FF Fantasy A-League (Classic League)

[Chelskiman]

A-League Fantasy Site (http://aleaguefantasy.foxsports.com.au/)
League Code: 141-87

Thought I'd set up a classic league for us to compete in.  If anyone wants to make a Head to Head league then they can set up another thread, or post in here, I don't mind.  Also, there's the option to add  Adam Peacock , Robbie Slater and Brenton Speed, but I won't add those guys yet until I get your thoughts.

Here's my first team.

[Capper]

i have joined and created a H2H league as well for people to join
League Code: 178-97

[Luigi197]

Awesome! :D
Will get around to making my team and joining the leagues very shortly.
I need to make sure though that I have perfected my team by this Wednesday as I won't have access to Internet until, wait for it, the 6th of October: Just one day after Lockout... So worst comes to worst I will use my wildcard early, but I will do my best to set up the best team as I can with whatever research I can access.

Be scared everyone, finished 21st overal last season, and aiming for a new personal best.
Bring it  8)

[Luigi197]

Alright here is everyone's first whiff of Luigi's Fantasy A-League team for the new season. Tear it apart, I dare you ;)

ITALIAN STALLIONS

$115,000 in the bank
Ryan
Sigmund, Cassio, Leijer
Broich(V), Flores, Burns, J Brown, Pellegrino
Del Piero(C), Garcia
(Hall, Gerdhart, Caira, Markelis)



This was made with just my existing knowledge of the a-league, its players, and the fantasy football game.

[Luigi197]

Also, i'd say have the Foxsports 'experts' in the Classic and not the H2H league, but currently it is the other way around.... :/

But not my choice ;D

[Capper]

Also, i'd say have the Foxsports 'experts' in the Classic and not the H2H league, but currently it is the other way around.... :/

But not my choice ;D

cant see where to remove them

[Luigi197]

Also, i'd say have the Foxsports 'experts' in the Classic and not the H2H league, but currently it is the other way around.... :/

But not my choice ;D

cant see where to remove them

ah well. i wouldn't know how to coz i'm not the admin. never mind.

[Chelskiman]

There's only three of us in the league, so if you didn't want the celebs in you could just delete the league and create a new one?

Also, made a couple of changes.

[reesbr]

Joined up  ;D

[McRooster]

I've joined Classic and H2H  8)

Luigi - you heard anything from Bluestorm?

[Luigi197]

Luigi - you heard anything from Bluestorm?

I actually haven't Mc :/

but btw ppl, i have prepared a massive  A-League preview made by me, analysing each squad. so stay tuned! :D

[Chelskiman]

Looking forward to it, Luigi!

[Luigi197]

It’s that time of the year again everyone! Only just less than 3 weeks until the Hyundai A-League for the 2012/13 season kicks off, and it is promised to be one of the most exciting ones yet! Despite rumours of 1 free to air A-League match on SBS every week, if you are lucky enough to own Foxtel, or are technology savvy enough to stream matches online, I highly recommend it! The playing field has become even more competitive, and with so many squads yearning to take the prize, it’s almost anyone’s title this year! Here are my personal reviews of each squad, noticing that that some of the info may be a bit bias, but mostly just judged by my knowledge of the game in Australia, with just a handful of research done. Firstly my 2012/13 season prediction.

My Predicted Ladder:
1.   CCM
2.   Brisbane
3.   Wellington
4.   Perth
5.   Sydney
6.   Heart
7.   Adelaide
8.   Victory
9.   Newcastle
10.   WSW

All teams are genuine contenders. I feel anything can happen, but Newcastle and WSW should be clearly at the bottom. The squad of Brisbane should keep them up there. Last year’s form of CCM, Wellington and Perth should also keep them in the competition for the title. Sydney’s new coach and revamped squad should help them keep up with similarly positioned Heart. However either of these teams could be taken over by AFC proven Adelaide, and re-made Victory. I wouldn’t say that any teams apart from Newcastle are under the pump this year as it is a very even playing field; so don’t expect significant manager changes.

Former Soccerroo John Aloisi has taken charge at the Heart camp. He is very focused on bringing up youth, as he has done previously while an assistant to the previous head coach John Van’t Schip. He has also brought in some overseas talent in Garcia, Tadic, Gerdhart and Vrankovic, along with a few other domestic signings to fill and strengthen the positions left by our experienced players moving on, and young starlets taking a further step in their career. Fred, Dugandzic, M Thompson, Germano, Behich and Colosimo are all raring to go for another A-League season.  They have also signed 2 former Gold Coast united players. As a member of the club 2nd year running, I am very excited to see how our team unfolds.

Cross town rivals Melbourne Victory have now spent a good half year under Ange Postecoglou: the man who coached Brisbane to 2 A-League titles in a row, and coached them to about 36 games unbeaten. Now at Victory, he promises a new and exciting Melbourne. He has already shipped out 6 30+ aged players, including Hernandez and Kewell, has brought in the exciting Marcos Flores who won the best player of the A-League season whilst playing with Adelaide, two years ago I think it was, along with some young talent from various countries around the globe, and one GCU signing. Archie Thompson and Allsopp are still around to get the ball into the net. Expect the unexpected.

The Central Coast Mariners are improving every season and are very serious contenders for the title this year. Most noticeably losing Simon half way through last season, their squad hasn’t changed much at all, although one GCU young guy, and former Basel, Lille and Perth Glory striker Mile Sterjovski all have come to join the likes of Ibini Sei, Kwasnik, McGlinchey, Zwaanswijk and young gun keeper Ryan.  A very exciting team to watch.

Now to the former premiers, Brisbane Roar who is managed by the father of the creative Adelaide midfielder, Rado Vidosic who has been tied with Brisbane since 2006. The squad itself hasn’t changed much, but the most noticeable change is losing Nakajima Farran and gaining Ben Halloran from GCU. The squad remains tight as ever with the A-League player of the season, Broich, still accompanied by Berisha, Henrique, Nichols, Paartalu and Franjic. The squad remains good but we’ll soon find out just how good or effective Ange Postecoglou was.

Now to Wellington Pheonix, who is another Dark Horse this year. More outs than ins to their squad, but the ins do consist of 3 overseas signings, the Gold Coast keeper, and former Newcastle Jets striker Brockie. Ifill, Sanchez, Bertos and Sigmund should enjoy another solid season. Exciting team to watch this one; another team who can contend with the best in Australia.

Now to last year’s runner’s up who were unlucky not to be given extra time to claim the A-League crown last season, Perth Glory. Its most noticeable squad losses were defender Neville and creative midfielder Andrezinho, but Thwaite has strengthened their already strong defence, while A-League experienced Ward, and former Heart young starlet Zahra have joined their midfield ranks. 2 GCU players gained in all. Smeltz, Mehmet, van den Brink, Dodd and almost their whole midfield are players to look out for. A similar season to that of last is expected.

Down at Sydney and the fans are buzzing of excitement! The Sky Blues have lost a few utility players from each position, but have spent their money well, doing more than enough to make up for those lost players, including no GCU players. Obviously Allesandro Del Piero has brought the A-League to a whole new level, and hasn’t even started playing. Joining him are 3 overseas recruitments, and a few more domestic signings. Ian Crook is also the new coach. The Del Piero and Emerton combination could prove to be deadly.

Now to Adelaide United, where there has been just a general swap around of players, including 2 GCU players, and no change in manager. Fresh from a very promising Asian Champions League campaign, Adelaide host a very young yet creative squad including Van Dijk, Vidosic, Djite, Carravella and Cassio. Adelaide will look to do better than what they did last season.

Now at Newcastle Jets there isn’t too much to get excited about: I’d be kind of worried. With 12 signings, 3 of which from GCU, 2 overseas, the rest are just recycled players from our local league. They’ve definitely lost a lot of their depth with Abbas, Brockie, Jeffers, Sung-Hwan and Topor Stanley all moving on. Let’s hope the coach has something different in mind this season, because the squad has changed a lot, and not particularly in a greatway.

Finally we reach the new team of the competition, Western Sydney Wanderers (WSW) sporting Red and Black jerseys. A fierce rivalry with Sydney FC should help them get excited about something, but otherwise the former Crystal Palace and Sydney FC coach Tony Popovic is effectively working from the ground up with this club. The signings include one player from Scotland, one from England, Aston Villa to be precise, and 2 GCU signings. Just to give a little glance, in goals they have both Covic and Tyson to choose from. In defence Topor Stanley, Beauchamp and Elrich create a solid enough of a wall. The midfield proves to be the weakest link with Cole and Mooy providing the only experience. They then have Bridge, Haliti and Minniecon to grab some goals. The rest of the squad is made up of young players signed from local leagues or institutes.

And there you have it! Luigi is very excited for the upcoming season, but is spewing over the timing of his own internet loss this year: I will have no internet from approximately the 19th of September to October the 6th, the 2-3 weeks just before the season starts, and one day after the opening Melbourne Derby.

But wait! I’m not done yet! Fantasy matters still await us! Yes, Fantasy A-League with Foxsports is back this season. All the same as last year, although now Vice Captains to choose, and a quite generous budget. http://aleaguefantasy.foxsports.com.au/ to sign up with 141-87 and 178-97 your codes to the FF Leagues.

We Are Football. Get excited!

[Chelskiman]

Slightly harsh on Victory I feel.  I reckon we'll make the finals, and we have a better squad than Adelaide and possibly Heart.  Last year we were way below par, but I like this new squad, and with Ange as the manager I think we can definitely make finals.  I'll make my predictions.

1. CCM
2. Brisbane
3. Perth
4. Wellington
5. Victory
6. Sydney
7. Heart
8. Adelaide
9. Newcastle
10. WSW

[Luigi197]

I reckon it will be an interesting battle to watch Sydney, Victory and Heart who have all gotten new coaches and have completely changed and updated their squads. Could go for anyone.
I want to say Adelaide will do well based on their better than average AFC campaign, but i just can't see them doing so with their squad.