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Welcome to January, the month any player with a semblance of European pedigree now struggling for game time in the latter stage of their career is linked with a move to the A-League.
The news cycle during the January transfer window can be a monotonous one, often filled with false hope.
Already, Ronaldinho and Peter Crouch have reentered the frame and slipped out the other side, while Georgios Samaras looms as the most realistic of the household names being shopped around.
While we all pine for an encore of the Holy Trinity that graced the league in 2012-13, the thirst to attract a celebrity of the football world is crippling.
Precedent clearly shows the impact a proven international player can have both on and off the pitch in Australia, but until a player of the Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey or Shinji Ono ilk is attracted, the focus should remain on emphasising the quality the A-League already possesses.
The idea that a recognisable name is the only way to grow the competition is flawed, and ignores the many other ways to get bums on seats.
Yesterday, Central Coast made what will hopefully be recognised in years to come as one of the window’s best signings, when 17-year-old Trent Buhagiar was handed a senior contract.
Local product Buhagiar knows the club and coach Tony Walmsley well, having played under the Englishman for the Central Coast Mariners Academy in 2014.
He scored four goals in the first grade that season – at the age of 15 – and 10 for Central Coast FC last season, just three less than the league’s top scorer.
Perhaps last year’s January window has fans buzzing for excitement. Kerem Bulut’s move to Western Sydney, Josh Kennedy’s switch to Melbourne City and Sydney FC’s signing of Jacques Faty were the highlights, along with Mickael Tavares (Sydney) and Dragan Paljic (Perth).
A number of clubs, particularly those at the bottom, could do with a busy month behind the scenes. Glory are working to fast-track the return of striker Andy Keogh, while Adelaide United are in the frame for some attacking reinforcements.
But there shouldn’t be any disappointment if Ronaldinho, Nicolas Anelka or Niko Kranjcar aren’t snapped up. For another six months at least, the A-League can make do without the PR exercise.
Defending champions Melbourne Victory sit in fifth, though Besart Berisha continues to be one of the league’s great entertainers with eight goals and unbridled passion. His teammate Fahid Ben Khalfallah isn’t too bad either, scoring the winner against Newcastle at the weekend courtesy of a top-class Kosta Barbarouses assist.
Melbourne City have recovered from their anti-football days and play some enterprising football. They are led by Aaron Mooy, a crowd attraction in his own right, and the prolific Bruno Fornaroli.
John Aloisi has Brisbane high on confidence at the top of the table following a fourth consecutive win against Perth on Saturday, as Henrique continues to cement his status as a fan favourite.
Add to that the resurgence of Western Sydney, and it’s clear there are plenty of tools available to attract a wider audience to the A-League.
It may also provide an opportunity to start setting the wheels in motion on promotion and relegation. Perhaps it’s underestimated how many supporters during the NSL days weren’t coerced by the bright lights and selectively cleansing nature of the A-League’s revolution.
There are still obstacles to pass before promotion and relegation is viable, but an acknowledgement that wider inclusion is part of the league’s vision may bring more fans than expected in from the rain.
Attracting a superstar marquee isn’t a gimmick, it’s proven to be incredibly alluring. But for the moment, there is plenty of reason to embrace the A-League and other ways to help it flourish.
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