Can the Champions do it all again? No!

Okay, all the Melbourne fans are going to give it to me..but...

Victory to miss out on a Grand Final spot this time....unless... read on.

Preview number 8. Melbourne Victory

Feel free to make your final four predictions with your Grand Final winner as well. Tomorrow I’ll list mine.


Today the final preview is on Melbourne Victory: The Champions last year, this year...hmmm don’t think so!


Ernie Merrick produced a terrific team last year. And they won the Grand Final 6-0 on that historic day in February when top scorer Archie Thompson scored 5!



Who could ever do that for Sydney FC in their current line-up?


But Merrick now has to back up. He has lost Fred, key defender Adrian Leijer and other peripheral players.


He has recruited superbly. Ljubo Milicevic returns to Australian football at the age of 26. Former Australian under 17 Captain Kaz Patafta comes on loan from Benfica. Carlos Hernandez, the Costa Rican international is here, and Joe Keenan and Matty Kemp add professionalism and quality to this new side. Not to mention the unknown Mr Love from Brazil via Japan.


Interestingly when you look at all the recruits for the various teams, it’s Victory’s which stand out for me. Experience, and good playing pedigree, with good clubs across the World. Even their young guy, Kaz Patafta, comes from Benfica!


It sounds good. But pre-season has been awful and rumours persist of a rift between Milicevic and main man Kevin Muscat.


Can Melbourne win again?


Unlikely. Everything went right for them last year.


But their home performances were surprisingly poor for a Champion team. Losses and draws were perhaps hidden behind the away form of Fred and his mates.


Fred is gone, and the style may suffer. Maybe Patafta will light the league, but surely he is too young to have a crucial impact, or is he?



Certainly Victory will be slower and that will help every team bar Melbourne.


I expect them to make the top four but no Grand Final repeat this time unless Archie and Allsopp keep up their goal scoring partnership.


Their forward line is the most dynamic in the league.


If they get the service, and that is not guaranteed without four goal assist in the Grand Final Fred, then perhaps a second Grand Final position awaits.


Whatever happens, the Victory fans will be in for an exciting time once again?



Or maybe it us who will be excited once again by the colour and passion of the beating heart of Australian football in side the Telstra Dome.


50,000 for Melbourne v Sydney? I’ve got my tickets already!


Prediction: Final four, but no Grand Final this time.


Players to watch: Archie Thompson, Kaz Patafta, Ljubo Milicevic, Kevin Muscat, Daniel Allsopp, Joe Keenan, Carlos Hernandez and Leandro Love because he’s Brazilian!