I can't see how MV, SFC or MC fit their squads under the cap. Especially City. A lot of fashion shows for the WAGs?
In Sydney's case, they are just better at managing their cap than the rest of us. They use all the cap exceptions available.
Sydney are running at the minimum squad number, have guys that have taken less money to play for Arnie & have back loaded Adrian's deal (becomes marquee next season afaik).
They are planning on filling out their ACL squads with outside the cap signings, they are looking for an AFC player willing to take a 6 month deal to play ACL & rumours that Tratt is back training with them looking for an ACL deal.
I don't know if I believe that professional players at A League level would accept less money just so they could play for a certain manager. Their careers are so short and it's not like they're Euro stars making tens of thousands of dollars a week. It sounds like a convenient excuse for hidden payments IMO.
Brosque (34) - made a ton of cash when Sydney released him to take up a Middle East contract, publicly came out saying he would take whatever was left after they retained their squad from last season
Wilkshire (36) - was on the verge of retiring before Arnie called, his wages are probably topped up with the IR for Grant & already made his money from Russia.
Wilkinson (33) - wanted to go back to Sydney & has played under Arnie a lot.
Carney (34) - was being forced out of the Jets, would have jumped at the chance to get out of there.
These guys have made their money & are at the point of their careers where success/stability is worth more to them than chasing money. Then you have the 'A-League rejects' like Redmayne, Retre, Simon who are just happy to have contracts.