One of the most frustrating aspects of being a fan of the A-League, is becoming attached to a player,– only to see them leave 12 months after signing.
In a salary-capped league, where clubs are forever having to keep an eye on their bottom line, it’s the norm to release players from contracts early.
The problem is this can leave a sour taste in fans’ mouths – even more so when the player is a returning local, had been installed as captain, and on an expensive, three-year contract.
Brandon O’Neill’s swift exit from the Glory is yet another hammer blow for a club coming off a disastrous 2021-22 campaign, finishing rock bottom.
Perth’s capture of O’Neill at the start of 2021 had the makings of being one of the signings of the season.
He has been one of the A-League’s most consistent central midfielders and is fondly remembered for his trophy-winning seasons with Sydney FC before enjoying stints in South Korea and Thailand.
O’Neill’s return to the city of his birth was mainly to be close to his father, Myles, who was fighting terminal lung cancer.
Myles lost his battle with the dreaded disease and then Brandon saw the 2021 campaign evaporate with a season-ending injury.
After a year of heartbreak on and off the pitch, and with a young family to think about, O’Neill informed Perth of his desire to quit in February.
The conclusion to leave had nothing to do with then-coach Richard Garcia or the team’s insipid performances.
O’Neill cited family reasons and the belief that he is unable to perform to the best of his abilities living in Perth – and who could blame him after the roller-coaster year he had professionally and personally.
New Perth coach Ruben Zadkovich tried in vain to persuade O’Neill to stay, but his decision had already been made.
The club hierarchy were well within their rights to hold the player to his agreement, O’Neill having only completed one of the three seasons in his contract. Perth could’ve forced O’Neill to rot in the reserves for the remaining years of his contract while training with the youth team – a practice that is common in European football.
However, they reluctantly chose to cut their losses and grant O’Neill his wish.
While it was expected that O’Neill would return to Sydney FC, he sprung a surprise by signing with a different NSW club – the resurgent Newcastle Jets, on a two-year contract.
The capture of O’Neill could yet go down as one of the best pieces of transfer business this off-season. He will move straight into central midfield for a side that plays one of the league’s best brands of attacking football.
This looks like a great move on paper and if O’Neill could be the catalyst for a Newcastle title challenge.
O’Neill won’t be the last big-name player to break contract, this is a regular occurrence at the end of every season.
Clubs used to hold all the power, but now it is the players and their agents who dictate how and when to break agreements.
Waz
Roar Rookie
SFC don’t play youth. If you are at Sydney and want to play first team football - leave!
Garry
Roar Rookie
probably a bit of both..Im sure Tilio wouldve got plenty of games and Ivanovic was starting to get more games..but not enough for his development.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I've been watching a bit of NPL on Youtube streaming. Their standard of production has improved significantly this year, commentary, replays in game, angles that sort of thing. I've been quite impressed, no interruptions, commentator better than many A League callers.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
reports of negotiations Roar with Charlie Austin. He'd be a great addition to the A League from the little I've read about him, good fit at Roar. Let's wait and see.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Is it because they can't afford them? or is it because they don't play them? I doubt Ivanovic came to Roar for the money.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Yazbek if he is available would be than the other two as well.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Ninko wasn't worth marquee status in the last two years, thats where Corica blew it massively to start with it. If other clubs are offering Ninkovic good money then Sydney should be thanking them.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
BTW sent a reply but had a youtube so who knows when it will appear
Midfielder
Roar Guru
For me the broadcast share was interesting only 24% for FTA... The MLS as I am sure you are aware two days ago signed a in todays terms a very unique deal with Apple... In brief, Apple pay MLS 250 million per year for 10 years for the streaming rights.... MLS so there own production estimated to be between 50 to 60 million per year.... so a net figure of say 200 million.. However MLS can onsell there matches to other broadcasters... i.e FOX, ESPN & Univision all traditional Football broadcasters... no one is sue what this will bring in.... however all three have expressed an interest in buying some games... Apple have no restriction on what and how many games can be sold by the MLS to existing domestic broadcasters. Then Apple & MLS have agreed to create a subscription business... and over a non disclosed subscription number will share with Apple new subs.... and this applies to both domestic games in the US and overseas.... The MLS have said sports broadcasting future is subscription numbers and have essentially future growth in revenue above the 200 million to streaming... further MLS have said sports broadcasting relying on advertising certainty FTA and to a lessor extent cable will experience a decline as streaming increases its market share.... The upshot is Apple & MLS believe the change in viewing patterns will shift to streaming... Youtube on the deal by MLS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTyFhTeEV24&t=56s&ab_channel=TJSportsUSA
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
the truth it out there, everyone steal our young uns = we only want to pay for oldies.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Interesting video, certainly worth a watch. One perspective is that after a decade of ongoing growth in streaming products, in the most valuable TV market in the world, streaming is still 5% behind cable TV. It might catch up, it might not, many already view streaming as having peaked, many services are having trouble making a profit, and a period of consolidation is about to commence.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Not big enough for a full topic but very interest... Relevant... the vid is very relevant to our future... Streaming captured record share of total TV time (31.9%) in the U.S. during the month of May. The pie chart in the vid will interest many... https://twitter.com/nielsen/status/1537471378626158596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1537471378626158596%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigsoccer.com%2Fthreads%2Fthe-2022-mls-tv-thread.2119267%2Fpage-40
Marcel
Guest
Frees up space+$ for Mass Luongo.....who I'd love to see at SFC.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Good Call Wes, I reckon you are spot on in that regard and if that situation remained the status quo, then we are essentially facilitating the establishment of an EPL like environment i.e. Man City and Newcastle just buy whoever they want and the smaller clubs have to do the best they can. Australian football does not want a "Big Six" and the prospect of the same teams being at t he top of the ladder year in year out. Personally, if I find the EPL has been tainted by City in the first instance and Newcastle
Garry
Roar Rookie
looks like Roar signing Charlie Austin from EPL
Garry
Roar Rookie
I think Sydney's transfer issues stem from the fact they werent sure if Corica was to be retained. Ninko was probably asked to reduce his pay from marquee status.-.which I agree with - and other clubs offered him a bit more than Sydney did.
Garry
Roar Rookie
mm I think atm clubs are too soft..probably too scared to upset an agent! Initially In agreed with your view - and hoped he came to Sydney! BUT on reflection he has broken his contract and Perth sb entitled to compensation.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Agentst of all sorts are the plague of society..basically its a job based on inflating costs so they make money.
Garry
Roar Rookie
personally I think transfer fees would help Sydney not hinder them. They are constantly losing good youth players to other clubs because they cant afford to keep them - Tilio, Yazbek, Niewenhof etc
Garry
Roar Rookie
Id pick Yazbek but sure Nisbet next