2010–11 A-League


The 2010–11 A-League was the 34th season of top-flight soccer in Australia, and the sixth season of the Australian A-League soccer competition since its establishment in 2004. The home and away season began on 5 August 2010 and concluded on 13 February 2011. The addition of Melbourne Heart brought the total number of teams to 11. Brisbane Roar finished Premiers with two games remaining in the season following an Australian record unbeaten run, and later completed the Premiership and Championship double by beating the Central Coast Mariners in the Grand Final.

Rule changes

A new rule at the start of the season allows for two marquee players to be signed without salary cap restraints so long as one is Australian with certain amount of qualifications to be determined by FFA. This replaces the previous ruling of only one salary cap exempt player in previous seasons.

Clubs

TeamCityHome GroundCapacity
Adelaide UnitedAdelaideHindmarsh Stadium17,000
Brisbane RoarBrisbaneSuncorp Stadium52,500
Central Coast MarinersGosfordBluetongue Stadium20,119
Gold Coast UnitedGold CoastSkilled Park27,400
Melbourne HeartMelbourneAAMI Park30,050
Melbourne VictoryMelbourneAAMI Park
Etihad Stadium		30,050
56,347
Newcastle JetsNewcastleEnergyAustralia Stadium26,164
North Queensland FuryTownsvilleDairy Farmers Stadium26,500
Perth GloryPerthNIB 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 2010–11 A-League season had each team play 30 matches over 27 rounds. The regular season started on Thursday, 5 August 2010 and ended on Sunday, 13 February 2011. The opening game was played at the new Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and marked the A-League debut of the new franchise, Melbourne Heart. Mid week games were played to accommodate this extra team. The official 2010–11 fixture list was released on 18 May 2010.

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

;Notes

Table of results

Finals series

Semi-finals

Preliminary final

Grand Final

Season statistics

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Sergio van DijkAdelaide United16
2 Kosta BarbarousesBrisbane Roar11
2 Robbie KruseMelbourne Victory11
2 Matt SimonCentral Coast Mariners11
2 Jean SolórzanoBrisbane Roar11
6 Bruno CazarineSydney FC9
6 Bruce DjiteGold Coast United9
6 Robbie FowlerPerth Glory9
6 Adam KwasnikCentral Coast Mariners9
10 John AloisiMelbourne Heart8
10 Marcos FloresAdelaide United8
10 Chris GreenacreWellington Phoenix8

Own goals

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.
Updated to the end of season.
AttendanceRoundDateHomeScoreAwayVenueWeekdayTime of Day
50,168GF13 March 2011Brisbane Roar2–2 Central Coast MarinersSuncorp StadiumSundayAfternoon
32,3212422 January 2011Melbourne Victory2–2Melbourne HeartEtihad StadiumSaturdayNight
25,89798 October 2010Melbourne Heart2–1Melbourne VictoryAAMI ParkFridayNight
25,168SF Leg 226 February 2011Brisbane Roar2–2Central Coast MarinersSuncorpSaturdayNight
23,0591811 December 2010Melbourne Heart1–3Melbourne VictoryAAMI ParkSaturdayNight
21,0832711 February 2011Adelaide United2–1Melbourne VictoryAdelaide OvalFridayNight
20,8312712 February 2011Brisbane Roar4–0Gold Coast UnitedSuncorpSaturdayNight
20,358214 August 2010Melbourne Victory0–2Perth GloryAAMI ParkSaturdayNight
18,558229 January 2011Melbourne Victory1–4Adelaide UnitedAAMI ParkSundayAfternoon
17,2991016 October 2010Melbourne Victory3–0Sydney FCEtihad StadiumSaturdayNight

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 Brisbane Roar who beat last year's Champions Sydney FC by 6 points.
Updated to End of Week 27

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 2010–11 competition, based on a monthly nomination.
MonthNomineeClub
August Chris PayneNorth Queensland Fury
September Mathew LeckieAdelaide United
October Luke DeVereBrisbane Roar
November Mustafa AminiCentral Coast Mariners
December Mathew RyanCentral Coast Mariners
January Aziz BehichMelbourne Heart
February Marco RojasWellington Phoenix

End of season awards

Formation: 4–3–3
Nat.PositionNameClub
GKMichael TheoklitosBrisbane Roar
RBIvan FranjicBrisbane Roar
CBLuke DeVereBrisbane Roar
CBJoshua RoseCentral Coast Mariners
LBCássioAdelaide United
RMMarcos FloresAdelaide United
CMMatt McKayBrisbane Roar
LMThomas BroichBrisbane Roar
RFKosta BarbarousesBrisbane Roar
STSergio Van DijkAdelaide United
LFRobbie KruseMelbourne Victory
CoachAnge PostecoglouBrisbane Roar

Team season articles