After plenty of pre-debut hype and no little expectation, Melbourne Heart's first season finished in a disappointing eighth-placed finish, six-points away from the A-League finals. But, in an interview with BackPageLead this week, 100 days out from the new season, club captain Simon Colosimo is confident his side can make the knockout stages second time around, setting a finals appearance as his club's second season pass mark. 

"We're definitely looking to build on last year," he said. "Each player has sat down and acknowledged that we don't have the excuse of it being our first year, not understanding the system or whatever. Every single player knows what they're here to do. I know it's early in the preseason but you can see in the approach and application of the players that there are not going to be any excuses this year, we're not going to leave anything to chance." 

"We're confident about achieving and pushing to achieve what we think needs to be Finals at worse. If we didn't make the Finals, it would be a very disappointing year." 

While the Heart's philosophy under coach John van't Schip of attractive passing football remains, key personnel under whom that inaugural system was built have moved on. Experienced internationals of the calibre of Josip Skoko, John Aloisi and Gerald Sibon are among the departures from AAMI Park, whilst the loss of Michael Beauchamp and Dean Heffernan should also not be overlooked. 

"Everyone's going to talk about the guys that have left and their experience and you can't replace that," acknowledged Colosimo. "But we've got ourselves some pace and no little experience too. David Williams has played for his country and overseas, Fred has won a couple of championships and done really well in America and then there's Mate who's proven he can play well in finals." 

"Then there are the younger boys, who are all a year more experienced. Guys like Brendan Hamill, who in my eyes is a future Australian captain. Curtis Good's just come in, he's another young talented player. And there's a lot of young blokes stepping up - look at Hoffy (Jason Hoffman) and the way he played with the Olyroos. All these guys have got a lot to prove," he said. 

The former Socceroo and Sydney FC premiership winner has enjoyed success at a range of clubs and has no doubts that his current home is destined for great things. "I think everything we're doing off the field at this club is wonderful. We're really setting benchmarks, but on the field we have to be judged on our results. We were close last year but close isn't enough," he said. "It's been the club's philosophy from day one to play a certain way and it took us a while to get it going last year. You saw glimpses of it but it's now a case of doing it week-in week-out." 

Aside from Heart, Colosimo suggested that it would be difficult to look beyond reigning title-holders Brisbane Roar when selecting next season's champions, especially considering the departure of key performers from rival sides. 

"I'd have to say Brisbane again," he explained. "There's no doubt they set a benchmark last season and they'll be looking to retain it. I know they're already playing games now and I'm sure they'll be a competitor again." 

"I think everyone's strengthened, apart from maybe Adelaide, losing Flores. I think he's probably the biggest individual loss in the league for a team. He was above everyone and player of the year for good reason. It will be tough for them to replace those 10 or 12 assists and eight goals. In terms of individuals he's the biggest loss." 

While Heart was making waves in the last offseason with major player announcements and the creation of an explicit football philosophy, it has been cross-town rival Melbourne Victory that has performed the feat this year. A new board, head coach and revamped football department is now in place at the dual premiers, and it is all underpinned by a desire to play a certain brand of football. There is nothing to suggest Melbourne Heart's arrival on the Victorian footballing landscape has had a direct influence on any of these changes but at times last season, particularly after the acrimonious third derby, the impression was given of two culturally different organisations co-existing in the same city. 

Colosimo would not get drawn into direct comparisons between the two sides, but welcomed any developments that raised the profile of the game in Melbourne. "In terms of landscape they haven't had anyone to worry about down here but we're here now and we're going to push them to the limits on the pitch, like we did last year, and we're starting to push them off the pitch. We've got five years to catch up on them though so we're always going to be that little bit behind but we're making ground," he said. 

"I've known Mehmet for a long time, I actually played with him, and Musky also. They're good people and they'll do a great job and bring their own philosophies to Melbourne Victory and all the better if the two teams that are leading the charge and playing on Grand Final day are ourselves and Victory." 

Victory have also been in the news with repeated links to Harry Kewell, and despite Bernie Mandic's grandstanding on Melbourne radio on Monday morning, a deal to put the Socceroo star in navy blue might still eventuate.

And Colosimo had no hesitation championing the acquisition of a marquee name to the competition. "I would no doubt welcome Harry Kewell to the A-League," he said. "I think Harry is probably the most special player that's ever played for this country and to be able to have him here in Australia, playing in the A-League, it would give so much to any young kid going around that plays against him or plays with him. He's inspiring, the way he's gone about his business, got through his injuries - he even inspires me! So if anyone's got the dollars to get him over or the knowhow, please get him over." 

As a member of the PFA Executive, and current PFA President, Colosimo is well-placed to pass judgement on the various deals being mooted to secure Kewell's signature and his perspective makes interesting reading of the A-League's recruitment process. 

"If Harry was offered the keys to the city to join the A-League, hopefully I could hand them to him! Why not? If only we didn't have the issue where financially we couldn't match other countries, I'm sure you'd see Timmy doing a similar thing, Bresc, Vince, all these boys would do that. Financially if we can get it right, this may pave the way," he said. 

"Harry paved the way in terms of being such a superstar in the EPL and going over as a kid and really becoming one of the household names in European football - as he still is, and maybe he'll pave the way here for guys coming back who have still got loads to give. Harry still wants to play that next World Cup." 

As a PFA rep, Colosimo is also aware of the ongoing negotiations between the AFL and the AFLPA and, unsurprisingly, is in solidarity with his footballing colleagues. "I think the players deserve as much as they're asking for. I don't think it's a lot. I think they do a lot for the game. Look at what they do on the field. I think it's just one of those things," he said. 

"I'm a Blue and I'm thinking that our time's coming soon, so hopefully there's a little bit more in the cap for them and they can drag a few more players over. There's going to be a lot of discussion and with the PFA's, as I know form our organisation, it doesn't purely equate to players getting money in their bank or whatever, there are a lot of programmes and processes that the AFLPA runs and I don't read too much into the media propaganda of it but I think the players and the AFLPA are doing a good job." 

Colosimo and his Melbourne Heart side open the 2011-12 A-League with an away trip to Newcastle on October 8.