The A-League Women’s expansion to a full 22-round competition isn’t just great news for women’s football, it’s a statement of intent from an administration that has been too slow to act in the past.
The expansion of the women’s league is long overdue. With Australia co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand, the league simply couldn’t afford to meander along as a 10-team, 14-round competition for a second longer.
The addition of Western United this season and the Central Coast Mariners next season not only gives more female footballers the chance to play the game professionally, it will also see the minimum salary in the A-League Women rise by more than 50 per cent over the next two seasons.
That’s important – and the Australian Professional Leagues should be congratulated for sitting down with the Professional Footballers Association to get the job done.
Because as frustrating as a slew of COVID-related postponements was last season, it was hard to escape the feeling that those in charge were simply sitting around waiting for something to happen.
After a difficult first season on a new broadcaster in which not a lot went right, this season the APL is on the front foot and seemingly determined to make up for lost time.
They’ve already announced the dates for the new A-League Men season, which will kick off on October 7 and break from November 18 until December 8 while the Socceroos contest the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
And after the APL recently announced they had a list of 35 potential marquee targets – at least five of which they realistically expected to sign – the destination of the first major transfer of the off-season is also a pleasant surprise.
Brisbane Roar’s signing of former Queens Park Rangers goal machine Charlie Austin is a reminder that the three-time A-League champions still have a key role to play.
Too often over the past few seasons almost every move the APL has made has been to the exclusive benefit of clubs in Sydney and Melbourne.
But after finishing second from bottom last season, Warren Moon’s men finally have a marquee signing – and a proven goal scorer – they can build their squad around.
Whether there’s any truth to the rumour the Roar are trying to bring back Riku Danzaki remains to be seen, but with the Japanese star enduring a frustrating campaign for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in which he has failed to even get on the pitch in the J. League, it hardly seems beyond the realms of possibility.
Former Manchester United and Portugal winger Nani is on the verge of signing for Melbourne Victory too, meaning the A-League Men will enjoy an injection of star-studded talent next season.
With Cesc Fabregas another rumoured target and former Sydney FC legend Milos Ninkovic making a sensational switch to cross-town local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers, the next A-League Men season will hardly be short of storylines.
And that’s the main benefit of making these sorts of big-name signings.
Anyone who tells you all the A-Leagues need to do is provide a pathway for young Australian footballers is choosing to wilfully ignore the fact we’ve just had a decade of dwindling attendances and diminishing broadcast deals.
The long-term commercial viability of the A-Leagues hinges on the ability to sell tickets and advertising spots, which is precisely why clubs should be signing players like Charlie Austin and Nani.
And it’s also why the APL being demonstrably more proactive this off-season is a positive sign.
Australian football needs to build on the momentum of two upcoming World Cups and help remind a few more people who call themselves fans of the game that there are two hugely enjoyable domestic leagues right here at home.
Some proactive administration from those who draw decent salaries from the game is a good start.
Let’s hope there are a few more big announcements to come, because the next A-Leagues season is already shaping up as a significant improvement on the last.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Or Rodwell might say " You know what, the ship Im on at the moment is a tad more stable and taking less water, so I might just stay here"
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Wanderers might just say, no actually we're not releasing him.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Geez, I am shattered. Sydney are a club with humility and respect for all other clubs........or maybe not!
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I love my paramount access Chopper. I can watch it live, I can watch it on-demand and I can watch minis. Go the Football Channel.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
yeah, but it's all about the crowds, the optics and the money Scout, but like your sense of humour
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
sydney are not having much fun this off season with recruitment, its a very scattergun approach with transfers at the moment
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
is that a tit for tat response or do they actually want his experience?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I have to ask the following questions, A) Have Sydney said "mate your getting too old, we dont want to renew your contract, and then when five potential signings went south and they missed the lot, so they've tried to re-engage Ninko, which has not gone down well with Ninko. B) you have to ask, with sanctions being placed on Russians all over the place.........just putting it out there. C) Several players have left, not just Ninko, so does it have something to do with Corica, and especially the young players. Optics suggest that Corica is reticent to step away from his consistent/favourites e.g. Wilkinson, Bobo, Grant etc, and give the younger lads an opportunity. Look what the Covid period did for the discovery of talented young fellas!
Freddy Jones
Guest
Corica has Yazbek (20 years) and recruited Jake Girdwood-Reich (18 years) to back up Brattan and the senior midfield. Don't underestimate the talents of these young, national youth rep players on the rise and they do not have a history of long stretches on the injury list.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
The Socceroos and the Matildas will play matches at Suncorp Stadium in September https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/the-socceroos-and-the-matildas-will-play-matches-at-suncorp-stadium-in-september/news-story/6c59191e78f5cbc192e11b77e40dfa65
Punter
Roar Rookie
They do look alike.
Coastyboi
Guest
Matilda’s without their big guns. Still, an impressive win by Staj’s Filipina’s team.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_AFF_Women%27s_Championship Matildas lost 0-1 to Philippines yesterday.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
you missed my point about wanting a draw not favouring NSW teams lol :silly: :laughing:
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Phjllipines 1 - Australia 0 - One up for Staj
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Tend to agree Mike, A-League and the coming NSD should be front and centre. Maybe the commencement of the NSD in March will provide circumstance for a redesign?
chris
Guest
I watch all of SFC's game. I know what Brattan brings. I don't need a football lecture.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Keep Up needs a total re-think. I understand what they were trying to do, but it hasn't worked. The layout makes little sense and there's way too much overseas content.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
There's some sentiment it's something the APL has tried to ram through without much consensus from other stakeholders within the game.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
my bad, thanks, Mike Mulvey, remember the look well though