The FFA and friends need to concern themselves more with finding franchises that are financially stable than trying to arsehole teams out. I'm still sad that the Fury and Gold Coast got the flick. 16 teams would make for a good league. Theoretically in the FFA Cup, they would be the quarter finalists. However results are a lottery.
A-league Expansion - Derbies
The FFA and friends need to concern themselves more with finding franchises that are financially stable than trying to arsehole teams out. I'm still sad that the Fury and Gold Coast got the flick. 16 teams would make for a good league. Theoretically in the FFA Cup, they would be the quarter finalists. However results are a lottery.
The FFA and friends need to concern themselves more with finding franchises that are financially stable than trying to arsehole teams out. I'm still sad that the Fury and Gold Coast got the flick. 16 teams would make for a good league. Theoretically in the FFA Cup, they would be the quarter finalists. However results are a lottery.
I’d chuck a Pacific Island team in place of Wollongong tbh, or maybe Geelong because we don’t want too many Melbourne clubs. Maybe Solomon Islands or New Caledonia, even Vanuatu, since football’s the biggest sports there? That would immeasurably improve Pacific football if they get a free pass to sign any Islander + Aussies as homegrown. I’m thinking New Caledonia since Christian Karembeu is a massive voice in Oceania and he’s been calling for a Pacific team in the A-League for ages. Crowds would actually be pretty good, the team would give he islands something to be proud of.
The FFA and friends need to concern themselves more with finding franchises that are financially stable than trying to arsehole teams out. I'm still sad that the Fury and Gold Coast got the flick. 16 teams would make for a good league. Theoretically in the FFA Cup, they would be the quarter finalists. However results are a lottery.
I’d chuck a Pacific Island team in place of Wollongong tbh, or maybe Geelong because we don’t want too many Melbourne clubs. Maybe Solomon Islands or New Caledonia, even Vanuatu, since football’s the biggest sports there? That would immeasurably improve Pacific football if they get a free pass to sign any Islander + Aussies as homegrown. I’m thinking New Caledonia since Christian Karembeu is a massive voice in Oceania and he’s been calling for a Pacific team in the A-League for ages. Crowds would actually be pretty good, the team would give he islands something to be proud of.
[quote=Lonegunmen]
The FFA and friends need to concern themselves more with finding franchises that are financially stable than trying to arsehole teams out. I'm still sad that the Fury and Gold Coast got the flick. 16 teams would make for a good league. Theoretically in the FFA Cup, they would be the quarter finalists. However results are a lottery.
... "i doubt the FFA would bother"
No they wouldn't but if the A League was run separately from the FFA as it should be then surely sound sides should get a look in. Would also open the door to a team from Singapore for instance.
Regarding Canberra, it seems no one there in interested fans wise much like the Gold Coast. so best ignored as the MLS does with Florida.
They could chuck in a good team from the detained would be refugees island too.
Supposedly there's still enthusiasm for A-League expansion, despite a big drop in crowd numbers this season.
I wonder if declining numbers are because it is only 10 teams with pretty much the same 4 winning everything? Extra teams might freshen it up but salary caps etc need to be reviewed too.
Ernie was in favour of dropping the salary cap and squad limits when he was here, I wonder if that's still the Phoenix position.
Quote "Crowds up: Newcastle, Adelaide, Perth Crowds flat: Western Sydney, Wellington, Central Coast, Melbourne Victory"
If the A-League clubs triumph over Lowy/Gollop - Watch this space!
What is going to bring in bigger crowds? it can only be better players can't it? So does more better players = larger salary cap and more incentive to sign marquee quality players? While some of these marquee players are pretty handy, are they of the quality first envisaged? How many top guns have we actually had in the league? I can think of only 2 or 3 that I especisally got off my ass and trundled down to Wellington to see especially.
More teams also mean more spots for Australia players. Do they have the depth?
More teams also mean more spots for Australia players. Do they have the depth?
More teams also mean more spots for Australia players. Do they have the depth?
We may see the triumphant return of Cirnak.
More teams also mean more spots for Australia players. Do they have the depth?
If their import slots are containing some well known players, that could really ignite a turn around in crowds. Not just older players past their prime, but hopefully some in their late 20's early 30's...not late 30's.
More teams also mean more spots for Australia players. Do they have the depth?
More teams also mean more spots for Australia players. Do they have the depth?
More teams also mean more spots for Australia players. Do they have the depth?
Expanding responsibly could well boost interest in the A-League overall - ideally a 16 team league would be perfect.
Expanding responsibly could well boost interest in the A-League overall - ideally a 16 team league would be perfect.
Which is why New Zealand should continue to be part of A-League, especially if it runs independently of FFA.
Expanding responsibly could well boost interest in the A-League overall - ideally a 16 team league would be perfect.
Which is why New Zealand should continue to be part of A-League, especially if it runs independently of FFA.
Auckland side or Christchurch.
Expanding responsibly could well boost interest in the A-League overall - ideally a 16 team league would be perfect.
Which is why New Zealand should continue to be part of A-League, especially if it runs independently of FFA.
Auckland side or Christchurch.
The Nix probably need to sort our shark out before we start talking about more kiwi sides
Yeah I mean, I dunno much about the details but I think quite a few people in Aussie are concerned about the future of the game. Having said that, I don't think international age group football is really much of a predictor for future national success.
It's more to do with the FFA governance. The Matildas are killing it at the moment, 4th in the world of course. So that's in the way up.
One big issue here is the junior fees being WAY too much per person, Adam Peacock (the guy on Fox Sports) pays up to $500/person. As for the youth, as an avid watcher of SA NPL teams, the Premier League quality is actually pretty good! You get some great talent, but the United A-League team hadn't been playing the youngsters, only now are they being selected. Which is surprising that players like La Rocca still got a game last season!!
Yeah I mean, I dunno much about the details but I think quite a few people in Aussie are concerned about the future of the game. Having said that, I don't think international age group football is really much of a predictor for future national success.
It's more to do with the FFA governance. The Matildas are killing it at the moment, 4th in the world of course. So that's in the way up.
One big issue here is the junior fees being WAY too much per person, Adam Peacock (the guy on Fox Sports) pays up to $500/person. As for the youth, as an avid watcher of SA NPL teams, the Premier League quality is actually pretty good! You get some great talent, but the United A-League team hadn't been playing the youngsters, only now are they being selected. Which is surprising that players like La Rocca still got a game last season!!
Yeah I mean, I dunno much about the details but I think quite a few people in Aussie are concerned about the future of the game. Having said that, I don't think international age group football is really much of a predictor for future national success.
It's more to do with the FFA governance. The Matildas are killing it at the moment, 4th in the world of course. So that's in the way up.
One big issue here is the junior fees being WAY too much per person, Adam Peacock (the guy on Fox Sports) pays up to $500/person. As for the youth, as an avid watcher of SA NPL teams, the Premier League quality is actually pretty good! You get some great talent, but the United A-League team hadn't been playing the youngsters, only now are they being selected. Which is surprising that players like La Rocca still got a game last season!!
I know, just thought I would brag ? But there are a few great players here in the SA NPL. Victoria has ready made teams, that's for sure.
Yeah, I mean we've picked up Tratt, Powell and Parkhouse from State leagues in the last few years and they are all A League quality IMO. Maybe not stars (Tratt maybe in a few years) but squaddies at least. I think they were all NSWPL though? Question is, are there 30-something guys at that level across all the NPL? Of course some overseas Aussies might come back if given the chance too
Yeah, I mean we've picked up Tratt, Powell and Parkhouse from State leagues in the last few years and they are all A League quality IMO. Maybe not stars (Tratt maybe in a few years) but squaddies at least. I think they were all NSWPL though? Question is, are there 30-something guys at that level across all the NPL? Of course some overseas Aussies might come back if given the chance too
Yep, that's right, NSWPL is doing well for itself, and it shows with Blacktown City doing reasonably well every year in their FFA Cup runs. Dammit Jacob, I miss you ?
You do get the odd 30-something year old in each team, but I'd say the mean age is around 25. You also get players like Fabian Barbiero and Van Dommele who hold teams like Metrostars together and surprisingly there are quite a few Japanese players who may have played in the Japanese second tier, or even J-League as well. I need to do my research on those players.
I don't think talent should be a big problem. If you create more teams, then you create more opportunities for players to shine. Expansion is always going to cause the overall quality of the league to dip a little. However, most leagues aren't trying to contract to make them have more overall talent.
Moves announced to expand in 2019/20 season, but is it just an FFA smokescreen? Stay tuned....
Just have to win it in 18/19 to make a post 19/20 decision harder
The Hat is Open for all comers.
(To the music of Born to be Wild)
Get your Tenders in early
Head out for the by play
Looking For Debenchers
And what ever comes our way
Ya got to make it happen
Take Gollop in a love embrace
By all the flares in one place
Lets float with police at our place.
Hope it goes to Tasmania and Canberra, but i fear it will go to South East Melbourne and South Sydney. Woolongong Wolves chat has simmered down over the last year, but they would surely be front-runners too. Apparently a Northern Brisbane team is putting together a strong bid at the moment too. If it is a Melbourne or Sydney team though I hope they go don't go with "South East Melbourne" or "South Sydney" as the name. I'd rather they're called Dandenong and Sutherland or St George or Woolongong or Cronulla. Gets boring otherwise
Hope it goes to Tasmania and Canberra, but i fear it will go to South East Melbourne and South Sydney. Woolongong Wolves chat has simmered down over the last year, but they would surely be front-runners too. Apparently a Northern Brisbane team is putting together a strong bid at the moment too. If it is a Melbourne or Sydney team though I hope they go don't go with "South East Melbourne" or "South Sydney" as the name. I'd rather they're called Dandenong and Sutherland or St George or Woolongong or Cronulla. Gets boring otherwise
No way will Fox allow expansion teams in Canberra or Tasmania. It'll be another Sydney and Melbourne team so they can have more derbies to boost their viewership numbers.
If they do allow another Sydney and Melbourne team, I wonder if the A-League will have the highest number of derbies relative to number of teams in the league.