The Western United Blueprint: How They Built a Contender
From A-League newcomers to champions in three seasons. We dissect the Western United blueprint for building a contender, from star signings to tactical genius.
Liam O'Connell
A-League analyst and writer with over a decade of experience covering Australian football.
Remember May 2022? The A-League Grand Final. On one side, the reigning champions, Melbourne City, a powerhouse of attacking football backed by a global football empire. On the other, the new kids on the block, Western United, a club without a permanent home, playing in just their third season. The script seemed pre-written. But football, as they say, is a funny old game.
Western United didn't just win; they dominated, securing a 2-0 victory that felt both shocking and inevitable. It was the culmination of a meticulously executed plan, a blueprint that transformed an expansion side into a champion in record time. So, how did they pull it off? It wasn't magic. It was a combination of shrewd strategy, unwavering pragmatism, and a culture forged in adversity. Let's break down the Western United blueprint.
Pillar 1: A Foundation of Steel: The Veteran-First Approach
When you build a house, you start with the foundation. When Western United built a club, they did the same, but their foundation was made of pure A-League steel. From day one, the club's recruitment strategy was clear: sign proven winners and experienced leaders. While other new clubs might gamble on unproven youth or flashy imports, Western went for reliability.
Think about their inaugural squad. You had Besart Berisha, the league's greatest-ever goalscorer. You had Andrew Durante, a man with more A-League appearances than anyone. And pulling the strings in midfield? The mercurial Italian maestro, Alessandro Diamanti. These weren't just good players; they were culture-setters. They understood the league's unique challenges—the travel, the physicality, the mentality required to win on a cold night in Wellington.
Diamanti provided the creative spark, Berisha the killer instinct, and Durante the defensive organisation. This veteran core immediately established a high standard of professionalism and a non-negotiable will to win. They gave the club an instant identity and, more importantly, immediate credibility on the pitch. Young players entering the setup didn't have to guess what was expected; the standard was set by legends of the game.
Pillar 2: The Aloisi Masterclass: Pragmatism Over Panache
After a disappointing second season, the club made its most important signing: coach John Aloisi. Aloisi, having learned tough lessons from his time at Brisbane Roar, returned to the A-League a changed manager. He brought with him a clear, pragmatic, and defensively-minded philosophy that would become the tactical bedrock of their championship run.
In a league often obsessed with expansive, high-pressing football, Aloisi's Western United were an outlier. They were comfortable without the ball, organised in a low block, and devastating on the counter-attack. The philosophy was simple: be incredibly hard to beat first, and the goals will come.
This defensive solidity was no accident. It was drilled relentlessly on the training pitch. The team defended as a unit, with every player understanding their role. The results speak for themselves. In their 2021-22 championship season, their defensive record was exceptional.
| Metric | Western United | League Average |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded | 30 | ~38 |
| Clean Sheets | 10 | ~6 |
| Goals Conceded per Match | 1.15 | ~1.46 |
They weren't always the most beautiful team to watch, but they were brutally effective. Aloisi understood that championships aren't won with style points; they're won with resilience, organisation, and a game plan that maximises the strengths of your squad. His pragmatic approach was the perfect fit for a team built on experience and defensive grit.
Pillar 3: The Art of the Deal: Shrewd and Strategic Recruitment
While the initial veteran signings laid the groundwork, the championship was won thanks to a masterclass in recruitment that went far beyond big names. The club's football department, led by Aloisi, demonstrated an incredible eye for identifying players who were undervalued, overlooked, or simply the perfect fit for their system.
Beyond the Marquees: Finding Value
The signing of Swiss centre-back Léo Lacroix was a stroke of genius. Towering, composed, and a leader at the back, he became the defensive anchor the team was built around. He wasn't a household name, but he played like one of the best defenders in the league.
Then you have the full-backs. Ben Garuccio was reborn at Western, becoming a creative force from left-back and earning a Socceroos call-up. On the other side, Josh Risdon provided tireless running and defensive stability. In goal, Jamie Young, deemed surplus to requirements at Brisbane, produced a season of heroics, including a memorable performance in the Grand Final.
None of these players were marquee signings, but they became the heart and soul of the championship team. It proved that a smart, targeted recruitment strategy that prioritises system-fit over name recognition is a powerful tool.
Planting Seeds for the Future
While the initial blueprint was veteran-heavy, it has wisely evolved. The club has since placed a greater emphasis on developing its own talent. With the establishment of their NPL teams and a dedicated academy, Western United is now nurturing the next generation.
Players like Noah Botic and the promotion of academy graduates show a shift in strategy from "win now" to "win sustainably." This evolution is crucial for long-term success, ensuring the club doesn't just become a flash in the pan but a consistent contender for years to come. It's the final, and perhaps most important, piece of the blueprint.
Pillar 4: Forging an Identity: The "Us Against the World" Mentality
Perhaps the most underrated element of Western United's success is the intangible one: their culture. For their first few seasons, the club was nomadic. They played "home" games in Geelong, Ballarat, and Melbourne without a true fortress to call their own. They were often viewed as the "other" club in a city dominated by Victory and City.
Instead of letting this become a weakness, Aloisi and the senior players turned it into a strength. They cultivated a powerful siege mentality—an "us against the world" ethos that bonded the group together. Every trip, every game in front of a small but passionate group of fans, reinforced their identity as a band of brothers fighting for respect.
This resilience was evident on the pitch. They were a team that knew how to grind out 1-0 wins, how to suffer together in defence, and how to fight for every single point. This mental fortitude, born out of circumstance, was just as important as any tactical setup or star player.
The Lasting Legacy of the Blueprint
The Western United story is a testament to intelligent club-building. Their blueprint is a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that you need the biggest budget or the flashiest style to succeed.
It was built on four key pillars: an initial core of veteran leadership to set the standard, a pragmatic tactical approach that prioritised results, shrewd recruitment to find undervalued gems, and a resilient siege mentality that forged an unbreakable team spirit. Now, with a new stadium on the horizon and a burgeoning youth system, the blueprint continues to evolve.
Is it a one-off miracle, or a sustainable model that other expansion clubs can and should follow? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: in just three years, Western United taught the A-League a masterclass in how to build a contender from scratch.
