Opinion
Macarthur are in turmoil if all the rumblings on social media are true.
The Campbelltown-based club lost captain Adam Federici (retired) and assistant coach Mark Milligan (resigned) in the past week.
Word has it the club management have lost the staff and players. With the season so close, this isn’t ideal for a club who made finals last season.
The Bulls had a number of staff movements prior to their inaugural season with Archie Fraser, Rabieh Krayem, Ken Stead and Mal Impomato all departing before the season started. It didn’t impede them on the field but this year, it’s players and coaches who are leaving which is a major problem.
The Bulls lost a number of their stars from last year, including Ivan Franjic and Loic Puyo. Federici’s departure will be felt more than most with the gloveman responsible for a number of match-saving performances.
With more players potentially leaving considering the dressing room discontent, one wonders how strong the squad will be in the all-important second season.
Pre-season form isn’t anything to write about, with the A-League’s newest side losing 5-0 to Sydney FC and 3-1 to a young Central Coast team.
There have also been strong rumours the club has a plethora of unvaccinated staff and players, which may be a problem if the APL decide they will require everyone to be double vaccinated.
The Bulls have done little to invigorate the league in their short history.
They averaged 3,500 fans in their first season, well below expectations, albeit in a COVID-impacted season.
The Bulls alienated fans with expensive memberships, in particular for the active fans, with ‘The Bullpen’ disbanding before the season started, only for the club to start their own active group.
If Macarthur were to leave the competition, it leaves the door open for a Canberra or Wollongong team to come into the A-League. Canberra have long been touted as a club that could complete a truly national competition. There is already an A-League Women’s team in the competition and having a men’s team would be appropriate.
Wollongong have historical significance with the dual NSL champions already having an established supporter base and a fantastic home ground.
One thing is for sure, the Bulls will need to shape up quickly or they will end up like another Gold Coast or North Queensland.
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