A-League Crystal Ball 2013/2014

It's upon us. Finally. Tomorrow the Hyundai A-League kicks off with Sydney FC taking on Newcastle Jets in a blockbuster first round of football. What better way to make the final day of waiting go that little faster than with The Football Sack's third annual Crystal Ball predictions?

Each year we ask our writers to gaze into the future and predict the A-League season. Here is what they've come up with for 2013/2014.

Matt Greenlaw
Blames Wanderers fans when he forgets to pay the electricity bill.

Premiership: Brisbane Roar
Grand Final and Winner: Melbourne Victory def Brisbane Roar
Wooden Spoon: Sydney FC (my beloved)
Golden Boot: Del Piero will chuck a Kevin Philips and score 30
Player of the Year: Harry Kewell jokes Nick Carle
One to Watch: Tomi Juric
Headline we will see: A-League in 2 minutes YouTube segment claims several Logies
Headline we won't see: Jets actually liftoff, out of the stadium and towards London, Heathrow.


Jack Quigley 
Invested heavily in Gold Coast United before they went boom.

Premiership: Western Sydney 
Grand Final and Winner: Western Sydney beat Brisbane Roar
Wooden Spoon: Adelaide United

Golden Boot: Berisha
Player of the Year: Mitch Nichols (for Christian Layland) 
One to watch: Tom Juric 
Headline we will see: Newcastle Jets continue impressive run to the finals. 
Headline we wont see: Sydney FC fans turn up to game despite light rain. 


Matt Dorman 
Opened the door for Broich to join Roar, then quickly shut it before Kewell could get in. 

Premiership: Brisbane Roar
Grand Final and Winner: Melbourne Victory def. Brisbane Roar 2-1 (Berisha shown four red cards in GF)
Wooden Spoon: Sydney FC
Golden Boot: Kosta Barbarouses
Player of the Year: James Troisi
One to Watch: Luke Brattan
Headline we will see: Mulvey tips hat to Dorman faith
Headline we won't see: Sydney's possession plan pays off


Neil Sherwin
Ventures east across the desert on the Glory team bus. 

Premiership: Western Sydney Wanderers
Grand Final and Winner: Melbourne Victory
Wooden Spoon: Wellington Phoenix
Golden Boot: Besart Berisha
Player of the Year: Mark Milligan
One to Watch: Jamie Maclaren
Headline we will see: Heart rocked by Kewell injury blow
Headline we won't see: FFA, Vic Police u-turn - flares now provided on entry


Scott Condon
Puts hand up for every A-League coaching job following "You gotta be in it to win it" mantra.

Premiership: Western Sydney Wanderers
Grand Final and Winner: Melbourne Victory beat WSW at Stadium Australia in front of record crowd.
Wooden Spoon: Sydney FC
Golden Boot: Besart Berisha
Player of the Year: Mate Dugandzic
One to Watch: James Troisi (or Ljubo Milicevic)
Headline we will see: Farina sacked as ADP takes the reigns
Headline we won't see: Kosmina and Muscat joint managers at Victory as Postecoglou gets the Socceroos gig

Brad Hutchings 
Despite being a ginger supports the blue side of town. 

Premiership: Melbourne Victory
Grand Final and Winner: Brisbane defeat Melbourne Victory
Wooden Spoon: Perth Glory
Golden Boot: Besart Berisha
Player of the Year: Mark Milligan
One to Watch: Jamie Maclaren
Headline we will see: More A-League players in WC squad than ever as locals dominate A-League season
Headline we won't see: Emile Heskey standout year at Jets sees him force his way into England squad


Josh Bennett
Plays as Mason Bennett on FIFA, pretends it's himself. 
 
Premiership: Melbourne Victory  
Grand Final and Winner: Brisbane Roar
Wooden spoon: Perth Glory
Golden boot: Matt Simon
Player of the year: Liam Miller
One to watch: Daniel Da Silva
Headline we will see: Jets surprise with top four finish
Headline we won't see: Wanderers win back to back premierships


Michael Flynn
Shouts the phrase "In like Flynn" whenever he scores.  

Premiership: Brisbane Roar
Grand Final and Winner: Melbourne Heart (fairytale finals run after qualifying last on goal difference)
Wooden Spoon: Newcastle Jets
Golden Boot: Besart Berisha (20+)
Player of the Year: Harry Kewell
One to Watch: Josh South (sorry, plugging for our NPLQld graduate)
Headline we will see: FFA approves return of Fury in 2017
Headline we won't see: Bleiberg's stunning A-League comeback


Pete Nowakowski 
Travels the globe singing from the A-League songbook. 

Premiership: Adelaide United
Grand Final and Winner: Adelaide United
Wooden Spoon: Newcastle Jets
Golden Boot: Archie Thompson (14 goals)
Player of the year: Marcos Flores
One to watch: Corey Gamiero
Headline we will see: Sydney left on struggle street with Del Piero out
Headline we won't see: North Queensland Fury set to return to the A-League


Tom Moxey 
Most likely to hug someone if they're wearing red and black. 

Premiership: Western Sydney Wanderers
Grand Final and Winner: Newcastle Jets lose to Melbourne Victory
Wooden Spoon: Wellington Phoenix
Golden Boot: Kosta Barbarouses
Player of the Year: Gui Finkler
One to Watch: Tomi Juric
Headline we will see: John Aloisi only lasts three weeks
Headline we won't see: John Aloisi signs for Louis Vuitton 


Kyle Chandler
Once did a stand-up gig during halftime to his parents in his house.

Premiership: Melbourne Victory
Grand Final and Winner: WSW to beat MV on pens 7-6 in a purists 0-0 with Broxham missing decisive kick
Wooden Spoon: Jeremy Brockie FC
Golden Boot: Besart Berisha
Player of the Year: Mitch Nicols
One to Watch: Michael Mifsud
Headline we will see: Wellington Phoenix in goal-scoring crisis as Jeremy Brockie out with injury/suspension/sabbatical
Headline we won't see: Clive Palmer's Football Australia launches nationwide league to critical acclaim