Non-NZ Oceania Players In The A-League (or lack of...)

I'm interested in the whole of the OFC and decided to write about the lack of players from the non-NZ nations that have graced the A-League. This is something I am convinced will change with time but it is food for thought. Click here for the link. Hope you enjoy.

I don't think is just the A-League, Oceanians can't make it anywhere. So far the only pro players from Oceania are New Caledonians who play in the French league system (Gope-Fenepej, Kayara, Lautoa). The problem with the A-League is that clubs are allowed only 5 imports and they use their slots to cover areas where there's a lack of Australians. I can't think of any Oceanian who could fit a place like that (maybe Krishna). Would love to be more optimistic about it but I don't think this will change in many years.   

Reality is that Oceanians have about as many players as they should. As Argie points out the young players don't really have a chance to develop. A-league clubs won't be willing to spend a visa spot on young players.

What suprises me is the lack of Oceanian players in the ASBP. Only Lea'alafa in ACFC and Mobberley (who's a New Zealander who chose to represent Samoa) IIRC. What happened with Krishna, Totori, Fa'arodo, Fa'aiuaso, Soromon, Feni, Kayara, Menapi? And we are talking about an amateur league.

I had a conversation with managment at the Nix about approaching OFC for support (financial and otherwise) for the licence extension. Figure if we have exemption for NZ players to not count as imports if in our new agreement that could be extended to OFC players there's value there for the club in terms of pool of talent, OFC as they will get more players in a pro environment (even if it's just WeeNix to start) and I can't imagine it'll make much difference to the suits in FFA Towers if it means more money and potentially open up another TV market

I'd be surprised if that happened, if so all Australian teams should have Asian players not count as imports.

The Asians would continue to be imports as the FFA want to develop their own - just a possible avenue I suggested