The names of Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono, William Gallas and Emile Heskey might be gone, but the 2014-15 A-League season promises to be one of the most intriguing yet.
With fresh investment into Melbourne City bringing in the likes of David Villa and master coach Graham Arnold returning home, there are plenty of reasons club memberships have broken records ahead of kickoff.
So, how will your team fare? ESPN FC runs the rule over each team and dares to make predictions in what must surely be the most even competition to date.
Adelaide United
The Big Question: The Spanish revolution continues in South Australia, but will the Reds go the way of Spain's national team or will charismatic coach Josep Gombau bring the best out of his squad?
Fresh from leading A-League All-Stars in a fine display against Juventus in preseason, Gombau will be hoping his charges can turn style into points early on. Last season, their possession-based style took 10 games to genuinely get going, and if silverware is the aim for this rebuilt side, then they must keep the pace up from the start.
Gombau has brought in players with A-League experience, such as Jimmy Jeggo and Craig Goodwin, while Dylan McGowan and Pablo Sanchez could add a slightly new dimension to this squad. The departure of left winger Michael Zullo is a loss, but Reds fans should be pleased with Gombau's transfer dealings.
Ins: Jeggo (Melbourne Victory), McGowan (Hearts, Scotland), Goodwin (Newcastle Jets), Sanchez (Club Deportivo Lugo, Spain), Mark Ochieng (AIS), Ben Warland (AIS), Dylan Smith (AIS), John Hall
Outs: Jake Barker-Daish, Daniel Bowles (Brisbane Roar), Jeronimo Neumann (Newcastle Jets), Jacob Melling (Melbourne City), Jon McKain, Zullo (end of loan)
Expected Formation: 4-3-3 -- Adelaide: Galekovic | Goodwin, Boogaard, McGowan, Elrich | Isaias, Jeggo, Carrusca | Cirio, Djite, Sanchez.
Prediction: The finals are a realistic aim for Adelaide, but their rivals might have too much firepower when the decisive games roll around.
Brisbane Roar
The Big Question: Is the Brisbane bubble set to burst following the departure of Besart Berisha?
A divisive figure he may be, but Brisbane's top goal scorer was nothing if not a winner for the Roar. That mentality -- perhaps more so than his actual ability with the ball at feet -- will be the hardest thing for Mike Mulvey to replace this season.
The return of Adam Sarota from the Eredivisie will go some way in restoring the belief of the squad, while midfield maestro Thomas Broich will be called upon for his best season yet.
Of course, the unknown element is Mensur Kurtishi up front. Having joined his eighth club in as many years, Berisha's compatriot will be one to watch as the season progresses.
There is still enough talent within this group to do something special. However, their main challenge will be a mental one after watching Berisha and Socceroo Ivan Franjic walk out the door.
Ins: Devante Clut, Daniel Bowles (Adelaide United), Jamie Young (Hayes & Yeading United), Kurtishi (FK Shkendija), Sarota (FC Utrecht)
Outs: Berisha (Melbourne Victory), Diogo Ferreira (Perth Glory), Matthew Acton (Yangon United), Franjic (Torpedo Moscow), Julius Davies (Otelul Galati)
Expected Formation: 4-3-3 -- Theo | Brown, Smith, North, Hingert | Brattan, McKay, Miller | Broich, Kurtishi, Petratos
Prediction: There is no reason Brisbane won't make the finals for a fifth consecutive season.
Central Coast Mariners
The Big Question: Will the Mariners miss the A-League finals?
On paper, as so many times in years past, the Central Coast appear weakened. The retirement of former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski leaves big shoes to fill, while loss in depth in the form of Adam Kwasnik and Marcel Seip is also sure to be felt.
However, this is one club known for overturning the odds, and with the likes of the dynamic Malick Mane on the books, there is still hope for the yellow and navy to provide a spark this season. Indeed, if the Senegalese striker can rise to the occasion, there is every chance he can fill the void left by Bernie Ibini with his pace and eye for goal.
This season could also prove pivotal for fringe Socceroo Mitch Duke, who must find his best form if the Mariners are to return to the finals once again.
Ins: Liam Rose (AIS), Anthony Kalik (AIS), Mane (on loan from IFK Goteborg, Sweden), Matt Nash, Richard Vernes (on loan from Budapest Honved, Hungary)
Outs: Justin Pasfield (Tampines Rovers), Sterjovski (Retired), Marcos Flores (Newcastle Jets), Kwasnik (Retired), Ibini (Sydney FC), Marcel Seip (FC Emmen)
Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1 -- Reddy | Rose, Bosnar, Anderson, Roux | Hutchinson, Montgomery | Fitzgerald, Caceres, Mane | Duke
Prediction: The end of an era could be in the offing as the Mariners miss out and begin rebuilding from next season.
Melbourne City
The Big Question: They'll score plenty, but who's there to keep them out?
Surely no club has undergone such a dramatic transformation in one -- albeit drawn out -- offseason. After being taken over by Sheikh Mansour, City -- formerly known as Melbourne Heart -- changed their name, colours, badge, most of their squad and their standing in the eyes of many.
Normally, the loss of Harry Kewell would be considered a great challenge for an A-League club, but with Damien Duff, Robert Koren and David Villa coming in, City should cope just nicely.
However, it is at the other end of the pitch where City appear light on. As Patrick Gerhardt, David Vrankovic, Jeremy Walker and Aziz Behich left, so too did City's depth in defence.
Robust central defender Erik Paartalu will no doubt help protect the defence, but he'll have no power in saving them if an injury strikes. For the sake of the entire competition, let's hope that scenario doesn't manifest.
Ins: Duff (Fulham), Jacob Melling (Adelaide United), Marc Marino (AIS), Koren (Hull City), David Villa (on loan from New York City FC, USA), Connor Chapman (Newcastle Jets), James Brown (Newcastle Jets), Aaron Mooy (Western Sydney Wanderers), Erik Paartalu (Muangthong United).
Outs: Orlando Engelaar, Sam Mitchinson, Gerhardt, Vrankovic, Walker, Kewell (retired), Behich (end of loan).
Expected Formation: 4-3-3 -- Redmayne | Garrucio, Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Hoffman | Paartalu, Mooy, Koren | Duff, Villa, Williams
Prediction: This impressive squad will push for honours, though coach John van't Schip will need to deal with disruptions, such as Villa's midseason move to New York, and the defensive issue that won't simply go away.
Melbourne Victory
The Big Question: Can the limbs support the spine?
In Nathan Coe, Matthieu Delpierre, Carl Valeri, Mark Milligan, Gui Finkler and Besart Berisha, Melbourne Victory have created a rock-solid backbone within their squad. The leadership and consistency of this core group of players will no doubt have Kevin Muscat's men knocking on the door come finals time.
However, these players alone will not win the Victory their first silverware since 2009. It will take the likes of Connor Pain -- who has been mightily impressive in preseason -- and new defender Daniel Georgievski to push this team toward the title.
Late signing Fahid Ben Khalfallah also joins the Victory this season, and his combination with Berisha and Finkler is expected to be a great point of interest.
Ins: Valeri, Berisha (Brisbane Roar), Delpierre (FC Utrecht), Daniel Georgievski (Steaua Bucharest), Ben Khalfallah (Troyes)
Outs: Jeggo (Adelaide), Adama Traore, James Troisi (end of loan), Tom Rogic (end of loan) Francesco Stellar, Pablo Contreras (retired)
Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1 -- Coe | Georgievski, Delpierre, Leijer, Geria | Valeri, Milligan | Pain, Finkler, Khalfallah | Berisha
Prediction: Though they lost a couple of key players in the off-season, the Victory have signed particularly well. Surely only a horror run of injuries could prevent them finishing near the top of the table.
Newcastle Jets
The Big Question: Can the riddle of the middle be solved?
Incoming coach Phil Stubbins has overseen a huge turnover of players in the offseason, no doubt with the aim of boosting the level of experience in the squad while revitalising those who remain.
Doing so, though, has caused something of an issue in central midfield, with former skipper Ruben Zadkovich allowed to move to Perth Glory, while Josh Brillante made a dream switch to Fiorentina. Then followed injuries to Ben Kantarovski and Billy Celeski, leaving Stubbins to recall the once-departed Zenon Caravella.
Up front, the Jets will also need to replace last season's Golden Boot winner, Adam Taggart, who has moved on to Fulham. But in Ecuadorian Edson Montano and Argentines Marcos Flores and Jeronimo Neumann, there is certainly the talent to do so.
Ins: Celeski (Liaoning Whowin), Adrian Madaschi, Josh Barresi, Flores (Mariners), Montano (on loan), Johnny Steele (New York Red Bulls), Neumann (Adelaide United), Sam Gallagher (Ha Noi T&T F.C.), Brandon Lundy.
Outs: Chapman, Brown (Melbourne City), Josh Mitchell, Joey Gibbs, Ruben Zadkovich (Perth Glory), Taggart (Fulham), Emile Heskey, Josh Brillante (Fiorentina)
Formation: 4-2-3-1 -- Birighitti | Carney, Madaschi, Jaliens, Neville | Pepper, Caravella | Steele, Flores, Griffiths | Montano
Prediction: With four early road games on the trot and a few key injuries already, it's hard to see the Jets getting off to a flier. This season will be a test of character.
Perth Glory
The Big Question: Will the Glory's midfield shine like a diamond?
Coach Kenny Lowe is tipped to implement a new-look, four-man midfield this coming season, and the success of Perth's season could hinge on how well the new players adapt to this formation. Up to six newcomers -- including Ruben Zadkovich, Youssof Hersi, Mitch Nichols, Andy Keogh and Dino Djulbic -- are expected to be regular starters in Lowe's side, as mainstays Jacob Burns and Travis Dodd have retired.
This changing of the guard out west will rejuvenate the Glory long term, but whether or not the incoming charges -- especially those in midfield -- can jell quickly enough remains a hot topic.
Perth's woes on the road -- they won just once outside Western Australia last term -- and the challenge ahead of this team is a tough one. Positively, though, Keogh appears a solid acquisition, and fans can expect to see plenty of goals from the Irishman throughout the campaign.
Ins: Hersi (Wanderers), Dino Djulbic, Zadkovich (Newcastle Jets), Keogh, Danny Vukovic (returns from loan), Diogo Ferreira (Brisbane Roar), Adrian Zahra, Mitch Nichols (on loan from Cerezo Osaka, Japan), Jordan Thurtell, Richard Garcia (Minnesota)
Outs: Burns (retired), Ryan Edwards (end of loan), Darvydas Sernas (end of loan), Zahra, William Gallas, Dodd, Steve McGarry
Expected Formation: 4-4-2 -- Vukovic | Jamieson, Thwaite, Djulbic, Risdon | Zadkovich, Nichols, Garcia, Hersi | Keogh, Harold
Prediction: Success next season seems more likely with such a big influx of players, while the travel for away games remains an issue.
Sydney FC
The Big Question: Has Alessandro Del Piero been adequately replaced?
In terms of bringing in another world-class name to the league, the answer, of course, is no. But new boss Graham Arnold has used the transfer market shrewdly, signing a glut of talent in the front third of the pitch.
Austria captain Marc Janko will lead the line, more than suitably supported by Alex Brosque, Shane Smeltz, Bernie Ibini and Corey Gameiro. There's plenty of strike power in this squad, and if there's a coach in the A-League who can mould these players into a solid unit, it's Arnold.
Central midfield and defence will be tested, making this season a critical one for Terry Antonis, Nick Carle and Nikola Petkovic, while there are still question marks over the goalkeeping position.
Ins: Smeltz (Perth Glory), Ibini (on loan from Shanghai Donya, China), Alex Brosque (Al Ain), Alex Gersbach (AIS), Janko (Trabzonspor), Christopher Naumoff, Anthony Bouzanis
Outs: Brett Emerton (Retired), Terry McFlynn (Retired), Del Piero (Delhi Dynamos), Garcia (Perth Glory), Marc Warren (APIA Leichhardt), Blake Powell (APIA Leichhardt), Mitch Mallia (Blacktown City), Joel Chianese (Sydney United 58 FC), Ranko Despotovic (Deportivo Alaves), Matthew Thompson (PTT Rayong), Petkovski, Josh Macdonald (Nottingham Forest).
Expected Formation: 4-4-2 -- Janjetovic | Gersbach, Petkovic, Ognenovski, Bojic | Abbas, Triantis, Ibini, Brosque | Gameiro, Janko
Prediction: Arnold is under great pressure to do well in the harbour city after his J. League jaunt with Vegalta Sendai went pear shaped. But you have to hand it to him, he's put together a great squad. This might be the team to beat.
Wellington Phoenix
The Big Question: Are the kids alright?
After losing Paul Ifill -- arguably the greatest player in the club's short history -- Stein Huysegems, Carlos Hernandez and Leo Bertos, coach Ernie Merrick has done well to recruit one-time fringe Socceroo Nathan Burns and current All White Michael McGlinchey.
Dutchman Roly Bonevacia is an intriguing inclusion, with the 22-year-old joining from Roda JC to shore up the middle of the park alongside the tidy Albert Riera. But beyond this, you sense, much will rest on the young shoulders of Tyler Boyd and Louis Fenton. There's certainly plenty of talent amongst the Phoenix youth, but can they turn a game as Ifill once did?
Similar to Perth, Wellington too face difficult away travel on an all-too-regular basis, making their march toward the finals all the more difficult.
Finally, if the Phoenix are to top last season's ninth-place finish, they must stop leaking goals. Fifty-one conceded in 27 games last term was a blight, and with the inclusion of only Tom Doyle at the back, it might be another long season for the Kiwis.
Ins: Burns, Bonevacia (Roda JC), Alex Rodriguez, Michael McGlinchey
Outs: Luke Adams, Ifill, Bertos, Huysegems, Hernandez.
Expected Formation: 4-3-3 -- Moss | Doyle, Durante, Sigmund, Fenton | Riera, Bonevacia, McGlinchey | Burns, Brockie, Boyd
Prediction: Sadly, a handful of teams won't reach the finals, and Wellington simply must improve defensively to change their fate.
Western Sydney Wanderers
The Big Question: Can Tony Popovic keep the dream alive, particularly after the departure of Shinji Ono?
After reaching two A-League Grand Finals, and the AFC Champions League final, in their short existence, the Western Sydney Wanderers have rarely known hardship. It has been a superb run of form, which coach Popovic has masterminded, but at some point, it will come to an end.
Whilst the legion of red-and-black fans will hold out hope that Vitor Saba and Romeo Castelen can replace Ono and Youssof Hersi, the question for Popovic is whether he can reinvigorate his team after a tiring year.
Having had only a few brief breaks between last season's Grand Final and the knockout rounds of the Champions League, the Wanderers' fitness will be tested toward the back end of this coming term. Though they have some of the best backroom staff in the business, players are only human.
Squad rotation will again come into play for the Wanderers, and while the club has recruited well, the likes of Sydney FC and the two Melbourne clubs seem to have the edge in terms of depth.
Despite these doubts we should expect to see the Wanderers well marshaled at the back by Nikolai Topor-Stanley and the Red and Black Bloc to create an atmosphere at home that is without peer in Australian sport.
Ins: Antony Golec (From ACL contract to HAL contract), Dean Bouzanis (Carlisle United), Vitor Saba (Brescia), Brendan Hamill (Seongnam), Romeo Castelen (RKC Wallwijk), Seyi Adeleke (Lazio)
Outs: Adam D'Apuzzo (Retired), Michael Beauchamp (PTT Rayong), Jerome Polenz (Sarpsborg), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), Tahj Minniecon (Rockdale City Sun), Josh Barresi (Newcastle Jets), Hersi (Perth Glory), Jerrad Tyson (Sun Pegasus), Ono (Consadole Sapporo), Dean Heffernan (Bulli)
Expected Formation: 4-4-2 -- Covic | Golec, Topor-Stanley, Spiranovic, Mullen | La Rocca, Poljak, Bridge, Castelen | Saba, Juric
Prediction: The finals are within their grasp, but scaling the lofty heights of recent seasons will take a serious effort. Then again, this is one team you shouldn't write off.