As the embarrassing Wallabies prepare for a sombre flight home from the World Cup in France, the A-League Men’s competition looms ever closer to its October 20 kick-off, with the chance to pounce.
Australian football is riding a wave, one built off the back of decades invested in the development of young players, coaches and guided by a curriculum that for the first time provided the structure, as imperfect as it was, that the domestic game required.
The current wave began with a stunning Socceroo performance in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup and was then parlayed into a home tournament for the women’s team where they showed their quality and value to the nation, with a semi-final run that had Australia wondering, ‘what if?’
Newcastle’s Reno Piscopo. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
All the while, the Olyroos have begun to look like an ever-increasing force in the Asian region and our Young Matildas fired on all cylinders at the U/17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Vietnam. Unbeaten in three, the team has successfully qualified for the 2024 tournament in Indonesia and the talent on display in the squad is simply remarkable.
Kevin Muscat, Ange Postecoglou and others are killing it abroad in the coaching ranks, our men and women continue to star in overseas leagues in ever-increasing numbers, whilst the opportunities being granted to our most promising young talents is finally befitting of the quality they have shown in the A-League’s.
Hardly a Matilda remains on home soil and the sheer number of men playing abroad makes it near impossible to keep track of their performances on a week to week basis.
It is no wonder Australia is one of a small number of countries to have qualified for the most recent World Cups in both the men’s and women’s editions and also why the senior national teams will enter as strong contenders in the next Asian Cup tournaments for their respective sexes.
Yet, with all the positive feels and vibes around Australian football at the minute, and the simple fact that league, union, basketball and cricket all have considerable challenges before them, the question of whether the A-League Men’s competition can make a positive step forward in 2023/24 is an interesting one.
The Mariners enter as champions after having the league buzzing late in the season and knocking off the team everyone loves to beat, Melbourne City, in the decider.
It was the stuff of fairy tales for the Central Coast, embarrassing the richest football group in the world and claiming a championship for the little guys.
In 2022/23, Sydney FC were a little ordinary, Melbourne Victory even more so and there were signs of life for the Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix as some of the big guns struggled.
Adelaide United punched above its weight as usual and the Western Sydney Wanderers finally came back into the fray, with coach Mark Rudan beginning to build a team that could compete for a title this coming season.
Western Sydney Wanderers manager Mark Rudan. (Photo by Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)
But – and it is a mighty big but – with the Women’s World Cup still fresh in our nasal passages and the brilliant season we witnessed last time around whetting appetites for the next, are we merely being set up for another year of treading water, or are we about to see a significant shift?
Personally, I’d like to see the most aggressive advertising campaign in A-League history in an attempt to connect the record-breaking memberships being recorded at A-League Women’s clubs to the men’s teams.
Viewing the men’s and women’s teams unified as clubs is the future of top tier football in Australia. The AFL have done superbly in building such a feel as the women’s competition has grown and despite being disrespected by the number of matches the AFLW teams actually played in 2023, the vision and model is there for all to see.
The pre-season has already brought exciting signings to the men’s competition. Sydney FC has two quality Brazilians to showcase in Gabriel Lacerda and Fabio Gomes, Melbourne City has a Brazilian of its own with Leo Natel signing on, as well as also acquiring German Tolgay Asrlan in what looks a significant acquisition.
Brisbane Roar’s Carlo Armiento celebrates scoring in the Australia Cup. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
The Wanderers have brought in Swedish Striker Marcus Antonsson and Zinedine Machach is an interesting signing for the Victory.
The Australia Cup has been a pleasing competition in the lead up to the season, with plenty of threatening performances from NPL clubs, with Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar eventually earning the right to fight for the trophy.
The football vibe is at a potentially all-time high in Australia, yet will the A-League Men rise from the ashes in a season of rejuvenation?
Football fans hope so, as does Paramount+ and the APL, yet will the right levers be pulled in terms of fan engagement and give people a tangible reason to attend and/or view the matches in increasing numbers?
The best start would be some serious media promotion and newly appointed independent chair of the APL Stephen Conroy has a key role to play in grasping the positive feel around the leagues and ensuring they have a cracking season ahead.
Fingers crossed, with others floundering, the domestic competitions take a significant step forward in 2023/24.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
Nah, I disagree Lionheart. We've been doing that for years. No more. I now call it what I like, which is football, and if they call it soccer then fine, I'll just ignore it and continue the conversation referring to it as football. If they end the conversation then so be it. I refuse to comply to someone else's ignorance. I have found now that those people refer to the game as football when they start conversations with me about the game. It's all a habit mate.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
What exactly have people got against the half time kids? This is actually the A-leagues best crowd building tactic and they actually need to do more of it and invite even more kids. Sydney Fc for example seemed to have the same bloke doing it for an age and I assume he was always having kids from his academy. The logic is you invite the kid their family will come to the game to watch them. They should ensure that every single kid in the region is included. That way their parents will come as well and you build up a following. Bring 500 kids on at half time each week from local football grassroots and the crowds will be massive in no time.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Stu, I am going to get the negatives out the way first. You are right in wanting to see an aggressive media campaign. The ALM really needs it. The silver lining to this cloud is that if you are watching EPL on Optus, there is a degree of advertising there. But that's still the issue, there's not the awareness of our Australian men. You ask the average Australian football participant, and they have no idea. I asked my nephew to do me a favour. I created a list of Australians playing overseas and the clubs they are playing at. I asked him to show the list to his U/17 team mates and see how many of the Australians they knew of. I also asked him to see how many of them knew that most of the players listed came from the A-League. Unsurprisingly, they knew none of the players that weren't regular national team players, they didn't know most of them came from A-League clubs and there was a healthy degree of shock. But if you ask the same kids about the EPL, there's not much they don't know. We really need to turn that round. Secondly, the image of Australian football supporters hopefully got a whopping great load of much needed help thanks to Women's World Cup. I was furious to hear the Melbourne Knights supporters sing "you are f.......g A-League, you are f........g s!@t" during the Australian Cup Semi Final. I would suggest that the media piece and the image we need to convey is one of a family friendly environment. And honestly, it is. It's no wonder the memberships for the ALW have shown significant increase. Couple the media piece with locking out the negative attitudes I have mentioned above (and that includes those pratts that caused the Melbourne incident. I will give my bottom dollar that they weren't Victory supporters) and we will be starting to address the missing pieces of the puzzle in my opinion. Now let's look at the positives. I'll start with Western. With their first title under their belt, if you look at the team they've built this and from where I'm standing, watch out. Riku Danzaki, Daniel Penha and a host of other quality players and I am dubbing them this years official dark horse. One of the favourites on preseason form would have to be Wanderers and as I have always said, a strong Wanderers is a strong A-League. Mariners as the reigning champs will have one heck of a following this season, so let's hope they get stuck in again this season. You then have to throw in City, Sydney and Adelaide, who are perennial performers. I cannot wait for the first Sydney derby. Perth and Brisbane are on the rebuild and with potential cashed up new owners, Perth could be anything. Sadly, I honestly believe someone put the mockers on my beloved Jets. We just need an owner, but anything is possible and I know the lads will put in and go down swinging. Nix, I have always had a soft spot for, and they seem to have a growing following. Come on the lads! Bottom line is what is not to like about this coming season. With the production line of young talent coming through, with our girls getting stronger and stronger, with the national teams in good form, bring it on, so much football and so little time. Keep the faith, support Australian football lads!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Its all down to have the worst state government in Australia. When QLD had three A-league teams they bled them dry. We are all Australians but QLD allows AFl to be a freeloader rentwise, and everyone else is ripped off.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Rugby league is so Syndey centric because of the richness of the pokies and cheap stadium deals, its certainly not the average crowd. That there was only one Brisbane team for so long is purely down to the QLD government and their pro AFL position regards stadium pricing and over charging others. Australia has changed now the most protective parents in the world, especially the wealthier they are so the traditional base grass roots is smaller but on the other hand the number of Kiwi immigrants has tripled. Rugby doesn't have the pokies backing its super rugby teams, they have smaller budgets than the Kiwis let alone overseas rugby clubs.
Grem
Roar Rookie
marketing@sydneyfc.com. Each club should have a marketing department, as too should the APL.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I wouldn’t have a clue who to send the ideas to really.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Watching all the British football shows in the 70's I cant remember them using the word.
AR
Roar Rookie
I remember when ADP was here for 2 seasons as the biggest star and highest paid international player to ever grace our shores. In interviews, he frequently referred to his life-long trade as "soccer". They were always awkward moments for the *true* followers of football in Australia.
AR
Roar Rookie
" it seems from the outside as I get Melbourne 10 ….. that 10 hold the rights to the AFL…." Seriously?
Garry
Roar Rookie
The Womens World Cup how great an event to watch onward march
Garry
Roar Rookie
yes indeedy..I see still no crowd for the City semi?
Grem
Roar Rookie
Hopefully they break the Australia Cup attendance record. I know you’re not a shirt buyer, but the Phoenix jerseys are good.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Im wondering how our membership works for the first game on the 14th eg I have a clubhouse one this year. I need to ask the membership people if that is where I go on the 14th.
Grem
Roar Rookie
https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/josh-addocarr-knocked-out-cold-in-allin-koori-knockout-brawl/news-story/a6df593d62664a667777f6c5f48f76cc?amp But this won’t affect the NRL or even be on the news. The amount of times this happens and is not reported on, like it would be for football, is a joke.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Im not a Phoenix supporter – well I am as a second team :happy: – NB it looks like the final next week is selling well..at least where I was buying on Friday :stoked:
Garry
Roar Rookie
On an aside it looks like for the Aus Cup they’re only selling half the stadium atm..I presume that if they get over $20k that will change..ps seems sales are pretty good so far.
Grem
Roar Rookie
They are great ideas. Have you suggested them to Sydney FC?
Garry
Roar Rookie
I went back in to test the City game but now the link for Allianz stadium has gone!! and the game itself doesnt link – definitely some site issues!! ps Im surmising its because of the Australia Cup game being sold atm. Theyre adjusting the links and some things are stuffed up.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Robert the Bruce..try try and try again! :happy: I tried for the Adelaide game and, apart from being thrown out when I first logged in!, I had no issues when I tested it ((but of course I didnt go as far as paying!). If the issues repeat Id email Sydney membership and also Ticketek. If Chris is getting the same issue it might be software issue. I often find going in a different way works..Ive managed to go back into the game via the Sydney fc season tickets link ps I went in via the sports link. note…. does seem there is/are site issues. You could wait until next week.