It's obvious that most of us see the benefit of a national second division, but what that looks like is where the debate lies.  

My opinion is that the AAFC and PFA are talking about different things, and there's a way to reconcile them.  The PFA model (fully professional Div 2) should include only fully professional clubs (not necessarily to the same level as A-League clubs) and those that have ambitions of reaching the A-League.  The AAFC model (semi-pro/pro) should become Div 3, and without a salary cap or floor it's up to the clubs to decide what level of professionalism they adopt.  Once pro/rel is introduced between them, each club will find the level that suits them.

There are some good reasons that the 2nd Div should be fully professional.  But if the FFA and PFA can't get it organised, the AAFC should absolutely push forward with their model in the interim.  There's no reason a Div 2 can't be implemented based on the AAFC model, only to have it pushed to Div 3 when the PFA's professional model is introduced a couple of years later, with some of those clubs moving into the professional environment.

It will move the NPL from 9 conferences to 1. Players will have a pathway. I don;'t see why you can't understand the difference in culling talent.

The PFA stance ruffled a few feathers then lol, personally I wouldn't take too cynical a view on what they've said - RBB sums it up well .... Division 2 should be something that lifts standards significantly and not merely be a national version of the NPL. If owners and members aren't to shell out millions to cover losses then revenue from tv, sponsorship and crowds must be significant.

The lack of start-up capital is an issue but the money is available within the professional game. The HAL reportedly raises $75-$80m per year which the owners say is underdone and should be $90m+ if a more aggresive commercial approach is taken.

If this is the case then $60m can be given to the HAL clubs meeting their needs, $20m to the FFA which is more than enough for, err, doing nothing now, leaving $10m to fund a second division which is a lot. And the member owned clubs will actually have real financial clout (someone like Lions with 22,000 members and a poker clubhouse would have real financial clout - I mention them as an example only as I'm sure there's others).

The fear might be that a gap opens up between Div2 and NPL, but that's a necessary evil in professionalism.

True, however there isnt the luxury of start up capital (or support from the FFA).Therefore in the early stages semi pro may be the only way it works until it slowly grows. You will still have some fully professional teams in a second div. South, Wollongong, etc

But you need to take the right steps in the right order. The next step is national NPL.

FFA haven't released criteria and admit they have a broken model so all numbers are speculation.

Well this is one of the flawed parts of our "franchise model",  there should be basic minimums in any agreement with the PFA that covers things like medical expenses, insurance etc etc. Everything else including pay packets and salaries can be worked out between the clubs, the players and their agents. I believe there should be a minimum salary but in this environment I wouldn't expect many players to be on it. The most pressing and urgent need to is to get rid of this salary floor and cap. Its killing clubs and their ability to retain players. 

In regards to the PFA plans I agree with them in one sense, this new 2nd tier needs to be of a high standard. It should be aimed at clubs who eventually see themselves going into the A-league. That means that if a club in the A-league is spending 7-10M then I would expect the budget of the best 2nd tier clubs to be about 2.5 - 4M. If we don't try and attempt to lift the standards high enough then don't even bother trying to have a 2nd tier. We are looking for an EXTRA layer of professional football. If you are talking about a semi-pro environment then I cant see it working. It will just be a re-badge of the NPL. 

If there was no salary cap/floor there would be no need for the PFA.

This time it will be the PFA holding Aussie football back.

Fuck the PFA. They wont rest until they have a fully pro pyramid down to state 6 vic. 

Can eat a bag of dicks as far as im concerned. You are paid your worth. 

Can't stand the PFA. They seriously want the second division to begin costing more than what they A-League cost to start? Ridiculous. 

It's in the PFA's interest to have it fully proffesional but unless the numbers stack up there's no use having it for 3 seasons before it all falls apart and teams cant afford it.

Lol

Of course they don't like it, they won't represent players if it isn't professional...

The PFA model is stupid, just add teams to AL instead.

Semi-pro second division won't work: PFA

This is a hard question to answer and one that will be answered in time. Its one thing to point to costs but the benefits must also be shown to balance. This question will most likely be answered on a club to club basis rather than a league basis. 

I really want them in. I am just angry at comments made by their CEO. I want him to come to the conclusion on his own. For this to happen they need to be rejected and join the AAFC. 

@boh

Actually one thing I disagree with AAFC on is that they want to exclude new clubs. At least I hope this only a measure for setting up a league.

I don't think we will ever have too many clubs and that new clubs should be welcomed... Especially if they are willing to pay the expenses.

This is the sort of petty bickering that holds our sport back. You would seriously deny a well resourced club from effectively playing in the top 2 divisions over politics? That's exactly the crap we need to be putting behind us.

I'd like the see enough funding come from FFA to cover transport on a club by club basis. FFA pays out an average travel allowance, Clubs submit travel costs for the year with receipts, FFA audit(?) it and pay out extra accordingly to each club if needed. Clubs could potentially have to pay money back if costs come in under.

To be honest that's a best case scenario of what I'd expect out of FFA if you ask me.

Anyone want to take a stab at what that would roughly cost?

So that's a spend of at least $80 million per year across all those clubs.  Revenues - let's be generous... $20 million?  So who is going to write the cheques?

I don't mind they want a women's league but only if it isn't linked to a condition of entry for the men's league.

Can confirm AAFC confirmed they aren't a member.

The guy even rejected the claim that AAFC was trying to establish links for the actual Brisbane City FC to join the A-League via promotion, then went on a rant about passing criteria (which was weird because nothing has been released), that they could afford being relegated but has the best interest of football at heart and yeah something something 20 years.

Link?

Did they ever mention who was backing them financially? I know they said group of business that tried to buy Roar but were any names mentioned?

I hope they get rejected. It'll be a lesson in humility when they rejoin the AAFC.

From the AAFC themselves.

Where did you hear that?

I agree, following on from the CEO comments on twitter recently, this news is pretty much confirmation for me they have been given a wink and a nudge. 

Sydney Beijing and Gladiators it is then.

It is funny of him to say those things when his club aren't in the A-League yet - it sure is easy to say no to relegation from the comfort of an ivory tower, eh? He must be very confident that they'll be getting in. He'll look like a daft fool if they don't. Still, if they get rejected and relent, the door should be open to them. It would add some character to the competition to have some teams in there that act like they have a god-given right to be better than the rest. Otherwise they'll be rotting in the NPL State League while all of their local rivals play in a competition above them.

Just BC are the team revealed as NOT a member. Being a member is not necessarily the issue but the fact that City's CEO came out disrespecting the NPL, pro/rel ambition and the AAFC shows they are a disgrace.

Now more clubs eligible because of the restructure. But BC aren't a member.

Lions may apply.

Are any of the Queensland AAFC members revealed yet except for Northern Fury? If City (Gladiators) are not, then I guess that shows how certain they are of being in the A-League. They better hope that the rumours of "Red Bull Brisbane" are nothing. Shame though, I liked the look of Spencer Park as a possible second division location.
How about Peninsula Power or Moreton Bay United as other possible options?

Wankers.