While Sydney FC fans bask in the glow of their premiership, championship and an unrivalled and stellar season, there are nine other ambitious clubs circling A-League silverware in 2017-18.
Off-field issues have been the centre of attention over the course of recent months and one would be foolish to dismiss them as merely that. The reality is that governance and the power structure in Australian football is inextricably linked to the highest flight.
Shrewd financial control of the game provides security to clubs, fans and the ability to attract marquees and imports looking to lengthen their careers, as well as ensuring the survival and sustainability of lower tier clubs all over Australia. Maintaining that football baseline is vital.
Quality coaching at youth level, clear avenues by which talent can be identified and the difficult task of turning grassroots footballers into attending fans are further issues the FFA must continue to address.
How free-to-air coverage fits into the mix will be revealed in time and looms as a potential game changer.
Co-ordinating all the pieces of the puzzle into a lucid and strategic plan that serves the states, clubs, youth development, women’s football and national teams is the task at hand and it intertwines with the A-League in so many ways.
So what are fair expectations of the national league as it enters its 13th season? Let’s be fair and begin by making note of recent trends.
The reality is that crowds aren’t growing, salary caps are keeping the talent pool relatively constant and without quality free-to-air coverage a broadening in exposure will only ever be described as a trickle. Throw in some serious questions around parity and there will be a variety of different expectations among the clubs.
The powerhouses look strong once again – Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers will all make the top six and will accept nothing less.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
It remains to be seen whether Central Coast Mariners coach Paul Okon’s investment in youth and his trust in taking a few steps back – to eventually move forward with a style he prefers – will reap rewards this season. A finals spot would be a wonderful achievement.
We are also none the wiser as to what the Wellington Phoenix will bring. Finishing just out of the finals in 2016-17 suggests they will feel they can climb higher. And for the sake of attendance figures and their long-term viability in the league, hopefully that is the case.
Logic says Adelaide and Perth will improve and their supporter bases will expect just that after mixed and directionless seasons where neither seriously threatened.
If the Brisbane Roar can harness their experienced squad into a cohesive unit they could surprise a few, despite being labelled as something of an old folk’s home. John Aloisi was not happy with the outcome last time around and will accept nothing less than a top four spot as a pass mark.
Last season’s 10th-placed club have an enormous task ahead under new manager Ernie Merrick. The only way is up for the Newcastle Jets and hopefully the Hunter faithful climb aboard for a ride to the outskirts of the six, which would be something of an achievement.
The A-League itself will be hoping that both ratings and attendance figures spike. A reasonable and fair goal would be 14,000 per game and if 200-300,000 people tune in to free-to-air coverage on a weekly basis, some measure of success could claim to have been achieved.
Membership seems to have hovered between 100,000 to 120,000 recently, and it would be pleasing to see that threshold broken. Those clubs dragging the chain will need to begin the season with much improved form in order to see any increase in their figures.
The Sydney and Melbourne teams will hold up their end of the bargain, however it would be nice to see the Phoenix and Mariners increase their numbers. Last season saw around 8000 new members join clubs and with another small increase, the 120,000 barrier is well within reach.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
After the orgasmic climax of the grand final, the game experienced unprecedented media coverage. Whether articles continue to creep their way steadily towards back pages or start to slump back into the hidden depths of sporting sections in both hard and soft copy will be an excellent measuring stick.
It will be tough to gauge numerically, but seeing football represented more positively in the media would please us all. Articles appearing alongside greyhound racing content has been commonplace and, with no disrespect to the dish lickers, if that ends it would be another step forward for the game.
Another season of goal statistics of around three per game and stern officiating that punishes the cynical and rewards the expansive and skilful would be other barometers of success.
Some might feel these are conservative goals, however there is one clear objective that is far more extravagant and dreamy.
Peace on football earth! That’s right. A deal, a conclusion and a united front, brokered in good faith by all interested parties. A blueprint for the future that sees multiple tiers of football, promotion-relegation and protects all involved.
Small increases in membership attendance, watching a good standard of football and further traction in the media achieved through quality football writing and the new television deal are all realistic goals. If these are combined with football peace, the A-League will be ready to take its largest step ever in this country.
This season might be another where the A-League treads a little water, however with some luck, hard work and a little peace football might just be positioning itself very well for the future.
MatthewSkellett
Guest
Hard to read a week out from the HAL commencement - so many variables - but I'd hazzard to say that Perth and Wellington might be at the bottom this season - If Vargas gets injured early Newcastle will be in trouble - Melbourne City will struggle as well - but a fabulous season I predict !!! :-)
Realfootball
Guest
Why don't you save us all the trouble and say "see ya" now?
Realfootball
Guest
I think you're wrong, Waz. Going to the a very interesting first 4 weeks.
Realfootball
Guest
Waz I'm with jb. No confusion. Brisbane are not the slightest chance to win anything this season, and there will be another early ACL exit. There is only confusion if you think that there is any chance that this coach and this squad can succeed. I don't.
j,binnie
Guest
Waz - Why are you confused?. Roar have finished well up the HAL in recent seasons due to the fact they have had a decent set of players. Even when the management appointed the Dutch coach and we all wondered why ,the team still performed reasonably well in the HAL. Unfortunately in recent years many of those good players have moved on or have started to show their age and to be honest the recruitment policy has not been what one would describe as hugely successful with overseas players coming and going like snow on a summer's day. The real test for measuring success in the HAL is not just claiming a high position in that comp.,but surely has to include performances in the other prize gained, playing in the Asian Cup. That is one area that huge success cannot be claimed by Roar. Now to get back to your statement. I know deep down, that you know, Roar are not going to "win the double and storm through the Asian Cup" this coming season. The pre-season shenanigans with players being tried and others apparently "rested" is another big question mark that has to be questioned. Now, so we fully understand each other I agree with your final statement. Football is a results game and despite finishing third these last two seasons I for one did not think the team was "playing" well,that is as well as they could, and probably should, have performed, but then again we'll never know will we? Cheers jb..
Fair Weather
Guest
No World Cup and I'll be saying "see ya" for four years. Aleague is like getting into district Aussie rules competitions.
Melange
Guest
Thanks Mid
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
You have to make the top six to win the Championship.
Midfielder
Guest
Waz Brama boasts over 300 games of experience in the Netherlands with Dutch powerhouses FC Twente and PEC Zwolle. He is from FC Utrecht who finished fourth in the 2016/17 Eredivisie. The 30-year-old midfielder has also featured for the Dutch National Team, debuting in 2009 against Paraguay where he substituted on for Mark van Bommel to play alongside the likes of Nigel de Jong, Rafael van der Vaart and Giovanni van Bronckhor Hiariej from FC Groningen in the Dutch Eredivise in 2017. Tommy has spent the majority of his career at Groningen, and two seasons on loan in 2013 and 2016. Hiariej is no stranger to silverware, picking up the KNVB Cup in 2015, the equivalent to the FFA Cup in Australia. The reliable midfielder has represented the Dutch National team at U-17 and U-21 level
Midfielder
Guest
Waz I think we will surprise you, you should google Brama & Hiarjei, you kinda get used to it as a regional side, with no media to push your case.... Look them up you will be surprised.
Midfielder
Guest
Brama is a 6 Hiarjei is a 8. They work well together and with De Silva in the 10 role and as I said pace to burn on the wings ....
Midfielder
Guest
Been to a few games we will be competitive, I don't think people fully appreciate how strong our spine is. ------Baro----- -Hiarjei, Brama ----DeSilva---- --Asdrubal---- If Hiarjei, & Brama had been signed by other clubs it would still be talked about. If De Silva can recover his injuries he will be an excellent 10. The pace we have on the wings and in the wide backs is impressive. I honestly think people will be surprised WE need one ore decent back but the front six are quite good.
Waz
Guest
"news” is not always forthcoming about insignificant change" .... apart from the members mail they did to 7,000 people jb ?
Waz
Guest
"news” is not always forthcoming about insignificant change" .... apart from the members mail they did to 7,000 people jb ?
Waz
Guest
jb. The league is coming to a tipping point where rich and poor will split. There's so many exemptions to the salary cap with the various rules that $4m+ plus marquees is now what the big clubs are spending. It's likely that these rules will get relaxed even further in the coming years and the smaller attended clubs will start to get left behind.
Kangajets
Guest
Vargas might be the real deal for Newcastle
Waz
Guest
Sadly I think Mariners will struggle this season Mid; they'll be tough to beat but will struggle to win games. There's little depth in the squad so after an optimistic start I recon you'll fall off strongly and finish in the bottom half again.
Waz
Guest
I'm confused? Why wouldn't the best thing be for Roar to win the double and storm through the ACL? Tiatto basically books hotels and aeroplane tickets, why does anyone care if he's there or not? Now, if Roars results are poor and the coaching team can't correct them then yes, bring in the broom. But what if JA has got it right - do you still want to bring in the broom? Football is a results game and that's what JA should be judged on; two third place finishes says the bloke at least deserves the first couple of months to prove himself. again.
Melange
Guest
Hi Mid, looking like a very good squad. Asdrubal hopefully is a genuine goal scorer and I'm hoping Appiah has a breakthrough year. Appiah has all the attributes but just seems to need the belief, hopefully his strong end to the season last year brings it. Glover needs to be the real deal in goals, I don't want to be relying on Kennedy. Midfield looks good with some fantastic depth now. Have you been able to watch any of their pre=season games? I'd be interested in your opinion of the midfield imports and where Okon is playing Hoole, I'm expecting a big game from him round 1.
Waz
Guest
Agreed jb. Slight difference in approach between WSW/Roar but same outcome. Wanderers press in the first half was (imo) impossible to maintain, they either needed to finish them off when they had the chance or back off and go again in the second half but the result was they looked burnt out in the second 45. I'm not sure about the new striker either - good in the air but will he score regularly in the HAL? I don't think so.