Melbourne Victory’s Archie Thompson is challenged by Brisbane Roar’s Craig Moore, during their round 9 of the 2009 A-League season, being played at Ethihad Stadium in Melbourne, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
If Newcastle were last season’s “last one out turn the lights off” club, then in Version 5 of the A-League it must be Brisbane Roar who have taken up the mantle.
First coach Frank Farina was sacked, then Charlie Miller walked out while Liam Reddy has shortened his contract to the end of the season. Now comes the news that Craig Moore is set to leave in January on a loan move.
It doesn’t look good for Ange Postecoglou’s men, but it would be simplistic to say that its clearly all because of discontent within the club (though I suspect there is quite a bit).
Moore’s seemingly imminent departure is different to Farina’s, Miller’s and Reddy’s. The Socceroos defender is only heading out on loan because of the short length of the A-League season and the effect that would have on his World Cup prospects.
The Brisbane captain will most likely be joined by Jacob Burns, Mile Sterjovski and Chris Coyne from Perth Glory on the plane out of Australia in January. Other Socceroos hopefuls could potentially leave as well.
It’s not what the A-League needs right now. Brisbane Roar might have finally got a decent crowd together on Wednesday night for their match against North Queensland Fury, but one game doesn’t make a trend.
A-League crowds are down and the forth coming player exodus wont help.
The saddest thing is this all could have been avoided.
Earlier this year, FFA released a couple of feelers amongst the A-League and football communities over the idea of starting the league in October and having it run through to May. This was to allow locally based players the best chance to stake a claim for a Socceroos place. The idea was up for genuine consideration and at one point looked like it would go ahead. In the end FFA bought the season forward instead of moving it backwards!
Ben Buckley and co made the decision not to delay the season because they felt it was too much of a gamble to send the season into such uncharted waters. Talk about getting a decision wrong.
Considering the apathetic start to the A-League season in August, where the competition failed to find traction amongst the NRL and AFL finals, this looks like even more of a mistake.
It could be argued that FFA weren’t to expect the “flood” of returning Socceroos that signed on in June, but I don’t buy it. In a World Cup year the focus should always be on helping the national team’s tournament prospects.
All FFA’s decision has done is harm the A-League (though I’d argue these players will get a better preparation in Europe or East Asia than in Australia, so maybe they have inadvertently helped the Socceroos.)
So if you turn up to an A-League game in the New Year and your favourite players are missing then thank Football Federation Australia on your way out.
jimbo
Guest
If they keep increasing teams there has to be an overlap. This year was the first year and it didn't go too well, but next year it will be more expected and coming after the back of the FIFA WC and maybe some more momentum. The other options are to start after September and finish in May or play a lot of midweek games, which seemed to be a success for the Roar.
David
Guest
i agree starting the season when other codes have there finals was the dumbest thing that the FFA has done
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I woudln't be surprised if that started happening. J league and K league veterens will want to play here for a couple of seasons to improve their english skills for their Fifa licenses. FFA could speed up the whole process by introducing the +1 visa spot for AFC players in the A league and think they should go one further and make it plus 2.
pimbo
Guest
NO its my foult ze players are goink. Ze A-Leek is Crraaap anyvay. Give ze jungen a game.
Rob
Guest
Now THERE's an idea, Roger. I like your thinking on this one. It is an interesting point, and one that merits investigation. Surely if a swap deal were negotiated so that our players could go overseas to get the match time they need heading into the world cup, and we punters here would get a decent replacement for the time they are away. Sounds like a win-win to me.
Roger
Guest
I wonder why no A-League club thus far has made an agreement with a Japanese or European side to loan their star players out in the February-July window and receive players on loan in return during that club's offseason.
midfield general
Guest
Yes but I don't know why the Perth trio is bothering - they are not going to get picked based on their current form.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
The short season and end date have always been a problem. Keep in mind ending the season later could magnify the problem we already have with qualifying for ACL.
cruyff turn
Roar Rookie
On another issue, the next Asian Cup will be held in January 2011. Do the FFA have plans to suspend the next A-League season for one month?
cruyff turn
Roar Rookie
Agree with you, Davidde. An October to May season would have been a far better idea. Not just for this season, but every season. Didn't they use this schedule in the old NSL days? Maybe the FFA feared that the A-League finals clashing with the beginning of the AFL and NRL season would have seen a drop in crowd figures. Well, I remember back in 1997, the Brisbane Strikers won the title in front of a packed Lang Park. And then of course we had the bumper crowds the Glory used to get at Subiaco about 10 years ago. Below is a YouTube link of the Glory winning the 2000 semi-final, which would have been around April or May that year. The crowd just went off when Ivan Ergic scored. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-wzVzaY3Pk The fear that crowd numbers would suffer because of the rival codes starting their seasons is misplaced.
James
Guest
FFA messed up big with the season timing. Perth fans will have no reason to go see the Glory after January. It's common sense to have the season start in October and end in May - with plenty of pre-season friendlies in August-September.
AndyRoo
Guest
They could also do something like schedule friendlies for the A league based socceroos to keep up to 23 locals match fit. NZ have the same problem and would be up for it.