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A-League draw 2011-12 announced (AAP Image/Steve Holland)
There are still flaws and it’ll continue to have its critics, but today’s launch saw the announcement of an A-League 2011-12 draw that is much more in line with what football fans have been dreaming of.
With a new starting date and a focus on marquee fixtures, the draw has had a significant overhaul including:
* The season will now start in October
* 10 mid week games down from 30 last season and all to be played in summer holidays
* Five of those midweek games to be played back to back in a “midweek marathon” on January 4th
* Five games to be played in developing markets
* There will be more Boxing Day and New Years Eve games
There’s no doubt it’s promising stuff but while it took almost 70 versions of the draw until Football Federation Australia felt they had got it right, there’ll still be criticisms over some of these initiatives – in particular the mid week marathon.
To play five games back to back on the day many football fans will be returning to work after the festive season is quite curious, especially with some games being played during business hours.
However if there’s one party who will be happy it’ll be Fox Sports.
It might be a logistical nightmare for a TV station, but a day of non-stop football that runs right through until midnight will have the A-League broadcaster licking its lips.
With negotiations for the next TV rights deal already on the agenda, that’s arguably a good thing.
The date of the A-League kick off, which comes 24 hours after a Socceroos home game is also an interesting decision. It begs the question will a media giant like the Socceroos add impetus to the season kick off or overshadow it?
After having called on FFA to show more initiative with promoting the league, it would be unfair to immediately criticise them for at least trying something – even if some of the decisions seem rather unusual.
Either way, I’m curious to see how it all unfolds.
In the meantime, as A-League head honcho Lyall Gorman said on Fox Sports when announcing the draw, “Here we are, there’s lots of momentum. Lets roll on summer football.”
What the A-League 2011-12 draw means for your team, in a nutshell:
Adelaide United
They may start the season away from home and won’t get to host any big name games at Adelaide Oval, but fans should be placated by the club maintaining six Friday night home games which have proven so popular.
Key features:
– No Adelaide Oval games
– Six Friday night games
Brisbane Roar
They kick off the season and end it with big rivalry games but won’t be happy at seeing Gold Coast hosting two of the three Queensland derbies.
Key features:
– Three of the first four games at home
– Kick off the season with a Grand Final replay at Suncorp
Central Coast Mariners
A family friendly draw for a club with a family centric fan base
Key features:
– 12 of the club’s 13 home matches will be played on a Saturday evening
Gold Coast United
Along with membership sales based around the crowd cap continuing, the draw indicates little will change for the beleaguered the club. Could United just be keeping the seat warm for a Western Sydney side for season 2012/13?
Key features:
– Hosting two of the three Queensland derbies
– From week 8 to week 10 United are away at the Victory, travel to Perth then play a regional home game.
Melbourne Heart
Not too many favours for the league’s youngest club but will be happy to host two derbies again.
Key features:
– Hosting two Melbourne derbies again
– Four of their first 11 games are on the road
Melbourne Victory
Victory fans won’t be looking forward to visiting Etihad Stadium five times this season but it’ll certainly help the club’s budget.
Key features:
– Three huge games to start the season with Sydney, Adelaide and Heart
– Only one home Melbourne derby
– Five games at Etihad in the first 10 weeks
Newcastle Jets
WIth only a handful of consecutive home games throughout the season, it may be hard for the club to find traction with fans.
Key features:
– Wont play two consecutive home games until mid January
Perth Glory
The time difference between Western Australia and the East coast means their fixtures will always be tailored to suit TV broadcasting and that continues this year.
Key features:
– FFA have tried to limit the effect of travel on the club with never more then two games on the road
– Four home games late on Sunday afternoons
– Two trips to Wellington
Sydney FC
Two trips across the pond to Wellington will offer a chance for players to rack up frequent flyer points. Club also won’t be happy about only hosting one of the three Victory games.
Key features:
– Awkward start with Victory, Roar, Adelaide and the Heart in the first four weeks
– Two trips to Wellington
– Only one Victory game at home
Wellington Phoenix
Like Perth, FFA have tried to limit the effect of travel on the club with no more then two away games in a row.
Key features:
– Only have to travel to Perth once
– Four of their last six games on the road
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