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The Australian Championship Thread

Monoethnic Social Club said:
I guess it all hinges on the first 2-3 seasons of NST .. eiother it succeed or fails, but either way don't hold your breath for APL inclusion .... Maybe 1-2 franchises may wish to join in the distant future but for now... APLs focus is artificial expansion with new shopfronts in geographic sales areas NOT real football. "Fish where they HOPE the fish are"
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Salmon farms... Plenty of fish but you know something's not quite right 😅 You know the difference if you've ever tasted genuine Tasmanian Atlantic salmon!
 
HappyGuus said:
Does anyone know the actual proposal for who pays for the travel and accommodation for the NST?

AAFC wanted FA to pay for it, which I think is the right way, the league's admin should foot that bill. But I thought I've seen suggestions that clubs might be paying for it?

I think it would be anbit rich for clubs to stump up for guarantee AND travel costs.
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the FA will pay for 90% of costs apparently. They want the clubs to pay the other 10%.
 
Beretta said:
the FA will pay for 90% of costs apparently. They want the clubs to pay the other 10%.
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Thanks. Would've thought it would be 100% either way. Strange percentage that. Maybe FA think that the clubs having a stake in costs would incentivise them to keep them down?
 
Monoethnic Social Club said:
Should more than make up the 10% just from the extra membership sales and matchday alone I would think....
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Honestly, it should be 50/50 minimum for the first year with a complete break away after that. I don't think that should be an issue, I think FA are too paranoid. It's giving Lowy vibes.
 
I've been thinking about seasons, pro/rel and other things...

Is there anything stopping all of the leagues in the pyramid aligning with the Asian calendar, Europe, and the A-League? I'm seeing all the lower leagues and amateurs around the world still currently playing this time of year, why can't our state leagues and below do the same? I'm pretty sure attendances would rise as well, practically taking all of winter off.

I was reading FA's "pillars" and they wanted the entire pyramid aligned with Asia. This was in 2020 when Asia was still a January-December calendar and before they switched to July-June. So, are FA sticking to their word and aligning everything for July-June seasons? Would be incredibly smoother for pro/rel and transfers etc. Seems a no-brainer to me, unless there are come compelling reasons not to align with everything else above.
 
HappyGuus said:
I've been thinking about seasons, pro/rel and other things...

Is there anything stopping all of the leagues in the pyramid aligning with the Asian calendar, Europe, and the A-League? I'm seeing all the lower leagues and amateurs around the world still currently playing this time of year, why can't our state leagues and below do the same? I'm pretty sure attendances would rise as well, practically taking all of winter off.

I was reading FA's "pillars" and they wanted the entire pyramid aligned with Asia. This was in 2020 when Asia was still a January-December calendar and before they switched to July-June. So, are FA sticking to their word and aligning everything for July-June seasons? Would be incredibly smoother for pro/rel and transfers etc. Seems a no-brainer to me, unless there are come compelling reasons not to align with everything else above.
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With you here, none of us seem to understand the continued delay logically, if nothing its another small step forward to getting eveything aligned and proper.

I do believe that there is that fear that crowds will plummit again and that the 'premier' comp becomes "less standout", whatever that means!

It remains only logical that steps like this continue to be taken for that true pyramid, no matter the fears or pushback!
 
The stupid thing with the current alignment aswell is that the a league youth teams are in the npl so it's and for the most part not aligned. These kids only get the chance to prove themselves at training and don't get proper match fitness.
 
Hellenic_blue&white said:
With you here, none of us seem to understand the continued delay
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Do you know if it's on the table and actually being discussed by the member federations? I haven't heard it raised before, so that's good that others here already feel the same haha.

Looking at different models of seasons and how they overlap each other, we can rule out a few ideas pretty quickly because they just won't be feasible. I'll post some numbers later for illustration.
 
HappyGuus said:
Do you know if it's on the table and actually being discussed by the member federations? I haven't heard it raised before, so that's good that others here already feel the same haha.

Looking at different models of seasons and how they overlap each other, we can rule out a few ideas pretty quickly because they just won't be feasible. I'll post some numbers later for illustration.
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Nothing ive heared to be honest but given it was a directive/requirement at some point im sure it got a mention in, but to what extent it was, well as always it wouldve been based on each feds interests at that time...
 
Hellenic_blue&white said:
Nothing ive heared to be honest but given it was a directive/requirement at some point im sure it got a mention in, but to what extent it was, well as always it wouldve been based on each feds interests at that time...
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It's due to happen shortly isn't it? Can you have a chat with your club president and let us know?
 
southoftheyarra said:
October 2025 *allegedly*
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Yeah, but what is being done between now and then? That isn't long away, and with every re-announcement of the date, what is being done? Sponsors? TV Deals? Player signings? None of these have been mentioned and we are now months away from the first kick.
 
Looking at the seasons again, these are the four options as I see it:

1. If NST aligns with A-League (summer):
NPL clubs promoted to NST have a 36 week off-season.

NST clubs relegated to NPL - 40 week off-season.

This could mean that a team that is promoted to NST then relegated back to NPL would only be able to play one season of football over 113 weeks. It won't work.

2. If NST aligns with NPL (winter):
NST clubs promoted to A-League - 56 week off-season. NST would actually finish 4 weeks before the next A-League season starts, but as the NST (and all leagues) need a mandatory 6 week post-season rest break, it would be impossible to join A-League that season (and would require at least some sort of pre-season training as well).

A-League clubs relegated to NST - 40 week off-season.

This could mean that a team that is promoted to A-League then relegated back to NST would only be able to play one season of football over 125 weeks. It won't work.

3. If we sit the NST season between current A-League and NPL, then pro/rel with reasonable off-seasons are achievable:
NPL clubs promoted to NST - 26 week off-season.
NST clubs relegated to NPL - 10 week off-season.

NST clubs promoted to A-League - 26 week off-season.
A-League clubs relegated to NST - 10 week off-season.

4. The pyramid aligns neatly with Asia, Europe and A-Leagues, and we can head off to lunch early.


3 and 4 are the only realistic options as far as I can tell. Obviously, option 4 is a piece of piss. So I thought I'd have a crack at a calendar for option 3. This is if the Member Federations want to stay in winter and APL want to stay in summer.

I've done my best to consider transfer windows, Asian competitions, seasons, breaks, finals, cups etc. and I think it flows pretty nicely. I've moved A-League to start during the pre-AFL finals bye round; they can play all the low drawing matches during this period and sharpen their game in time for the Asian comps kicking off. The A-League finals conclude before the AFC finals start, somewhere around Anzac Day.

With the NST I originally had them breaking for the Christmas-New Year period. But then I thought, they'll be professional, so they can play through it like the other professionals. But the option is there to have that break, it won't affect the calendar. The NST has to start before the A-League season, not after, otherwise there won't be enough off-season (1 week in my calendar!) if a team is promoted. The transfer window mightn't be ideal for the NST, it's more in line with what APL want with extra time after Europe closes. But this isn't critical and the window can be shifted a few weeks earlier if required.

The League Cup (optional) and Australia Cup can be flexible around that time of year. When the League Cup group stage is finished and half the clubs are kicked out, then the Aus Cup can start. I've put the Aus Cup final during the week off after the NPL regular season and before their Champions League. The NPL season starts just a couple of weeks later, but this won't affect the federations too much.

If anyone has any thoughts or feedback let me know. I might be overlooking something really simple.

Here's a two year overview of how it could look:


1735932396068.png
 
southoftheyarra said:
Mate the whole operation is so dodgy, I find it kind of funny that you have an expectation of that kind of news considering their past track record with announcements...

The only things I know NPL starts in feb, so thats what I'm guessing clubs will be 'focusing' on, doesn't give them a whole lot of time come October but thats why they kicked up a fuss hey. Player signings ... I would't hold my breath on anything at this stage considering the current NSD format (not an actual league / division) and NPL player registration rules (u23 bs), maybe clubs will loan in a couple of senior players (from non NSD NPL clubs) in but thats just what I would do.
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But if you were a dodgy character, you'd want this to succeed because more dodginess could come from it.

You make some good points. It would have been easier if it were a second division based on merit through p & r.
 
HappyGuus said:
Looking at the seasons again, these are the four options as I see it:

1. If NST aligns with A-League (summer):
NPL clubs promoted to NST have a 36 week off-season.

NST clubs relegated to NPL - 40 week off-season.

This could mean that a team that is promoted to NST then relegated back to NPL would only be able to play one season of football over 113 weeks. It won't work.

2. If NST aligns with NPL (winter):
NST clubs promoted to A-League - 56 week off-season. NST would actually finish 4 weeks before the next A-League season starts, but as the NST (and all leagues) need a mandatory 6 week post-season rest break, it would be impossible to join A-League that season (and would require at least some sort of pre-season training as well).

A-League clubs relegated to NST - 40 week off-season.

This could mean that a team that is promoted to A-League then relegated back to NST would only be able to play one season of football over 125 weeks. It won't work.

3. If we sit the NST season between current A-League and NPL, then pro/rel with reasonable off-seasons are achievable:
NPL clubs promoted to NST - 26 week off-season.
NST clubs relegated to NPL - 10 week off-season.

NST clubs promoted to A-League - 26 week off-season.
A-League clubs relegated to NST - 10 week off-season.

4. The pyramid aligns neatly with Asia, Europe and A-Leagues, and we can head off to lunch early.


3 and 4 are the only realistic options as far as I can tell. Obviously, option 4 is a piece of piss. So I thought I'd have a crack at a calendar for option 3. This is if the Member Federations want to stay in winter and APL want to stay in summer.

I've done my best to consider transfer windows, Asian competitions, seasons, breaks, finals, cups etc. and I think it flows pretty nicely. I've moved A-League to start during the pre-AFL finals bye round; they can play all the low drawing matches during this period and sharpen their game in time for the Asian comps kicking off. The A-League finals conclude before the AFC finals start, somewhere around Anzac Day.

With the NST I originally had them breaking for the Christmas-New Year period. But then I thought, they'll be professional, so they can play through it like the other professionals. But the option is there to have that break, it won't affect the calendar. The NST has to start before the A-League season, not after, otherwise there won't be enough off-season (1 week in my calendar!) if a team is promoted. The transfer window mightn't be ideal for the NST, it's more in line with what APL want with extra time after Europe closes. But this isn't critical and the window can be shifted a few weeks earlier if required.

The League Cup (optional) and Australia Cup can be flexible around that time of year. When the League Cup group stage is finished and half the clubs are kicked out, then the Aus Cup can start. I've put the Aus Cup final during the week off after the NPL regular season and before their Champions League. The NPL season starts just a couple of weeks later, but this won't affect the federations too much.

If anyone has any thoughts or feedback let me know. I might be overlooking something really simple.

Here's a two year overview of how it could look:


View attachment 703
Click to expand...
They should slowly stagger the A-League seasons over the next few years to have a shorter off-season (I.e, start earlier, and then earlier again the next season, etc), until it aligns with the NPL/NST, and then when they finally align, that's when P/R to the A-League/NST begins.
 
NicCarBel said:
They should slowly stagger the A-League seasons over the next few years to have a shorter off-season (I.e, start earlier, and then earlier again the next season, etc), until it aligns with the NPL/NST, and then when they finally align, that's when P/R to the A-League/NST begins.
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Is that moving A-League to winter? In FA's pillars document they state that they're aligning with Asia, so I havent gone into detail on a winter A-League.
 
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