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
roundballer
Guest
At least weekend fixtures enable the Canberrans to make it into the peanut gallery ...
Kasey
Guest
People say the same of Chelsea...well maybe not out the door, but through the trap door?;) I for one don't mind the draw even though for the 4th year in a row United will play Victory away. The Etihad game in December will be your usual MV vAU great night out, but I dare say the MV lads will be out for revenge at AAMI park after we lowered their colours 1-4 last year to break that hoodoo:) between that and the SFC game on Oz Day, not to mention the 2 tardbies hosted by Heart, the house full sign could go up at AAMI Pk more than once this season:) can't wait to be in that cracking atmosphere:) bring on the football!!
Simmo
Guest
I think the draw is excellent. I wrote an article here in January 2010 about how important fixuring is to football league attendances and how badly the FFA has been handling it: http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/01/06/what-the-a-league-needs-a-summer-festival-of-football/ I thought that starting the league in August was a massive mistake that affected the perception of the league for its whole duration. The FFA has rectified that. They didn't take advantage of the fans' freed time and boredom over the summer holidays. They've rectified that. They didn't utilise public holidays well, by fixturing blockbuster games on those days for example. They've rectified that too. The fact that all the criticisms have been focussed on just 3 games played during day time hours on the 4th of January indicates that there is very little to complain about this time. Well done FFA. You didn't screw up for once.
Realfootball
Guest
a very minor deity - several rungs below kitchen god
Mals
Guest
Good thinking. I think far & away the best A-League ad (very first??) was the one done with the Scribe backing song "Not Many". It was original, fresh & cutting edge.
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
I actually prefer the old knock-out European Cup... The UEFA Cup/Europa League has gone seriously down hill since it switched to this format. I don't agree 100% about the champions only aspect, as we want to get as many good teams as possible playing. But definately knock out. Asia is just too damn big for a "Champions League" format to work. we effectively run a twin competition (West & East) and only at the end of the groups do the come together... not exactly a blending of champions. I'd have the previous champions (to defend their title), 3 teams from the 4 biggest leagues, 2 teams from 5 intermediate/smaller leagues (A-League), and 1 each (champions) from 9 other nations. 32 team comp. You could even have qualifying for the 9 smaller nation spots. This model is only five rounds long, so overheads will be low, its a better TV product, and the prize money will stretch further... far to sensible for it to happen though...
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
This pretty much happens anyway though... the Victory's last two GF appearances also coincided with regular season fixtures against their ultimate GF opponents. I think that in 08-09 they played sydney 5 times in 7 weeks, and the year before was just as bad against adelaide. Sadly the finals system we have heavily favours the top two, but leads to a rush of same-same fixtures at the pointy end...
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
And that was a big problem for the Jets last year, having 3 or more away games in a row... the draw was a shocker last year for that... where possible (practical) it should be home-away-home-away...
Roarchild
Guest
Agree with Simmo it's stupid to stop for national team duty. I think it's the Under 20's that actually cause more of a problem for the A league sides in regards to missing players. It's great promotion for the A league to have players involved with the Socceroos because it gives newspaper writers something to talk about and the socceroos have a bigger profile. Brisbane’s Matt Mackay called up for Socceroos Brisbane’s Matt mackay played 20 minutes/didn’t play against Serbia. Brisbane’s Matt Mackay will/won’t play against CCM due to socceroos duty These are all stories that convert get the A league mentioned in football news space that was previously reserved for just Socceroos stories or overseas football. I really don’t think we are at the point where people will be turned of by one or two plaers not being there. The A league while the top flight of our football is essentially lower league football on the world stage and lower leagues often run on the principal your game can be transferred only if your side loses 3 or more players to national team duty.
whiskeymac
Guest
a god named lyall?
Simmo
Guest
It won't. Stopping league play so a couple of A-League players could sit on the bench for the Roos has always been a bit idiotic. The A-League needs to maintain its own momentum. Especially through the summer holidays.
Realfootball
Guest
That is one impressive slate of young talent. The smart money would have to be on the Mariners for this season - if they can ever get this lot back to play. My top 3 - Brisbane, Mariners and Victory. By clear daylight. Newcastle and Adelaide the best of the rest. Barring some kind of divine intervention, I see Sydney struggling again.
Realfootball
Guest
Well, Mid, you'd better get more people in through the gates than you did for last season. Absolutely no excuses now. That embarrassing Prelim final attendance still looms large. Perhaps the club had begun to take its local status for granted. Or were attendance expectations unrealistic, based on season 3? Either way, this season looms as the litmus test on the Central Coast. With the football CCM played last season fresh in the memory and decent schedules, the Mariners need bums on seats. As does everyone, mind you, not the least my beloved Roar.
B illy
Guest
I don't know if anyone has picked up on yet in regards to the Socceroos game just prior to season kickoff is that the FFA could ask the Socceroos to go personally to a kickoff match (while they are in the country. So when they are interviewed by the mass media while they are in country, and are inevitably asked what else they are doing while in country they can spruik that they are attending the A-League season opener tomorrow (and maybe there are still tickets left!) ... Should boost ticket sales seeing the Socceroos at an A-league game.
David Heidelberg
Guest
Hell yeah, and replay the grand final before the socceroos match in October.
David Heidelberg
Guest
A shame the surface at Jihad will be ruined by then, but at least AAMI will easily be a sellout.
David Heidelberg
Guest
Me too, should be a great day. I don't plan to miss a minute.
jamesb
Guest
while the A-League draw looks promising, there is something missing. How will the HAL draw accommodate the socceroo games like world cup qualifyers and the ACL which involves roar and mariners?
jamesb
Guest
marketing campaign should revolve around last seasons grand final between the roar and mariners as the key selling point. it tells people around the country that ''hey the HAL can provide quality and drama as well" in its own right. no need for bon jovi
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Well, Midfielder ... maybe it's time you guys in Gosford stopped hogging all the talented young players, who are good enough to play international football? ;-)