Gold Coast who? It is amazing to think that just under 12 months ago A-League officials were vexed by what to do about Clive Palmer, when all the talk now is of a brand new club potentially becoming a powerhouse of the competition.
It’s safe to say at this point that Western Sydney Wanderers’ entry into the competition has been an unqualified success.
Built from nothing after Gold Coast United were unceremoniously but necessarily dumped last year, the Wanderers are winning games on the field and winning over fans and corporate support off it.
And if the issue of A-League expansion is to return to the agenda any time soon, it’s worth trying to pinpoint what the Wanderers have done right.
Firstly they appointed an astute tactician, and Sydney FC must be kicking themselves at having let Tony Popovic slip away.
The widely respected former Socceroo has breathed new life into a core of established A-League players, with the likes of Ante Covic, Michael Beauchamp and Mark Bridge showing several former employers that they’ve got a point to prove.
Popovic has also highlighted the benefit of overseas experience, gunning for Japanese ace Shinji Ono as the club’s marquee import with unprecedented results.
Had Popovic not spent time in the J. League at current champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the opportunity may never have arisen to sign a player who is now one of the A-League’s most influential.
But as much as the Wanderers are deservedly attracting headlines for their on-field success, it’s off the field – where corporate support is growing along with the fanbase – that suggests basing a team in western Sydney was long overdue.
And surely one organisation has more to fear from the rise of the Wanderers than most – the National Rugby League.
The AFL might be keen to make inroads but the fact is that western Sydney is rugby league heartland.
The Wanderers’ growing crowds have brought into sharp relief the fact that NRL clubs Parramatta Eels, Wests Tigers, Canterbury Bulldogs and to a lesser extent Penrith Panthers are all fighting for fans from the same catchment area.
What the Wanderers have done is essentially unite those areas under one banner, and they’re seeing success as a result.
That could be a problem for Parramatta in particular this season, with the Eels possessing a paper-thin squad as disgruntled members turn their back after years of off-field turmoil.
The club which could benefit from that, far more than AFL club Greater Western Sydney ever could, is the Wanderers.
It has been interesting to note the reaction – or lack thereof – from new NRL chief executive Dave Smith over the rumour up to 14 Cronulla players could be stood down in relation to ASADA’s investigation of the club.
Fresh from getting troubled Bulldogs star and reigning Dally M medal-winner Ben Barba’s name wrong during the NRL’s season launch, Smith has been conspicuously silent over the brewing Sharks saga.
Where once a steady and articulate David Gallop would have calmly fronted the press to announce the NRL’s course of action, suddenly rugby league’s administration is floundering.
Their loss is clearly football’s gain, and it’s a similar scenario when it comes to the Wanderers.
With any luck and with no disrespect intended to the Wellington Phoenix, hopefully the Wanderers continue their fairytale winning run and pack the stands at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.
Because if the general sports lovers of the region get a sniff of a potentially championship-winning side, they may just jump off the rugby league bandwagon and put their hard-earned into football instead.
It’s hardly a romantic notion but that’s the brutal economic reality of big-business sport.
The opportunity exists for the Wanderers to become western Sydney’s premier sporting team. They should do everything within their power to try and seize it with both hands.
Football Nation
Guest
Look sorry but the AFL ad is like a free ad for Soccer/Football as we all know what the world really watches.....and the League slogan Greatest Game Of All....means people think of Soccer/Football as We all know with 400 miilion players and over a million in Oz ?( as opposed to 100 thou od RL players Abs does not ever include RL in its partispation survey).... What most people would call the Greatest Game of all........ They both just spent millions and ended up promoting .....Football
Dingo
Guest
Mike Tuckerman said "my opinion has little credibility"...................that sums it up, you didn't need to add anymore
Dingo
Guest
Spot on The Barry, Tuckerman must be getting paid per comment posted in response to his articles, hence his constant sniping at other codes. The Roar editors need to put an end to this cheap "journalism", it's a blight on what is occassionally a reasonable sports forum.
Kellett_1992
Guest
My comment got deleted!! Was a valid question thank you! I wonder who asked for it to be deleted, because the mods, have let banter go on before... Hmm I wonder!
Australian Rules
Guest
I don't make false statements. But I do make counter arguments and opinions. You carry on as though you're some sort of oracle - yet in the same breath post comments like Paris is a city of 2 million people...or that Adelaide has a bigger population than Boston, San Fran, Dallas and others. Or that the AFL's member-owned clubs are shams...but *football's* member-owned clubs are a great idea. You see, it's your *lack* of balance and militant hatred of anything non-*football*, that makes your contributions on this site hollow and effete...however loudly you proclaim them with your caps.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@AR During discussion on any topic that I have researched, if I read someone making a false statement - intentionally, recklessly, negligently or accidentally - I will respond. In relation to football issues, you and your ARF buddies make a lot of false statements.
Neil
Guest
Though we football people have copped some horrible stuff from the other football codes over the years, just keep enjoying footballs revival. Ignore the other football codes, they don't matter.
ZipGunBop
Guest
@Wookie, I think the NRL slogan is "greatest game of all"
Australian Rules
Guest
Then why do you consistently respond to my posts? The lady doth protest too much..!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Australian Rules I will side with Mike Tuckerman over you - or any other football illiterates - every day of the week. Don't EVER purport to put me in the same "group think" as yourself. I've not read a single sentence you've written about any football issue, which I find useful, interesting or intelligent.
C
Guest
Mike you are on for that drink call me thanks also keep up the good work
Australian Rules
Guest
It's pretty clear...and overwhelming, Mike...you've been called out here. Or is everyone, bar you, wrong?
yewonk
Guest
i will tell u you how wanderers can win the west, nike actually having merch to sell to fans and geting rid off private crowd control firms with and i quote " battlefield strategy" measures. i know who the ones are looking for fight and its not the fans.
yewonk
Guest
thanks mike based in brisbane.
albatross
Roar Pro
>>a path in West Sydney A path? FFS just two or three steps after Auskick you are playing at the highest level you'll ever be at: playing for Essondon or wherever it suits the powers that be, No wonder the best players take to drugs and beat up their partners - they're bored witless at 22,
albatross
Roar Pro
>>but it’s a bogus comparison to make Surely you mean "bogan comparison"?
Kellett_1992
Guest
"Not ONE single respondent bothered to mention Gold Coast United... " I believe a few people did actually - myself, Fuss, Cameron, Australian Rules. That's all I have to say.
Swampy
Guest
Lol Paramatta Eagles - that was fun... Fun aside, co-tenants is the way to go. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Couldn't agree with you more, Desert Qlder. As an opinion columnist writing an opinion column on an opinion website - who also happens to be a long-term member of the Parramatta Eels - my opinion has little credibility in the face of the kind of "outright lies" you have highlighted (which is actually an opinion).
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Yet when the focus is on the build-up to finals football, no one reads it. http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/03/01/can-the-mariners-hold-court-or-will-the-wanderers-storm-the-castle/