Oh how a closed league has kept out so many fans and clubs, for Shame.

It staggers me the ones posting against this or much hope.

Great to see 5 or 6 insignias proudly proclaiming their heritage.
I do wonder how the FA will respond to that.

The Lowys are gone

It's not as if the FA didn't know about these club logos before they embarked on this NST thing. That being said, if they do ask any of the final selections to remove anything from their logos they will be starting off the league with a bunch of fan backlash. Would not be a smart way to kick things off. 

BTW has either the APL or Keep Up even mentioned anything? Have they even acknowledged the process has started? Wasn't Keep up the "portal" of all football in Australia or something?

meanwhile OPTUS Sport seem pretty enthused with the idea :)

https://twitter.com/OptusSport/status/1631573227326562304

Bit like Danny Townsend atm, gone AWOL after the selling grand finals debacle 

That would be amazing if they got the rights to it.

By far the best football coverage and interface of any sport

can't happen soon enough. But surprised by some applicants wanting so desperately to join when they hate the a-league so much...

3/10

Best case scenario: we end up with 2 divisions with p and r
worst case scenario: we end up having both divisions collapse into a single one with the best clubs from both

Be good to fail trying than to fail anyway not trying imo.

I don’t think it will fail, James Johnson has staked his reputation on rebuilding football in this country.
Casting the A league adrift from FA responsibility was necessary for many reasons but it has allowed for a clear direction for football leagues.

You can NEVER have a pyramid, let alone a proper pyramid if top flight is a closed league and there are no professional leagues below the NST.

You should NEVER say never Paul.
I know it doesn’t fit your agenda but this is just the start of the realignment of football. Stay tuned!

LOL..............in his several years he has done nothing, only to carry-on, belatedly something the old FFA already started.

That's a good way of looking at it. P&R hasn't worked before, so it's a real concern.

I think it can be a success. I don’t have huge confidence in him however. 

Who’s talking about getting into the APL, it’s on its own to either live or die, NST will do for those interested and if it works it should force a hand above in time for I don’t see much growth there.
NST if takes off well will upset the Apple cart and whenever they start p and r even more so.
Big ifs but worth getting the below a better product.

There's been a lot of talk of a pyramid, that's why I mentioned it. Clubs inspiring for the APL is another, that's why they are there putting up their hands, yeah? Most here and the NST applicants are of the belief there will be a pyramid where by they can get promoted, make no mistake about that. The NST will be limited in what people dream about and without a  pyramid it will have little impact.

I'll be happy to see a cracker rammed up the APL's ass if the NST does nothing else.

A strong second division will be the best thing that ever happened to the A-League. The main thing, keeping them honest. They're their own worst enemy.

yes granted, long ago we've talked of getting into the APL but we know there is restrictions there AND those owners wouldn't approve in the first place Unless Clubs going in I expect would have to pay X dollars for a license or just getting through the door but whats the point.
Their model isn't suited to a pyramid period unless its turned upside down agreed - the NST gaining momentum and if that only ends up with P/R below NST so be it, better than nothing and its a start.
Having 30+ Clubs putting their hand up to step up to the plate would certainly have the FA thinking what could be.
Sure some will have no chance but they have aspirations looking ahead.
Therefore the FA once they cut the chase and say 10/12 meet the criteria for the NST they sure have a template and Clubs willing to move ahead for the teir below NST.
They may not be 100% good to go but obviously would be working on in doing so.

"A-league"? What's an "A-League"? :)

Will you solemnly pledge to come back 3 years from now and post the same comment about the NST?

Only that numgitkfpunch guy here is seeing this for what it is ie. ANOTHER closed shop

I think it's hugely important and I hope it gets off the ground and is a success (whatever that may be for these teams) but let's not get too carried away just yet about what this really is.

Some posters here are happy their team will be in a bigger league (obviously) but they also follow clubs that would gladly quickly and forcefully shut the door on clubs below them just as has always happened in this country.

Anyway, if you take the romantic dreams out of the equation p/r up from the nst is the ultimate goal (anyone here above thinking the SMs of the world don't want that are ridiculous). Down from there is far less important.

Sure it's sad for some tiny clubs below these 30(+12 a-league) and you can argue about competitiveness but if we have 2 divisions of 14-16 teams there's clearly enough clubs for our entire player pool (the cream of them I mean) and we can worry about a 3rd division or teams going up to the NST besides these guys in another 10 years.

One step at a time when something is this broken is all you can do

Whats next Davide, are you going to bring up "No relegation in 1979 for South Melbourne"? 

Im not sure I follow some of your comments as pretty much ALL the messaging I have seen around this from my club and others is the excitement of aspirational football being FINALLY on the table.... Bringing up 40 year old mistakes dude?.... really? Only negativity seems to be from APL and the rusted on fans of franchises... everyone else (even a couple of curious Aleaguers I met at Lakeside last night) think its a wonderful idea.

Let me know which part of the clubs message you didnt like mate?
https://www.smfc.com.au/2023/03/03/south-melbourne-fc-makes-historic-submission-for-national-second-tier/

Oh and this WILL NEVER HAPPEN..... we all know it.

??

I actually thought it was a positive post besides one comment that I believe it will be a closed off second division or at least not an open pyramid in the true sense of the word.

You yourself have hesitantly agreed with me that it's quite possible since we have already heard talk of "bedding down periods"

What did I say that was so bad?? Do you not believe our entire history has been governed by self interest and hiding the keys?