What a difference six months can make. If you need to pinch yourself, you are forgiven. The A-League has never ever had it this good.
Back in April, when Nathan Tinkler followed Clive Palmer’s lead and moved to withdraw his support for the Newcastle Jets, we were wondering if there was going to be an A-League at all.
Clubs were dropping like flies. There was open, embarrassing warfare between Frank Lowy and the very owners who were keeping his competition afloat.
And there was nary a proper marquee to speak of.
That all seems a lifetime ago now, thanks to the charming Alessandro Del Piero and the Sydney FC brains trust who brought him here. And of course, to a lesser extent, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono.
Crowds are through the roof. Ratings are high. The amount and quality of media coverage is unprecedented. The feeling around the A-League is so warm and gooey it’s even sucked Phil Rothfield in.
The football itself is on the up, and to top it off, there are now three fantastic, gripping derbies.
The truth is, however, that this competition couldn’t afford not to grow.
Every last drop has been squeezed out of the current TV deal. With attendances and general interest reaching a plateau in recent years, the problem with the A-League business model was crystal clear.
And there was zero light at the end of the tunnel.
Not that we could see, anyway.
Turns out there was one. Three, in fact – Del Piero, Heskey and Ono. And boy, have they changed everything.
That’s why it’s fantastic to hear that Football Federation Australia has stopped basking in the club-made glory and is ready to assist teams with marquee ambitions in the future, with a kitty of cash between $500,000 and $1,000,000 set aside for this purpose, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
If this move is any indication, perhaps – finally – FFA is starting to get it.
You really do only get out what you put in. This very real transformation of the perception and popularity of football in Australia simply has to continue.
Contraction and consolidation may have sounded like a good idea earlier this year to the business heads that knock about in the upper echelons of the federation.
But in practice, it would only have submitted further ground to the other sports – cricket, rugby league, Australian rules – that are all a bit more plush with funds and a lot more aggressive with how they spend.
It is encouraging to see the FFA take Major League Soccer’s lead. Let’s face it, we should be comparing and learning from them at every available opportunity.
The similarities between the A-League and its booming American cousin are too obvious to ignore – right down to New Zealand, which must be our Canada.
Immediately after David Beckham signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, the Designated Player Rule was hastily established to allow for other headline acts to follow. It is central to the growth of the MLS.
The MLS contributes a sum of money – somewhere in the vicinity of $500,000 – if a club is prepared to sign a big-name player.
That is partly why so many have traced Beckham’s footsteps. Henry, Cahill, Marquez, Keane, the list goes on. It is actively encouraged by the competition.
This warm embrace of star power is clearly the chief reason why MLS is now, arguably, one of the biggest competitions in world football outside of Europe.
When Del Piero first signed for Sydney it was very easy to call his signature the A-League’s Beckham moment. But in this context, we can see exactly why it is true.
Heskey and Ono followed Il Pinturicchio. And you can bet that there will be more where that came from, given how the legendary Italian has not only taken Australia by storm, but started paying his own wages in shirt sales and exposure alone.
Now that the league has woken up to the endless benefits of genuine marquee players, it’s perhaps no longer as silly to dream of Andrea Pirlo directing play for Brisbane Roar, or Frank Lampard driving the Perth Glory midfield, or a 33-year-old Wayne Rooney in an Adelaide shirt.
And as Del Piero continues to hand Sydney FC an incredible return on their brave investment in him, there is a major lesson to be learned for everyone involved in football – the FFA, the other A-League clubs, the state federations, or anyone with an influence on how the game is run.
There is no point throwing good money after bad. But if you’re going to throw good money in the right direction, amazing things can happen.
This has a meaning outside of marquee players. It is a crying shame that there are two communities of football fans, in North Queensland and on the Gold Coast, who have missed out on enjoying the fruits of the Del Piero coup.
In terms of participation, there are few better states than Queensland. Who knows what could have become of the Fury or United had they been allowed to continue on into this new era of optimism, under new ownership, instead of being used as pawns for the World Cup bid or as a sacrifice for the incoming broadcast rights deal.
What’s done is done. But Australian football should never feel like it needs to go back into its shell again.
Now that the Del Piero era has got the ball rolling, the A-League has to kick on.
mahonjt
Guest
The two are related. Duh!
mahonjt
Guest
Turns out it was another Socceroo completely!!!!!!!
nordster
Guest
Conditioned is a good word for it...the anti-dog-eat-dog a-league ;) Equalization of Opportunity Bill and all! I like my sport more of a pure competition...do not understand the fascination with forced equalisation in sport, at least not now having experienced what is elsewhere in football globally. For all its faults...colour me unconditioned...
Kasey
Guest
I have to follow Iangou’s lead here. There is no one size fits all way to build a football league. South America has Aputera and Clausera. Here in Australia we have seen clubs spend themselves into oblivion trying to buy their way to success. The HAL was set up with strict structure in place to guarantee clubs couldn’t do it again. Here in Australia, thanks to the equalisation efforts of the other sports we are conditioned to expect that our teams should within a reasonable amount of time and with improved practices be able to challenge for silverware. Football could not survive at the professional level with a market free for all. If MBV and SFC were to become the Real Madrid and Barca of Australia, interest in our domestic league would dry up. Why would I as an Adelaide United fan buy a season ticket to watch my team chase honourable draws/pinch a win at home playing park-the-bus counter-attacking football? The better football adapts to our local market the more successful it will be.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Oh its right up there on the list of places in want to visit don't worry,just thought people would be interested to know about that being a football related story.
Bellow
Guest
The guy was Mexican, he escape back to Mexico. Being half American, I have spent alot of time there. It's a very safe country. Like any where you have bad parts. However, I love the US and NY city is the best.
jbinnie
Guest
Vince -I said I wouldn't but your answer has me completely flummoxed. You isolate games and say if this was so and that was so the figures would be and are so much better, The one inescable fact that you are ignoring is my "magical" 15 match total for each year. You say my 10 % increase is nation wide,of course it is we are talking about a total HAL attendance.!!!! There is nothing "magical" about my figures they are factual - after 15 games last year the total attendance to all games amounted to 222,850 After 15 games this year the total attendance is 245,588. In anyone's language this is an increase of 22,738, or 10% , or 1516 average per game. The reason I did not "isolate the WSW derby is that it only attracted 19,000 (ground capacity) and that figure does not compare with other derby matches played which have all drawn in excess of 23,000. Now you have isolated Perth, Brisbane and Sydney figures in an attempt to prove your point but you cannot do that for last year Brisbane drew 27,000 to 2 games but this year have only played 1 game contributing 17,000 to the overall total. That to me shows a 10,000 reduction.in contribution to a 15 game total..Perth have had an increase over their total for last year,about 4000 or 18%.The Sydney comparison you make is unfair for their 20,000 increase was due to the ADP factor. and had been mentioned in comparison with the Kewell /Emerton factor of last season. You then move to the end of the season and state the obvious. WSW most certainly will surpass the Gold Coast's total for last year, 38,320, considering they, WSW,have already attracted 31,200 to 2 games. Again I ask you to recognise that that figure is greater than the differential between the total attendances for 15 games last year and 15 games this year so is in fact the greater contributor to overall attendance. By the way I do see that the crowd average this season is up 10% it was me that pointed that out in answer to your assertion that crowds "had gone through the roof". Hopefully ,with a good season ,the 10% improvement will continue to grow. we all hope for that to happen but it is early days to speculate on total attendances.I'll keep you informed how we are progressing,it is a hobby of mine. Goodnight and good luck jb
David Jones
Roar Rookie
I'm not saying I agree with his views about the A-League versus Scottish football - just saying that's the kind of Euro snobbishness holding back the A-League. The A-League has enemies within as well as without. The SFC players need to improve and learn from ADP to keep the momentum going, espcially the younguns.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"I'm sure you will write some crap about better touch, technique and tactics.." Oh dear, oh dear ... let me guess. You're really an Egg-ball fan & SOCKAH is your 2nd sport? ;-)
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
I would rather Rebecca Wilson hated our game,i despise her and will never forget the crap shes put on it over the years.Who can forget her lovely piece totally undermining Adelaide Utd's achievements in the ACL because they lost the final(amongst others). I wonder if shes made a public apology to that young chinese swimmer who she basically implied was a drug cheat.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Yet, they still get picked for the National Team ahead of the Brisbane Roar lads! If they come to MVFC - that's 40% of our starting XI playing for Australia. :-)
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Interesting you bring up crime over there,the New York Red Bulls youth coach was tragically stabbed to death in Manhattan and had his ear cut off a few weeks ago.
Realfootball
Guest
Last Chance Saloon for two drifters down on their luck.
Realfootball
Guest
Not sure that we are arguing about anything in regard to the United States. I never said flatly "superior"l; I said "arguably" a superior lifestyle. I don't think I can be called totally wrong for suggesting that, do you? Given gun crime stats, schools with metal detectors and armed guards, the safety issue is certainly live.
Vince Rugari
Expert
Ha! Pirlo is only being mentioned by me mate.
Vince Rugari
Expert
Mate, I completely, 100 per cent reject your proposition that the increase in crowds is due to Western Sydney Wanderers. That is simply not true. First of all, you are not comparing apples with apples. In your magical 15-match total attendance figure, Gold Coast United had one home match during that period last season. It was a home match to the low-drawing Wellington Phoenix. Wanderers have had two. The first was their first ever game, which brings a novelty value. The second was the first-ever Sydney Derby. This fact alone, that you are comparing one game with the total of two blockbuster games, means your use of statistics here is completely invalid. Average crowds are up all across the league. That fact alone means it can't be Western Sydney. For example, Perth hosted two games inside the first three rounds last season. They attracted 9,452 and 8,299. This season they have also hosted two - 14,085 (at Patersons) and 7,548 (with a reduced capacity). This increase is not because of WSW. Brisbane hosted two games inside the first three rounds last season - both around the 13k mark. This season they've had one, but it was 17k. That increase is not because of WSW. I could go on. In fact I will. One more. In 2011-12's first three rounds, Sydney had one home game. 15.7k. This season they've had one also. 35k. That is not because of WSW. I have no doubt that by the end of the season, the Wanderers will have a much bigger average crowd than Gold Coast United. But crowds are up everywhere. That 10 per cent increase you're talking about is nationwide. I can't see how you don't see that.
Reynoldsinski
Guest
Why would you want ex-Serie A players over ex-EPL? I'm sure you will write some crap about better touch, technique and tactics, as if you are some sort of footballing guru. At the end of the day, it all boils down to who the players are, not what league they are from.
jbinnie
Guest
Vince Sorry had computer malfunction ,my fourth attempt is the one to read Thanks again jb
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Del Piero will be a very rare occurrence im afraid." Before ADP signed, I'd have agreed with you. But, since his signing and, if he & his family remain happy & positive about the move, we could just find the HAL becomes the final stop for the best in Serie A. Already, Ale's best friend in football, Francesco Totti is being sounded out for next season & Andrea Pirlo is also being mentioned - maybe, in a couple of years. There is no doubt that the signing of David Beckham helped lure EPL players to the MLS. Give me ex-Serie A players over ex-EPL players any day.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Not a marquee signing, but Twitter is buzzing with rumours that Jade North &/or David Carney will be announced as MVFC's latest additions to the squad following the departure of Danny Allsopp. Either, or both, would be perfect as far as I'm concerned.