Brisbane isn't a football market in the sense of the player base of Sydney. But in the years since the NSL it has grown to the point of being crucial as an economic zone to expand into. Brisbane today is almost the same size as Melbourne was in the NSL. It's also going to go into the mode of an Olympic city where strong clubs can vie for public investment (training venues for olympics etc that would leave a legacy for grass roots football.). For those who think that isn't a factor, consider this. There will be public money and the AFL will have its fkn fingers, fist, arm in that pie insisting that this all go towards womens AFL after they "invented" womens sport 5 years ago...

If we were to go in lean and keep the costs down and maximise efficiencies in travel costs, the suitable format from this list would be a 10 team league first up consolidated on Sydney. My core list:

Sydney Olympic
Sydney United
Wollongong
Marconi
APIA
South Melbourne
Melbourne Knights
Brisbane United
Brisbane City
Adelaide City

An 18 round season doesn't get enough football in the legs and gives fewer matches to generate revenue. So from there, I think you then strategise over which clubs you can add without seriously affecting the cost base. This brings in, in my order of preference:

Melbourne's best of the rest
Canberra
The Hunter
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast

The issue here is that I don't think any of the bids from these regions cut it. In the case of Hunter, nobody submitted an EOI. So, at that point, I think it's about weighing up the best bid from these regions against whatever left in Sydney and Melbourne and going with the strongest bid on fundamentals. to me this would be sizing up Heidelberg and Bentleigh to see if they're for real.

Adding more from Sydney and Melbourne doesn't dillute the base in the same way that 9 awfl teams in a single city does. These are established clubs with a core base. They're not competing with each other for top tier national brand sponsorship, they're powered from within. If the remaining SYD/MEL clubs can put up the funds, they should be in without questions of crowding the market. Sydney and Melbourne are each almost the same population as the whole of Scotland and they get by with a fully professional premiership.

Good point about the possible impact to the selection process the forthcoming Olympics will have.

For certain Brisbane will also have an extra stadium to start with.

Brisbane United is a Weird one

It's a joint venture in that there are 3 members.
Strikers, Wynnum and 1 other minnow are starting members but other clubs can  join. 

See Rabiehs video

Looks like any 'member' won't have to forego its current league spot like all the others

Third team for BU is Virginia utd fc. The team will play at Perry Park.

You're right, it's a strange one. What I was trying to address with my point was the claim that Brisbane Strikers "aren't there". They're very much there. Brisbane Strikers and Wynnum joined the venture. They're using Brisbane Striker's original brand. They're playing at Perry Park. Other clubs can come in to their membership, but they will be feeders under the United banner and from what I understand, won't be considered the equal member of BS/WW in the overall structure.

https://brisbaneunited.com.au/history-heritage-governance-and-government/

INAUGURAL Brisbane United Chair, Rabieh Krayem, says the values, principles and history forming the heart of the club’s culture will help the already promising relationships with local and state governments to flourish.After months of planning and connecting with political leaders, corporate Brisbane and local businesses alike, United are off to a great start with excitement and pledges of support for club’s vision and plans.“All levels of government need a compelling reason to support and help develop any sport. Our discussions so far with the Lord Mayor’s office and the State Government have been very, very positive,” Krayem said.“We presented a vision, a story, a project and a solution – we’re not here to tell all levels of government what to do; we’re here to present a compelling reason for them to work with us by demonstrating what we can give back to the community.“Our discussions to date, along with our future plans, give us great confidence that we can be the club who connects the game with local government in a new and exciting way.“This can only be good for football and we feel sure there will be some positive news for Perry Park along the way.”

“Importantly, we don’t have any local rivals as we don’t, and won’t, compete in any of the local competitions.” 

Krayem said the history of the two founding clubs, coupled with Brisbane United’s neutrality on the local scene, were key points in the overall value proposition.“This club will be driven by the community and the local clubs. We are a not-for-profit, membership-based model designed to be inclusive and collaborative, so everyone can feel a sense of ownership,” he said.“Importantly, we don’t have any local rivals as we don’t, and won’t, compete in any of the local competitions. In the research we conducted, this was a common theme and its importance cannot be underestimated, given that it was seen as a potential barrier to support. People find it hard to support a team they play against.“With no natural rivals and no cultural background that is fixed to a nationality or country, we can confidently claim to be a club all of Brisbane can support, regardless of where you play, who you support or where your cultural heritage lies.“Our clear goals are for United to be the club that Brisbane kids aspire to play for. It won’t matter if you play for Strikers, Wynnum, or any other member club. Our pathways will be built for the sole purpose of developing players to compete at National Second Division level and beyond.“We are here to work with the football community and complement what is in place now. The club was born from collaboration and that is the principle we’ll go forward with.“Brisbane United has been founded by two iconic local clubs with great history between them. Wynnum Wolves are now 101 years old and we founded by one of Australia’s most successful builders, Jack Hutchinson“Who can forget what Frank Farina’s Strikers did for the game with their famous NSL win in 1997? It was a memorable day for football and now, 26 years later, the new Brisbane United is launched. “History, tradition, memories and success are all vital features of our game and will be cornerstones of Brisbane United’s culture and values.”

EOI Submitted list

CONFIRMED ONLY

1. Gold Coast Knights
2. Sunshine Coast
3. Peninsula Power
4. Sydney Olympic
5. Brisbane Olympic
6. Rockdale Illinden
7. Preston Lions
8. A.P.I.A Leichhardt
9. Brisbane City
10. Canberra Croatia
11. Heidelberg United
12. Adelaide City
13. Gungahlin United
14. Brisbane United
15. Marconi
16. South Melbourne
17. South Hobart
18. Melbourne Knights
19. Brunswick Juventus
20. Avondale
21. Gold Coast United
22. SU58
23. Wollongong Wolves
24. Bentleigh Greens
25. Football South Australia

Love the sound of it. They would have to be one of the favorites.

Sounds like they'll be upgrading their stadium, if they get in. If so, Brisbane may end up with small 2 botique sized stadiums for a rectangular football sport. Suncorp for the big matches / events.

“With no natural rivals and no cultural background that is fixed to a nationality or country, we can confidently claim to be a club all of Brisbane can support, regardless of where you play, who you support or where your cultural heritage lies"

The assessment of teams for the NST should consider this example as one (there are others as well) of the most critical criterias required for entry.

Lol

Rabieh fan now

So Olympic and City can't play locally but "Strikers" can

wtf are you even on about? they have their separate bids so obviously they're not part of BU's membership.

They'll play wherever their bid proposes

Did you have a 3 second deadline to meet to get something negative out of your keyboard without reading anything?

Easy to say BUT, South Melbourne, Adelaide City, West Adelaide (combining with another), Heidleberg, Gold Coast Kings, Melbourne Knights, Sydney Utd (don't deserve a spot), Brisbane Olympic, Sydney Olympic, Apia, Marconi, Canberra Croatia, Preston Lions and Rockdale illnden - Among Others, have ethnic roots. Take them out and we have no comp. Put aside the 'anglo monoethnic perspective,' and embrace the teams. Thats a continuation of the British Australia Culture in the 50's, 60's and 70's, when a swaith of new migrants from Europe were arriving and ofcourse not embraced, which is the very reason football is still coming in at around fourth or fifth, behind Afl, Nrl, Cricket and maybe Basketball.

The best that fits as much of the 'evaluation criteria' as possible. There are 5. This one will be major....... 

Such additional criteria as Football Australia may determine are in the best interests of football in Australia.

Krayem has good intentions but keep in mind that he is saying all the right narritives to conjure up support with a solid fanbase.

Olympic and City are forced to drop out of NPL but Strikers get to play on

If they aren't a 'Strikers' bid then Brisbane United have no history, no ground, no fans, and are somehow going to get a spot ?

No rivals in Brisbane ? Assuming the other 2 won't get in, I guess.

BU could at least flush out what the FA are really up to.

...and have three teams in your competition. All the rest are of migrant heritage.

Strikers came into the NSL as Brisbane Utd, then changed their name. The are entering with the original Utd name again, along with the other partners.

Great to see many clubs put their hat into the ring with the EOI's, wish them all the best in the next stage but clearly there is appetite for an NSD potentially starting season, cant wait! 

A shame no team from WA which you can understand but plenty of options all across the country nevertheless.

And ?

I don't rate you as a poster tbh. blah blah something negative. Cool, just what we need. Jog on

Good point , well argued and based on relevant facts.

Doesn't matter what heritage, let the best that meets the criteria get the nod.

BTW - Brisbane City for example are of Italian heritage but are not like say the Melb and Sydney Croatias, that fight the system and keep to their own.

Let's not forget............

Such additional criteria as Football Australia may determine are in the best interests of football in Australia

I predict City will be one of the teams selected.

Anyone have mail on this? Clubs putting together a Crows team?

Campbelltown City
Northeastern Metrostars
West Torren Birkalla
West Adelaide

Surprised West Adelaide Hellas are willing to merge and give up so much history in the process

It just goes to show you just how much being part of a national league means to these clubs. 

What history?? It's a new entity.  

They went bust. 
Merged with Olympic?
New club started. 
Tried to bid for A-league spot. 
Presided over $5M and constructed a half built stadium. Which they still can't use. 

West Adelaide struggle to be a strong SA team. 
And claims of them being a powerhouse are simply wrong. 

Most likely FOMO by one or a few people within these clubs. 
Like most on the list really. 

Am I the only one who isn't really excited by this list?? 
Don't get carried away when you see a club name. E.g. West Adelaide. Adelaide City. 
These clubs are a shadow of their former selves. 

As I said, I'd struggle to find 8 suitable bids. 

Who would you rather have on this list? More failed franchise's?

I'm surprised Canberra United didn't do An EOI seeing as though they already have a Women's AL side.