Is it time for the A-League to scrap finals?

As much as I would love to see the end of the 'Playoff Series Cup', and more attention/emphasis/prestige to be given for both the 'League Champions' (first past the post) and the 'FFA Cup Champions' (there really should be a ACL spot for the winner), it will never happen. The 'Playoff Series Cup' is here to stay. No matter what changes the future will bring to the game here (Australia), getting rid of the 'Playoff Series Cup' will not be one of them, as it is the "Australian way". Personally, I haven't watched a 'Playoff Series Cup' match for quite a few seasons now, and I don't feel like I am missing anything by doing so.

The MLS has a different kind of appeal as they play an east and west conference. The idea is win that first and foremost. After that comes play offs within the conference and finally east meets west in a GF. It kind of encompasses everything and makes it more attractive.

Let's not forget that in other leagues they have the excitement of relegation, UCL, Europa League, etc

Finals provide great excitement. The FFA Cup doesn't really work in this country because we don't have 3 or 4 lower division national leagues. To me it's even more special if you can win the minor premiership and premiership. The only thing I would change would be having 2 legs for each final.

Other leagues have a finals or playoffs such as Mexico, Colombia and MLS in USA and Canada. A final can be a thrilling way to end the season, plus determining a league title this way is ingrained in Australian sporting culture.

I don’t think we need to scrap the finals, there’s plenty of better models out there on Twitter and by posters here on the Roar. All I will say is I don’t feel Sydney FC are champions by winning 2 knockout matches. It’s clear in anyone’s mind that Perth were the best team all season. The GF win was cool, but it felt nowhere near as special as winning the double.

“If you understand football” LoL ... only MarkFromCroydon does ;)

Maybe this will get more of a run again as Premiers weren't also Champions, yet again? What is the difference between first-past-the-post type 'European' style, and the Premiership? Both are best in the league and gain a champions league spot...

Smart comment well done

10 out of 10 young man

Actually if you look at past finals there have been some cracking matches I don't think this holds water

Don't ditch finals , ditch the coaches that served up Sunday's defensive dross! Both teams were over coached and couldn't break out of their defensive straitjackets. We expect that from Popa but Corica , we hoped for different. In the long term interests of football Corica's "victory" was phyrric to say the least. Still we live in hope he may leave Arnold behind next season and start with a legit 6 and 8 rather than two 6's.

The A-League just got a record crowd to the grand final. Why would you ditch finals? They're a great source of income.

Yes, yes and yes. Finals are not an appropriate way to decide the champions of a domestic league. If you understand football, you know why. Of all sports, due to the extreme difficulty in being able to score, football is the one where the result of an individual match is more likely to not reflect the balance of play. In a one off match, any team might beat another. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Italy, England, etc. All of the top leagues in the top footballing nations use a pure league system. We are not unique. We should also use the best available system.

Do you mean: - 1 vs 4 h/a - 2 vs 3 h/a - winners in final h/a

GRRRRRR. We have the same bloody conversation at the same point of every year. And i say no. The only reason everyone wants to remove finals is to try be more like Europe. If there is any other then it would make sense to drop AFL and NRL finals as well.

Without a grand final, we would miss out all the excitement of the VAR review, a nil-all draw and a nail biting pen shoot-out. Actually...let's ditch it.

This old chestnut. Scrapping of the finals series will occur when pro/rel is introduced. In the meantime, keep it. However in the future, there will be two divisions. A League 16 teams- 30 rounds First past the post Bottom 3 relegated The championship 10 teams- 27 rounds Top 2 promoted Teams 3-6 involved in playoffs (3 v 6 and 4 v 5) Two legged using away goals rule. Winners of those ties go towards a one off A League promotion final. Winner is promoted to the A League.

No

I’m declining to comment as there is no point at present. How about reporting on what’s happening at FFA. How is the A League going to change next year etc?