This A-League off-season has been one of the most boring yet.
Wake up in the morning, check the transfer news and find out that one of the best players in the recent season has left to play in Asia – just like Roy Krishna, Craig Goodwin, Jason Davidson, David Williams, Isaias and many other top A-League players have done already.
Then, the day after, a player is released by their club and signs for the new boys, Western United, a few days later. It’s just a huge cycle.
I’ve lost interest in it. Because of this cycle, there isn’t any of the ‘will he stay, will he go’ talk. It’s hard to get into a debate about transfer news as we often just see a rumour and then they sign a few days later. Also, without transfer fees between A-League clubs,, there can’t be any debate about it.
So because of this off-season boredom, I’ve tried to get into other football leagues. The Copa America and the FIFA Women’s World Cup helped with some of that, but international football has never been my thing, apart from when my team plays.
A few friends have been following the MLS, but the time zone has got in the way with that, so I looked into the National Premier Leagues.
As I live in Perth, the obvious choice would be to follow NPL Western Australia. Even though the competition is entertaining and it’s great to cheer on Perth Glory’s reserves team, the main issue is that every game was on at 3:00pm (AWST) on a Saturday. So I started following the NPL Victoria, and I’m already loving it.
(Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Some players who have impressed me have been Brandon Barnes of Dandenong Thunder, Matt Thurtell of Bentleigh Greens and Josh Wilkins of Heidelberg United.
As much as I love it, the competition still has a long way to go. An annoying aspect is that the cameras seem to have only one angle, so it’s hard to see every play.
Also, in some of the states many games don’t have a commentator, which makes it hard to identify players.
Another issue is scheduling. In NPL Western Australia, for example, because all games are scheduled at exactly the same time, people can watch only one match and attend one match.
I’m most looking forward to the national finals. The rules are that one team from each member federation will qualify, and it will be the team that finished on top of the table, not the finals winner.
Last season’s grand final was just incredible. Over 1500 people turned up to Steve Woodcock Sports Centre in Adelaide to watch Campbelltown City defeat Lions FC from Queensland 2-1.
The semi-finals were good as well. Lions FC knocked off Heidelberg United in front of 902 people on penalties after Heidelberg went down to ten men after 63 minutes.
In the other semi-final Campbelltown beat Sydney Olympic 2-1 in front of 776 people after they were awarded a penalty in the last minute, which was slotted home by captain Iain Fyfe.
The average attendance of the finals series was 806 and cracked the 1000 mark in two matches. I expect this season’s finals series to be just as entertaining and hopefully a bit more popular.
With only a bit over a month left before the federation finals, some of the competitions almost certainly have their winner.
In New South Wales the Wollongong Wolves are currently seven points clear on top with three games left. It would be nice to see Wollongong make the finals as they are probably one of the most supported NPL clubs in NSW.
In Western Australia Perth SC lead the pack by eight points with six games remaining and have lost only one game all season. They were in the finals last season too.
In South Australia Campbelltown City, last season’s national champions, are six points ahead of everyone with four games to go.
So far Wollongong, Perth and Campbelltown are almost certain to make the national finals, but it’s still very tight in the ACT, Northern New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria.
I highly recommend you start following a bit of your local NPL league if you’re bored by this A-League off-season, just like I am.
Dart
Guest
Yeah, Luke Wilkshire has them playing a really good brand of football. It will be really interesting to see how they go against Sydney FC. Some NPL clubs have beaten A-League clubs at this time of year. Hopefully the Wolves can celebrate the premiership with a win against Sydney FC in front of a big home crowd.
M20
Guest
It's the opposite for me, I follow the NPL and only watch the a league when there's no other sport on in the summer
oldpsyco
Guest
I like the sentiment, however it is hard to follow the NPL. Our so-called Football media gives it virtually no coverage, and as for NPL2 it may as well no exist! Even the game between Wanderers and Leeds was virtually played in secret for all the coverage it got, yet SBS could invest in showing us ManU vs Inter from Singapore! So much for being a supporter of Australia Football. Fox is no better and Channel 7 just pick the eyes out of it! I understand the commercial points so don't bother, what I am suggesting is that Negotiating a Media deal involves more than just the Dollars, FFA need to ensure that minimum levels of support and viewing are made available to the Australian Football Public. The Coverage of the Women's World Cup in point, the late night /early mornings are great for live coverage, but how about a replay at some more convenient time to the viewers,next day? There is NO real desire to support Australian Football, and more support should be a prime clause in any future negotiations!
Waz
Roar Rookie
I don’t get why the A-League off season has to be boring for you to like the NPL? Does this mean if it were interesting you wouldn’t like the NPL? That sounds like the very definition of a “plastic fan”. I like the A-League. I like the NPL. They are not mutually exclusive!!
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Beat Blacktown this week and they are there.
Kannga2
Roar Rookie
Jordan I think a lot of people agree the A league off season is boring , but I enjoyed the women’s World Cup and listening to football podcasts helps with keeping up . Winter has so many sports on offer .. Like I said before my club Edgeworth are still in the fa Cup and on track for another local double with mainly home grown players and the odd a league recruit . Many former Edgeworth players have gravitated to the Victoria npl Another club not far from me Maitland take on the Central Coast Mariners on Wednesday and are getting some good support locally. Local rugby union comps are very popular here and the standard is good and numbers huge. Very entertaining this time of year . There is a bit of a resurgence towards these grassroots rugby clubs eg warringah and Eastwood. . People are connected to the community clubs where they played or their kids did too . Some n p l clubs in Sydney as well have been reasonably well supported during the A league off season.
Kannga2
Roar Rookie
Go the wolves
rolly
Guest
I am following the NPL in NSW and lovin it some of the goals have been better than anything produced at A league level .some really good attacking football from league leaders Wollongong wolves they play very entertaining football . its fantastic that football nsw are broadcasting games online now and we can watch it at our local club. its a shame the games are not broadcast on TV would bring more revenue to the clubs . would be good if the A league could work in with NPL where players a players could play during their off season with an NPL club say one A league player can play for an NPL club during their off season .
Nemesis
Guest
No. The authenticity of your words should be the biggest factor for any journalist, or aspiring journalist. Why did you even need to put that opening sentence? It adds nothing to the discussion piece. Sure, it's your opinion, but to have an opinion you must have knowledge of the facts to form the opinion. I was not alive to see some of the the great footballers from the past: Eusebio, Puskas, Garrincha. Heck I even have limited recollection of Pele, Georgie Best. Hence, it's nonsensical for me to say "Messi/Ronaldo are the greatest players of all time." How can I possibly know that if I am ignorant about the full facts that constitute "of all time"? So, yes: When forming opinions, age does matter if your age makes it impossible for you to know all the facts to form the opinion.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Once again, my age is the biggest factor.
Nemesis
Guest
"This A-League off-season has been one of the most boring yet." Ridiculous comment from anyone. Even more ridiculous when the writer has told us he was literally in nappies for the first few years of the ALeague. Then, I doubt he was in any position to analyse the local ALeague news when he was a toddler, or even in Primary School. This off-season has been no different to any A-League off-season. Probably a few more coaching moves this off-season than I can recall in the past.
Kannga2
Roar Rookie
Only 3 years ago my club Edgeworth eagles knocked out the Queensland and Victorian teams to make the final against Sydney United. Very enjoyable. Edgeworth are into the Ffa Cup again this week. As for one camera at the game, this is because of the bar tv revolution that’s only been around for local sports in the last 6-7 years Previously Jordan , there was no YouTube coverage at all . Remember the clubs have to pay for this cost of getting the game broadcast, so it’s all depending on sponsorship and the work of volunteers to allow you to watch these games. Clubs did there own match video for the coaches to review.
Brendan
Roar Pro
If the A-League does expand, all eyes will turn to NPL teams, hence why we should support the lower divisions. Wollongong Wolves certainly have the resources and fan support to join the A-League. However, Sydney FC, who was also against Southern Expansion joining the competition, might question their presence. In the Victorian NPL, my favourite player is Japanese sensation Tasuku Sekiya, who scored two goals for APIA Tigers as they trounced Melbourne Victory in last year’s FFA Cup. He currently plays for Avondale FC.