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Macarthur enjoyed an irresistible start to their debut A-League campaign - but coach Ante Milicic has quickly dismissed talk of a title in their opening season.
Talk of a title tilt is best left for cafe banter according to inaugural Macarthur coach Ante Milicic.
Encouraged by his side's A-League debut, where they downed local rivals Western Sydney 1-0, Milicic said he still could not process how his side could already be viewed as a premiership threat.
"I don't know what that's based on," he said.
"It's just a matter of opinion; it's coffee shop talk. We won our first game but there's a lot more games to go.
"It's a good win and it's away from home but we have to re-group and have a positive performance at home in front of our own fans. Let's not get carried away."
Before a ball was even kicked, there was plenty to like about the southwestern Sydney team who back in late 2018 were granted a licence to take part in the competition from this season.
While an A-League rookie in the head coaching ranks, Milicic comes from a long western Sydney playing background and acted as an assistant at two top-tier clubs and with the Socceroos before taking on the head role with the Matildas.
His recruiting for the Bulls looked inspired.
From former Socceroos stalwart Mark Milligan to ex-Premier League striker Matt Derbyshire and Spanish pair Benat Etxebarria and Markel Susaeta - there seemed to be more than enough class to make things work in season one.
On Wednesday night there was also enough on the field to suggest it could all come together.
While Derbyshire played his part and Etxebarria looked the goods when introduced midway through the second half, there were great signs from rookie Lachlan Rose in his debut A-League game.
The 21-year-old offered plenty of punch from the midfield and had a 'goal' disallowed for offside.
Bulls 'keeper Adam Federici - the star of the night with four top-shelf saves in his first A-League match after 17 years in the UK - liked what he saw.
"He's young, he's vibrant and full of confidence," Federici said.
"He handled himself very well and fair play to him."
