Does anyone really expect we'd play 33 rounds with a 12 team league?
12 teams is an issue for the A league. If everyone plays each other twice, we wont have enough rounds (22) and 3 times, we'll have too many rounds (33). Neither of those would seem to be suitable to the FFA or broadcasters in terms of costs/content/length of season.
I expect that when we go to 12 teams, we may see a push for a 'conference' type system (similar to the Super Rugby), where there are either 2 groups of 6 teams or 3 groups of 4 teams.

With 2 groups, you'd play 27 matches in total, 15 (3x each) against the other teams in your group and 12 (2x each) against the other group. (T.v content 162 matches).
With 3 groups, you'd play 25 matches in total, 9 (3x each) against the teams in your group and 16 (2x each) against the other groups. (T.v content 150 matches)
Both of those options would allow you to have a 'final 6' and finals/playoffs virtually identical to the current system.
Both of those systems would also allow for less travel and maintain 3 derbies against the teams in your 'group'.
Thoughts?

How is 33 rounds 'too many'?

Conferences and other american sports garbage can Fuck off.

Yeah but nah, 12 teams will be either 22 games or 33 games. Most likely the latter but if the ffa are still in charge they’ll go to 22 claiming “clean air” requirements

Every team needs to play at least 27 games according to the AFC statutes.

I don't see FFA or Fox being happy with it. Extra costs and the extra overlap with AFL/NRL will mean those later/earlier rounds will rate even worse.
That was my question. Does anyone really think FFA will extend the season to 33 rounds?

Only if that team wants to be able to participate in the AFC Champions League.

Why? We already have playoffs. Why not conferences?

We need to get away from the unfair scheduling as quickly as possible. A proper league has a home and away fixture against each side. That's what we should aim for.

So you're advocating giving the AFC a gigantic middle finger by refusing to play in the Champions League?

I'm just highlighting the issues, not advocating any position.
My personal preference is a 16 team division with 30 rounds, but that's not in the mix.

AFC requirement is 27 rounds including cup competitions isn't it?

16 teams/30 games is the target but we’re at least a decade away from that. I’m betting the current expansion will be delayed a season and then another good wait after that before we go again.

They also didn't qualify for the world cup from the easiest confederation, we shouldn't be following anything they do. Backwards thinking doesn't begin to cover them when it comes to Football (and other things).

That's why we should go hard and have 14 teams. Makes more sense overall.

Yes , a Proper League is what we should aim for

I think a 27 round format will still be the goer.

A 33 will cause too many issues when they go to 14 teams with 26 rounds.

I can't see Fox agreeing to more content and then 5 years down the track then less.

I can see each team playing each other twice that's 22 games.

I'm hoping then that the top 6 play each other once for 5 games and the bottom 6 do the same.

That's 27 games.

Isn't that sort of like the SPL except they play 3 rounds and then a half round for 38 games.

Foxtel might also have a problem with that as they like to lock in ground availability and telecast times well in advance for the entire season.

Having said all that, there might be a case of a fixed last half round, with a different half round every 2nd season.

I think that would work out to be each team playing each other 5 times in 2 seasons (excluding finals etc)

How are they going to schedule a fixture for 12 teams?
Does anyone BELIEVE there will be 33 rounds?

If not  then will they still play 27 rounds?
Will you play some teams 3 times and others twice?
That's what I want to know.

Why not an All-Star game and a draft system? Time-outs?

12 teams isn't enough to have a proper home and away season.

I wonder if it would be possible to take in 4 bids instead of just 2.

Confirmed matches, so it would be one for a cup match in case you get knocked out the first time of asking.

Why wouldn't they play 33 rounds??? It isn't even that much

It will be 27 pre-determined games to maximise the metrics.

I just did a match fixture list for 2019-20 with the 1st round starting after the October international match window as the A-League will next season.  By having a game every Tuesday and Wednesday night when there isn't an international window or ACL round the GF would be on May 30 which is very late.  There would be 6 midweek rounds spread through the season.  Its a very tight schedule so I think to have a 33 round season the A-League would have to start at the end of August at the latest.

There you have it.
So instead of a moving toward a balanced home and away season with no finals, we are maintaining finals, and ALSO likely have an even more unbalanced season proper where the draw can be manipulated to maximise crowds, or, minimise favourite clubs matches against other strong clubs and give them more matches against weaker clubs.

I think you are overplaying the manipulation a bit. Would just mean as many derbies as they can, and letting the rest of the chips fall where they may.

It's clear cut manipulation when you have an unbalanced fixture in the hands of an entity that espouse maximising "metrics". You can game probabilities to ensure the team you don't want in the finals has less chance than the rest of the pack.

Yes you can. But at what cost? Avoid derbies and other big matches between big teams just so they can all make the finals?