How do you think the A-League will go in its 2nd season? And who will win it?

Question

How do you think the A-League will go in its 2nd season? And who will win it?

Answer 1

I really think, especially off the back of the socceroos great efforts at WC06, that the A-League will continue to go along really well this year. The first few years will be good because it is still novelty and has an element of interest associated with change.

I inheireted Sydney FC, as a former Northern Spirit fan, and so I was really impressed that they won the first title, but I think if the competition is to succeed long term then another team will have to win within the next two years to prove it is still competetive, otherwise people will think it is too one-sided to maintain interest.

Answer 2

I think the lose of Dwight Yorke for Sydney FC will come back to bite them and they will not win the comp in 2007.

The A-League could suffer this year because of Yorke.  It may recover, but the high profile of Yorke possibly cannot be replaced this year and the number of people who normally do not watch the football (soccer), and watched it last year, possibly will not watch it this year.

The departure of Yorke may free up some money for the Sydney FC.  This may help Sydney FC, as I believe most teams, apart from the Central Coast (and perhaps others) did not make a profit this year.  This will determine the long term survival of the A-League.  If enough people can be enthused to go watch games, even to the Asian Cup games, then the profile of the whole code will grow and the benefits of this will flow to the A-League and others (lower competitions).  Sponsors may take a bigger interest as more people can see their product, thereby making more money available to the clubs and the FFA for future development.

The Central Coast side will win it this year (2007), as the side can grow from last year and continue to be a dominate force.  The side has already been in a Grand Final and will use that experience to win in 2007.