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The Western United Thread

If they played in Western Melbourne, the region they claim to represent, more than just once (1 time) in their entire history, I don't think they would have folded. Shit show from the day they were announced. Western Melbourne was the right choice for a-league expansion but the way they did it was completely wrong
 
They could have just stayed the whole time in Geelong, granted i dont think they were wanted so kardinia park would have been a long term no.

Overall it was a real shit show, started in Geelong, played in Ballarat, played in Footscray, had a base at the hangar which is Essendons afl facility, tried to muscle into lakeside stadium where they were cut off, knights didnt want them at sunshine. Then the whole aami park debacle where i think they retain the record for lowest ever A league crowd. All that was before Tarneit, how the fuck did they get a license? Lol
 
Regardless of how people feel about Western United and how it was run, I feel for the players, staff and even their small fan base.

It’s sad day when you lose your job especially if it’s something they have worked hard for to get into this position, hopefully the players and staff can find new opportunities within the game.
 
It goes to show the APL knew this was coming as they held back the release of the fixtures. Goes to show wheres theres smoke there is fire, the APL knew all along this was happening. Cant wait for the press statement that's if there is even one?.
 
I can officially clear the air of fan frustration that I can confirm 2025/26 ALM fixture release wouldn't had come out next week in anycase even before today's major news from Western United according to Michael Zappone told me given that the fact Asian Football Confederation had already blocked APL from announcing fixture release ahead of next Friday's ACL Elite and ACL Two draws in Kuala Lumpur anyway as AFC need to announce match schedule after the draw.
 
Barca4life said:
Regardless of how people feel about Western United and how it was run, I feel for the players, staff and even their small fan base.

It’s sad day when you lose your job especially if it’s something they have worked hard for to get into this position, hopefully the players and staff can find new opportunities within the game.
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True that.
Losing your job would and does suck when out of your hands and due to the fact that we have a stagnant Pro comp with not many clubs there is no jobs unless they are lucky current clubs can afford taking the opportunity on some bargain buys if they haven’t filled their rosters yet !
Otherwise they are heading to seek or hussle a gig offshore Or land a semi pro job ahead.
This is highlighting the state of the game.
 
grazorblade said:
Fury

Strikers, Gold Coast United, Northern spirit, Woolongong wolves and canberra city all still exist in the npl system which is a strike rate of 83% survival. All 26 traditional clubs that played in the state leagues and went back to the nsl still survive. Only traditional club that died is western suburbs and that was while they were in the nsl. They got absorbed by apia
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Pity that Fury folded for good back in 2017-18 was it? I still dunno the precise circumstances behind that.
 
BA81 said:
Pity that Fury folded for good back in 2017-18 was it? I still dunno the precise circumstances behind that.
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Yeah i dont either. Maybe relegation is tougher for franchises in regional qld since even the npl would have travel costs. Alternatively maybe 2 years in the top league wasnt long enough to develop loyal enough fans to keep going? I believe all other franchises that survived in the state league had more time at the top
 
This is incredibly sad, and another chapter in the A-leagues extremely chequered history.

Its a disgrace how this sport is run in this country and every other code just laughs at us.
 
CentreHalf said:
This is incredibly sad, and another chapter in the A-leagues extremely chequered history.

Its a disgrace how this sport is run in this country and every other code just laughs at us.
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Fuck what the other codes think, it’s none of their business as is - though ofc the irony at play here is we get ourselves into these messes BECAUSE we set out to emulate their way of doing things, instead of going about it how it’s actually done in the ⚽️ world..!
 
CentreHalf said:
This is incredibly sad, and another chapter in the A-leagues extremely chequered history.

Its a disgrace how this sport is run in this country and every other code just laughs at us.
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I'd leave it at Its a disgrace how this sport is run in this country and every other code just laughs at us. My memory goes back to Sir Arthur George.
 
Well I’d say the afl would be having a giggle in the boardroom but the other codes wouldn’t give a toss imo.
Good ol SAG haha
He had his strong hold it’s my show issues but think we are in a worse state overall nowadays.
 
LFC said:
Well I’d say the afl would be having a giggle in the boardroom but the other codes wouldn’t give a toss imo.
Good ol SAG haha
He had his strong hold it’s my show issues but think we are in a worse state overall nowadays.
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You may be right - but we have never been run well.
 
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patjennings said:
You may be right - but we have never been run well.
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Oh no disagreeing about our governance just as robbos mentions last 50yrs.
My annoyance is that I give some rope of the ol days for we had so many hurdles of acceptance that were completely out of the games honchos control to manage, the racism, the dislike towards our poofter game by the general Anglo public hence JW’s book, media neglect and rejection not even Hawke or Johnny would have been able to change those tunes let alone SAG.
Fast forward to modern day 06 onwards - the changes in society behaviour, the larger commercial outlook, the broadcasting out reach of the world game for all to see - our cup qualis, Ange exposure I won’t bother what happened to the npl Canbra and youth for years in a lull you think it’s not worse in 2025 ?
Mate it’s a friggin mess hanging by a thread at this stage.
If you look at this situation as a business case from the sideline tell me what you see ?
 
LFC said:
Oh no disagreeing about our governance just as robbos mentions last 50yrs.
My annoyance is that I give some rope of the ol days for we had so many hurdles of acceptance that were completely out of the games honchos control to manage, the racism, the dislike towards our poofter game by the general Anglo public hence JW’s book, media neglect and rejection not even Hawke or Johnny would have been able to change those tunes let alone SAG.
Fast forward to modern day 06 onwards - the changes in society behaviour, the larger commercial outlook, the broadcasting out reach of the world game for all to see - our cup qualis, Ange exposure I won’t bother what happened to the npl Canbra and youth for years in a lull you think it’s not worse in 2025 ?
Mate it’s a friggin mess hanging by a thread at this stage.
If you look at this situation as a business case from the sideline tell me what you see ?
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I'm not disagreeing with you.

But to me I think the problem lies in being weak. And now may be the time to make another bold move.

The implementation of some things under Lowy was not great but it had the chance of being transformational. The A-League was formed relatively quickly when the decision was made. Teams were announced November 2004 and early in the New Year they were playing in the OFC club qualifiers before kicking off in August 2005. The implementation should have had two teams in Melbourne and Sydney at least from the get go.

I know on the other thread about the World Cup bid for 2022 you thought it was a mistake. But the money for the bid was miniscule in terms of sports spending by the government. It seemed from then that they became spooked and retreated.

Maybe now is an opportunity. Rewrite the script. Is the Western United demise a sign of impending doom or an opportunity to rewrite the landscape.

If the Foundation 8 of the Australian Championship are ready to go in a H&A league and ALM needs to expand join them together. A_League license until 2034 are useless if there is no A-League so start P and R from the get go.

The top 10 remaining ALM for an 18 round home and away season. The bottom two plus the Foundation 8 from the Championship do the same.

After the 18 rounds the teams play the other tier for 9 games.

Top of Championship moves up if they are confident of the extra wages bill and the bottom team moves down. Second can maybe have a playoff against the second bottom. Both divisions can have a final series as well if they want but promotion should be based off league position

Introduce a tier below the Championship of maybe a further 24-32 divided into conferences below that that don't have to meet the strict criteria that the top 2 tiers have to. When clubs can reach the criteria then they can be eligible for promotion to the more regulated tiers.

Now this couldn't be done for this year - but why not next?
 
I need some shut eye but let me re read your points and comeback later in the day.
One thing I’ll jump on now the mention of Weak ?! Too right that is for sure and is it the moment time opportunity for a major enhancement re boot ?!
If we had a general Patton you friggin bet it’s time !!!!!? To pounce.
Sleep I need :)
 
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