This weekend, United plays its first competitive game in three weeks. Milicic, United's player-coach, is concerned about his team's lack of match practice and can't understand the fixture scheduling ahead of such an important game.

"The break my team gets, since winning the minor premiership, 21 days is a long layoff," the former Socceroo and Queensland Roar striker told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"And when you take into consideration for my last game of the season I left out a few players because of yellow cards and injuries, that's 28 days for some other players." 

Sydney United romped home winning the minor premiership by seven points ahead of second placed Marconi. Along the way, they played some controlled and attractive football under Milicic.

However, after the final round of the season, there were no games scheduled for United. The Tiger Turf Cup (won by the Sharks over Manly) was the only game played the week after the season ended. One week later, the finals kicked off with Sutherland triumphing over Marconi while Manly defeated Bankstown.

Now, the battle hardened Sharks face a United side which has seen little or no football over the last month. leaving Milicic perplexed by the schedule.

"I just can't understand how you become minor premiers and not play for 21 days," said the former Malaysian, Dutch and Croatian league striker.

United planned a friendly game last weekend but as Milicic, 35, notes, such games are never at the same intensity.

That issue aside, the league continues to be a shop window for second tier players looking to catch the eye of A-League scouts. Milicic pinpoints Bankstown's George Nohra as one who may be picked up, particularly given the planned two new clubs entering the A-League next season. 

"He's the most gifted all-round player in the league," added Milicic. 

The league is also a breeding ground for future A-League coaches and Milicic is clearly one to look out for after a standout first season as a player-coach.

"It's a really good place for me to learn and I'm working hard. Down the track, if I'm good enough, then maybe a few doors open but right now I'm focussing on learning," he said . 

"I'm not in a rush, I just want to learn as much as I can right now."