Chasing the Isuzu UTE A-League Golden Boot: What’s at Stake in the Final Round

As the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League regular season reaches its final round, a pressing question arises: Who will claim the coveted Golden Boot?

The competition for the Golden Boot is intensely competitive as the Finals Series approaches.

Sydney FC’s rising star Adrian Segecic and Adelaide United’s standout Archie Goodwin are neck and neck at the top of the goalscoring leaderboard, both having netted 13 goals. However, Western Sydney Wanderers’ striker Nicolas Milanovic is hot on their heels with 12 goals.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE

Four other contenders are also in the mix, but a significant twist looms: Goodwin is set to miss the last match of the season due to Adelaide United’s bye.

Player	Goals	Final Round Opponent
1. Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC)	13	Melbourne City (2nd)
1. Archie Goodwin (Adelaide United)	13	BYE
3. Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers)	12	Macarthur FC (8th)
4. Noah Botic (Western United)	11	Auckland FC (1st)
5. Hiroshi Ibusuki (Western United)	10	Auckland FC (1st)
5. Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix)	10	Perth Glory (13th)
5. Patryk Klimala (Sydney FC)	10	Melbourne City (2nd)

This is the current landscape as we head into the final round of the 2024-25 season.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE

Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC)

As one of Sydney FC’s key players this season, Segecic is positioned to remarkably clinch the Golden Boot.

The 20-year-old has achieved this with a stunning scoring rate of one goal every 97.2 minutes—a remarkable feat considering he has made the fewest starts among the contenders (13). He has surpassed his expected goals (xG) tally of 6.08.

The final round match is significant for both Segecic and Sydney FC as they strive to surpass Adelaide United to secure a spot in the top six.

Final round fixture: Melbourne City (A)

Archie Goodwin (Adelaide United)

Goodwin has proven to be a standout performer since joining Adelaide United in the off-season, showcasing impressive talent under coach Carl Veart. While this season has been his most successful, his chances of securing the Golden Boot are now limited after suffering a hamstring injury in Round 28.

He managed only 30 minutes against Melbourne City and now faces uncertainty regarding both the Golden Boot and Adelaide’s potential to earn a finals spot as they wait during their bye week.

Final round fixture: BYE

Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Milanovic is just one goal away from sharing the Golden Boot lead, and given the impressive form of the Wanderers, he’s well positioned to launch a last-ditch effort for the award in the closing round.

The Wanderers are currently on an 11-match unbeaten streak and are back in the finals race, with Milanovic playing a vital role in their success. He has registered 12 goals and provided six assists this season.

Final round fixture: Macarthur Bulls (A)

Noah Botic (Western United)

Botic, a hopeful for the Subway Socceroos, is enjoying a stellar season with a personal best of 11 goals. The 23-year-old has been integral to Western United’s resurgence as they aim to narrow the gap in the Golden Boot race.

He boasts the second-best shot conversion rate (23.4%) among the top seven scorers this season, surpassed only by Goodwin (27.1%). However, he has not scored in his last four games as John Aloisi’s side chases a coveted second-place finish and an AFC Champions League berth on the final day.

Final round fixture: Auckland FC (H)

Hiroshi Ibusuki (Western United)

The Japanese veteran, Ibusuki, is an outside contender for the Golden Boot and has played a crucial role in helping his teammate Botic shine this season.

At 34, Ibusuki has consistently performed in the A-Leagues, netting 10 goals in his first season at Ironbark Fields, marking his second consecutive year with over ten goals. He scored in a recent match against Brisbane Roar but was absent in last week’s win over Sydney FC.

Final round fixture: Auckland FC (H)

Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix)

Wellington Phoenix stalwart Barbarouses has been a key contributor to the team’s scoring efforts this season. The 35-year-old has, once again, scored ten or more goals, a feat he has achieved for the second consecutive season.

Amid speculation about his future, he has netted three goals in his last six outings, putting him in a position to vie for the Golden Boot. To have any chance, he’ll need to score a hat-trick against Perth Glory in the Distance Derby.

Final round fixture: Perth Glory (H)

Patryk Klimala (Sydney FC)

Similar to Ibusuki and Barbarouses, Klimala has also scored 10 goals as the competition nears its conclusion.

However, the former Celtic striker is currently dealing with an injury that has sidelined him for matches against Newcastle Jets and Western United.

Final round fixture: Melbourne City (A)