There have been many questions and debates raised over whether or not the A-League should have finals series or not.
Really there’s only one answer and that is yes, particularly at the moment.
In order for the A-League to compete against the NRL and AFL, the A-League finals are essential to draw both revenue and attention.
You don’t have to look far to see how much media attention has been given to the Melbourne Derby semi-final taking place this week to see that the A-League finals are a good thing for the code.
Even though the EPL and other major leagues in Europe do not have finals and instead have the ‘first past the post’ approach, the A-League cannot afford to go with that option until it becomes more popular in Australia.
The finals in their current state, are completely flawed and are in need of immediate change.
As good as a Melbourne Derby semi final is for the A-League, it really shouldn’t of been a possibility.
A team that finishes sixth out of 10 teams, should not be able to qualify for the grand final.
People will argue that we should look at the A-League and the A-League finals as two different competitions, but that’s just stupid.
If, for example, Sydney FC win the grand final, who do you think will be happier? Sydney FC, the A-League champions, or Melbourne Victory, the premiers who weren’t good enough to win the Final?
Therefore the only teams that should possibly be allowed to qualify for the A-League are the top four teams from the season. This should be the case regardless of how many teams the A-League expands to in the future.
Keeping it at four teams will ensure that only the best teams that have performed well all season are able to win the A-League championship.
This way also ensures that the A-League continues to compete with the NRL and AFL in terms of TV interest in a finals system and crowd revenue.
In terms of how the finals system should be formatted, the simplest and fairest format, is 1 versus 2, 3 versus 4, the way the A-League originally contested the finals with two legs at only this stage.
The winner of 1 versus 2 will proceed to the grand final and the winner of 3v4 will verse the loser of that match to determine the second grand finalist.
The grand final will also obviously be just the one leg.
This format of finals is the only effective way to keep the A-League fair, as well competing with other football codes in terms of TV revenue and crowd interest.
Justin Mahon
Guest
I played as a kid in Syndey in 70's and 80's in Canberra. Grand Finals everywhere????
Justin Mahon
Guest
I have always liked the ACL play off idea - but after 44 years of living, breathing and loving football you don't get t tell me I am not a "real" football fan because I accept the finals series is culturally and financially appropriate in Australia. You just don't.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
This is not debated, what is, is the best team. 3 years ago the team I coached was in Div 2 & we lost the last game of the premiership to go down by 1 pt. 3 weeks later we won the GF. The girls I coach, said it was much more exciting & tense to win the grand Final. They were more up for the GF then the final game in the premiership. The team that won the premiership but lost the GF went up to Div 1 the following year. We remained in div 2. Which I felt was right because they were the best team over the year.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Hey Rick, I had been busy watching the Melbourne Derby. Name change, in life change is good.
Bondy
Guest
Of course you will get your purist who see above this and that’s great, but I think if the ALeague wants to grow to be a prominent figure in the Australian sporting landscape, then it should start marketing it’s appeal to average Joe as well. Yes good point Rick . Also Gerard called matches when the Victory weren't that good and lacked direction as clubs do at times but overall I felt it could've been a little slower than what he would be use to in AFL he did ok though ..
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Hey Punter. Why the name change?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Hey buddy. Long time no chat... I actually don't necessarily disagree with you on this topic personally. But what I think and what the general public thinks are two different things. It's clear to me from this discussion that opinions are very much divided, which is a good thing. However, going forward, what is going to be the best thing for the future of the ALeague? Firstly, I think there will always be a title that is considered to be more important than the other. Whether that's the premiership, or championship (or what ever you guys call it), average Joe will only ever refer to one event as being king. Of course you will get your purist who see above this and that's great, but I think if the ALeague wants to grow to be a prominent figure in the Australian sporting landscape, then it should start marketing it's appeal to average Joe as well. Now that of course is just my opinion and I guess I could be swayed by a counter argument. As a side note, you mentioned this: "Whateley’s not bad he started calling HAL games for the Victory “when we had nothing” …" HAL games? I'm assuming that's Hyundai ALeague, but correct me if I'm wrong. I didn't realise Whateley was doing commentary for the ALeague at all. What's he like as a commentator for the HAL, because he is brilliant doing the AFL? I just love his exquisite use of words when commentating. You should listen to him call a Melbourne Cup - awesome!
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Gosh, where would we be without you, Rick, AR & Mister Football, the 3 amigos, the AFL fan boys educating us football fans on what should or should not be!!!!! AHHHHHHHH. All is well in this world.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
lol. AR I freely admit to my lack of knowledge when it comes to the Aleague, and as such my terminology isn't quite there during some of these discussions. This is a good thing, and I enjoy helping people out on the AFL forums, just like Mister Football has done with me quite nicely in this discussion. However, this has made my day. I actually had to read your comments further up to fully understand what you were saying due to my lack of understand of ALeague terminology. ALeague Champions = best ALeague team after 27 H&A matches according to Fuzz. Brilliant! At least I have an excuse...
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Please accept this is just gut feel ... have heard nothing, have read nothing, so tis pure observations of changing patterns... I would not bet on this ... but I think the next media deal will be announced within the next two months .... reason[s] Fozzie has been narky of late and at times quite critical of FFA something he has not been for a long time... these articles keep popping up ... and my gut tells me Gallop wants to go before the AFL & NRL and wants all 3 channels bidding... As I said based on nothing just gut feel and observations...
AR
Guest
So Fuss provides a quote from Graham Arnold (from 3 years ago) which supports his view of the Premiers Plate...and...shock horror, Arnold's team CCM had just won the Premiers Plate. But Fuss pish-poshes the view of Ange Postecoglou (who most would agree has, at the very least, an equal footing with Arnold), simply because Ange's views don't align with Fuss'. Interesting.
langou
Roar Guru
Nah 1) A one-off game is more exciting, and 2) you need to reward the teams who finish higher on the ladder
Midfielder
Guest
cm I choose my words carefully as it is not my normal posting style to bag out on folk who don't even know you are commenting on them... However the previous CEO we had was a former marketing executive and the Peter principal came in all its Glory... the coaching appointment, the lack of analysis to advise Charlesworth of the folly of moving to NSO, the decision to essentially ebd and bring to a halt years of community work as he believed he knew a better way... constant promises and then fail to deliver on them... fighting with local council and unable to clear relationships with the local association and the Mariners... having said all that he gave his best and worked his backside off ... he just was not up to the step up in function... Charlesworth appointed Peter Storrie to write a report and advise what to do.... he has essentially said go back to what you were good at ... community engagement, developing juniors ... He then appointed a new CEO who so far has done everything right .. we will again become the community club that develops juniors via the best training facility in Australia and onsell the best we produce...
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Nothing and my client passed away about 18 months or maybe more ago.... however I am sure the analogues and trend analysis software he developed is what is still be used ... Tis a very good sign and also shows 7 is prepared to introduce 7's AFL and Tennis sponsors to FFA ..... if Gallop can pull that off he needs a standing ovation ...
cm
Guest
"We’re not in Europe, who gives a rats arse what they do over there" Fair enough. "Finals are played in every other sport in every other county in the world." But who gives a rats what they do... And.... that statement is simply not true.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"I think we’re all completely missing Mister Football’s point. " Nope. We sent our Champion as defined by the AFC regulations for ACL entry. End of story.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Been 10yrs since SFC has hosted a grand final. Long time between drinks.
Bondy
Guest
Lol Lol ....
cm
Guest
If by "Champion" you mean, the best team, then we did send the champion. In our case it's called the premier. If by "Champion" you mean, the team that is labelled "Champion", then no, we didn't. We sent the Premier - the best team.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
For sure AZ. I am trying to line up all my ducks/obtain leave passes so I can get out there Also hoping City win tonight - a home grand final sounds nice