Melbourne Victory given reality check, Sydney FC falter, Bulls look the goods: What we learned from A-League Men round three

Kieran Francis

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Josh Thomas

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Melbourne Victory given reality check, Sydney FC falter, Bulls look the goods: What we learned from A-League Men round three image

Round three of the A-League Men season provided plenty of surprises as Melbourne Victory were brought crashing back to earth, Sydney FC only had themselves to blame for squandering a two-goal lead and Macarthur FC look to be slowly emerging as a contender.

Western United's defensive unit looks transformed by a Swiss centre-half, Wanderers still appear to be struggling and Brisbane and Adelaide are in need of goalscorers.

Here's what we learned from round three of the A-League Men.

Wanderers lacking creative spark despite solid start

They may have defeated Wellington Phoenix 2-0 on Friday night and are yet to lose this season, but Western Sydney Wanderers are yet to truly impress. 

While Carl Robinson's side do look better defensively, going forward they look bereft of ideas with striker Tomer Hemed starved of service. 

His two goals this season have pretty much come from his two only good chances in front of goal with no-one stepping up behind him. 

Jack Rodwell started against the Phoenix and seemed to be playing more of an attacking midfield role, but like Terry Antonis and Steven Ugarkovic, struggled to provide the necessary spark. 

The Wanderers often simply just look to pick out their wingers, who have failed to provide much with opposing teams all too happy to show them the sideline. 

Though they've scrapped some positive results so far, the red and black are far from the finished product just yet. 

Carl Robinson Western Sydney Wanderers

Brisbane and Adelaide lacking a reliable goalscorer

Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United remain without a win this season after a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon. 

While Brisbane picked up their first point, it was a third-straight draw for the Reds. 

As highlighted on Saturday, both teams look short of quality up front with Adelaide getting just one of their 13 shots on target. 

Following the departure of Tomi Juric, the Reds have turned to 22-year-old Kusini Yengi to lead the line, who although showing signs of promise, might not be ready to shoulder the burden solo and failed to convert a great chance late on. 

The Roar also seem to be banking on a young forward to provide the goals in the form of 21-year-old Luke Ivanovic. The former Sydney FC striker has scored the club's sole goal this season but found the back of the net just twice across three A-League Men seasons with the Sky Blues. 

Though it's great to see young Aussies getting their chance to play, neither club can afford continued struggles in front of goal as they make stuttering starts to the new campaign. 


Leo Lacroix has transformed Western United's defence

Western United had the second-worst defence in the league last season as they conceded 47 goals across 26 games. 

Under new coach John Aloisi, they've let in one goal from three matches as they shutout both Melbourne City and Perth Glory. 

While a new formation has played its part in that transformation, the addition of Swiss defender Leo Lacroix can't be understated.

The 29-year-old, who stands nearly two metres tall, monstered Melbourne City on Saturday night as he kept last season's golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren in his pocket. 

Lacroix is more than just a big man, however, with real composure on the ball and a great ability to read the game.

Aloisi is lucky to have him this season and Western United will be a hard team to break down when he's in their team. 

“Leo is a presence. Not only without the ball, but with the ball he has a calmness,” Aloisi said on Saturday.


Sydney FC only have themselves to blame 

After leading 2-0, Sydney FC were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Newcastle Jets at home on Saturday night. 

While coach Steve Corica was fuming about a disallowed goal in the 75th minute that could have handed them a 3-2 win, the Sky Blues need to point the finger at themselves. 

After failing to win their first two games this season, Corica's side seemed to be cruising as they took a two-goal lead into the break. 

Jets forward Valentino Yuel successfully rocked the boat, however, as he bagged an impressive brace in the space of seven minutes. 

Sydney FC veteran Rhyan Grant was caught out for both goals and while an offside Adam Le Fondre did respond at the other end, the referees can only cop so much of the blame as the Sky Blues' early struggles continue. 


Steely Macarthur building nicely with quality to come in

After three A-League Men rounds, Macarthur are surprise league leaders and with a heap of quality players building fitness, are shaping as a potential title challenger this season.

Despite a poor performance and draw against the Phoenix in round one, the Bulls have grinded out successive 1-0 wins against Sydney FC and Central Coast in an impressive fashion.

And there is plenty of upside with their squad about to get stronger as the season progresses.

Former Socceroo striker Tomi Juric is yet to start a match and is still building fitness, while ex-Watford centre-half Adrian Mariappa, who played in the Premier League 18 months ago, has only just been signed and will be bedded into the team shortly.

Talented Olyroo striker Al Hassan Toure is also getting settled at the club after crossing over late from Adelaide United.

These additions add to an attack which features the likes of Ulises Davila, Craig Noone, Daniel De Silva and the in-form Lachie Rose.

Watch the Bulls closely as they could be a team to watch in 2021-22.

Melbourne Victory given reality check by gutsy Glory

There was murmurings that Melbourne Victory were back as a powerhouse after winning their first two A-League Men games of the season.

But Tony Popovic's side were brought back to earth with a sobering 3-0 defeat in their AAMI Park home against an undermanned Perth Glory side.

While the final score reflected several of Victory's horrible results over the last two seasons, the performance did not with Victory largely on top until Rai Marchan was shown a straight red just before the half-time whistle with the score still 0-0.

The Glory hung in the match throughout the first half and while they conceded a lot of possession and territory, Victory didn't create a heap of clear cut chances with their momentum.

Despite being down to 10-men, Victory admirably kept on pushing forward to score the go-ahead goal, but Glory were now allowed the space to attack themselves.

It took a magnificent strike from Antonee Gilroy to edge Perth in front and it was always going to be tough for Victory from there, as the Glory turned the screws to score twice more and nab a comfortable win.

On many occasions last season there were boos from fans heard following abject Victory defeats, but this time round the supporters cheered the players off in a reflection of their feelings about the performance.

After a somewhat lucky win against Western United and a fairly comfortable result versus Brisbane Roar, this result was a reminder for Victory that things haven't turned around just yet.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.

Josh Thomas