Just like most 10th birthdays, there will be colour and excitement, tantrums and tears.
The A-League reaches double figures this year and will demand more than ever to be treated like one of the big boys.
“What’s really clear is that the A-League has really moved into the mainstream of Australian sport and I’m not sure we could say that when it started 10 years ago,” competition boss Damien De Bohun told AAP.
“It’s now a football competition that really matters to Australians.”
Fans will be treated to more football than ever this sumer with the inaugural FFA Cup continuing to gather momentum heading into the final in December while the A-League goes on a break over January to make way for the Asian Cup.
De Bohun feels the anticipation for season 10 has been bigger than ever before, starting with the Socceroos’ competitive World Cup showing in Brazil.
Another factor garnering excitement is Western Sydney’s extraordinary run in the Asian Champions League which will culminate in their grand final appearance in the coming weeks.
While the Wanderers’ fairytale looks set to continue, the story of this season shapes as Melbourne City.
No other side is surrounded by as much hype as the club formerly known as Melbourne Heart.
They’re bringing Spanish superstar David Villa straight off a World Cup pitch to the A-League on a 10-game guest stint while securing former English Premier League legend Damien Duff for one season.
Remarkably they’ve gone from wooden spooners last season to title fancies this campaign with several bookmakers declaring them equal championship favourites along with Brisbane.
Roar have been the most consistent side in the league and again look like contenders.
But losing their main attacking weapon, Besart Berisha, to Melbourne Victory has the Victorians looking just as strong.
Only two clubs will begin their season with new coaches.
Newcastle have brought in former Adelaide assistant Phil Stubbins, while Sydney FC hope championship-winning coach Graham Arnold will save the perennial underachievers.
And it’s Sydney FC where the biggest transformation is expected with Arnold amassing one of the best-looking forward packs in the league, boasting the likes of marquee man Marc Janko, Alex Brosque, Shane Smeltz and Bernie Ibini.
They may have lost Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero but now they look like more than just a one-man team.
This season will be without former Liverpool legend Emile Heskey and Japanese playmaker Shinji Ono, with more low-key marquees like Austrian Janko and City’s Slovenian import Robert Koren.
But De Bohun insists the lack of household names won’t be an issue.
“We’ll have in excess of two million people going through the turnstiles this year and I think that shows just how far it’s come,” he said.
“We’re now broadcasting into over 150 countries over the world which means we’ve got a reach of over 300 million people who can watch the league.
“So it’s not just in Australia but our credibility on the world stage is really rising as well.”
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Now, now, Josh. If you wish to sling mud then you must be prepared to wear the return fire.
Josh
Guest
Really, so those 7 seasons the RBB didn't exist they were somehow still responsible for all grievances ?
Lionheart
Guest
The ACL adds a tester for Roar depth this year. They were hopeless last time they featured in it. Kosmino always bags Roar, not sure why. Last year, even after they won the premiership by what, ten points or whatever, Kosmino commented on Fox that they wouldn't make the grand final. He then said they'd lose, after they beat MV in the semis. I read an article by him recently where he wondered if they could improve under their new coach (?). What's up Kossie?
Lionheart
Guest
Fuz, when you say 90% member turnout at every game, don't you get, or expect at least, 100% turnout? I mean, membership means you've paid for seats at every game so you'd be a fool not to go, surely. I know that clubs sell lite membership for fewer games (BRFC has a 7 game deal this year) but those don't count in the membership numbers (at least not in BRFC's).
clayts
Guest
Less than a week to go and I haven't seen any "Brisbane don't have any depth" articles. Why? Barely any off season signings of note and the loss of some important players. This time last year they had kept all their core players but everyone was trotting out the 'no depth' line. If any year is the year to proclaim a lack of depth it would surely be this year?
clayts
Guest
Mate, the RBB INVENTED protesting at games..
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Bring it on!!!! MV, WSW, AU, BR legit chances for silverware - just seems right ATM. SFC will be defensively strong and leak few goals a la CCM under Arnie - if they can find the ol' onion bag then they'll be contenders. MC has the midfield to cause problems and score goals. Are we going to be solid enough in defence? Welly could surprise and CCM may not be far off. Newy and Glory - dunno? It's close and too hard to call and that's the beauty of HAL 10.
Midfielder
Guest
Nice article... enjoyed the read...
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Glory seem to have amassed a pretty good squad, but the trouble for us is the other teams keep getting stronger and we've been playing catch up for ten years. If Glory can attain consistent good performances and challenge for trophies for 2-3 seasons consistently, our crowds will probably get back up to 15,000 plus again.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Off topic South Australia's Metro Stars defeated Bonnyrigg from NSW 1-0 in the NPL grand final yesterday at Lambert Park in south west Sydney. They now get an automatic spot in the 2015 FFA Cup R32.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
If you saw the comments we trashed, you wouldn't ask this question.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Oh right, I forgot the RBB have never protested anything in their existance ever.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
The latter. A few days ago I had a post not go through about football manager, listing some of the experiences I've had with players who have been good players in that game but flops in real life. I didn't insult anyone and I wasn't talking to anyone specifically but the post didn't make it through, I just shook my head and wondered what kind of person wouldn't let that go through, I understand the need for diplomacy and preventing code wars but this was a simple post about Football Manager, not an insulting code war starter. Saddening.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
What does everyone on here think about the 'moderators' ? Nessecary evils or control-freak pinhead nazis?
AZ_RBB
Guest
There were a number of fan grievances through the season. SFC underperformed 4 seasons in a row before The Cove took issue with it. The NTC were at loggerheads with MVFC for half a dozen seasons before seemingly reaching a compromise last off season. The RBB stayed away from one match after the club failed to address nearly 10 different grievances fans across the stadium had expressed. The Squadron have had issues with Newcastle as well, which I don't know too much about. It's hardly restricted to one group of fans. It is commonplace across the footballing world. It stems from the heavy involvement of fans on match days and highly organised nature of most supporter groups. For as long as football remains this way, fans will protest when things don't go their way.
Josh
Guest
Tantrums and tears, is this a reference to the cove walking out on their own team and sooking in the carpark ?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Surprised we haven't seen any season previews on The Roar so far. I might start thinking about my season predictions soon. They'll be wildly off the mark but that's all part of the fun.
AL
Guest
Cannot wait, got my SFC season tickets. The football keeps getting better. Watched Roar v WSW final on Fox this morning. What a final what an atmosphere, leaves the other codes for dead.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Won a free Nike football too :-)
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yes I can imagine that you'd want to try to minimise spending so you aren't sinking funds into something you're not owning, but on the other hand if it reduces it's viability that would reduce the sale price... It all seems like a lean year until the club is sold. While a quick sale would get things rolling, I hope it is to the right owners. Not holding my breath there. Expectations are low amongst the realists for the season, but high amongst the ultra positives ;-)