A lifetime ago, two 15-year-olds from Sydney's western suburbs flew to England to chase a dream. One, Harry Kewell, signed for Leeds United, and within a couple of years had emerged as a star. The other, Brett Emerton, was thwarted by red tape and had to return home to start again. ''Emmo'' eventually left Sydney Olympic for a million bucks and now - like Kewell - he's coming home for free. It's a delicious twist of fate that two players who started at the same time and the same place will bookend their careers by lining up for rivals Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.

In so many ways, Kewell and Emerton have shared a parallel universe for 17 years, intersected by their appearances for the Socceroos. Now the comparisons are inevitable and desirable. It's Kewell versus Emerton as much as Kewell and Emerton, and that's given the A-League a turbo-charge just when it needs it most. Hang on for the ride.

Friends and foes ... Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell. Credit:Steve Christo

Kewell, right now, is the bigger name. The fact that Melbourne Victory have capped their season tickets at 18,000 shows the extent of their hope and the depth of their ambition. No doubt, Kewell's arrival will have the Victory blasting out of the blocks. But this is a marathon, not a sprint. Both players have signed for three years, and it's Emerton's staying power that has Sydney FC supremely confident they've made the right call.

The Sky Blues might also have put in a bid for Kewell, but Emerton was always first choice. It's a view, seemingly, shared by many of their fans. Last year, Emerton came off the bench at the SFS in a pre-season friendly for Blackburn Rovers (against Glasgow Rangers), and was greeted by a huge roar.