Currently the A-League in particular and Aussie football in general are facing a key moment in their histories. Game attendance has decreased significantly in the last season and there’s already talk of a crisis in the competition.
Many, including me, think that the implementation of a second division with promotion and relegation system is a solution for this particular situation. This will not only democratise the sport but also make the competition more attractive.
Also, and this is perhaps the most important thing, it would grant opportunities to many players who today are outside a system that excludes them.
The most optimistic calculations indicate that we will have to wait at least four more years to have a viable second division. The reality is that if we want this to work, the implementation of the B-league must be carried out conscientiously and without rushing, otherwise we would run the risk of financially hurting many of the National Premier League teams that are able to give the ‘great leap’.
This leaves us at a crossroads: What should we do to ensure that football does not lose its place in the minds and hearts of the Australian public? Four years is a long time for a sport that every day fights against the attacks of big mediatic groups and traditionalist politicians who refuse to recognise the part football has played in Australian multiculturalism.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
The A-League is criticised very often for being a static competition in which your team can play the same opponent up to four times and still not even qualify for the AFC Champions League. Teams like Wellington Phoenix or the Central Coast Mariners spend much of the tournament condemned to the bottom places without more incentive than just avoiding the next big defeat.
In such situations it is not uncommon for fans to decide not to attend matches. Why go to the stadium if we know your team is going to lose again? That makes the competition boring. Only a handful of teams are in a position to fight for the title.
The FFA Cup was an unexpectedly good response from a federation that often makes too many mistakes. This cup integrated all the strata of Aussie football and generated a highly attractive competition. While it was not a reconciliation between ‘old soccer’ and ‘new football’, at least it prevented both from continuing to ignore each other.
But now that is not enough. The FFA Cup is played in the first part of the season, and that leaves us with six months where the only fun, and excitment happens at the top of the table.
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That’s why the FFA must create a League Cup as soon as possible. This new cup, which could well be called ‘Johnny Warren Cup’ or ‘Les Murray Cup’ – would allow those teams that can hardly win the A-League to have the opportunity to fight for something.
This new tournament, in which only the A-League teams will compete, should be played starting in February. I subscribe to the idea of using the format of knockout stages with home-and-away matches.
To make this competition more attractive, the winning team could get a place in the play-off stage of the AFC Champions League or at least one spot in the AFC Cup, the second most important tournament in Asia. You could even create a ‘Supercopa’, a tournament at the end of the season between the league winner and the winner of the League Cup.
As I said at the beginning, the implementation of a second division in Australia is crucial for the future of football, but in the meantime the League Cup would be an interesting challenge for most clubs and would give football something more to celebrate.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I know I'm not always welcome on here, as its not my #1 sport, but surely four trophies for ten (soon twelve) teams seems too many. And, yes, the FFA Cup, is open to teams from outside the A-League but realistically how likely is it to be won by any until/unless a fairly strong national second tier happens? If there's a 14-18 team A-League and a similar sized A2, then a League Cup starts to make more sense.
sam
Guest
That should read.............. make Aust football great. - "again" does not apply!
Nemesis
Guest
I'll support AUS football - the good, the bad, the ugly. I think I might start selling baseball caps: "Make Australian Football Great Again" I might even add a message on the back: "#PrayForMQ #PrayForMQ #PrayForMrAFL #PrayForGrobbelaar"
MQ
Guest
You're the one who was supportive of the baton being handed down from father to son. I thought it was a disgrace from the start.
Nemesis
Guest
What a sad day this must be for you? Chin up. #PrayForMQ #PrayForMrAFL #PrayForGrobbelaar
MQ
Guest
I relation to the above news, I would caution: 1. it doesn't change what the congress needs to do to change the constitution, it still requires 8 of 10 congress votes 2. as far as we know, the rest of the current board remains intact 3. the real question becomes: how does this affect the thinking of the smaller federations who currently appear to be the ones most likely to vote against the proposed changes? (does all opposition crumble away wihtout their figurehead, or are they more likely to dig in) Also, on one reading of the above quote, it's not exactly a guarantee that he is walking away permanently, only that he is wanting to give the appearance that he is not involved in the current process (he isn't anyway, not directly, in the sense that he doesn't have a vote), it doesn't change his capacity to continue influencing the thinking of the smaller federations.
MQ
Guest
"I'm doing this because of the politics in football," Lowy told The Australian. "I'm taking myself out of the equation because for those that want a different outcome to the board and what the board believes in, I and my family are used as a distraction to the real issues. "I want to remove from the debate once and for all any suggestion that the struggle to maintain an independent FFA board has anything to do with my personal interest or ambition."
punter
Guest
Lowy set to quit today!!!!
Eden
Roar Rookie
Code in crisis is how Sydney DT sells their papers with their love-hate relationship with NRL. Probably be the only way they would write a decent word count on the A-league.
Marcel
Guest
Nick, Phillip Cox is a Sydney architect who started his private practice doing small residential work in the late 60s..they developed a strong involvement in Sports architecture from the 70s...Canberra Stadium, SFS, Flinders Park, Syd Olympic swimming centre.. Cox himself says he has no interest in sport...but the building typologies offer the chance to explore structural expression which is the signature of his work. He has been effectively retired for a long time.. but the practice now numbers about 400 ish and has offices through Oz , Asia and the Middle East . They've been off the radar for awhile doing work overseas...but the new directors have recently delivered some high profile local work.
Fadida
Guest
Listen to who? The panickers and Doom merchants?
Rolly
Guest
It's not a bad idea could work definitely need more to celebrate , the gap between seasons seems very long so something to fill that void is always good but I would like us to fix the A league first there is just too few teams to maintain the interest .We really need sixteen team A league to make it more competitive and make the season longer . .Adding two more teams is a start but still not enough. Four new teams from four new markets introduced to the A league would make a huge difference to the comp .A ten team comp is too small too repetitive and too short .once the A league is sorted then work on a second division.Even more national team games would be good with fellow Asian countries , South Americans and or USA a Johnny Warren international cup ,the Socceroos brand is under-utilised yet has so much potential .
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Asian Cup is the bare minimum in my opinion International windows should see home and away games with these up and coming Asian nations .
MQ
Guest
It's all about me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me....
Waz
Roar Rookie
@ buddy. I dont think we were “upset” just challenging the notion of “recent times” that’s all. Yes we can’t buy a cup win and yes, last season was bl**dy awful. Agreed.
Nick Symonds
Guest
It wouldn't have the same profile without A-League opposition for each NPL club. It would just be expanding the NPL finals to 16 teams and rebadging it the NPL Cup or something.
Oldpsyco
Guest
If you want a second Cup competition ? What about a Cup with the Top Two NPL teams from each state, played after the NPL comp and before the start of the A-League. Has State Rivalry and the Winner could play Last seasons A-League Champ in a Charity Cup Match to start the season.
Oldpsyco
Guest
Yes there is... if you care to listen!
Buddy
Guest
No cop out...I would usually respond with the best english expression that suits so many occasions! - but it wouldn’t make it past the censors guys! I am not sure what other definition I could put to men recent - unless the new season was a few weeks old. Apologies for upsetting you guys - my brain was probably not in full flow early this morning but let’s agree that last season - by comparison was not good for The Roar, the football being played was pretty forgettable at times and it was not a happy season. That’s without comparing it to either the two teams who contested the final, or the two teams that finished in first two places on the ladder! Last time of saying it though......we do get a fair variety in the A League and judging by many comments, people are expecting to see Perth pick up this season so that will be another change. I’m not really into speculation of that sort, just keen to watch it unfold. I thought WSW looked ok under Hayden Fox last year, a win and 4 draws and then came the train wreck!
Nick Symonds
Guest
SOURCE - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-16/australia-tallest-building-melbourne-southbank-not-approved/10123248