So long as it is done in conjunction with a 2nd division and with a view to eventual promotion and relegation I dont have a problem with it but if their view is a closed league but with slick marketing, we are still just in the same boat.

2nd Division of course however I'd be very surprised if promotion & relegation ever eventuates in Australia. 

which i find alarming. I'm not against teams from regional areas going forward, but we also need more teams from Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Plus at least 2-3 more from Melbourne and Sydney. How else will be reach 32 teams in 2 tiers?

It will continuosly be brought up. I hope ASEAN fans reject it like they did the ASEAN Super League.

We're a long way from even thinking 32 teams 

If expansion occurs involving teams from other countries, I’m out. 

You might want to start packing a few items, just to be safe.

Nowhere have they said that in this document. But other things you might want to worry about just in case: 

- random mugging on the street today. 
- unseen asteroid ending life on earth just after tea on Saturday. 
- Ebola outbreak in Sydney’s west, starting in that kebab shop near Parra Stadium. 
- Mobile Phones becoming “self aware” sometime after midnight on Thursday and attempting to take over the world (I’d recommend strengthening your password for that one, and don’t think facial recognition will help you either!!) 

There are some who despite any positive news, always looking for the negatives.

100% agree.

+1

Yeah this - more likely to have different winners too, whereas usually the Premiers are also Champions (although that trend has been bucked in recent years). Also gives just a little more incentive for the FFA Cup teams.

Positives

• Transfer fees
• Salary cap review
• Prize money for winners
• Digital Engagement
• Innovate broadcast access
• benchmarking attendances and squad value of the HAL against major o/s leagues

Negatives

• Expansion restricted to regional areas/excluding more teams from capital cities
• FIFA guinea pig

It's going to be an interesting season ahead.  They've talked the talk, now it's time to deliver.

I'm okay with expanding to regional areas in a targeted fashion initially, if the intention is unrestricted promotion/relegation in say 10 years. Adds a bit of variety to the comp whilst it is closed off, and then the teams will shuffle according to their on field performances.

I too don't like the idea of being a FIFA Guinea Pig :(

'minor premiers'  !!    FARKKKKKKKK!

Fuck these fucking clowns.  If our own people can't give due recognition to the league champion/ premiers (whatever you want to call them) what hope do we have?

Cunce.

I think you're right. But that international roadshow line is a little vague and you can't say it rules out concerns about Asian teams in the context of what Sage has said. They could fill 4 teams here but im sure they could also think it's in their economic interest to expand elsewhere. 

I like the ideas. For the HAL. It was expected the clubs will provide a new avenue of approach now that their coffers are bulging compared to before.

Meanwhile FFA have now got bugger all to invest into the national teams and other areas of football where the HAL clubs share no interest.

Let them proceed with this idea about Asian teams in the A-league. Not only will they manage to put offside the AFC and FIFA but they will also piss off a lot of current A-league fans. They can do it at their peril. 

Turning the HAL into a super rugby-esque competition will be the death of the comp.

There’s nothing in this though that suggests that is a possibility, that was my (sarcastic) point.

If they want PE funding for their sokkha theyre not likely to find it in Australia instead it’ll be in Singapore, Hong Kong, London, San Fran etc - there is a question/concern there though: what would it mean if say half of the HAL were sold off to PE? 

FIFA don’t like cross border competitions, there’s the obvious exceptions (Cardiff, Berwick, Nix) but these are exceptions. Overlaying the HAL into an Asian country would be blocked by FIFA despite Sages ramblings. UEFA even opposed the concept of a British League a decade or so back so AFC won’t be going for a ASEAN equivalent any time soon.

The only reason Sage bangs on about this is it gets traction in our sports media - it’s what they understand  and consider norm and they’d rather write about the possibility of expanding in Singapore rather than Canberra. 

Its a crap idea from the worst owner in the league. And that’s saying something, he’s got stiff competition. 

It will get knocked on the head if indeed that was their idea. Which may I add Tony Sage being the instigator of all this.

Whether you agree with the key points or not, this is something we haven't had for 15 years. A plan. Didn’t even take them long to come up with it. Obviously there are a bunch of questions to be raised, but at least we have some targets set. 

He is the only one I worry about having a key to the mansion.

Tis interesting if nothing more to explore, what could be done with our near north neighbours ...

No one wants to include, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore in a Hal type competition.... 

Repeat for those that can't read No one wants to include...

However a pre or post season round robin tournament between say the champions of each league, sorta like a mini champions league  tournament if it brings  exposure and revenue is something I would not off the bat agree with... but be willing to look at how it would work...

Well, no one except for 9/10 owners (can probably make that 10/11 of current team owners), and new ffa. Nobody who matters, obviously...

Go on, post one link that says 9/10 owners are for it. Otherwise it’s a slap in the face for you 

In the "Could Tasmanian expansion be soon" thread.

Yeah but nah, it’s a Sage PR thing and it’s not in anyone’s plans 

When Wanderers did the deal with council etc for the leasehold of the land they have built their training grounds and academy on they were insistent that the matter of moving the club into a SE Asian league was covered so there is at least one club that is prepared to encompass the idea of teams from there.

Source:  The partner of a long term friend of ours when they visited us a few summers ago.  He wrote the 200+ page legal documents for the deal between the club, BDSFA, Blacktown Council and the NSW Government.

If we have a fully setup structure (2 tier x 16 teams), it will be dead. You will have the stupid occasional one like Celtic joining the EPL but not seriously considered. Right now, there are 4 license and another 16 2nd division spots which need to be filled.