A-League 24-25

[Wedgie]

First weekend kicks off on the weekend of October 18 (Mariners have a GF rematch with Victory at Gosford) but as this year will have byes thanks to Auckland coming in, Adelaide United's first game isn't till the 26th of October at home against the Mariners.
I'm panicking as I get home from an OS holiday that day at 4.15pm and haven't missed a Mariners game here for years.

[RB]

Might be tight, kick-off at 4.30.

[Wedgie]

Might be tight, kick-off at 4.30.

****

[RB]

In something that could only occur in Australian soccer, each team this year will play ten teams twice, and two teams thrice. Bizarre stuff and throwing in Unite Round, some teams have more home games than others.

Adelaide United is therefore playing three matches this season against Sydney (twice at home, once away), and Brisbane (once at home, once away, and once in neutral Sydney for Unite Round), and two matches against everyone else.

We've also bizarrely got the bye for both the first and last rounds.

Also annoyingly, Friday night home games are at 7.05 this year, and we have a Wednesday night home game at 7.00. Hard to get to Hindmarsh in advance of those times on Friday and a bit sh1t that the games will end before 9.00. Probably won't even be dark in summer.

[Wedgie]

Most of the triples are "derbies".
Mariners have Newcastle home, away and at Sydney in United Round so that works out well but we also play Perth three times which is stupid.
And I've conceded I won't be able to get to the game here so will have to make a few interstate trips.

[RB]

Also, Perth, Wellington, Brisbane, Macarthur and Newcastle are the teams robbed of a home game due to Unite Round being played entirely in Sydney.

Would've thought it should be Western Sydney and the Mariners, rather than Perth and Wellington, given their (especially Western Sydney) proximity to Moore Park.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Adelaide are rubbish

[mickey]

Their fans have a lot in common with crows supporters... all quiet until they're in front, can't tolerate opposition supporters, boo the refs/umps at any opportunity

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[Jim05]

Adelaide are rubbish

Flying under the radar it seems.
Sitting in second and yet to lose.
Shoestring budget but have a knack of unearthing kids

[Brodlach]

Carl Veart to depart AU at seasons end.

Can score goals but our defence has more holes than a spaghetti collider

[RB]

^my thoughts. For the most part, he got a fair bit from a squad one on of the lower budgets with spendthrift owners. However, this season in particular they have bled goals at a totally unacceptable rate.

[Jim05]

Club runs at far below the budgets of others meaning he has to find local kids or just honest battlers. He has done amazingly well with the youth and with what he has at his disposal but just not enough quality in the squad

[Brodlach]

I agree with both, has done a great job with what he has been given.

[RB]

Well, somehow Adelaide United are still hanging on to sixth spot heading into the final round. We are one point ahead of Sydney (but Sydney have superior GD) and have the bye, so require Melbourne City to defeat Sydney on Saturday in order for the Reds to qualify for the Finals. Sydney missed the chance to knock us out today. I don't think they'll start as favourites to beat City, but you'd have to say they're a decent chance of securing at least a draw. Thankfully for United, City are playing for second spot and have every incentive to win.

[Brodlach]

Stefan Mauk now gone from United. Their average age this year will be about 17 years old

[RB]

Last one out turn off the lights.