The player drain is now without doubt the biggest concern for the A-League and all the other issues – crowd numbers, style of play and franchise development – can be traced back to this exodus. While it can never be stopped, measures can be taken, and quickly, to slow this trend.
Firstly, it is important to understand why players are abandoning the A-League in droves.
The J-Leagues “Asian berth” has shaken up the Asian football market and the ramifications are being felt around the confederation.
The money on offer in Asia far exceeds what the A-League can offer.
With two new franchises next season, the FFA has increased the salary cap from $1.9 million to $2.25 million.
It still pales in comparison to Asia and it’s naïve to think money is not a big reason why players are rushing out the exit door.
The salary cap has ensured a competitive and level competition, but it needs fine-tuning and tinkering so it won’t result in the A-League becoming the new EPL in which only a select few clubs can buy a title.
It is time to significantly increase the salary cap to not only reward those clubs who have made significant progress on and off the field, but also encourage the rest to work harder to do so.
Increasing the amount will allow A-League clubs to compete with their Asian rivals, while maintaining a cap will avoid the EPL scenario developing here.
Expanding the marquee system to include more than one player could also be another solution. The restriction of the current system is obvious in North Queensland with Robbie Fowler taking the marquee spot and the club facing the challenging task of enticing Socceroo Scott Chipperfield within the restrictions of the cap.
However, despite being “promoted” to the marquee position at Newcastle, Joel Griffiths was still tempted overseas.
At a time when our national coach has on the record stated he believes training sessions in Europe are better than playing in the A-League, players know overseas spells will help their development, and with the security of the A-League to fall back on, a viable and stable competition when compared to the NSL, the risks of venturing overseas are limited.
In this regard, slowing the player exodus is about more than just money.
The A-League still needs time to develop and the further exposure clubs have with Asia, the more games played, the better the A-League will become and the more sponsors enticed to fund the show.
However, there is still much groundwork to be done at the coaching and youth levels to ensure a better football culture develops so that in years to come, the quality of the A-League can’t be disputed and is on a par with our Asian neighbours.
There are also deeper issues at play as to why the drain must be stopped.
While watching Adelaide United play in front of a slightly disappointing crowd, a friend noted just how much the squad has changed since last season and will change again next with an ever-revolving door of players coming and going.
On the other side of town Adelaide, farewelled 522-game NBL and Adelaide 36ers legend Brett Maher, with a sell out crowd witnessing his final home game.
Franchises are built on the blood, sweat and tears of such heroes. That is the Catch 22 of the world game. Stability and loyalty are tested given the global opportunities available.
Players will always look to Europe, the biggest stage of the world game, but there is something wrong when our local stars are being tempted away in such big numbers to Asia.
FFA, this requires your immediate attention.
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