Melbourne Heart

Manager: John van’t Schip
Last Season: 8th

Ins: Maycon (Nova Iguacu), Fred (DC United), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Victory), David Williams (North Queensland Fury), Jonathan Germano (Sportivo Luqueno)

Outs: John Aloisi (retired), Dean Heffernan (Liaoning Whowin), Josip Skoko (retired), Gerald Sibon (Heerenveen), Michael Beauchamp (Sydney FC).

Melbourne Heart drew many admirers with their style of play in the club's inaugural A-League season and recent signings indicated they are looking to do more of the same. John van’t Schip has managed to not only sign former Victory hero, Fred but he also managed to persuade Mate Dugandzic to join the red of Melbourne after spending two seasons with the blue of Melbourne. The signing of Fred ensures fans that Melbourne Heart will continue to play with the same patience and flair that graced the league last season. Heart has further boosted their stocks with the capture of talented forward David Williams from the now defunct North Queensland Fury. The club has lost a number of experienced players but is confident their range of young talent can take the club forward. Brisbane has proved that a certain style of football can win titles but can  Melbourne Heart follow in Roar’s footsteps?

 
Melbourne Victory

Manager: Mehmet Durakovic
Last Season: 5th

Ins: Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Isaka Cernak (North Queensland Fury), Jean-Carlos Solórzano (loan Alajuelense via Brisbane Roar), Marco Rojas (Wellington Phoenix), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Fabio Alves Macedo (Volta Redonda), Lawrence Thomas (Sheffield United).

Outs: Ricardinho (Loan to Parana), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart), Surat Sukha (Buriram), Marvin Angulo (CS Herediano), Sebastian Mattei (Released), Geoff Kellaway (Released), Evan Berger (Perth Glory), Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Kevin Muscat (Retired), Michael Petkovic (Retired).

Melbourne have arguably pulled of the greatest signing in A-League history, signing Socceroo Harry Kewell. The former Galatasaray attacker returns to Australia hoping to regain his place in Holger Osieck’s Socceroo’s side. It has been a frantic few months for Melbourne Victory. Not only were Victory able to secure the much-Kewell, they have also been able to capture the likes of young gun Marco Rojas and championship winning striker, Jean-Carlos Solorzano from Brisbane Roar. Victory head into the new campaign without two-time championship winning coach, Ernie Merrick. Former National Youth League boss Mehmet Durakovic was appointed manager after Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign and the initial signs indicate he will have no trouble handling the step up to senior management. Melbourne Victory are blessed with an array of attacking talent but accommodating these players looks set to be Mehmet’s toughest job.

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