After years of being seen as the B-league in the eyes of world football, our A-League is slowly but surely shredding such stigma and living up to its name.
A name, that although pertaining to the main country of the league, sparks inevitable scrutiny of its class.
Seen by many as the lesser cousin of football leagues throughout the world, the A-League has long battled with a label of mediocrity both here and abroad. It was after writing my last article on the EPL, that I was forced to reassess my own stance on the A-League.
As a fan of the Premier League, I fell into the trap of belittling the A-League in expressing my passion for the EPL. A mistake many readers were quick to criticise, and rightly so.
Too long shrouded in the shadow of other football leagues around the world, the A-League is finally growing, and in more ways than one. Admittedly disadvantaged as a result of its short history, lack of funding and location; the A-League is quickly beginning to shine from the shadows it’s been long lost in.
In the 2013-14 season there was some impressive growth in terms of crowd numbers, TV viewers and general acknowledgement within Australian society. With an average A-League crowd of 13,000 and four games surpassing the 40,000 mark, the popularity of the A-League is undeniably growing and this in turn, is creating some truly stellar atmospheres. Both Melbourne and Sydney derbies are consistently creating some impressive atmospheres that in being so raucous are highlighting the passion the Australian game is evoking.
In terms of TV viewership, growth has inevitably come with SBS ensuring free-to-air coverage of all Friday night matches, a deal worth a respectable $160 million. According to the head of A-League Damien De Bohun, the A-League is now shown in a whopping 154 countries with the 2013-14 grand final earning a global audience of 250 million.
Coinciding with this supposed global growth, the A-League has earned greater prominence on its own shores with the exploits (both good and bad) of the RBB ensuring the league is becoming an increasingly engrained part of Australian sporting culture.
As opposed to popularity of the A-League, its quality may not be growing quite so fast, but progress is being made. Obviously marquee signings of the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and this season Damien Duff and David Villa (on a 10-game stint) have contributed to a gradual growth in quality for the A-League.
Such signings bring the league a class, attention and experience akin to no other. But that’s not to say our local Australian’s aren’t capable of putting in quality performances as well.
Consistently our A-League players are putting in such quality performances that they draw the attention of other footballing leagues; a doubled edged sword if i’ve ever seen one!
Often the A-League is bringing through quality Australian players much like Matt Ryan and Tom Rogic, only to see them depart for bigger and better clubs overseas. Is the A-League not good enough? Why is it just a stepping stone for young footballers and a final pit stop for the older ones?
Whether it be because of money, level of competition or opportunities available, such a pattern for the A-League must eventually change for if not, it may forever remain a B-league for many.
I say ‘for many’ as the A-League for quite a few, has already earned it’s ‘A’. Providing Australians with accessible and regionally relevant football, some now favour it above all other leagues. This is a great thing for the A-League as it is ensuring passionate fans are busy converting those unaware of it’s attraction while also ensuring football fans (myself included) are reminded not to under-rate the league.
Returning to the debate on the quality of the A-League, the Western Sydney Wanderer’s recent AFC quarter-final first leg 1-0 win over Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande on Wednesday night is an encouraging sign that our teams are capable of matching it with the world’s best. Evergrande finished fourth at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2013, missing out on the final after losing 3-0 to eventual winners Bayern Munich; three goals mind you, that came in a ten minute period.
Regularly over the past seasons our A-League teams have been playing with rapidly improving skill, team cohesion and finesse. Some of the goals scored are more than worthy rivals to any scored in the EPL or Bundesliga. Often though our A-League players show moments of brilliance only to push it one step to far and make us question just whether we’re watching a professional game of football.
The Wanderers on Wednesday night for example had some incredible touches, only for the next touch or pass to discredit all the good work done. Mark Bridge and Shannon Cole to players that showed fantastic first touches but not so convincing second and third ones.
Much like Bridge and Cole, the A-League is showing some promising signs and although prone to the occasional stumble during an over-zealous set-play, are earning their ‘A’ in the hearts and minds of many; even if it’s involved a prolonged climb up the alphabetical ladder.
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
I'm impressed with the slow and steady progress of our league over the past decade. The improvement in the quality of play is quite palpable.
Lachlan
Guest
Hatred of AFL is unAustralian? By that standard, most of NSW and Queensland is unAustralian! Get out of your parochial Victorian bubble, mate. AFL is a genuinely great sport, but it's not the only great sport around, and it has nothing to do with being Australian or not.
Derby County FC
Guest
Moot
j binnie
Guest
Brian Just for your knowledge the "entry fee" to get into the NSL for the 1977 start was a bond of $50,000 which, to the vast majority of actual football clubs in the country, was a king's ransom.In Brisbane there was only one club with that kind of finacial "clout" ,and that was Brisbane Lions who owned vast land holdings which included 3 pitches,a clubhouse,and real estate in nearby Inala's business district.To anyone "in the know' at the time it was no seceret that the other identity to enter,Brisbane City, who had walked out of the "entry meeting", had to go and get financial assistance from well heeled business men backers in order that the bond could be paid. As you say today's licence purchase is a much more business oriented method of procuring a franchise.So don't let the modern day bloggers fool you,most of the "successful" teams in the South were backed by long standing successful social clubs that were inexistence long before the commencement of the NSL,Hakoah and Marconi being 2 outstanding examples of this type of existence, not through their football committees but with the largesse of the management of these social clubs who controlled the purse strings. Cheers jb
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
I don't think any Australians actually "hate" AFL, they just don't like it or follow it. I'm perplexed as to why so many AFL followers find that so hard to believe. Yes, a lot of people don't follow AFL in Australia. Accept it and move on.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
The structure and management of the NSL was different to the A-League franchises of today and the entry rules were not as strict. Still the NSL days were exciting times and they managed to get the occasional huge crowd in for the big games and some great matches too. Hopefully the A-League can hold out a bit better, but some financial cracks are starting to appear again. The FFA should be better cashed up to assist if needed, after the WC appearances and the upcoming Asian Cup, which is fully underwritten already.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
All GFs have been sellouts, except 2008 when Newcastle and Central Coast were forced to play in Sydney at the SFS, which is not either team's home ground. They didn't have a home ground big enough to hold the expected crowd. It was still pretty close to 40K anyway in a 45K capacity stadium.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
Thanks Justin. Tinkler is in caretaker mode and wants to sell as soon as possible. Glad to hear they have some interested buyers and the Jets will live on in the A-League. Someone else has posted that AU are behind in their super payments and are struggling financially. I hope they can sort it out. At the end of the day, the A-League franchises need to stand on their own two feet financially. They need our support as much as they ever have.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Absolutely - a lot more upside in this game yet.
j binnie
Guest
Whiskeymac- If you google "Australian National Soccer League" you will get a complete run-down on every game,player and some crowds in the life span of the NSL..You can also raise "National Soccer League" ,click into Wiki, where you will see a table listing the 42 teams that played in the league and where they are today. The table also shows that 11 of those clubs are now defunct. They are Canberra Cosmos,Carlton,Collingwood Warriors,Football Kingz,Footscray Just,Inter Monaro,Morwell Falcons,Newcastle Breakers,Newcastle KB United,Parramatta Power, & Penrith City. Hope this helps, jb
Justin Mahon
Guest
Sad but grow. Con was a decent guy, but he was not up to the demands of the modern era.....
Justin Mahon
Guest
It is where I came from in Australia. Don't kid yourself.
Justin Mahon
Guest
It was audience as I recall it from the media around the game at the time,
Justin Mahon
Guest
Hunter have not pulled out #fact1 The Jets have several suitors. It's now all about the price #fact2 The A-League will have another stellar year this year for a range of reasons #opinion
Mike
Guest
yeah plus one. The jets are heaps better run because of Tinkler. much ore social media savvy, better membrship deals, more members, all done with poor results on the pitch
joe b
Guest
Agree...it is bewildering why some people feel the need to attack another football code. I think the A-League improves year on year, but like other smaller football leagues it will always lose talent to the richer leagues (eg. EPL)...this also happens in rugby. The Asian Cup and AFC Champions League offers prestige to Australian football and the domestic clubs, and this will help retain some talent. Bondy, shouldn't you and Fuss be trolling on the AFL tab?
Karl
Guest
2010 Grand Final was an official sell out but seats were in rectangular formation which means you loose standing room and well as seating in the pockets of lower level
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
So right The only reasons I need to love the a-leagur are that I love football and am Australian
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
No your not, how can anyone hate vegimite! :)
1860melbourne
Guest
Lets celebrate what we have achieved in 10 short years. There have been some major strides made . I feel the best years are still ahead of us!