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While players from other codes allegedly set dwarves on fire, allegedly punch women in the face, oh, and prepare for high-profile finals series games, the A-League still has more than a month till kick-off.
There has been some hand-wringing of late about the length of the A-League off-season.
At just over five months, it is in fact no longer than the off-seasons of the AFL and the NRL, but in comparison to the two-month break attributed to most of the European leagues, it seems like an eternity to some fans.
The off-season is reduced somewhat if an A-League club is involved in the Asian Champions League, and while that might only be the case for one or two clubs, it still keeps A-League football on the pay TV screens.
I’m an advocate and supporter of the “clear air” theory, and have written so before. Starting the A-League in August puts it in competition with a lot of other events, both on and off the field.
For the upcoming season, there is also the back end of the competition to think about. With the Socceroos confirmed in the final 32 for the World Cup in Brazil, a season finishing in May is a perfect lead-in to the biggest tournament of them all.
There is every indication that a number of A-League players will be part of the final squad going to Brazil, so far better for them to be playing into late April than cooling their heels from February.
The whole Essendon drugs saga has been a thoroughly horrendous issue for the AFL this season, but I can’t see how the A-League would have “capitalised” on the trials and tribulations of James Hird and co if it had been underway.
There was still a competition running and between the reportage of the games and the ASADA investigation, there was a lot of press room devoted to Australian Rules. Far better to let it play out and have the A-League season commence on its own terms.
The announcement of the FFA Cup will no doubt shorten the domestic off-season from next year and it’s a great initiative which will hopefully be planned and executed the right way.
It gives the code a uniqueness that can set it apart from the others by introducing the “Cinderella” element of part-timers and amateurs having the chance to come up against A-League professionals in a knockout cup.
Perhaps rugby league’s Amco Cup from the mid seventies is the only time one of the other footy codes did something like this.
As the league expands, the season will increase in length and the decision for A-League administrators then will be whether to stretch into June or start in September.
Ground availability may well become a determining factor at some point, but for now, I like the A-League’s October kick-off.
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