Just throwing my detailed 2 cents on the second tier and expansion model...

  A2 Proposal

Open the gauntlet and take in EOI’s on the model & view the candidates.
Does the FFA have the resources or care factor for it, unfortunately not at this point in time.

Commencement of season
8 weeks before the HAL to capture the football purist and minimise overlap in seasons.
Eventually I’d strongly suggest that the play-offs of the A2 are completed by the conclusion of the H & A season of the A-League. If there was to be any pro/rel model, I’d conservatively suggest a two legged play-off between the bottom A-League side v Play Off winner of the A2 model.
Imagine the tense and hostile environments between the scared professional side verse the dreamers & battlers of the second tier. It would be an enthralling tie and one which would capture neutral interest and TV audiences alike.
Benefits of this means a majority these sides can have their respective sides play in the NPL in winter & A2 in the summer. Yearlong development for this pool of players. It also means that whilst the money/salary floor for average players in the A2 may be just ok, playing the other 6 months in the NPL means they earn enough for it to become a full time profession.
Ideally the A2 needs to start small, conservatively and eventually grow much like the HAL has. It doesn’t have to immediately have pro/rel from the get go. At least a second tier where the “best of the rest” can compete amongst one another on a regular basis and really up the standard to which the NPL is played at in its current format.
By starting small we should encourage all applicants but a majority of teams will come from NSW and Melbourne. Realistically there may be only 8 sides that take the risk and form the A2, however at least it provide a stepping stone for other applicants that wish to expand the second tier.

Candidates of A2 teams

Tasmania United – Direct pathway to the state’s best talent. Home base in Hobart however games to also be played in Launceston and one or two to be played in Devonport. If someone a north & south Tasmanian side could present the finances and valid business cases, we should be welcoming of this development. However I think the conservative option on a state based team will be low risk and provide the necessary links to semi prof football.

South Melbourne – No brainer with their current facilities and rich history. Could really take the plunge with the HAL tomorrow if the FFA were more open to expansion.

Heidelberg United – As above. Also provides representation of Melbourne’s northern suburbs and can channel development of those talented kids into a semi-professional team.

Melbourne Knights – As above. Also provides representation for Melbourne’s western suburbs being Sunshine based and can channel development of those talented kids into a semi-professional team.

Oakleigh – This is the only NPL side that I can think of which represents the south-east of Melbourne. My ambitious plan of a SE Melb side based in Sandown Park is a pipedream unfortunately and one I cannot see the FFA manoeuvring. Alternatively Oakleigh represents both the Pakenham and Cranbourne train lines and has a rich “ethnic” history of the suburb itself.

Geelong – Direct pathway for new talent on the Ballerine Peninsula. Provides the region the opportunity to get the feelers out for a top tier side.

Ballarat Red Devils – A smoky but they do have the facilities at Morshead Park. If they can capture the backing required from the local community they would be a nice inclusion.

Canberra – If they aren’t admitted into the HAL it’s a no brainer. Again a direct pathway to direct the best ACT talent to a representative side

Wollongong – Pretty much the same as Canberra if they aren’t Inc in future HAL expansion.

Macarthur Rams – Based deeply in Sydney’s south west. Macarthur would be my #1 choice for the next area of expansion. It won’t infiltrate WSW & Syd FC’s supporter bases but provides a growing region, suitable stadium in Campbelltown, future TV audience and is a very low risk option.

Sutherland Shire/Cronulla – Similar attributes to Macarthur baring it’s closer proximity to Sydney FC’s supporter base. If the FFA don’t expand to this region in the HAL then it is a no brainer to provide a second tier side to capture the best talent in the region. Apparently has very high junior participation rates.

Sydney United – The history of the club and it’s constant participation of the FFA shows the club is a resource that should be tapped into for a semi-professional competition. The junior pathways are already in place, now we just need the platform to showcase the best of the rest that for whatever reason can get an opportunity in the top tier.

In terms of other Sydney representation. Being a Victorian I cannot claim to know the NPL sides too well or the areas worth pursuing. The difficult situation Sydney has is teams like Syd United, Marconi, Blacktown, Syd Olympic & even Penrith all infiltrate WSW’s heartland. Does the FFA want to cannibalise the Wanderers support? I highly doubt they’d even consider it.

Gold Coast – Palm Beach Sharks seem like the most likely option at this point in time. If Gold Coast can establish a facility suitable for an A2 side then I’d be all for it. A community based club that starts small would be ideal to get the feelers out there again.

Brisbane Strikers – If the FFA don’t have a crack of bringing in the Strikers in the HAL with an upgraded Perry Park then the Strikers well and truly deserve to have its place in Australia’s second tier. Qld has talented youngsters in the SE of the state but unfortunately don’t have the pathways to capitalise on it.

Western Pride/Ipswich – If the region can present a viable business case then I’m all for it. A growing region in which the sport could richly gain the yields of a long term development plan.

North Qld/Far North Qld – I question early days if this region could sustain the excessive travel expenses they would have to absorb in the A2. If a club in the region can secure the funding and provide the necessary backing to cover cost. It would be a fantastic pathway for youngsters in the region as we see so many talented players from the area have to relocate for the opportunity. North Qld also provides the sport with a unique opportunity of hosting matches in very humid environments not dissimilar to what the Socceroos encounter in their tours of SE Asia. This niche environment can be very productive to training our generation next for similar environments with the Joeys & Olyroos.

Adelaide City – If a second tier Adelaide side can again provide a viable business case then it would be fantastic for SA’s kids to pursue this option if they can’t break into Adel United’s system.

Overall that’s 17 candidates that could throw their hat in the ring. Whilst Ipswich & Oakleigh may be seen as ambitious it just goes to show that if the FFA did take EOI’s on a second tier they could be in for a surprise. The research on travel costs would be critical to ensuring costs are kept sustainable and ensure it doesn’t cripple the competition.
However a healthy mix of old NSL sides with a proven development model alongside growing regions with strong football participation has the recipe for ensuring the next generation of youngsters coming through don’t fall through the net and provide them with the opportunities required to flourish.

Can't see 6,000 anywhere except in someone's imagination.

The new Aston Villa owner wants a franchise system like CFG and stated Austtalia as a goal.Could do the colours with a red Lion on the emblem.

I think ideally in the end we would have three leagues then the regionalised NPL/State leagues. Again ideally I think each one of the three national divisions would have 12 teams. I was just having a look at this before and I thought this was a good spread:

------------------------------

A-LEAGUE 1

Perth Glory
Sydney FC
Western Sydney Wanderers
Brisbane Roar
Adelaide United
Melbourne City
Melbourne Victory
Central Coast Mariners
Newcastle Jets
Wellington Nix
Canberra United
Wollongong Wolves

------------------------------

A-LEAGUE 2

2x NSW
2x VIC
2x QLD
2x SA
2x WA
1x TAS
1x NT

Sydney United
Sydney Olympic
South Melbourne
Geelong *
Brisbane Strikers
Far North Queensland Heat
Adelaide City
North Eastern MetroStars
Fremantle *
ECU Joondalup
Tasmania *
Darwin *

------------------------------

A-League 3

3x NSW
3x VIC
2x QLD
1x SA
1x WA
1x ACT
1x NZ

APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Broadmeadow Magic
Sutherland Shire/Cronulla *
Green Gully
Oakleigh Canonns
Ballarat Red Devils
Palm Beach Sharks
Sunshine Coast FC
Campbelltown City
Stirling Lions
Canberra FC
Auckland City or a NZ team from the south island.

( * ) - Possible new club

I think ideally in the end we would have three leagues then the regionalised NPL/State leagues. Again ideally I think each one of the three national divisions would have 12 teams. I was just having a look at this before and I thought this was a good spread:

------------------------------

A-LEAGUE 1

Perth Glory
Sydney FC
Western Sydney Wanderers
Brisbane Roar
Adelaide United
Melbourne City
Melbourne Victory
Central Coast Mariners
Newcastle Jets
Wellington Nix
Canberra United
Wollongong Wolves

------------------------------

A-LEAGUE 2

2x NSW
2x VIC
2x QLD
2x SA
2x WA
1x TAS
1x NT

Sydney United
Sydney Olympic
South Melbourne
Geelong *
Brisbane Strikers
Far North Queensland Heat
Adelaide City
North Eastern MetroStars
Fremantle *
ECU Joondalup
Tasmania *
Darwin *

------------------------------

A-League 3

3x NSW
3x VIC
2x QLD
1x SA
1x WA
1x ACT
1x NZ

APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Broadmeadow Magic
Sutherland Shire/Cronulla *
Green Gully
Oakleigh Canonns
Ballarat Red Devils
Palm Beach Sharks
Sunshine Coast FC
Campbelltown City
Stirling Lions
Canberra FC
Auckland City or a NZ team from the south island.

( * ) - Possible new club

12 is the problem number for the league. It's much better to have 10, 14 or 16. 12 gives you wither an even draw of only 24 rounds(too short), or an uneven draw of 33 rounds, which seems to be beyond what FFA want. With 14 teams you have an even draw of 26 rounds (losing only 1 round from current position), 16 teams an even draw of 30 rounds.

Oakleigh – This is the only NPL side that I can think of which represents the south-east of Melbourne. 

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2016-09-21/collingwood-netball-team-takes-flight




The irony is the netball in that logo could easily pass for a late-19th/early-to-mid-20th Century football...:pinch:

Its seems they can play as "Collingwood Magpies", but not CMFC. I would take that. Slight jersey adjustment also. 

Good to go now

Pies in

Four 'N Twenty as the sponsor tho :lol: :wink:

*fixed

That pic of Eddie is the definition of 'erection-killer'...

You're not into c****?

Top list, but I reckon Dandenong Thunder have as good or a better shout at being a representative of SE Melbourne, although they (like Oakleigh) would have to do something about their stadium. If their council saw the economic and social merit in bringing a national A2-League to town and got behind it they'd be in a good position.

I weighed up Dandy Thunder but i know they have perceived baggage that i'm sure the FFA would want to stay clear of.
Apparently they did have a good following though when they were in the top tier.

If we were to have two divisions with promo relegation, would people be interested in seeing another cup competition but just between those two divisions to generate more games as the season is so short? Or would people believe this may take away from the FFA cup?

In defence of Dandenong Thunder, they recently changed their logo from the former Albanian based design to the latter:





I don't have any quotes or further context to hand right now, but it could speak to their attempt to position themselves as a geographic based club rather than hanging onto monoethnic branding.

In defence of Dandenong Thunder, they recently changed their logo from the former Albanian based design to the latter:





I don't have any quotes or further context to hand right now, but it could speak to their attempt to position themselves as a geographic based club rather than hanging onto monoethnic branding.

Bit harsh to even bring up Dandenong Thunder's logo when the alternative club's logo is still this:

Even with that crap logo Oakleigh still can't claim NPL's worst. That goes to Bentleigh.