I disagree. If it was a genuine point of contention for the clubs, we would not have seen 32 clubs submitting expressions of interest. That number would have been far lower if clubs weren't ready to commit to a fully professional league. 

the bloke would have a press release to announce his dinner. It's starting to worry me tbh

I have no problem with FA setting a high bar for the NSD.  In my view the NSD has to be fully professional.

If there are not enough clubs for a fully professional competition I have no problem with FA setting up a larger interim national competition that is a mix of professional and semi-professional clubs with lower criteria that is a step towards establishing an NSD.  When enough clubs in the interim competition are able to operate fully professionally, say 12, then move them into an NSD with the higher criteria and then call for expressions of interest for other clubs to join with the remaining clubs in a NTD. 

Are there going to be national NPL play-offs this season (for the first time since 2019), or have these been quietly abolished?

Sadly, it's looking like this is developing into a part time NTD rather than a NSD.
A play-off by some clubs at the end of the NPL season is very uninspiring. Without full pro would make it even worse.

It's not coming back & hasn't been in the schedule since 2019

https://twitter.com/peterfilopoulos/status/1552853518154735616

There is a tremendous sideways slope on the current South Hobart pitch. 

The SH stands give winter shade too.

Very true.

You generally post sage comments, Arthur.

Someguy might be pretty impressed with some of the positions in football you've held. 

seems as though the FA have botched it and should of extended the time for the clubs to respond with the proper paperwork 

I reckon this rings true... Hopefully a few clubs announce over the coming days. One way or another... the suspense is killing us.

Tell you what, I get a large Corp HQ (public company) typically not knowing their middle management let alone their ground staff and customer/s BUT a Football organisation not knowing their Clubs that have been around for decades for one, are the State Feds not liasing enough who they are responsible to ?
OR is the FA not on the backs of the State Feds and lower ?
This sounds typical of the whole cancer or should I say lack of management directives within our game.
I've seen over the years these random FA email surveys but seriously for the largest ametuer Jnr participation sport and up if the head isn't close to the ground how can anything get direction.....
No wonder Clubs over some years went their own way for we've constantly had dipsticks running the game.
So the FA after all this time didn't have documentation in ready and late ? like WTF, no wonder its 1 step of hope 5 steps back every year.

That sucks, they were a good concept even if they haven't really taken off they way they could. 2023 shouldn't have been affected by an NSD, since it's not starting till 2024 anyway. And once the NSD is in place, play-offs would be good for determining promotion to the NSD. That would give them a meaningful status. 

What doesn't make sense is the clubs that haven't said one way or the other whether they've applied, particularly the established clubs with an existing fanbase. There are rumours about Heidelberg but nothing confirmed. And what about Adelaide City, Brisbane City, Rockdale Ilinden, etc.? Surely they would let their fans know whether they've made the next hurdle or not?

There is nothing in the fineprint that suddenly jumped out. All these clubs know what to expect in this NST. Club administrators are just trying to lever against the FA about certain terms no doubt. Note that all these pending clubs like Adelaide City, along with clubs like Qld Lions that opted to not participate at all, keep Football slummed in fifth place, in the pecking order behind other major team sports, including basketball.
There is no reason to have second thoughts about participating in the NST.
Many clubs in Australia lack ambition, it is so evident. Many supporters are far too ambitious and therefore far too good for the leagues on these shores for this reason. Many choose to invest quality time in overseas leagues instead. They're systems have been in place for many years over there.

I have had investments, what do you know knob?

Yeah I agree, not sure why some are playing things close to their chest?

Saturday night had a chat to a few people who "should" be in the know and my understanding is that for the 7 Victorian bids.

Avondale - Have submitted their bid alone (but there are rumours that they are in partnership with Juve)
Brunswick Juve - see above..... nobody seems to know whats going on?
Green Gully Ajax - Have submitted a bid, ground renovations discussed, pending acceptance.... I hear their bingo/Social club isnt 100% happy.
Heidelberg - Did not submit their final bid at this time but are in discussions to join at later date, season 2-4.
Knights - Submitted and a strong lock
Preston Lions  - Submitted and a strong lock
Hellas  - Submitted and a strong lock  

Aafc twitter "x" has a Football Australia article about the fact that FA have had submissions given successfully and are up to the final stage of selection. They are not currently disclosing the submissions.

I've heard similar things. Not sure why they wouldn't be happy. Surely it would mean more traffic through the gaming side of things. Maybe they are just a bit afraid of change.

Bizarre

Where was this ever an option for the 32 bidders ?

and even if possible
No knowledge of the starting League size
No knowledge that there will be expansion
No known date for P&R to start

Not sure mate. Sorry dont have any details. I am hearing that a couple of the bids are "working" with FA to be ready to enter at the next "stage" .... we ALL await further details I suppose.

Their ground is pretty bog average though, not up to NPL standards let a,one a national comp. Maybe the Social club is scared to overfund like they did in the NSL? Talk was that they "maybe" playing out of Caroline Springs George Cross ground City Vista for the first few seasons which is bizarre as, as far as I know, the two clubs dont get along????????

Maybe that's why they are not 100% on board. They know they are behind pretty much everyone else in the Vic  group, so why bother applying at all.

Yes, was posted in this thread on the 29th and most of this thread since has been discussing the uncertainty of the secrecy of bids by the FA and some of the bidders themselves.

Still problems with the Green Gully Ajax ground. Used to be a dust bowl back in the day. Most unliked ground for players.

green gully rumoured
canberra croatia confirmed
brisbane united submitted too according to wynnum wolves

That makes 14 if true

probably would like another 2 since there would likely be a bit of culling. I really hope we start with 12 teams minimum

where did you hear about Canberra Croatia?
Nothing has been confirmed on their socials. 

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8333934/national-second-tier-waiting-game-begins-as-canberra-croatia-confirms-submission/

Nothing has changed since the 80s ... apart from the car park.... 

Just need to have an Adelaide team or two now and all complete :)

There is a rumour flying around that both FAs in QLD and SA have advised their bidding clubs that if they announce their bids for the NSD they will NOT be included in next years NPL competition if they are not successful in getting into the NSD ... apparently they have been "gotten too" by the APL .... just rumours but who knows how much truth is in this.... Already grumblings amongst the state federations about how the NSD will rob them of some of their "cash cow" clubs..... every pig in the trough is getting worried I suppose.

Again, just