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Earlier this week, 23 clubs from six states and territories submitted their proposal for a national second division. Indeed, a proposal of this magnitude is essential to the lifeblood of football in this country, while centring much of the sporting discourse on Australian football.
However, if a second division were to essentially match the national A-League, a major hurdle lies within the geographical boundaries of Australia’s landmass.
On the surface, a relegation and/or promotional system is airtight in regards to attracting interest from neutrals, significant business/sponsorship investments, and, most importantly, tapping into an older generation of football fans who hold the NSL in such high esteem.
So, where lies the problem?
Imagine a first division competition consisting of all NSW teams. The pitch invasion at the Melbourne Derby – earlier in the season – informed the territorial divide between fans across the league following the decision to award Sydney the next three A-League Grand Finals.
Here lies the issue: territory.
How can the league prosper in Western Australia if Perth Glory are demoted and Sydney United are promoted? After all, it’s roughly a four-hour flight to Sydney from the West Australian capital.
Understandably, one-city clubs, like Adelaide United and Perth Glory, will undoubtedly contribute to a higher standard if demoted to the second division.
Although, if such a hypothetical were to occur, how will these clubs attract a wider fanbase – statewide – while fighting it out amongst the second tier? Not to question loyalty, but it is simply a matter of fact that demotion, coupled with poor results, forecast the inevitability of poor attendances and subsequent uninterested sponsorships.
How can Perth and Adelaide, already isolated from the A-League-dominant and more populated east coast, recover?
An A-League competition lacking territorial and geographical diversity will be detrimental to the health of Australian football. Granted, the second division is already geographically diverse. But why take a risk on implementing it, when, potentially, an all east coast basis will occupy the A-League? The risks, arguably, outweigh the benefits here.
Promotion/relegation football can easily apply to the football-friendly demographics of Europe. Australia, however, must contend with not only landmass, but rival football codes all competing for sporting discourse among a strong cohort of passionate supporters down under.
For now, the A-League cannot maintain a relegation/promotion system. The demographics, support and geography simply don’t support a second division mirrored on a European style.
The future of a second division, however, is speculative. The strong outing of the Socceroos at the 2022 FIFA World Cup reflected the emergence of football fans united for the love of the game. All things considered though, the future prospects of a second division is not off the radar – nor should it be.
But for now, the potential for an A-League without major cities, such as Perth and Adelaide, will undermine football’s prosperity and thus enforce east coast superiority.
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