Mustafa Amini’s deal to Europe has been sorted out – he’s signed with German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund but loaned back this season to Central Coast – we can really enjoy his final A-League campaign after last season’s breakthrough year. And the red-headed Young Socceroo assured us of two things at Tuesday night’s Australian Football Awards: “I’m growing my hair back,” he said while showing us his new cropped look. “And I’ll be back from injury in three weeks”. And that’s just another reason to love A-League season seven.
Pic by Kevin Airs

6. The supporting cast of Australians
Dario Vidosic’s return in any regular off-season would have been much bigger news. But he slipped under the radar... Vidosic will have an outstanding season and is a fantastic get for the A-League and his new club Adelaide, as is Jon McKain. And Nick Carle’s is set to unleash his best season yet, deployed as a second striker with a licence to do what he does best. He will love having his good friend and former NSL teammate Emmo alongside him. Add to the mix Isaka Cernak and Adrian Leijer at Victory, David Williams at Heart, Danny Vukovic at Glory, Ante Covic at Victory and the fabulously talented Matty Ryan at Central Coast and that’s a stellar supporting cast of Aussies on the park.
Pic by Kevin Airs

5. Johnny Foreigners
This time last year no-one had heard of Marcos Flores and Thomas Broich. Luckily the German hasn’t been lured away like Flores and the Roar talisman remains the foreign star to watch this season. As does returning A-League superstar Fred – this time in the red and white kit of Heart. Glory’s new man Liam Miller has a great CV, and combining with Smeltz and another handy import Billy Mehmet could see Glory return to the promised land. Who knows, will one of Gold Coast’s varied visa players flower into A-League royalty? Is Maceo Rigters that man? Or what about Besart Berishas at Roar, Andrezinho in Perth, Dani Sanchez at Phoenix, the Jets’ Tiago Calvano or perhaps Evgeniy Levchenko at Adelaide United? Pic by Kevin Airs

4. Pimp my A-League kit
Now we actually look like a league! As superficial as it sounds, kits are important and this year the market’s been opened up for all clubs to be kitted out with sportswear companies of their choice. Victory’s Adidas home kit looks sharp while retaining the iconic Big V (though their away version is a tad loud), while Glory’s away kit is a smasher. The Jets have gone all Barcelona after the club’s takeover by Nathan Tinkler meant they had to tag along with the Newcastle Knights’ NRL shirt design. Phoenix’s home kit is mint while Sydney away is sharp. One fan at Heart even got to design the club’s third kit, which looks pretty good too. All in all, it’s a massive makeover and not before time.

3. Media coverage
Bozza’s insane laugh hides a fantastic analytical mind. He’s back with the Fox Sports crew who have some new faces and new innovations. But returning to our subscription TV screens are some familiar faces: telegenic presenters Mel McLaughlan and Lara Pitt add a splash of glam, the popular Mark Rudan has been a great addition, while the reliable Robbie Slater and the always watchable Simon Hill and Adam Peacock round out a pretty strong line-up. And with SBS continuing to promote the league on free-to-air and the digital platforms remain strong, it’s a great time to be a fan.
Pic by Aidan Ormomd

2. Parklife
It is, let’s be honest, the truest indicator of where we’re at is what we see on the park. Last season was the best yet. This one you sense will be even better. Why? Well, on paper virtually all squads have strengthened but also there’s a growing awareness of the type of import who can add to the league. It’ll be faster, more technical and tactical than ever before. As one A-League star said this week, “there are no easy games anywhere in this league”.
Pic by Getty Images

1. We Are Football campaign
After the downer of the farcical World Cup bidding process and the outrageously long off season, it’s been a tough time for the game as a whole – but it’s hit back. On the back of a stunning A-League grand final llast March the FFA have rightly tried to wrap their arms around the 2.5m estimated in the football family. Now there is a unified feel to the game demonstrated by Tuesday’s innovative season launch. And another World Cup qualification just adds to the buzz as the We are Football theme resonates across Australia. It's not all perfect but we're heading very much in the right direction.

It’s official, we’re excited.See you at an A-League ground.
Pic by Getty Images