The first round of the A-League came and went almost unannounced. There was minimal promotion of the games outside of major cities, and even in the city centres, there was a lot to be desired.
However, there were high crowd levels overall, and Adelaide even registered a first round crowd record. I think this has a lot to do with the quality of the league.
It just keeps getting better and better.
Take a look at the new boys on the block: Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury. Both played well in their opening games and both showed that they are final four contenders.
Gold Coast United lived up to their prolific boasting and kicked off their campaign with a near flawless start.
North Queensland Fury managed to match it with one of the best in the league, and were only outdone by some individual brilliance from young gun Koffi Danning.
This kid is a future star in my opinion, and is testament to just how much better the A-League is this year. The league is, indeed, more electrifying, and with Gold Coast United seeming to be the likely pace setters this season with their flambouyant play and star attacking line, the other teams will need to do their best to match them.
I guarantee now that away crowd levels for Gold Coast United games will be higher than any other. Even the derbies, or if Melbourne comes to town.
On top of a magnificent opening round, we have much to look forward to.
The other teams showed some mettle and there were no walkovers. Season five of the A-League will be the most exciting to date.
I think the real proof that the A-League has improved, and is starting to gain international recognition, has been the massive off season signings.
Not just Cullina and Fowler, but Perth’s spending spree, which saw them buy Sterjovski, Todd, Burns, and Coyne. Sydney signed Kiesel. Adelaide signed Owusu. Brisbane signed BIG BAD BOB Malcom.
These are just a few names which people will recognise.
Now answer me this, how can there still be doubters and naysayers for the A-League when suddenly internationally active players are coming back to play on home soil?
The A-League is still bound to grow, and will one day be the most popular league in Australia.
drew777
Roar Pro
Scott- as I said in my article, how can you say that the A-League is rubbish when we have international players coming to play here. CULLINA!! We might not be as good as the EPL, but the EPL is the best in the world. In our Asian region we are good. We have showed that in the ACL. Adelaide are a world class side. Gold Coast beat Fullham. Juventus came down under for a match. Compare that to the NSL a few years back and we are leaps and bounds better than what we were. ART- I agree. The EPL is a bit of a joke in one respect. The top four dominate while the others are left to make up the places. In the A-League every team competes. In the EPL the top four dominate, about 7 are left to fight relegation, and the others fight for mid table places. There are many more exciting leagues in terms of tightness of results.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Well the old NSL also had a highlights show on Sky UK (at the time they got too see more of the NSL than Aussies did!) so i would say that's more about cheap content than Fox or Australian arrogance.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Give me a break Scott - What are you embarassed about. I did not know that you spoke for the global community. You can get good games of football regardless of the quality of players on the pitch. I have watched countless rubbish EPL and Championship games. Here is an idea. Why don't you write a nonsensical email to old blighty and ask them to ban rubbish games this season. Go on lad. if you have got the time to post on the Roar, I am sure you act on everybody's behalf and singlehandedly improve the EPL and Championship this season.
Scott Adams
Guest
Why are Australians so concerned with getting 'international recognition'? If I were you, I'd be keeping quiet about the A-League for a few years yet (the staggering arrogance of Fox sending a 'highlights package' around the world is laughable), at least until the quality of play on offer is better than the English League Championship. The league needs time to grow organically, without people constantly trumpeting how great it is in spite of all the available evidence. At the moment it consists largely of has beens looking for a final payday (and, like it or not, Robbie Fowler falls directly into this category - no goals in the Premier league since February 2007 before he came here is not a record to be particularly proud of) or players not yet deemed good enough for a contract in Europe. This would change if the salary cap was scrapped, but at the moment the reality is the A-League isn't very good at all. It may well be getting better and better, but you have to say that isn't difficult. There are signs that the league is on the right trak, but blind optimism and a lack of realism do get a bit wearing after a while.
Koala Bear
Guest
My son and I will be booking our tickets for the GCU FC and Fury derby ... historical first match at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast... The first match I have attended in years since my trek up to Suncorp for a ROAR game in version one of the HAL ... Thanks to Clive Palmer we have HAL on the Gold Coast for the very first time... ;) ~~~~~~~~~~ KB
GeneralAshnak
Roar Pro
Actually the Advertiser had a surprisingly good promo for the AUFC v PG game, they had a full front page. Helps that they sponsor us though!
Midfielder
Guest
Enjoyed the read. Interestingly there are currently 68 internationals playing in the A-League of which 56 have played for the Socceroos at some stage... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-League#Current_Internationals Scroll down the page untill you find it .. many have played but a few games ... however it means we have 56 very good players and a number in the junior Australian sides...
Koala Bear
Guest
” Now answer me this, how can there still be doubters and naysayers for the A-League when suddenly internationally active players are coming back to play on home soil?” Good positive article and I totally agree with you... It’s only a matter of time that Australian Football will be the number one code in Australia... But the education process will still take some time yet to fulfil its destiny, being the number one code in Australia, as sure as the sun rises the next day it will come to pass... The entry into the Asian confederation has ensured that Australian Football will have an international platform to compete on with Club and International FIFA sanction tournaments... This is the ace card we have in Australian football that the other codes do not have ... with more and more international, local TV coverage, sponsorships, and international investment for Australian Football in this part of the Asian Pacific world will be conquered... To answer your question, there will still be those on going doubters and naysayers for some time yet, as they are frighten of the continued growth of Australia Football, the “Smell the Fear” syndrome is still alive and well out there... But thankfully with the passing of each HAL season, their hate for the game is being squashed, with the good continued results of the Australian National Football Team’s international progress on the biggest Football stage of all, the FIFA world cup... Although we still have a long way to go, but Australia’s bid to stage the 2018 FIFA world cup soon to be announce will dramatically change the views of those doubters about Australian Football in this country forever... ~~~~~~~~ KB
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Drew it's fair enough to be excited about the 5th HAL, new teams, plenty of new signings, etc But as to your closing remark - you could at least add a realistic time frame (I dunno, like 200 years or so). As Towser said the other day - to make such remarks is like "pissing in the wind".
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I think both new teams will be attractive opponents for away crowds. Gold Coast for there overall team and style. Fury with the Fowler factor. I initially thought they were the perfect opponent because they had Fowler and were likely to give the home team 3 points..but since then they have added Williams and Stefenuto. Strange williams didn't start which is dissapointing.
albe
Guest
Danning's got a great future... hope his international clearance comes through as he can be a real asset for the Roos. (Through gritted teeth) have to admit Sydney look very solid this season. Brosque was also superb on saturday. This Lavicka guy is looking like the signing of the season for me.