16/10/2023【Feature】Emile Heskey: AD1 analysis

Emile Heskey played for Leicester, Liverpool and Aston Villa in Premier League. And he also had a spell in AD1, playing for Newcastle Jets for two seasons.

Heskey: Melbourne City the team to beat

I’m looking forward to another exciting and competitive A-League season where hopefully several teams can challenge for the title.

Right now, much of the focus in Asia is on the Saudi Pro League because not only are they signing stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, or ones in the latter years of their careers, they’re also getting players in their prime.

Japan’s league is also strong – very technical local players and some good foreigners, so it’s extremely competitive. Like in Japan, the Korean league also produces quality youngsters who go on to sign for European clubs.

And that’s where I see similarities with Australia. Of course, they can’t compete financially with the Saudis, but the A-League produces promising young stars and I’m sure we’ll see more this season.

Defending Premiers start as favourites

Melbourne City have only won the Grand Final once in the past three seasons but they’ve finished top of the league each time and, for me, they’re the strongest team.

Jamie Maclaren is the league’s best striker, having won the Golden Boot four years in a row. And the signing of German Tolgay Arslan from Udinese will make City even better going forward because he’s a ball-playing midfielder who’ll look to pick out Maclaren’s runs.

Other new signings include left-back Aziz Behich and attacking midfielder Hamza Sakhi, while winger Mathew Leckie has so much quality, so overall City look very good.

I’d love Melbourne Victory to challenge their city rivals because the Melbourne derby is a fantastic occasion. They finished second bottom last season, but Tony Popovic is an excellent manager and I can see him taking them in the right direction.

Daniel Arzani is an interesting signing. He had bags of potential and hasn’t quite fulfilled it, but perhaps Popovic can help him. Mid-table is most likely, but a well-managed team can go far – just look at Ange Postecoglou at Spurs – so look out for Victory.

The third Melbourne team, Western Utd, won the Grand Final two years ago, but struggled last season. They need more goals, and Nikita Rukavytsya and Daniel Penha add quality going forward, but I think a top-six finish would be a good season.

Sydney FC lead the chasing pack

I regard Sydney FC, who recently won the Australia Cup, as City’s closest challengers. They’ve lost their main striker Adam Le Fondre, but Joe Lolley can become the main man. He won’t score as many goals, but he should get double figures and plenty of assists.

Jack Rodwell can also be key. He has amazing ability and is one of the league’s best players, but he needs to avoid injuries. Whether played in defence or midfield, he can help Sydney have a great season – if fit!

Western Sydney Wanderers reached the playoffs last season, and they’ll look to build on that. My former Newcastle Jets teammate Joshua Brillante and ex-PSV Eindhoven player Jorrit Hendrix are fantastic signings who add steel to the midfield and will make them tough to break down.

Up front, I see Brandon Borrello being the main source of goals. If he hits form, and Brillante and Hendrix boss the midfield, it could be a strong season. The Western Sydney crowd can also be key; in my days they were the loudest in the league, and that’s a massive advantage. 

My hopes aren’t as high for the third Sydney side, Macarthur FC. They won the Australia Cup last season, but things went downhill quickly. Can they improve? Well, they finished bottom, so the only way is up – and the signing of French forward Valere Germain could be a good one – but it’s mid-table at best.

Mariners, Adelaide to have tougher campaigns

Last season’s Grand Final winners Central Coast Mariners have lost their main striker, Jason Cummings. He’ll be impossible to replace but Alou Kuol has returned to the club after finding life difficult in Germany. Marco Tulio can contribute goals and assists and Colombian Angel Torres is an interesting signing, but I think top six is the most realistic target.

With my mate Craig Goodwin moving to Saudi Arabia, Adelaide Utd have been significantly weakened. New signing Ryan Tunnicliffe is good at keeping the ball moving in midfield, while I’m looking forward to seeing how 17-year-old Nestory Irankunda performs after scoring some great goals last season.

Oskar Zawada had an incredible debut campaign for Wellington Phoenix, scoring 15 goals. He’s dangerous from all areas – running in behind the defence, getting on the end of crosses, in the air – so I expect even more goals this season. And away trips to New Zealand are tricky, so if Zawada is on form, Phoenix can do well.

Perth Glory are another team hoping their star striker will fire them into the top six. My former teammate Adam Taggart is instinctive in the box, has a great first touch, and is capable of scoring plenty of goals.

Brisbane Roar’s main problem last season was scoring goals and I don’t see that changing. They’re not bad defensively, but need more spark up front. Eighteen-year-old Thomas Waddingham, who scored four goals in Brisbane’s run to the recent Australia Cup final, is my one to watch.

And finally, my old side Newcastle Jets. They can’t compete financially which makes life tough. I’d love them to make the top six, but top scorer Beka Mikeltadze and Jaushua Sotirio have left so they seem weaker and, sadly, it’s going to be another difficult campaign.