It’s getting down to the pointy end of the A-League season, and we’re seeing a very exciting tussle between Newcastle and Sydney for the sixth and final spot in the playoffs. Regardless of which club prevails, that’s 60 per cent of teams making the playoffs.
It doesn’t take too much mathematics to realise that a team finishing sixth would usually have a losing record.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of a playoff system and believe the A-League desperately needs big end-of-season games to give it some exposure, especially since so much media space has now been given over to the winter codes.
However, giving a team in the bottom half of the table a shot at the title does stretch the credibility of the playoffs and, by extension, the league itself.
It’s been said if Sydney doesn’t finish in the top four then Frank Farina might be sacked. What if they win the championship? Can a coach be flushed while holding the toilet seat?
The previous system had a top four which, for a ten-team comp, seems about right. However, the playoffs became hard to follow, with some two-legged ties where neither team was knocked out, then some one-off matches, and the undesirable outcome of one team having to sit out a week before the grand final. (I tried to explain the system to my cousin Tony – you know, the arty one – but couldn’t cut it.)
The FFA has improved the situation recently by ensuring all playoffs are knockouts, but the thought of the premiers missing out on a grand final due to one bad game sits uncomfortably with me.
The A-League playoffs should have a four-team playoff, where first plays fourth in one semi and second plays third in the other. These ties are played over two legs, with the higher-placed team hosting the second leg (as per UCL round of 16). The highest-placed winner of the semis would host the A-League grand final.
The only other concession I could make for those who think more clubs need to be involved would be for the fourth team to host the fifth-placed team in a one-off, mid-week playoff to determine the fourth team. This would give the first-placed team a slight advantage for their semi-final tie, which is a reward for finishing top of the table.
I’ll try this one on my cousin Tony… but I’m losing him already.
mahonjt
Guest
This again. Really?
Paul Nicholls
Roar Rookie
Sounds good Sassy but a problem with your proposal is that 1st team may have too long a break before they play their GF.
sassy
Guest
here is my proposal, have 2nd vs 3rd in a two legged play off and the winner plays the top team in a one off game, at the moment that would mean CCM vs WSW (imagine all the wanderers supporters going to gosford) but i agree it is a complete load of crap that Sydney Fc can still make finals with a 10-3-12 record
Paul Nicholls
Roar Rookie
Great to see the comments Roarers. Just a reality check for the promotion/relegation diehards: In over 100 years the two most popular sports (AFL & NRL) have only expanded to 18 and 16 teams respectively. Not enough for 2 divisions in either. In 10 years the A-League has expanded by 2 clubs; an average of 1 club every 5 years. To expand by another 16 clubs (minimum requirements for 2 divisions of 14 and 12 teams) would take 5x16 = 80 years at the current rate. This is a very rough calculation but it illustrates the point that promotion/relegation won't be with us any time soon. Whether we like it or not, the playoffs are here to stay - it's worth trying to get it right.
al
Guest
I agree. I can't see anything in NRL/AFL that's worth copying. Holland has 18 teams plus relegation with a population of 17 million. Australia should be able to achieve that in the long term when we have 30+ million people. Realistically we can have 60-70% of the market by then, while AFL/NRL/Union share the rest :)
phil mcboringwan
Guest
Thats the thing Cavy, football cannot grow if it always looks to how the AFL/NRL do things. You need a point of difference and that will be promotion/relegation. Obviously not for a while but if you put a structure in place and have set goals for the future, then doing things which aren't the "australian" way will in the future be of benefit to the A-league and football to grow in my opinion but I do respect yours if you feel differently.
apaway
Roar Guru
A top 5 is used in most State Leagues and was used for many years by the NSL, the AFL and the NSWRL. It heavily favoured 1st place, who had a week off, home ground advantage and a one game passage direct to the Grand Final, or a second chance if they lost their first semi final.
Cavvy
Guest
A lot of whingers on here, always looking for a bit of cultural cringe to bag oz. anyway 6 out of 10 is too much but for mine 5/10 is fine. You go the traditional final 5 path and there's still plenty of finals for FFA coffers (#1 has the first week off 2v3 4v5, you know the rest). But let's get two more teams in the comp ASAP (I think we're ready in terms of growth of the sport) and just keep the 6. 6/12 again is fine. Ppl talking about promotion and relegation need to look at the population in this country and think about sponsorship $ etc. this is not Europe we don't have the economies of scale, it's a silly conversation. Similarly the guy(s) that keep banging on about championship v premiership just need to put a sock in it. This is an Australian football league we're allowed to do some things our way, it's not wrong cos it's not how it's done in europe, grow up already
Bondy
Guest
Bit harsh Johan isn't it we will over time become a bigger sport within Australia until then we'll keep rolling along at least it puts pressure on our young kids throughout the final series. Try to think of it at least currently as developing, nurturing, creating and putting pressure on young Australian Footballers. Overtime it will make greater sense than it currently does but Rome wasn't built in a day.
Purple Rain
Guest
So if a team wins all 27 matches in the regular season, makes it too but then loses in the final, they are not the champions? sorry i'll agree to disagree on that.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Team with the most points at the end of the season has proven they are the best. Hand them the plate and forget about the finals. In the event of a tie, award it on goal averages. If averages are the same, split the title and have joint winners.
AxeMaster
Guest
I think the final 5 is the way to go. Top has a rest, 2nd plays 3rd and 4th plays 5th in the elimination. 10 into 5 is a much better option. They should still be using it in the AFL now. The top 8 is crap.
Johan
Guest
Wise words al but many posters cannot accept common sense. 16 teams by 2030 is the aim including Wollongong and Townsville (again!) and Auckland (again!)
apaway
Roar Guru
Football United It's the age-old debate, and I always lean towards deciding the champion on a pre-determined date. It is the way it has been done in Australia for decades, even as far back as the 1950s and 1960s. Grand Finals are an event and the A-League needs its events. If a team is good enough to finish top of the table, they are good enough to win 2 more games and become champions.
al
Guest
Surely there can only be one long term goal: 18-20 teams, play each other twice, finitto. And relegation of course.
Football United
Guest
2nd is not first, it's hardly the cream and it's irrelevant anyway because even if 1st place wins it, the attention is taken off the more deserving Plate.
Johan
Guest
Ian - kindly provide your source for your claim that the AFL wants a 9th time in the finals. I suspect you are talking through your hat!!! Oh and I made no mention of 6 teams being added by next season- be reasonable.
Ian
Guest
Yes Johan - at least 6 new sides must be created by next season to appease you. You forgot that NRL and AFL have 8 teams in finals plus AFL wants to have a 9th team in finals. Not too much better really. And relegation and promotion is why most overseas leagues don't have finals.
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Having 6th in the play-offs isn't ideal -- that a side as dire as Sydney will likely play finals seems ridiculous. I understand the "keeping interest up" reasoning though, especially as we don't yet have relegation. In Australia, we have two trophies in the one league. What ought to be remembered when giving weight to the achievements of Premiers and Champions is that one team is the best over 27 matches; the other, the best over 3. So, regardless of what happens over the next five weeks: congratulations Brisbane Roar!
gusset
Guest
Expansion, in Wollongong and Canberra is the solution. Work with the NRL to lobby government for improved facilities.