Can you teach old dogs some new tricks?

Brisbane have had a stuttering start this A League campaign which sees them sit bottom with 0 points. Considering the pre-season hullabaloo about their experienced squad, the Roar veterans haven't been able to get themselves 3 points and John Aloisi is already facing some heavy fire.

Interestingly, Wellington have a similar age breakdown within their squad, the majority of their players in the 30+ age group. Journeyman Dario Vidosic has let his experience shine from round 1, scoring a few goals and registering an assist.

So why can't the Roar get going? Considering the likes of Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Brett Holman and co, these guys are quality players and have proved themselves in the A League.

Marquee man Massimo Maccarone had his goal controversially disallowed, but the Italian grows stronger with every performance. Could it be that they're like fine cheese, getting better as the season goes on?

This clash will be a kick start to either side's campaign, and will be a very good showing of experience and knowledge pitted against each other.

Chris Sermeno

Besart busted

Oh Bes, where art thou?

It was revealed yesterday that Besart Berisha will miss two games for unsportsmanlike conduct towards a match official. It opens two potential doors for both the Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners.

On one hand the Victory will lose their main man up front, which doesn't seem all that bad considering he's had 8 shots and 1 goal so far this season, hardly the return you want from your spearhead attacker. This could see Mitch Austin slot in to replace him, and encourage the attackers to find other targets than just Berisha.

But by the same token, it means the Mariners defence will have one less job to do. Victory losing their main striker means they'll be looking for answers from the other boys, which makes them a little easier to read if they're not hiding behind their target man. That leaves central defenders Antony Golec and Alan Baró to focus their efforts elsewhere, such as Melbourne playmaker James Troisi who is still in search of his first goal this season.

Besart's absence for the next two games will either create more potency among the Victory squad, or leave them searching for more answers. Central Coast need to pounce on his suspension to make their own championship ambitions known.

Chris Sermeno

A legend returns home

After a decade spent between the posts of Adelaide United, and five seasons spent leading the side as captain, Eugene Galekovic returns to Hindmarsh for the first time as an enemy player. After ten years of wonderful service for Adelaide, Galekovic has switched to Melbourne City, and will have to face the music for the first time since making the move.

You'd think he'd get a more than warm reception, given what he has given to the club. In his time there he captained his side to an A-League championship, as well as an FFA Cup victory. There's not much more you can ask from a captain as a supporter, so you'd hope that he's welcomed back with open arms. Still, it's set to be an emotional occasion for the 36 year old. With a big win, City will stretch their impressive start to the year to 4 wins from 4 games. Their impressive beginning to the season is already their best in the club's history.

Brodie Cowburn

Perth look to break Sydney hoodoo

Perth lost every one of their four games to Sydney last season, losing each match by three goals. Sydney systematically destroyed the Glory each time they faced them in the 16/17 season, and will be looking to continue that impressive steak with another big win on Friday night. So why is it that Glory had such a hard time against Sydney last season? The most obvious reason is that despite finishing in 5th place, the Glory leaked the equal most amount of goals last campaign.

Up against Sydney's impressive attacking firepower of Brosque, Ninkovic, and Bobo, the Glory defence proved too shaky to hold them back. Perth's wins last season came from not worrying how many goals they conceded, so long as they scored more, the ol' Leicester Premier League Champions trick. This game plan proves tough against a Sydney FC that were one of the best defensive units in the league. A more conservative approach from Kenny Lowe's men could be the way to go to help the Glory snatch some points from this game.

Brodie Cowburn