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The entertainment on show for round five of the A-League could have comfortably rivalled any competition around the globe.
For fans, it was certainly a pulsating spectacle, from Western Sydney Wanderers’ inaugural feat on home soil, to Melbourne Victory’s five-goal thriller on Melbourne Cup Eve.
In the five fixtures an incredible 23 goals were amassed – nine alone in Central Coast’s demolition of Sydney FC. In football, goals don’t necessarily equal excitement, however last weekend was certainly one to remember.
A renewed sense of optimism appears to be searing through the league, with both crowd attendances and television ratings escalating to epic proportions.
For only the second time in the competition’s seven year history, the average TV audience for each A-League game in a single round reached 100,000 viewers – only surpassed by the opening round of this season, where an accumulative 541,000 tuned in.
And again, fans turned through the turnstiles in impressive fashion. Last round, the average crowd was a little over 15,000 – an impressive figure, with no signs of slowing down in the coming weeks.
The A-League is converting many people from general sport fans into regular weekly viewers. It may still be a work-in-progress, but the competition is slowly but surely heading in the right direction.
There’s reason to feel buoyant; the product on the pitch is delivering a fluent, enjoyable package for everyone involved. Unlike the opening years of the A-League – where game-structures were somewhat one-dimensional and lacked sophistication – clubs now have a vision on how they want to play their football.
We’ve seen Brisbane’s ground-breaking philosophy throughout their two-championship winning seasons, and now we’re seeing other clubs adopt their own unique ethos.
The league’s development is evident; the arrival of Western Sydney has been a breath of fresh air following the ugly demise of Gold Coast United, owned by billionaire mining tycoon Clive Palmer.
Expansion has a rather fruitless history in the A-League, although credit must be given where credit is due. Football Federation Australia has done a magnificent job in getting the Wanderers successfully up and running in such a small frame of time.
Proactive engagement with the local communities was completed in an astute manner, allowing the club’s newly adopted fans the opportunity to set its pathway.
A potent 10-team competition is the FFA’s primary priority. Stability is the key to long-term success. The imminent TV deal, set to be unveiled this month, will noticeably encompass a free-to-air component on SBS.
The new deal will see Fox Sports cover each A-League game live, with SBS televising one game per round. The contract is believed to be around $160 million over a four-year period – double the current $19 million per year.
It’s a big tick for Australian football. Ben Buckley has had his fair share of critics during his tenure as FFA CEO, however he must be applauded for this tremendous outcome.
Additionally, the signatures of the big-name marquees have been a welcome addition. Last season we witnessed Socceroo luminary Harry Kewell light up the competition on and off the field, despite his club’s tumultuous season.
This campaign, Italian idol Alessandro Del Piero and former England international Emile Heskey are making headlines domestically and abroad – their presence has been exemplary, and certainly enhanced football’s image within the Australian domestic competition.
Their arrivals have been an enormous boost for the code, undoubtedly attracting a wider audience this current season. Importantly though, their influence isn’t limited to the grandstands. On the pitch, manifestly they have been influential figures, often raising the bar in standard and theatre.
The glut of media attention, both here and overseas, has been overwhelming beyond our wildest imaginations. The positive vibe engulfing the A-League could very well be the launching-pad for a feast of star signings in the near future.
Round six delivers some enticing encounters, however it’s difficult to go past Saturday night’s blockbuster between traditional rivals Sydney and Victory – a massive game on the football calendar.
Both these sides have a point to prove. The Sky Blues will be seeking redemption after their humiliating five-goal trouncing to the Mariners last weekend, while the Navy Blues will aspire to keep their winning momentum across the border, after an imposing 70-minute display against the Phoenix on Monday night.
May the best team triumph.
Follow Robbie on Twitter @RobertDiFabio
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