Welcome to Best of the Press, where aleagues.com.au brings you everything you need to know from coach press conferences after the weekend’s matches.
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Macarthur Bulls 2-1 Brisbane Roar
MATCH REPORT: Macarthur spotless from the spot to bring Brisbane’s unbeaten run to a grinding halt
Mile Sterjovski
The Bulls came into this clash in desperate need of a win and they duly got what they wanted thanks to a Harrison Sawyer brace from the spot.
Hear what Bulls boss Mile Sterjovski had to say after the game when speaking in his post-match press conference.
Michael Valkanis
Brisbane Roar head coach Michael Valkanis was far from impressed with the simple errors committed by his side that he believes cost them dearly in their 2-1 loss to Macarthur.
The Brisbane Roar boss discussed that and the performance of the officials during his post-match press conference.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-2 Auckland FC
MATCH REPORT: Auckland power past the Wanderers to return to the top of the table
Alen Stajcic
Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Alen Stajcic was full of praise for his side despite seeing them succumb to their fourth loss of the season on Friday night.
The Wanderers went down 2-0 at home to high-flying Auckland FC, with the result now meaning they’ve gone three games without scoring a goal.
Check out his press conference below.
Steve Corica
Auckland FC are back on top of the Isuzu UTE A-League after an impressive 2-0 win over the Wanderers at CommBank Stadium.
Having enjoyed three home games on the bounce head coach Steve Corica’s Black Knights are now in the middle of a run of three-straight away games, with the third of those against second-placed Sydney FC this weekend.
Check out Corica’s Press Conference below.
Newcastle Jets 2-0 Sydney FC
MATCH REPORT: Newcastle stun sluggish Sydney FC to move into the top six
Mark Milligan
The Jets have finished Round 9 sat in the Isuzu UTE A-League’s top six after a thoroughly impressive 2-0 win over Sydney FC.
Speaking in his post-game press conference, head coach Mark Milligan believes the result is proof his side are slowly beginning to ‘own’ their style of play, even if it’s a difficult one to implement.
Check out the full press conference below.
Ufuk Talay
Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay believes his side’s 2-0 loss to the Jets was largely down to their sluggish start at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Talay’s side missed out on the chance to regain top spot on the ladder and will now head into next weekend’s top of the table clash with Auckland FC sat in second position.
Melbourne City 0-1 Melbourne Victory
MATCH REPORT: Victory ruin City’s Christmas with a late Melbourne Derby ransacking
Arthur Diles
Things are looking a lot rosier at Melbourne Victory after Saturday night’s dramatic 1-0 derby win over Melbourne City saw them chalk up their second win in as many games.
Arthur Diles’ side have now moved up into ninth spot on the ladder and sit just one point outside the top six after Matthew Grimaldi scored a brilliant late winner – a goal which was created by some quick-thinking according to his head coach.
Aurelio Vidmar
Melbourne City have ended Round 9 of the Isuzu UTE A-League sat in fourth position despite their agonising late loss to Victory in the Melbourne Derby.
Whilst the result no doubt stings for Vidmar and his City side, the head coach believes the best thing for his players now is to go again when they face Macarthur on Tuesday night.
Perth Glory 0-1 Adelaide United
MATCH REPORT: Goodwin’s early goal helps 10-man Adelaide bounce back to winning ways
Adam Griffiths
‘Déjà vu’ – That’s the first thing that came to mind for Perth Glory head coach Adam Griffiths when it came to Saturday night’s 1-0 home loss to Adelaide.
Having just been appointed as the new permanent head coach of the club, Griffiths’ full-time tenure officially began with a loss, albeit the boss believes his side deserved far more from the clash.
Take a listen to the full press conference below, including the head coach’s unique take on a potential penalty shout for his side.
Airton Andrioli
Adelaide United ended a run of three-straight losses on Saturday night when they left HBF Park with all three points care of a 1-0 win over Perth Glory.
Inspired by a long range strike from Reds captain Craig Goodwin, the win leaves Adelaide camped inside the top six after Round 9.
Take a listen to head coach Airton Andrioli’s full post-match press conference below, as he provided injury updates on both Dylan Pierias and Anselmo.
Wellington Phoenix 3-1 Central Coast Mariners
MATCH REPORT: Second half salvo helps Phoenix snap losing run with win over Mariners
Giancarlo Italiano
Wellington Phoenix have had a tricky time at Sky Stadium in 2025 but the home crowd were sent home happy on Sunday afternoon thanks to their 3-1 win over the Mariners.
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano spoke to the press after the full time whistle and revealed why he was so unhappy at half-time, and how that led to the side’s turnaround after the break.
Warren Moon
Central Coast Mariners interim head coach Warren Moon admits he simply doesn’t understand what is and what isn’t handball when it comes to modern football.
The Mariners were drawing 1-1 with Wellington at Sky Stadium before the home side were awarded a penalty for a handball on defender Will Kennedy – a decision Moon says he simply cannot comprehend.
