Football Season Guide

Last season was historically poor for Victory and, after the bruising experience, the Royal Blues would be pumped up to bounce back strong. In 2019/20 missed out on the play-offs for first time in 8 years, had the fewest points, the most defeats and the longest winless run in the club history too. All this prompted the steady release of players from very early in the season and Victory started rebuilding their squad as early as last January when they let several regulars go. Also, for the post-lockdown fixtures in June-July appointed Grant Brebner as permanent manager. Brebner did well to steady the ship and give many teenagers senior debuts. Now for his first full season in charge he’ll be looking to implement his ideas and high-pressing style of play even better. In the off-season Victory parted ways with 3 more regulars, 1 from each position on the field, and only then they started rebuilding the squad based on Brebner’s liking. From the 10 new signings at least 8 are expected to be starting regularly and it would definitely be a much different Victory this term. Crocombe comes with the potential to become the team’s new number 1, while Ansell returns from unsuccessful spell in South Korea and he has a point to prove. Probably the most important new singing is centre forward Gestede who will be the main hope for goals up front. Brebner also spent many hours during off-season working with Traore, Rojas and Kruse so they avoid the long-term injuries that ruined their previous campaign. All-in-all the squad is small, but if everyone stays fit looking pretty strong. With no Asian Champions League to think about either, Victory will be fully focused on the A-League.