The bombshell revelation that the A-Leagues could reverse its decision to host grand finals in Sydney is the first step the APL needs to take to repair its shattered relationship with fans.
Vince Rugari’s reporting in yesterday’s Sydney Morning Herald that Destination NSW has proposed changes to the remainder of the $12 million, three-year deal was the news football fans needed to hear heading into the new A-Leagues season.
After years of haemorrhaging both money and goodwill, the Australian Professional Leagues can hardly afford to kick off another campaign with the vast majority of supporters incensed by their decision-making.
Much as the Central Coast Mariners’ victory in last year’s A-League Men’s decider was the stuff of fairy tales, it’s also a title win that deserves to go into the history books alongside an asterisk.
Having ostensibly voted to give up grand final hosting rights, Melbourne City were subsequently humiliated 6-1 by the Mariners in front of more than 20,000 travelling fans from Gosford.
The City Football Group might consider themselves masters of global football administration, but that grand final defeat will have embarrassed them from Melbourne all the way to the corridors of power in Manchester.
And it was a decision that made APL chief executive Danny Townsend’s position untenable the minute a handful of Melbourne Victory-supporting thugs took it upon themselves to storm the pitch in last December’s shameful Melbourne derby.
Townsend is reputed to be mulling over a move to the Middle East, having overseen what can only be described as one of the most tumultuous periods in Australian football history.
There’s no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic did a number on the A-Leagues’ finances – and had the APL simply been honest with fans about why they needed to sell grand final hosting rights in the first place, fans might have reacted differently.
But to do so would have highlighted the fact that certain performance metrics with the new Paramount broadcast deal hadn’t been met – and underscored just how poorly organised much of the A-Leagues have been under the APL’s leadership.
It’s been a recurring theme ever since the clubs took charge of the competition – with Adelaide United legend Craig Goodwin refusing to answer a question about “why he supported the grand final decision” in a promotional video shot by the APL last December.
Goodwin has since departed for Saudi Arabia – and the A-League Men’s best player over the past few seasons fired a parting shot at the Reds on the way out.
Budgets are being slashed across the league, yet supporters are still expected to shell out for tickets and memberships despite being treated with utter contempt by the clubs themselves.
No doubt Destination NSW has considered the reputational damage the botched grand final decision has done to their brand, and decided it was time to suggest an alternative.
A potential ‘Magic Round’ in Sydney – as suggested by Rugari in the SMH – is neither an original idea, nor a terribly appetising one for interstate fans.
But it’s a whole lot better than the ham-fisted alternative that turned rusted-on supporters off the game.
It’s hard to believe that with all the marketing degrees and corporate experience the APL is supposed to have, the game’s decision-makers could have so little understanding of what it is that makes football fans tick.
If it’s too difficult to create a simple home-and-away league, then a Sydney-centric competition that disproportionately favours clubs from New South Wales above all else is not the answer.
The APL should take any opportunity it has to back out of their disastrous decision to sell grand final hosting rights and use the rest of the off-season to start mending relationships with fans.
The game’s administrators have droned on for too long now about the importance of ‘stakeholders’ – without ever once remembering to include fans.
They shouldn’t have to be reminded every season that football without fans is nothing.
But the APL might just have finally been taught a lesson. Let’s hope they heed it.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Don’t disagree, but it depends on how Rodwell’s body holds up. Girdwood-Reich has looked good in combination with Rodwell, but Girdwood-Reich is usually a midfielder and Rodwell can play 6,8 and 10 as well. Sydney looked good last Sunday.
Garry
Roar Rookie
see other post .. :happy: , not sure we need a CB but oh well..
Grem
Roar Rookie
And that extra centre back has arrived from Brazil. They look like interesting signings at 26 and 24 years of age. Could be brilliant or…
Waz
Roar Rookie
“ You appeared to be very close to previous managements because you often had published information that nobody else had” Nope, any information I had was not posted on socials (and still isn’t). My issue is not that the new management team aren’t trying (they are), nor that their communications isn’t better (it clearly is) … what I’m not buying in to is the “trust us” undercurrent that’s building up. The Men’s squad remains under resourced with maybe 16 adult players … that’s unacceptable.
Simon Boegheim
Roar Rookie
Waz, scores to date disprove your comments.
Simon Boegheim
Roar Rookie
Waz, I am surprised by your recent posts. A total reversal in my view on previous years. You appeared to be very close to previous managements because you often had published information that nobody else had. Why the surprising change in attitude? I strongly support Lionheart's comments and the club is improving in leaps and bounds and the new management and administration team are doing a great job and as far as the playing and coaching group is concerned, results to date speak for themselves. Isn't the australian way to give people a fair go to prove themselves, based on facts instead of assumptions? GO ROAR!!!!!!!!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
There is no toom for Berengeur in the starting line up at the moment. Berenguer is behind Armiento ,Hore and Mileusnic. You dont change a winning line up. Look at what happened to Stajic. CCM were on top of the table dominating, because of their press. Stajic changed the team despite them being on top and the season went downhill. The one word you said experienced striker is the one thing that could completely stuff this team up. As for Corey Brown 5 years of mediocrity and PFA rescue his rear. Its a joke and where exactly is he. Zabala was probably the best player on the field/ He is the one player I would have hoped Corica recruited out of this squad.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You’re in the GF - it’s done and dusted! Hopefully you get it at home. Who you play will be interesting.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
and make no mistake SB, this is owner led always keep the faith
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
SFC look pretty hot today Grem, in the heat but I doubt Roar will be taking much for granted against Melbourne Knights. They’ll not have forgotten last years debacle against Sydney United, and Knights are a good side
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
a match fit Berenguer for starters, a couple of gaps still to fill, Brown fit, I'm not confident with Majok and while I like Frecke, he didn't have a great game, Acton fit, experienced striker
Garry
Roar Rookie
"Conducted by guest ball-drawer APIA Leichhardt FC Head Coach and Cup Cult Hero himself, Franco Parisi, the Semi Finals will see Victorian NPL side, Melbourne Knights FC host Brisbane Roar FC, and in an Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s clash, Melbourne City FC welcome Sydney FC."
Grem
Roar Rookie
Sydney v Brisbane in the final? Looking possible.
Simon Boegheim
Roar Rookie
Lionheart, there is a huge transformation happening at Brisbane Roar. We are the first cab of the rank with our Supporters Advisory Council. Kaz and Zac and their admin. team are making a huge impact with great improvements as a reward and the coaching team and playing staff are united, committed and clearly getting results. Predominantly positive social media posts are another important indicator and in my opinion the vibes around the club are the best since the heady AP era. We haven't reached our best yet and there will be speed bumps along the way, but we are ready and able to weather those. One of the final pieces in the puzzle is that memberships and crowd attendances need to return to what they used to be. GO ROAR!!!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
more time in our offensive half attacking in one game than 4 or 5 seasons for Roar. They're developing, they'll improve as a club first and as teams, men and women, over coming years.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I would disagree , apart from the young striker what is a better line up. I suppose you could swap Aldred for Trewin.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
park at Newmarket, Spencer Park or near Finsbury Park and walk along the path across the bridge, old tramping ground from many years ago, doubt it's changed much
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Perry Park is in a good position, fairly easy access. Would be a great stadium with 10k more seats.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
That was fun. And far from full strength. Where's Waz?
Waz
Roar Rookie
Enjoyable afternoon. The only thing WSW won was the battle of the flares