There have been many articles written lately that question the A-League and its direction. A common statement is “The A-League is at the crossroads”.
As an A-League fan and devotee, it would be churlish and plain ignorant of me to say that there is NOTHING wrong with the A-League. The sad demise of the North Queensland Fury, financial problems at other clubs (the Phoenix in particular) and the management of the A-League by the FFA are but three issues that come to mind.
Instead of being negative, here are some random ideas for the development of the A-League:
1. I must acknowledge that Craig Foster of the SMH suggested this idea; have the A-League run by an Independent Commission, totally separate of the FFA, very similar to the AFL and the now the NRL. An A-League Commission (ALC), specifically dedicated to the A-League and the A-League only, is essential to GROW the League. It is not sufficient to just keep paddling along, we need people of vision, brilliance, dedication and desire to make our League special. Let the FFA run Football across the country, and let the ALC run the A-League. Names that come to mind are John Singleton, David Hill, Craig Foster himself, Craig Johnston, Paul Wade, Simon Hill, Adrian Anderson and perhaps a young, up and coming English FA Executive with vision, drive, and the ruthlessness we need to succeed.
2. Whilst expansion has been only moderately successful, the League needs teams in Western Sydney, the Illawarra and, gulp, Canberra. Wollongong has a FOOTBALL culture, and with the renovated Wollongong Stadium in play, we should be there ASAP.
In retrospect, an Illawarra team would have been a more deserving choice than my Central Coast Mariners if the parameters were purely Football-based.
Western Sydney is a no-brainer, ESPECIALLY with the advent of the LOADED GWS Giants in 2012. A team playing out of Parramatta Stadium is essential.
Canberra, the time to strike is now. The Raiders and Brumbies are ordinary, the money is there, Canberra Stadium has a superb playing surface, all indicators are positive towards a team playing Canberra.
I would SERIOUSLY look at combining Gold Coast United and Wellington. Gold Coast United have almost no fan base, are competing in a very tight market against the Titans and Suns, and are really only a play-thing for a mining magnate.
The Phoenix, whilst playing at the excellent Caketin and having rabid fans, are in dire straits financially. They are also in New Zealand and are not eligible to play in the ACL. So, move them to Robina and have a competition with:
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle United, Central Coast, Western Sydney, Sydney FC, Wollongong, Canberra, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Heart, Adelaide United, Perth.
This gives us a 12 team comp, with teams playing 33 games in the Home and Away season.
3. Introduce the FFA Cup. Simply, it’s time. We are ready for this. There are many options, but basically, get the best State League sides, maybe start with 64 teams, make the A-League teams play away first, yada yada yada.
4. Use the FFA Cup as a trailblazer for WORLD Football. Two Challenges per half for Gaffers, via a red flag. 12 interchanges per match, NOT including Goalkeepers. The 4th official is in charge of Video Replays. Play 4 quarters of 22 and a half minutes each. Silver Goal system during extra time. Simulation is an automatic 15 minute Sin Bin AND no interchanges during that 15 minutes. Equal broadcast rights for Foxtel & FTA. Grand Final on Australia Day, with venue to be tendered out to best bidder (a la Superbowl). FFA Cup Winner gets automatic qualification to ACL.
5. Get one A-League game a week onto FTA during Prime Time, either 7.30pm on Friday or Sunday Night.
6. Get rid of the Finals Series. First past the post wins. Second and third playoff, Home and Away, for final ACL berth.
7. Make the A-League teams, officials and Commission open, accountable and transparent. Engage the Press, ALL of them, create a level of professionalism akin to the NFL. Broadcast Judiciary hearings.
8. Create a Rookie Draft & Mature Age Draft. Run an under 18 competition similar to the TAC Cup in the AFL, and draft Rookies from there. To stop tanking, bottom 6 sides go into Draft Lottery.
It’s open season on these ideas, everyone.
Whatever else happens, make sure you get a membership this season, get to as many games as possible, and remember; never, EVER support the Newcastle United Football Club.
Welcome back BRSM. First thing to address for A-League – ask Mike Gibson and Peter FitzSimons why they hate it so much. Seriously, do they even know how old and grumpy they sound? Lets see if Harry can change their minds…
How about a write-up about how good the England XI (15 or more, really, if you consider Tremlett, Finn, Trott, Onions all provide excellent service when they get a chance. Would Panesar make the Australian team? Discuss) are at the moment? And how depressing it is to admit that they are very good to watch. And a warning to poms not to waste the next few years complaining that this era of cricket is soft – like Australians did in the last decade. Our quick demise surely indicates that the rest of the world is never that far away from even the most dominant team. What, too, are your reactions to the Argus report? Is this a significant watershed moment in the administration of Aus cricket?