2009–10 A-League


The 2009–10 A-League was the 33rd season of top-flight soccer in Australia, and the fifth season of the A-League competition since its establishment in 2004. The season marked the addition of two new teams from Queensland. Gold Coast United FC and the North Queensland Fury FC made their A-League debuts at the start of the season. Because of this, Queensland Roar were renamed to Brisbane Roar, as they were no longer the only A-League club from Queensland. With the inception of the two new clubs, many club transfers took place both within Australia and New Zealand, and around the world.
The length of the regular season was longer than in previous years, with 27 rounds rather than 21, plus finals. The season began on 6 August, with Melbourne hosting the Central Coast at home. As well as these major changes to the league, the Pre-Season Challenge Cup was no longer held as part of the 2009–10 season due to a busier regular season schedule, and clubs attracting higher profile pre-season friendlies. The Premiership and Championship double was completed by Sydney FC with victory over Melbourne in the final match of the regular season and on penalties in the Championship Grand Final.

Clubs

TeamCityHome GroundCapacity
Adelaide UnitedAdelaideHindmarsh Stadium17,000
Brisbane RoarBrisbaneSuncorp Stadium52,500
Central Coast MarinersGosfordBluetongue Stadium20,119
Gold Coast UnitedGold CoastSkilled Park27,400
Melbourne VictoryMelbourneEtihad Stadium56,347
Newcastle JetsNewcastleEnergy Australia Stadium26,164
North Queensland FuryTownsvilleDairy Farmers Stadium26,500
Perth GloryPerthME Bank Stadium20,500
Sydney FCSydneySydney Football Stadium45,500
Wellington PhoenixWellingtonWestpac Stadium36,000

Transfers

Managerial changes

Foreign players

The following do not fill a Visa position:

1Those players who were born and started their professional career abroad but have since gained Australian Residency ;

2Australian residents who have chosen to represent another national team;

3Injury Replacement Players, or National Team Replacement Players;

4Guest Players

Salary cap exemptions and captains

Regular season

Home and away season

The 2009–10 A-League season was played over 27 rounds, followed by a finals series.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Round 21

Round 22

Round 23

Round 24

Round 25

Round 26

Round 27

Finals series

Melbourne Victory won 4–3 on aggregate.

Season statistics

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Shane SmeltzGold Coast United19
2 Sergio van DijkBrisbane Roar13
3 Carlos HernándezMelbourne Victory12
3 Paul IfillWellington Phoenix12
5 Archie ThompsonMelbourne Victory10
6 John AloisiSydney FC9
6 Robbie FowlerNorth Queensland Fury9
8 Daniel McBreenPerth Glory8
9 Tim BrownWellington Phoenix7
9 Steve CoricaSydney FC7
9 Matt ThompsonNewcastle Jets7

Attendance

These are the attendance records of each of the teams at the end of the home and away season. The table does not include finals series attendances.

Top 10 Attendances

AttendanceRoundDateHomeScoreAwayVenueWeekdayTime of Day
44,560Grand Final20 March 2010Melbourne Victory1–1Sydney FCEtihad StadiumSaturdayEvening
32,792Finals
Wk 2		7 March 2010Wellington Phoenix3–1Newcastle JetsWestpac StadiumSundayAfternoon
30,668109 October 2009Melbourne Victory0–3Sydney FCEtihad StadiumFridayNight
27,3442019 December 2009Melbourne Victory0–0Sydney FCEtihad StadiumSaturdayEvening
25,4072714 February 2010Sydney FC2–0Melbourne VictorySydney Football StadiumSundayEvening
24,278Finals
Wk 1		21 February 2010Wellington Phoenix1–1Perth GloryWestpac StadiumSundayEvening
23,818Final
Wk 2		7 March 2010Sydney FC2–2Melbourne VictorySydney Football StadiumSundayEvening
22,726265 February 2010Melbourne Victory2–0North Queensland FuryEtihad StadiumFridayNight
21,1821224 October 2009Melbourne Victory3–1Adelaide UnitedEtihad StadiumSaturdayEvening
20,5371628 November 2009Melbourne Victory4–0Gold Coast UnitedEtihad StadiumSaturdayEvening

Discipline

The Fair Play Award will go to the team with the lowest points on the fair play ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season. It was awarded to Premiers Sydney FC who scraped in by 4 points from rivals Melbourne Victory.
* The Newcastle Jets' Tarek Elrich received a direct red card in their round 7 fixture against Sydney FC. However, this was successfully appealed by the club and expunged from Elrich and the team's records.

* Adelaide United's Iain Fyfe received a direct red card in their round 19 fixture against Perth Glory. However, this was overruled by the match review panel and expunged from Fyfe and the team's records.

Awards

NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award

The NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award was awarded to the finest U-21 player talent throughout the Hyundai A-League 2009–10 competition, based on a monthly nomination.
At the end of season awards night, it was announced that Brisbane Roar's Tommy Oar was the winner of NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.
MonthPlayerClub
August Kofi DanningSydney FC
September Leigh BroxhamMelbourne Victory
October Tommy OarBrisbane Roar
November Rostyn GriffithsNorth Queensland Fury
December Ben KantarovskiNewcastle Jets
January Mathew LeckieAdelaide United

Team season articles