North Qld, on the verge of collapse. Ad U. still in administration, the Gold Coast empty stadiums….

Still it is on a par with the NRL, so it is not too bad.

Maybe 2010-2011 will be better.

I can live with finals but having 6 teams deems the regualr season nearly irrelevent and the actual finals themselves less interesting. NQ could just say we are only going to play Fowler at home gomes until the finals start and that would prolly be a good strategy if he doesn’t get back to 100% fitness.
Too many teams making the finals has damaged rugby league for sure, when it was a top 5 the comp was really exciting and you cared about who was going to make the finals. And you watched nearly every game.Sure some other things have happened to damage rugby league but the devaluing of the regualr season is the one thing that bothers me (sorry but I dont care if someone pood in someones shoe, it wouldn’t effect my enjoyment of the game)

Finals should be exciting and create a buzz, they should also be close to selling out if not sold out.
first vs Second playing off to host the GF is exciting
3rd vs 4th playing for survival is exciting.
I am going to make an effort too see those games regarldess of who is playing

1st vs 6th or however it’s going to work not so. Sure you get the good games after that week but the damage has allready been done to the image of that years finals campaign.

Top 8 seesm to work in AFL.. but I don’t think it works in general.

Have to remember though one issue is the FFA not allowing them to celebrate 10 years, + the FFA putting ROn Smith in there, not to mention rumours that when Sage et al took over they were compelled to keep Ron Smith on. Has done a lot of good youth work and is back there now but questions have to be asked about the FFA’s place in keeping a “mate” in there when it’s not necassarily in the best interests of the club if this is true. Then after their mismanagement has played a role in turning a previously well supported team into crowds as low as 4k, they turn around and say they would have to “re-consider the license” because they are underperforming?

But generally the longish term deal (relatively) given to Mitchell seems to have helped, they have stabilised and really look to have recruited well so I personally expect them to perform fairly potently, they should definitely make the top 6, as they look a lot stronger than many of the other teams such as NQ, AUFC which don’t really seem like they have really replaced some of their players who have left, NJFC who look like a rabble – does Branko have enough time to pull a squad together? Not entirely sure about CCM going by their form this year either etc and WPFC have a job on their hands trying to replace Smeltz

I would say that in terms of on field issue, there is a bit of a buzz, as Gold Coast should be good value, Melbourne have retained most of the Championship winning team which is great, Sydney FC have their detractors but they nearly won the Premierhsip under Kosmina and they were top after round 8 but regardless of the fact that people have over exagerrated they seem tobe quite happy under Lavicka who comes across as their most cultured coach yet, and then Perth look decent so a fairly strong top 4 IMO. Although for me personally as a Melbourne fan I have my concerns on off-field issues on my mind which erodes any sense of excited anticipation of the new season…

But anyway let’s hoe Perth start to get a fair few of their old fans back and start heading back in the right direction which I’m sure they will, the Boxing Day crowd of 13k last season was an encouraging sign that the potential is there. Not to mention their new logo and playing strip look great which will help with the positive mood

You are right, Mike, this season does have a buzz about it with the new teams, 2010 looming and a plethora of green and gold signings for the competition. It is going to be fun.

Agree Mike, it has been a very disapointing period for those who remember the NSL Perth Glory – who were indeed a glorious team. It is nice to see that there is a bit of overall development of strength in the HAL, we need the competition to remain close whilst continuing to grow. No one wants to see it develop in an EPL fashion where the same few teams win the comp every year and each team added just provide them with someone else to humiliate over the course of the season.

The Wolves vs Glory grandfinal was the best spectacle ever in the NSL and Glory were the first team to show the potential of appealing to a wider demographic.

Mike
it would be terrific for the HAL if Glory have a successful season. The signs are certainly good and l predict, if they sign Coyne, a top 4 finish for Glory.

Kurt, Yawwwwwwwn.

Good read, having Perth do well with a decent team can only be good for the league I agree… will post more latter work calls..