It’s been a logistical nightmare as coronavirus restrictions wreaked havoc with some travel plans. But Melbourne’s A-League clubs are set to fly to NSW on Friday, with the A-League hub kicking-off a week later.
As we’ve seen over a hectic few days, Victorian border restrictions due to coronavirus issues threw travel plans into chaos for A-League clubs Victory, City, and Western.
And there are reports that those A-League clubs will be sleeping in bunk beds at a Sydney sports academy for the duration of this A-League hub.
The off-field narrative has been a big story for A-League fans.
CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE HERE
A week out from this A-League hub to complete season 2019/20, and after all the drama who knows what will happen on the pitch?
But with the race for the last finals spots still open, it should be fascinating viewing.
Here’s your guide to each A-League club.
ADELAIDE UNITED
CHECK OUT ADELAIDE UNITED'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
Interim head coach Carl Veart will guide United (he replaced Dutchman Gertjan Verbeek who has remained in Europe due to the coronavirus).
With United set to announce a new A-League head coach who’ll take over after the hub, it’ll be fascinating to see how the Reds play under the former Socceroo striker, who was an assistant under Verbeek.
The good news is keeper Paul Izzo returning after a car accident in mid-June, but reserve keeper Isaac Richards has traded A-League for MMA.
After three weeks of pre-season, the club played a second internal friendly on July 7 and according to reports it was a step up in intensity, said Reds player Ben Halloran this week.
“Our first game will be a bit of a shock to everyone,” the former Socceroo said when asked about fitness levels.
That first A-League game will be on the Gold Coast against Brisbane Roar on July 19.
Exciting 20-year-old Al Hassan Toure will also be available for selection following an injury layoff after suffering a stress fracture with the Olyroos.
BRISBANE ROAR
CHECK OUT ROAR'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
Another club with an interim head coach.
In Roar’s case, it’s Darren Davies. He’s taken over from legendary player turned manager Robbie Fowler.
Fowler returned to the UK during the coronavirus situation and won’t be continuing with the Queensland A-League club. He's said to be in the running for the Birmingham City job.
Like the Reds, it’ll be fascinating to see any change in style under their new interim boss, who is a former Victory assistant coach.
Davies will be assisted by Warren Moon, a former Roar player.
The clash with the Reds will be key on July 19 will be huge.
Both sides are right in the mix for a finals finish with Roar in fourth and Reds equal sixth.
Earlier this week, Roar faced Gold Coast Knights in a friendly.
The A-League club had exciting striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls (2) and defender Corey Brown on the scoresheet against a Knights side that featured former Roar man Mitch Nichols.
Following their Gold Coast clash, Roar plays three games in Sydney.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
CHECK OUT THE MARINERS' OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE HERE
Alen Stajcic’s men will have a distinct advantage by playing at least three out of their four remaining A-League games on their Gosford home turf.
Though out of the race for finals football, the Yellow and Blue will see these four games as a way to salvage some pride in the A-League.
Seven points off second-bottom Victory, the aim will be to win all four games and finish above Victory.
It’s that simple.
With that in mind, the Mariners’ game on August 3 (venue TBC) is against Victory. Could it be an A-League wooden-spoon decider?
MELBOURNE VICTORY
CHECK OUT VICTORY'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
With little chance of finals football, Victory is in an unaccustomed second-bottom position.
And with this week's fiasco around flights and exemptions, interim coach Grant Brebner will have a job motivating his side.
But this is the biggest club in the country according to many judges.
And with Rojas, Nabbout, and Kruse, there’s huge quality going forward (even without the departed Ola Toivonen).
For sure, intensity and pride will be instilled into Victory by Scottish-born Brebner, one of the club's heroes from years gone past in the A-League.
What they don’t want is to finish with a wooden spoon.
While seven points clear of Central Coast, Victory will be desperate to show some fight and salvage a little pride before the rebuild under a new coach following this A-League hub.
Victory’s clash with Mariners should be one to watch on August 3.
Victory open their A-League hub with a “Melbourne Derby” against Western on July 16.
MELBOURNE CITY
CHECK OUT CITY'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
Like Phoenix, City looms as Sydney FC’s biggest rivals for the A-League championship (the Premiership is Sydney's for sure).
Sitting second on the A-League ladder with 12 wins to date, Erick Mombaerts’ side has found that missing ingredient from years gone by and have some brilliant import talents.
Luna, Noone, Susaeta, and Berenguer have sheer class and talent, giving City a fluid edge going forward.
Add the immense drive of defender Scott Jamieson, and this is a Melbourne City that’s a joy to watch, and with enough will to get them through tough times in games.
Their clash with Sydney FC on Aug 1 will be sensational and a potential harbinger of the A-League hub Grand Final.
NEWCASTLE JETS
CHECK OUT JETS' OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
Watch out for former Sydney FC pair Bernie Ibini and Dimi Petratos upfront.
But Wes Hoolahan returned to the UK for personal reasons and won’t be back for the hub, however, talks are on-going regarding a return to Newcastle for next season.
Keeper Glen Moss has retired and Kaine Shepherd has departed the club.
PERTH GLORY
CHECK OUT GLORY'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE HERE
Glory, fifth on the ladder, face the bottom-place Mariners in Gosford in the club's first A-League hub game.
Then it’s down to Sydney for the remaining games for Tony Popovic’s men.
The pick of these being a meeting with finals rivals Phoenix on 23 July and the Reds a week later.
As for the AFC Champions League, it’s still unclear what happens with Glory’s games.
In good news, BHP has continued their sponsorship of the club.
SYDNEY FC
CHECK OUT SYDNEY FC'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
On paper, the league leaders should cruise through their last few games before the A-League finals series.
But who knows?
A couple of in-house games and a friendly with Central Coast today rounds out Steve Corica’s preparations.
Their first A-League hub game is a massive clash with the dangerous Wellington Phoenix (coached by former Sky Blue assistant Ufuk Talay).
Corica says depth in his squad will be key in managing what is set to be a tough six weeks where they’ll play at BankWest, ANZ, Netstata stadia (with two further games a TBC on the venues).
Four days after Wellington is Newcastle Jets with games coming thick and fast.
Their clash with potential A-League grand final rivals Melbourne City on Aug 1 should be a ripper.
However, given their home advantage with this hub, Sydney FC is favorites to retain their A-League championship.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
CHECK OUT PHOENIX'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
You’ve got to feel for Phoenix.
Coronavirus has hurt them the most in terms of travel and preparations since it first wreaked havoc on the A-League.
But, as always, the Kiwi club just got on with it.
Phoenix has been in Sydney following a 14-day quarantine period, and the players are training well at Valentine Sports Park, from all reports.
The majority of the Phoenix squad has been living and training in an isolation facility in NSW for a fortnight, with strikers Davila and Hooper – who traveled to Australia from Mexico and the UK respectively – being in a separate hotel for their isolation.
You sense unity and belief is even stronger in this group.
An A-League Grand Final is definitely not out of reach.
Six games of which four are against finals rivals over a crazy 23 days before the A-League finals series.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
CHECK OUT WSW'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
Finals football is still possible. It’s one of the fascinating sub-texts to this A-League hub.
Wanderers are eighth on the ladder but just a point behind sixth-placed Western Utd.
If Victory can do WSW a favor on July 16 against Western, Wanderers could sneak into the A-League playoffs if they can defeat Victory six days later at BankWest.
There’s plenty of talent in the red and black ranks lead by Socceroo defenders Dylan McGowan and Matt Jurman with national team striker and captain Mitch Duke upfront.
Englishman Simon Cox is also back in the group after his quarantine, though the A-Leauge powerhouse has lost keeper Daniel Lopar.
The Swiss recently returned to Europe due to personal reasons but will return for next season's A-League.
WESTERN UNITED
CHECK OUT WESTERN'S OFFICIAL A-LEAGUE SITE
How unlucky were Mark Rudan’s men?
Two smashing victories (5-2 over Central Coast and an eye-catching 5-1 in Adelaide) re-energized their faltering A-League finals push.
These, sadly, were their final matches before the A-League was put on hold last March due to the escalating coronavirus situation.
All that momentum suddenly washed away.
But in a huge boost for the Green and Black, Italian talisman Alessandro Diamanti re-signed for the A-League club during the hub off-season.
United is in a battle to hold onto a place in six with the Reds and Wanderers breathing down their necks.
That said, like City and Victory, how will this week's travel confusion affect their preparations?
That is the question.
They’ll start their A-League hub with two “Melbourne Derbies” against Victory then City.
Related Articles
Socceroo-in-waiting seals Championship deal
Fringe Socceroo swerves A-League to remain in Europe after Fulham exit
