Sasho Petrovski, Matt Simon and Dylan MacAllister have each scored twice in the opening three A-League games of the season and McKinna is a very happy man.

McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com: “We’ve only just started the season but to see three of your players up there (in the this season's leading scorers chart) with a couple of goals so early on is very encouraging.

“It’s a massive plus when you have a squad where the guys are capable of spreading the goals between them. It means you have options and that’s what you want as a coach.”

Petrovski has long been banging the ball in the back of the net but it is Simon’s early season impact that has really brought a big smile to McKinna’s face.

He said: “I think tucking away that first goal in the match against Newcastle Jets was a big moment for him. He followed that up with a tremendous goal from a tough angle against Queensland Roar.

“We’ve shown belief in him and you can see now that Matty is believing in himself.

"Before he’d managed to get off the mark I’d spoken to him about the goals situation and told him that once the first one went in he’d start to relax and benefit as a result. I think you’re starting to see that.

“You can see the confidence growing in him and that’s great. Having all your strikers among the goals at this stage not only helps you as a team but hopefully gives them all the confidence to go on and build on it.”