[FM14] Doing It Down Under! v2.0

Ziechael Yeah it's a kick in the teeth but hopefully the next crop of stars at the club can carry us further next season

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The Hyundai A-League has drawn to a close once more, and after 7 months of gruelling contests, a premier and a champion have emerged as the pinnacle of Australian football. It's time to celebrate the journey that brought us here, and who it threw up.

League Table

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The goalscoring masters in Newcastle steamrolled their way to the premiership, narrowly pipping Adelaide. Meanwhile, the Mariners were red-hot favourites at the halfway mark but then suffered a devastating defensive capitulation, conceding 2 to 3 goals per game for the remainder of the season including three 6-1 losses.

The Finals

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The first week of finals saw the Mariners get thrashed 6-1 by defending champs Phoenix, whilst the other elimination final was far closer, taking Victory 94 minutes to defeat a resilient 10 man Sydney FC. The Melbourne side were defeated closely themselves in a penalty shootout against arch rivals Adelaide United, whilst the Jets put 4 past Wellington courtesy of a M'Haidat hat trick- his first goals of his career. Premiers Newcastle and Adelaide United faced off in the final, which was won by the latter in a thrilling 2 goal comeback finishing 3-2.

The Premiers

Newcastle United Jets

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Emerging as one of the powerhouses of the A-League, the young Jets squad hit their peak this season and took the league by storm, scoring 48 goals in the process. The Jets now celebrate their first regular season win since their conception.

The Champions

Adelaide United

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Although they finished 2nd in the regular season, the Reds still had a point to prove in the finals and after a shaky semi final penalty win over Melbourne Victory, they managed to come from behind and beat the Jets 3-2 in the final to become champions of the A-League.

The Legend

Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets)

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The young striker has finally shrugged off his choking label in a fantastic breakout season, which saw him score 19 goals and become one of the A-League's most lucrative players. Taggart, at just 23, still has his best football ahead of him but he will always remember this season, the season he won the Johnny Warren Medal.

The Finisher

Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners)

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The mercurial poacher is now a household name in the A-League after his 20 goal season, bringing him up to 51 goals in 3 years and a phenomenal 87 in his career, ranking him with the greats such as van Dijk, Smeltz and Thompson. 20 goals this year was enough to pip young Adam Taggart by 2 goals to win the Golden Boot.

The Rising Star

Awer Mabil (Adelaide United)

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The young Kenyan born winger became a regular for the Reds this season, playing 26 games and booting 6 goals. The 20 year old is known for his amazing dribbling and flair and is sure to blossom after this breakout season.

The Brick Wall

Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)

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One of the icons of the Reds, captain Eugene Galekovic put in another sterling season between the sticks at 34 and takes out his record 4th Goalkeeper of the Year award, beating the record he once shared with Michael Theo.

The Mastermind

Gary Cole(Newcastle Jets)

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After replacing Sean-Paul Lodovico at the Jets, Cole had one of the most promising squads in the A-League and used it to full effect as they won the league comprehensively. He may have had a great squad, but it takes a great manager to utilise it and he deservedly won Manager of the Year.

The XI

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The team of the season was reasonably predictable, but the major conundrum was the position of striker. Taggart edged Simon in the end, whilst William Gallas finally lived up to his reputation and made the team.

Another season of the A-League has drawn to a close, and now the managers must find new ways to win the Grand Final, to take home the champion's plate. Will the youthful Jets continue their dominance, or will a newcomer upstage the monopoly of Newcastle, Adelaide and Wellington? We'll just have to wait and see.

Great update, as per usual!

Is that Willy Gallas I see?

You wanted spam?

Honestly disgusting. You want me to spam you to get to 500. Horrifying.

By the way congrats

Tallery Cheers mate

Justice Yes he's somehow still performing at 38

Alex (x3) Thanks.....I think.....

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It's time to honour our best players in the season 2015/16

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My first season at the helm of Sydney FC has drawn to a close, and after a disappointing finals exit it's time to look back and congratulate our stars. Here's the list of awards.

Fan’s Player of the Year

Fan’s Best Eleven

Signing of the Year

Golden Raspberry (Worst Player of the Year)

Golden Boot

Rising Star Award

Development Award

Bronze Award

Emile Heskey Award (Player of the Year runner up)

Golden Award (Manager's Player of the Year)

Let's get into it!

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What an absolute legend! Da beast himself was signed the day I joined the club, and proved to be an instrumental addition as he tore apart opposition defences week in, week out, even at 38. His partnership with Del Piero thrilled the fans and they chose him as their Player of the Year.

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The fan's choice was a little odd in attack, as instead of the classic Heskey-Del Piero partnership they chose instead to move Heskey to central midfield, and have MacDonald as the second striker. Apart from this, I agree with the fans as this was almost my starting line up every week.

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This award was a no-brainer, even though Heskey was my only signing. The English target man was one of the best players in the league as well as our club, and we picked him up as a player/coach on a free transfer, for a paltry £675 per week. Couple that with the fact that he is also an excellent coach, it's one of my best ever transfers.

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Now, I know it's not right to blame the goalkeeper solely for a leaky defence, but Janjetovic was simply awful during the season. His 46 goals conceded were not the defence's fault, as I constantly saw Vedran overcommit, undercommit, and simply be not quick enough to make saves. I'm giving him another chance but he now has the dreaded Golden Raspberry in his belt.

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A third award for the captain, what a season it was! Heskey was our leading goalscorer for the season, kicking 12 goals in 25 games to top our list.

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Our best player under 21, and the only one that made any sort of impact this season, was young striker Josh MacDonald. Usually my 3rd or 4th choice, he had 9 games in the absence of Del Piero and performed admirably, notching up 1 goal and 3 assists over his 9 games.

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The behind-the-scenes star of this year was young attacking midfielder Troy Wells, who has developed into one of the stars of my youth set up. The 17 year old could see some game time next year with the depature of Del Piero, and he's definitely the future of my side.

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The 3rd best player of the season was the master himself, who at 41 put in one last sterling season to propel us into the finals. Playing as a trequartista, he created countless chances for Heskey and our wing backs, and deserves this award on his way to retirement.

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The Player Of The Year runner up was tireless Serbian midfielder Milos Dimitrejevic, who's work as a box-to-box midfielder drove the team. He was quite simply the machine of the side, and clearly the second best of the season.

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Take a bow, Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey. What a season. What an absolute ripper of a season. His 12 goals is the most he's scored in a season for 15 years, and he also chipped in with 5 assists. Da Beast was the lifeline, the X-Factor, the dynamo of my team despite being 38, and is the obvious choice for the Manager's Player Of The Year award.

And so another season of Lodovico's Legacy draws to a close, and now it's time to push onto 2016/17. This is a make or break season for us at Sydney FC, it's time to start winning. Can I make the crucial transfers? Can I land the tactics? We'll have to wait and see.

Heskey will always win that award!

Great summary of the season, nice and Emile centred like all summaries should be

Congrats on reaching 500 replies!

MrJK He's da beast!

Ziechael Yes, always good to have a little lot of Heskey in a summary

Justice Thanks a bunch man

Emile HESKEY of course. Great update!

Zap Thanks man