So positive have things been, it was almost inevitable that an article like Rebecca Wilson’s now infamous rant that the A-League is too concerned with quick-fix solutions would come along.
And how quick were we to start jumping up and down in an indignant huff?
It’s disappointing we’ve responded with suggestions that Wilson’s ranting must mean the A-League is getting to her.
Is it not worth considering whether, among the hyperbole and misnomers, Wilson might actually have a point? Is it not possible that Wilson attacked the A-League not just to sink the boot in but because she sees a weakness worth attacking?
Ultimately it leads me back to a concern that still troubles me – the flawed structure of the A-League still hasn’t changed.
The clubs are set up in the wrong markets, the game still relies on private capital to fund the clubs and the competition is still being run by the game’s peak governing body.
The only significant and positive structural changes I see are changing the season’s start to after the AFL and NRL seasons in October, and that head office can use the current forward momentum in negotiating the next TV deal.
Yet even here optimism is dampened, due to there being only one genuine potential bidder for the league’s TV rights – Fox Sports.
In the meantime concerns remain over a number of issues, including how many clubs will there be this time next year?
What are the plans to save Gold Coast United, a club that is still flapping in the wind?
How can the competition prevent a good club like Melbourne Heart from being swamped by the biggest and most successful club in the league’s history, who’ve just signed the game’s most high-profile Socceroo?
Even for those A-League sides whose futures appear secure in the short term, like the Wellington Phoenix (there is a contingency plan to deal with Terry Serepisos’ financial troubles) and Central Coast Mariners, there are still significant doubts over how they can not just survive but thrive beyond this season.
For these reasons I remain as worried about the A-League’s long-term future as I am excited for the start of the next season.
Why is all this important? Because I want the anticipation I’m feeling towards the start of the new season in October to be repeated for many years to come.
Yes, there have been some fantastic developments in the last couple of months but the time for cheerleading is not yet upon us, especially from those of us within the football media.
On the contrary, we must start asking even tougher questions of the game’s governors and do so more often. The hard work for those within the game is far from over.
j binnie
Guest
Kasey- Your reply to me concerning GCU crowds left me somewhat puzzled. I did not include the 15000 crowd in arriving at the club's average but to hint .as you did. that there are potentially 15000 people there to watch football -AS LONG AS IT IS FREE ENTRY- is a no-brain argument. The club did have a problem with entry,the most notable being the "capping" at 5000 but that was simply a matter of economics where,with a crowd of under 5m the cost of renting the ground nosedived due to the huge reduction in staff required by government (the owners) regulation.Their "local derby" v Roar only drew 6400 (150% over their average) .Compare that with the Victory "derby' that drew 32000, which is only 4000 less than GCU'S total for the season.Does that prove we should go back to City or State leagues,certainly not?. GCU'S problem is deeper than that and one which could affect RL & AFL in the not so distant future. jb
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Fremantle Dockers always struck me as the spiritual brethren of the Cleveland Browns, always next year, always next year... Which is a shame, as I have grand-rellies out in Cleveland, so most of the US sports teams I follow are based there!
James
Guest
Remember... Broken clock is right twice a day.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, absolutely, but I am responding to a point made by someone else, and I gave some evidence to bear it out.
TomC
Guest
Um...apart from the fact that your argument doesn't really address the point about 'improving', or note that there are twice as many players in an AFL squad than an A-league squad, or that some A-league players are outside the salary cap, would you concede at least that those two institutions had quite different recruiting strategies in their first seasons?
TomC
Guest
'Creatively challenged tards'? Pot. Kettle. Black, I think. Love the Victory-Reds rivalry.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It saddens me to hear that.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ UK Steve Will never spend a single cent on anything to do with AFL ever again as long as I live. For the first time since I've lived in Australia I haven't watched a single match but, for sure, I'll tune in for the GF - the same way as I tune in for the Australian F1 GP and the Melbourne Cup. Of course, I'll be happy if Hawthorn wins but couldn't give a stuff if they don't - the emotional attachment has been broken forever.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, there is plenty of evidence to support this view, especially this season. The Gold Coast Suns, with a $10.5 million salary cap, can build a team good enough to win three games, and cop a 100pt hiding every other time. GCU, with a cap of only $2.2 million can build a team that can finish 3rd in its first two seasons.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
i agree with Futbanous though i can see Tristan's dilemma ... i guess he'd rather his paid columnists that they can afford write broad articles that cut across the whole league rather than analyse just one club, squad or player. And are they being paid enough to spend the time doing something other than the easy option? I guess there's a place for keen up and coming writers to populate 'The Crowd' articles but its only going to go so far. Difficult place the football media is in trying to nurture that and even employ a few of them without the revenue. Club-by-club writers would be perfect if they could do it, then you'd really get some interesting yarns from 'on the ground'.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
with our game, positive or negative isn't so important to me as playing it straight and focusing on the football issues. There's more than enough interesting elements to football without fixating endlessly on the stuff some of them do. The cross-sport barbs that get thrown are a real turn off for all concerned i agree.
UK Steve
Guest
Fussball - does that mean you won't be going to the Grand Final if your Hawks get in? Buddy kicking goals from the boundary line is not enough technical mastery for you? Makes me laugh how all of a sudden Landon Donovan is considered a player worth watching. The Galaxy owner must be rubbing his hands with glee knowing that he can come down and fleece the gullible Aussies of their dollars every couple of years. Lets see the interest in an LA Galaxy match down under after Beckham retires.
UK Steve
Guest
What about the quality of the speccies this year, not good enough for you? GC Suns are the first expansion team in about 15 years, so I don't see how one team can make that much of a difference to the overall talent pool. Most of the draft picks that were selected but wouldn't have been if the Suns weren't around, probably haven't played any games anyway.
David V.
Guest
This year's AFL has actually been one of the worst I've seen for quality. In fact, the standard has dropped because expansion has stretched the talent pool. The A-League standard has actually improved with expansion. It's easier because clubs can recruit from anywhere to build a passable team.
Rob McLean
Guest
Sory, the above comment from me was supposed to be regardin discussion about Wilson and her 'love' of sport.
Rob McLean
Guest
For an Aussie rules 'lover', she has written very few positive pieces, that I have read, about the sport. I always assumed she was an avid league follower, but she never seems to write anything positive about that sport either. I believe she is a serial writer about the negative, whatever the sport.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
punter I understand the publicity angle, but you will recall that that game against SFC four years ago attracted over 80k, huge numbers, massive numbers, as big as they get, but it didn't do diddly squat. MOst of the blokes in that LA Galaxy team were state league standard, they were terrible. The honest truth is that the game infinitely better off without that sort of rubbish. Have a look at the MV vs Juve game from 3 years ago, fantastic game, high standard, quality players, full house in Melbourne - that's more like it.
UK Steve
Guest
I didn’t say that he has had no influence, just hasn’t put bums on seats for LA. I’m sure he has generated a lot of money for them. Let’s face it, there are a lot of Asian soccer fans that probably think he is some sort of god and have bought his shirt. But when it comes to soccer credibility, they are probably on a level with the average Aussie soccer fan. Why wouldn’t I be interested in soccer issues? I follow the game as well as a lot of other sports.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ UK Steve I continue to be baffled why football issues occupy so much of your time? It's nearly finals time in AFL but, I guess, it must seem "small biscuits" compared to the World Game? In relation to David Beckam's influence at LA Galaxy .. I prefer to do research and check my facts. In January 2010, the website "sport business" reported that according to global financial information house, Bloomberg, in the 2.5 years since Becks signed for Galaxy (in July 2007) the club sold 300k David Beckham shirts and ticket sales had risen. 300k extra shirts at $100 a pop - not a bad revenue generator is our lad, Becks. MVFC shirts have just gone on sale and I'd expect H's shirts to be a huge seller at "Soccer Fever" on Swan St, Richmond.
UK Steve
Guest
Suppose they went to see what the fuss was all about. No doubt they left disappointed, as I suspect most of the LA Galaxy fans do. Speaking of; he doesn’t appear to have increased the attendance for LA. Seems like the American soccer supporters aren’t as gullible as the Aussie ones.