A-League Wrap: Victory need good decisions; youth development; Reds, Jets look good for next season

Multiple sources have indicated to ESPN that a final decision has not been made, with John Aloisi and Brebner, previously reported as outsiders to the candidacy of Arthur Papas, looking less like longshots for the job with every passing moment. Rumours have abounded that Yokohama F. Marinos coach Papas has gone so far to withdraw his name from consideration, but those within the Victory camp would not be drawn on that speculation.

The favourite, Aloisi, would enter the job with significant A-League experience and, importantly for a club with the internal perceptions Victory has, would be just as comfortable fulfilling his duties off the pitch as well as on it. Conversely, detractors would point to those same A-League postings and their messy endings, one of which came at Melbourne City/Heart, as evidence of his unsuitability.

Brebner is a dyed-in-the-wool Victory man and thus carries the same sentiment of goodwill from the fanbase that helped carry Kevin Muscat through lean periods of form. He would also bring a familiarity with Victory's academy that would bolster efforts to rejuvenate the squad and build depth. But how the Scot would respond when tasked not with playing kids as he carried the carcass of a failed season over the line but, instead, returning Victory to the Promised Land remains unknown.

Victory is a big A-League club which carries itself as simply a big club, and the next decision must be right if it has any intention of turning that facade into a reality.

Golden Years

A new coach, however, will not be the only shake-up in the Victory setup.

Victory W-League head coach In praise of Jeff Hopkins was pressed into service as Brebner's No. 2 during the post-pandemic period, and the former Fulham and Reading hardman -- one of the most universally liked people in all of Australian football, which is no mean feat -- is set to be further integrated into the club's academy setup in coming months.

With Victory keen to once and for all shed its reputation as a club that doesn't develop talent, Hopkins will take on a key role in helping forge links between youth sides and the first team, as well as supporting and mentoring young players.

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Thankfully, though, Victory is also aware of the importance that he holds to their W-League program, and it is reluctant to divert too much of Hopkins' attention away from the women's side of the game -- pointing to Rado Vidosic's role as both a W-League coach and academy mentor at City as an example of how the duties can be juggled.

"He's been fantastic for me and for the players because the players really like Jeff," Brebner said. "He's got a wealth of knowledge and he's been a great shoulder for me -- he's very calm. Jeff's been in the coaching game for a long time and his value to me is... words do not speak highly enough."

All the Young Dudes

"Serious cramp that was. Obviously, he hasn't played many games."

Speaking to Fox Sports as he prepared to watch the second half of his side's 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC coach Steve Corica's explanation for the withdrawal of Luke Ivanovic spoke to far more than the youngster's health. For while the commentary was quick to express incredulity that a 20-year-old -- who scored a magnificent goal in that contest -- was suffering from cramp, the reality is that training can't hope to replicate the rigours of an actual football match -- no matter how intense it is.