Matchweek 1 Preview: Auckland FC vs. Melbourne City

Saturday, October 17th, 5pm
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Written by Jonno Ross

2024/2025 Premiers. 2025/2026 Champions. 2026/2027…watch this space; we go again.

Auckland FC has a new look this season: a new coach, new players. Expectations are high, and the excitement is building. Auckland FC is back!

It’s that beautiful time of year once again. Mid-October means one thing – a new A-League season. The celebrations and player and fan hangovers from last season’s success are over, and it’s time to reboot and start fresh.

AUCKLAND FC

It’s a fresh new look for AFC this season.

Departures:

Louis Verstraete
Jesse Randall
Guillermo May
Dan Hall
Jake Girdwood-Reich
Liam Gillion
Jimmy Hilton

Arrivals:

Lachie Bayliss
Aaron Cartwright
Aaron Calver
Marley Leuluai

After seeing the new signings in pre-season fixtures as well as international fixtures in the off-season, fans can be excited and expectant of the new additions to the team.

Jesse Randall will be a player whose shoes will be hard to fill. 9 goals and 6 assists to his name last season – who will be brave and step into his role? Those are the stats AFC need from his replacement/s if they want to reach their objectives.

Despite the departure of Jesse Randall, Auckland FC have held on to the league’s golden boot Sam Cosgrove, and the league’s third-top goalscorer, Lachie Brook. Some players to have in the Auckland arsenal! One would hope to assume that after one season with AFC in the A-League under their belts, the experience and form will mean hitting lofty heights and kicking on from last season.

Auckland FC come up against Melbourne City this weekend. A team that they’ve only lost once to in the league. The most memorable fixture against City was our last encounter with them – a 7-6 win on penalties to send us through to the Semi Final back in May. We can still picture Sakai’s giant smile after he rounded the net after hitting the underside of the crossbar!

AFC haven’t lost an opening day fixture. In the inaugural season, we beat Brisbane Roar at home 2-1, and last season’s opener, we drew 0-0 away to Melbourne Victory. It’s a record the team will want to hold on to.

Hopefully the team start as they mean to carry on, and send the fans home happy with three points on the board, come full time on Saturday evening.

Player to Watch:

All eyes will be on the new boys, but I’m picking Lachie Bayliss as the one to watch this week. His attacking flair and playmaking ability from the midfield could be key to Auckland finding the back of the net, with Bayliss being the supply chain for the attacking forwards.

MELBOURNE CITY

Departures:

Patrick Beach
Germán Ferreyra
Harry Shillington
Elbasan Rashani
Emin Durakovic
Andreas Kuen
Zane Schreiber
Georges Souprayen

Arrivals:

Emiliano Marcondes
Awer Mabil
Julio Cascante
Matheus Rosetto
Macklin Freke

Like most A-League sides, City have been rather busy in the transfer window. Most notably, 23-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach has departed and is now playing in the French league (Ligue 1) for Troyes. A massive hole for City to fill.

Melbourne City would no doubt have been disappointed with the way they bowed out of winning any silverware last season. The two-time championship winners, and three-time premiership winners, will be looking to make their mark on the A-League once again this season. Expectations from their fans will be sky-high. Silverware is demanded by one of the A-League’s most decorated clubs.

Player to Watch:

Look no further than Awer Mabil. He is electric. After playing the last ten years of his career in Europe, the Socceroos winger makes his return to the A-League after stints with the likes of FC Midtjylland, Sparta Prague and Grasshoppers. As a neutral, he’s an exciting player to watch. As an Auckland supporter, you don’t want this guy anywhere near your team’s defenders.

The season is just about here. Buckle up and get ready; we’re in for another belter. Can AFC replicate what they’ve done in their first two seasons? All will be revealed. Get your tickets and fill those stands.