“The Adjudicator: A-League R1”

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 04:08 PM PDT

The A-League is back bigger and better than ever; a description that fits The Adjudicator equally as well after a birthday lunch at The Golden Door's all-you-can-eat banquet.

While there is a limit to the amount of dim sims and roast pork in plum sauce that an Adjudicator can sensibly eat, there is truly no such thing as too much soccer being enough.

The FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and my limited amount of tipping success, whetted my appetitie for the coming season, and I'm looking forward to sharing with you the sumptuous offerings of the A-League.

I trust you're feeling the same love for Mr and Mrs A: join my A-League tipping league if you are; we might just invite the winner to The Golden Door banquet at season's end.

Read on for my musings, and bookmark this page to follow the thoughts of your fellow foxsports.com.au users through the week. Get typing if you dare!

A-League Tipping: Take on The Adjudicator

Sign up, if you carelessly haven't already, and enter code 296-34 to join my tipping league

Fantasy A-League: Don't forget to enter your team

Melbourne Heart v Central Coast Mariners, AAMI Park, Thursday 7.30pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "What an entree; a serve of barbecue spare ribs, if you like. The Heart have put together a fine squad for their debut season, and they'll be hard to beat in any fixture given the look of their first-choice backline. They'll miss John Aloisi up front, but Sibon and Alex can still give the Mariners albatross-like nightmares. Not that Central Coast are easybeats. I fancy Graham Arnold might prove he really is a coach rather than a lucky man with powerful friends, and he, too, has plenty of weapons among his squad. Think this could be a real flame-grilled opener to the season but I'm tipping that honours will be even and both teams will be happy to grab a point."

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator , including your full name and where you're from.

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Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets, Hindmarsh Stadium, Friday 8pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "Adelaide were incredibly disappointing last season - like an ordinary egg foo yung made from average leftovers. But I think the Reds will benefit from the new cook in town, Rini Coolen, as Aurelio Vidmar had lost his touch with the spices. Chef Coolen says, however, that his side won't have a real bite until his second season - a statement that must worry United fans - and the Reds have certainly been a bit underwhelming in pre-season. The Jets, conversely, have looked good - apart from the loss to Brisbane Roar in Port Macquarie - and I think they'll win here. But I'm tipping the Reds will rebuild the fortress image of Hindmarsh, and that they'll be above the Jets at season's end."

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator , including your full name and where you're from.

LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS

Ben from Adelaide says: Welcome back Mr. A! I was wondering whether or not you would return in the off season, so much so that I contemplated applying for your job! While it was a tough season for my boys last season, I think we'll have a great season this time round and we'll account for Newcastle on Friday night comfortably. Super Sergio is the striker we have all been craving at Hindmarsh, and Leckie is surely only going to last one more season before he heads overseas, the kid is a genuine star! I'll give you a little tip Mr A, if you have a fantasy A-League side, make Marcos Flores your captain. The Argentinian has had a full pre-season under him and is ready to take the league by storm.

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Perth Glory v North Queensland Fury, nib Stadium, Friday 10pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "Is there an easier game to tip in the opening week? This is surely the 'steamed rice' of the round - the banker bet that everyone will pick rather than a bland source of carbohydrates, that is. Perth are genuine title candidates playing at home, where everyone other than the Glory struggles. The Fury are genuine wooden-spoon candidates; they're probably even happy just to be here today. Stiil, at least Fury will have something with which to pick up the steamed rice. The Fury know what they're missing having lost Robbie Fowler in the off-season, but the former Liverpool will show them anyway. Banker home win."

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator , including your full name and where you're from.

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Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory, Sydney Football Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "The Adjudicator family is renowned for being a bunch of big eaters who pride themselves on finishing their food first. Watching these two teams through the finals last season, I was reminded of myself taking on Grandpa A over a bowl of chicken chow mein - with neither side willing to give in to the other. But this match is far tastier than the greasy noodles served at The Golden Door, a compliment that should not be taken lightly. Sydney FC have added silk and speed with Scott Jamieson and Nick Carle, while Melbourne have stuck largely with their tried and trusted squad. And with Archie Thompson relegated to pool duties, I sense Sydney FC might take the first bite out of their arch-rivals."

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator , including your full name and where you're from.

LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS

Sharran says: Nice tips Mr. A. With Scott Jamieson, Nick Carle and Liam Reddy Sydney will surely take the first bite!

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Gold Coast United v Brisbane Roar, Skilled Park, Sunday 3pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "Such a shame that Miron Bleiberg has kept his own counsel this season: no boasts of winning the comp undefeated, no talk of being the Brazil of Australia, no words to fire up the fans of every other team in the comp; he's become more bland than green tea. The Roar, meanwhile, threaten to produce more conventional entertainment than the sight of them devouring themselves last year. I popped down to Port Macquarie the other night to watch them beat the Jets, and I was impressed in a "black bean sauce" kind of fashion. But my great friend Paul Trimboli has tipped these sides will both struggle this season, and I fancy United to make a winning start. Shane Smeltz to grab the winner, presuming he is still on the glitter strip, and to celebrate somewhere other than The Golden Door."

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator , including your full name and where you're from.

LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS

Orange Qlder from Brisbane says: Mr. A, what you and Paul Trimboli think of Brisbane's chances this season is a real slap in the face to the effort that these lads have put in over the pre-season, many Roar fans including myself think that the Everton game was the best anyone has seen the Roar play - solid passing, solid defence, and pace. This will continue as our much younger and enthusiastic side want to play for Ange (not like the has-beens we had last year) and win for the fans. Brisbane 3-1 and Miron will be left dragging his tail between his legs.

Avolio of Brisbane says: You are a clown Mr A! Any real supporter of the A-league would have a clue about the game. Your discussions are dribble! The Roar are looking fantastic this season and were the only team to score a quality goal against Everton. This is going to be the roars season. No one talking about them will let them fly under the radar and into the finals where they will defeat Perth 2-1 at Suncorp.

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