The Mariners and Wanderers have completed their respective parades; the argument over league and grand final formats is beginning to die down and the summer haunts of record numbers of spectators now contain new pitch markings, posts and the advertising that goes with the three major winter codes in Australia.
Many followers of the A-League will no doubt be engaged in the grassroots game or in following one of the various elite teams from around the world.
With another three to four weeks of European action still to come, that may well satisfy many football appetites.
But at the end of what has arguably been the best A-League season to date, are you left wanting more?
Are you waiting impatiently for news of the 2014 season, the new fixtures, player signings, pre-season games, or perhaps the excitement of the ACL?
For me, the A League season overran by around a month. Not that the competition was too long in terms of number of league games, nor did I become bored or disinterested.
It’s just that the other football codes season began and there was more competition for space in all the media.
The back pages contained oval shaped balls, and the water cooler conversations evolved from talks about Del Piero, the resurrgence of the Roar, the active supporter groups and fan behaviour to the more traditional topics of NRL/AFL tipping and who will win State Of Origin this year.
A few midweek games and tweaks to the format would prevent this crossover, as well as allowing the players to finish the season on superior playing surfaces that have not been ripped up by other codes that place little value on surfaces with an even grass coverage.
That aside, this is the first year of the A-league that I have finished the season already looking forward to what we might receive in 2014.
Will the coverage on SBS help spread the game?
Will we see more children wearing A-League supporter shirts instead of Barcelona or Manchester United?
Will Sydney FC recover and become a powerhouse; something more than a one man show?
Where will Rogas end up playing?
Can Adelaide United turn things around?
Does John Aloisi have the confidence of the club’s board?
What marquee players might appear in the competition in 2014?
Will Western Sydney Wanderers continue to attract the hearts and minds of Greater Western Sydney?
So many questions to be answered; so many stories to unfold and to be told, but for now it is a fond farewell.
I look forward to seeing you soon, but in the meantime can anyone suggest how I get through another winter of games of men with odd shaped balls?
JohnL
Guest
Two Queensland products as well. Must be doing something right up here with our junior/youth coaching.
nordster
Guest
The only thing u can say in Holger's defence is maybe he doesnt call some of these young players up for a reason. Perhaps so as to keep them in their club coaches good graces ...there could be a method there...with Kruse he is getting more game time so maybe not being in the NT frame for a bit has been good for his club career.
AZ_RBB
Guest
following aussies abroad is another thing to keep us busy. love seeing aussies doing well at big clubs overseas. Tom Rogic started for celtic last night and here's a small taste of the feedback from Celtic fans on twitter @jesssicaking Tom Rogic is the only player that showed any skill, desire or passion today. Looks an absolutely cracking player @reecemun07 Tom Rogic is #class @lewiswalker67 Like the look of this tom rogic for celtic #greatyoungplayer @timomouse Tom Rogic is about the best player on the park so far. Looks lively with every touch @Stephen88Flynn Tom Rogic was sent to us from heaven
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
I get your point. Thanks for clarifying!
cliffclavin
Guest
dont forget womens Asian cup mid year as well - not sure about tv coverage though.
Ian
Guest
last season it was the week after the NRL grand final as the afl grand final was the week before that. some seasons before that it was during august and they found the first few weeks were lost amidst the other's finals series so moved a few weeks later.
p budd
Guest
nickoldschool and nearpost - we al know how careful the written word has to be compared to the spoken word - think of the emails we should not have sent! My only point about the crossover is not that we really want a shorter season or anything to do with what happens on the field. It is purely from the point of view that football plays second fiddle in Australia to other codes whereas in many parts of the world, it holds the back page for 12 months a year. Clubs that ground share get the surfaces ripped up and the back pages are soon filled with stories about heroic men of League or AFL when there is no scandal to report. Whilst it was pleasing to see the coverage given to the A League final, look back and see how it disappeared further down the running order on Foxsports news, free to air and the print media. I'd love it to be different....don't have the answers as to how we get there but I am optimistic enough to believe there are some good things happening in the game right now.
Kasey
Guest
Bresh to MHT would be great for them and the league, he's been my favourite Socceroo since HK stopped playing in the NT as much as David O'Leary used to let him;)
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
agreed!
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
+1
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Yes I'm sure that will be an interesting issue but these things have a way of evening themselves out -no matter which HAL game it is if it's free people will watch it and I'm sure SBS will include highlights from the previous weekend's games too
nordster
Guest
Yeah the vocab is the fun bit...hiragana too, i found the 'Kana' app helps...though i keep getting ぬ and ね confused. And my lecturer reckons japanese girls vocabs consist of about ten words only...not being into girls i didnt bother to write them down...noticed quite a few lads did though! :)
West
Roar Pro
Does anyone know when the season kicks off? They said September and then they were going to move it to Oct so it was further away from the NRL and AFL GFs. I guess they have to integrate everything so the timing is just right and the revenues maximised.
West
Roar Pro
Wonder who chooses which games go up on a Friday night? I can't see Fox allowing FFA to schedule the big derby games on a Fri night and lose their big TV audiences?
West
Roar Pro
Didn't FFA hire him, because of his great ability to manage youth players and his uncanny ability to spot emerging talent? I think he's just trying to qualify any way he can with the same old cattle, to keep his job and huge bonus for qualifying.
West
Roar Pro
If we make it to Brazil, he wants the A-League contingent to be match fit right up till June.
West
Roar Pro
Absolutely amazing effort to beat the Blue wings in Korea just 2 days after a grand final and following 16 hours of travel. What a great result if the Mariners progress through the ACL, Good luck boys and don't come home till you capture that trophy for Australian football.
West
Roar Pro
Gallop has already promised that there will be more marquee players in the A-League this season. With the increased media deal money all clubs will be reimbursed at least their salary cap costs.
1860melbourne
Guest
With the addition of free to air now I dont see why we cant start the season in September in future years. Sellout games at Parramatta or AAMI PARK would start the season with a bang!
philk
Guest
all good........welcome to The Mariners 'mutual admiration society'.