My biggest fear with this whole 2nd division business is that the majority of the new clubs would come from big cities/regions that already support a couple of clubs. Is that going to spark up even more interest, or will it dilute?
In my view, we need to work to bring new large catchment areas into it, to build a popular, entertaining, sustainable league.
To me this means Canberra, Tasmania, maybe a second Brisbane/Queensland team, and then a pipe dream Christchurch. Left field options would include a Darwin/NT and Pasific Islands team though I really don't think this is ever going to happen.
In my view, we need to work to bring new large catchment areas into it, to build a popular, entertaining, sustainable league.
To me this means Canberra, Tasmania, maybe a second Brisbane/Queensland team, and then a pipe dream Christchurch. Left field options would include a Darwin/NT and Pasific Islands team though I really don't think this is ever going to happen.
The real pipe dream is a second team in Brisbane. Did you watch their first home game last night? I kid you not, there were 5 fans (literally 5) behind the goal. 3 stands were completely empty with only the main stand filled with people, but not even that was anywhere near capacity. They used to average close to 15k...
Also we've seen, the addition of a 3rd Sydney and Melbourne team has diluted rather than added fans.
The real issue is that the A-League needs to actually become profitable, increase revenue, exposure and TV audiences before it can even start thinking about a second division.
I will keep saying it: Most clubs need to start owning their own stadiums/infrastructure. Otherwise they will forever be bullied by other codes, stadium operators, state governments. In that regard, Western United are headed in the right direction but there's still massive question marks about their future.
You can't build/support a house on a weak/cracked foundation, simple as that.