The wait is almost over. On Friday night, the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season begins. Central Coast Mariners return as both Premiers and Champions and will gun for an unprecedented threepeat in 2024-25, but 12 teams stand in their path – including Isuzu UTE A-League newcomers Auckland FC. There’s a new club, new signings, four new coaches, young players to watch and so much more to get excited . The Isuzu UTE A-League Men season kick off on the weekend of 18-20 October, as Auckland FC embarks on their inaugural season in an expanded 13-team competition. The addition of a second New Zealand team will see the Isuzu UTE A-League Men season extended to 29 rounds with each club playing 24 home and away fixtures, plus two additional third-match up fixtures (Unite Round and one other match), plus three bye weeks. The bye placements within the full fixture have been prioritised for the two clubs participating in the AFC club competitions particularly where back-to-back continental match days occur, otherwise all other byes have been allocated at random while ensuring at least a four-match gap between each bye. The 2025 Finals Series will follow last season’s format with two Elimination Finals, with the two winners advancing to a two-legged Semi Final against the top two sides, with the winners qualifying for the Grand Final. The Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Finals Series will kick off on the weekend of 9-11 May with the Grand Final scheduled for the weekend of 31 May – 1 June.
Western Sydney Wanderers star Nicolas Milanovic (22) turned down a move to Europe to remain with his hometown club; his value could skyrocket after learning off World Cup winner Mata, so too the likes of Alex Badolato (19) and Oscar Priestman (21). Melbourne Victory’s midfield looks set to be anchored by Ryan Teague (22) and Jordi Valadon (21), while Nishan Velupillay (23) burst onto the national team scene with a debut goal for the Socceroos just last week. Adrian Segecic (20) is back at Sydney FC after a loan in the Netherlands, to play alongside fellow young guns Hayden Matthews (20), Jordan Courtney-Perkins (21), Jaiden Kucharski (22) and Corey Hollman (21) – oh, and a bloke called Douglas Costa, who could teach them a thing or two.
Brisbane Roar are unearthing a scintillating next gen led by teen striker Thomas Waddingham (19), who’s rapid emergence last term earned links with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, among other European clubs. Not to mention 17-year-old Lucas Herrington, who was dubbed by his coach ‘the best defender in Australia’ with the ‘highest ceiling’.Newcastle Jets have Mark Natta (21), Clayton Taylor (20) and Alex Nunes (17); Perth Glory have exciting attacking talents like of Abdelelah Faisal (18), Joel Anasmo (20) and Nathanael Blair (20) ready to emerge under the guidance of Socceroos legend David Zdrilic. Western United have been readying their next crop for a while now, headlined by Abel Walatee (20) and Matthew Grimaldi (20) – they even handed a senior contract to a 15-year-old Besian Kutleshi in the off-season. Finally at home in Tarneit, could John Aloisi lead them back up the standings?
Melbourne City could hand the keys to their attack to 19-year-old Max Caputo after the departure of all-time leading goal scorer Jamie Maclaren, while Adelaide United secured their future with some of the longest contracts in A-Leagues history handed to young guns Ethan Alagich (20), Panagiotis Kikianis (19) and Archie Goodwin (19), while the line could be led by Luka Jovanovic (19). And if you haven’t heard of Amlani Tatu (16), you may well soon.Central Coast Mariners will be on the hunt for an unprecedented three-peat; they may have lost a number of recognisable names, but Mark Jackson’s squad has been bolstered by the return of captain Trent Sainsbury, and you know the youngsters will get a crack. This season, it could be Arthur De Lima (17), Bailey Brandtman (19) or Miguel Di Pizio (18) who emerge; the latter has already scored the sealer in a Grand Final, no less. Then, there’s Auckland FC. The A-Leagues’ newest club ignites a new rivalry with Wellington Phoenix, but also brings another pathway to stardom for New Zealand’s youth, who until now only had one professional club to service a population of over five million. The Black Knights’ inaugural squad, led by the legendary Steve Corica, is headlined by Japan icon Hiroki Sakai, but he’ll have plenty of help from a legion of local talent including several All Whites and those who will no doubt be representing their country soon. Alex Paulsen’s return will undoubtedly be the main storyline leading into the first New Zealand Derby in Round 3, but there’ll be plenty of experience around him.
COACHES
Adelaide United: Carl Veart
Auckland FC: Steve Corica
Brisbane Roar: Ruben Zadkovich
Central Coast: Mark Jackson
Macarthur FC: Mile Sterjovski
Melbourne City: Aurelio Vidmar
Melbourne Victory: Patrick Kisnorbo
Newcastle Jets: Rob Stanton
Perth Glory: David Zdrilic
Sydney FC: Ufuk Talay
Wellington Phoenix: Giancarlo Italiano
Western Sydney Wanderers: Alen Stajcic
Western United: John Aloisi
CLUB PREVIEWS
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