Thread for general news and discussion about the upcoming season.

Although not officially announced, there has been some info about the changes to the Unite round.
 - Nov 22-24
 - All mens games to be played at Allianz.
 - All womens games to be played at Leichhardt.
 - CCM vs NJ on Friday Nov 22nd
 - Sydney FC vs WSW on Saturday Nov 23rd.
 - Melbourne City's bye round so they will not be participating.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/sydney-fc-to-meet-western-sydney-wanderers-in-aleagues-unite-round/news-story/efc6c11d4cae7d5550d2b955c76d9ad1

Brisbane Roar set to face Adelaide United in Unite round (A League Men) as per Roar Supporters Federation website.

https://roarfans.com.au/news/club-update-july-24/

I liked the individual round threads last season but perhaps just fold everything into one here? 

Might get messy when there's multiple matches on 

I am hearing that the APL is undergoing a financial audit by the ATO at the moment....  Don't have any other info other than speculation is that this is the reason a few board members have stepped down recently????

Individual rounds are the go.

ALM to commence on the weekend of 18-20 October. 29 round regular season. 24 home/away games + unite round + some other round + byes). Finals will start on the weekend 9-11 May.

I thought it was an audit instigated by the new chair and board members. 
Obviously looking into how $140M was blown in 3 years. 

Sure, but Im not sure if the audit is internal, ATO or "farmed out" to PWC or the like?

I'm sure ATO don't give a fuck

APL expense is someone else's Income

Unless APL are trying to claw money back from their over-expenditure by rorting their tax figures... then ATO will give a fuck.

I would have thought the APL was tax exempt. If, is as likely, this is the case there would be no ATO audit

I dont think thats the case at all... FA as sporting body maybe but the APL is 33.3% owned by Silverlake .. maybe they don't pay tax but definitely not EXEMPT :)

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-tax-haven-the-po-box-the-tropical-island-who-owns-australian-soccer-20230914-p5e4ph.html

That applies to anyone. but there's no evidence that is the case

Being 'Tax Exempt' doesn't mean you don't have dealings with the ATO.

GST, FBT and PAYG (and possible others) all still apply

They would only be exempt from Tax on Profits made.  (and that ain't an issue)

Why would they be tax exempt? 
For a sporting organisation to be tax exempt, my understanding is that they generally need to be presented in a not-for-profit or charitable manner. APL definitely does not.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YdOm3SXBsprUVgNLrOzuq

Why then is the  AFL exempt?

Because the AFL actually manages the grassroots game.

FA I could see being exempt. But not APL.

Are any of the a league teams playing friendlies fans can go to? 

A League Men and A League Women fixture release on hold now.

Plus the big news I seen this morning that now Allianz Stadium is officially unavailable opening round and Suncorp Stadium is officially unavailable round 2 due to Circus Maximus Tour held on Thursday October 17 and Saturday October 26 respectively kills that idea as well as also they’ve made a change or two due to ACL Elite and ACL Two involvement.

Bloody hell where did you hear that? 

Allianz Stadium website & Suncorp Stadium website in relation to Circus Maximus Tour.

Maybe they will go for a staggered 1st and 2nd rounds?  Or push launch day till November? APL doesnt pause for FIFA international windows in October and November does it?

13 teams. 24 rounds + Unite. That suggests everyone is playing each other twice, plus 2 x third game. That explains why there will be a Sydney Derby during Unite round. I'm sure there will be a third Melbourne derby as well.  

If the Vuck game on the Sunday in Unite Round is an early kick off, I might head up on the Saturday for the Sydney Derby and fly home after we play the Nix. 


My prediction is that R1 was gonna be Sydney v Victory (yet again) and now the fixture needs to be changed. You can't flip the fixtures as our home game against Sydney is traditionally on Australia Day

This is state of the play as of Wednesday July 24th 4.45pm AEST so far ahead of ALM fixture release in the coming weeks re venue availablity in the lead up,

Adelaide United are away in round 1 as they want one more week to allow Coopers Stadium new surface more time to settle.
Go Media Mount Smart Stadium – unavailable round 4 (November 8-9-10)
Suncorp Stadium – unavailable round 2 (October 25-26-27)
Allianz Stadium – unavailable round 1 (October 18-19-20) & unavailable round 2 (October 25-26-27)
Coopers Stadium, AAMI Park, HBF Park, CommBank Stadium – dates still unannounced for The Kid Laroi due to be held in October.
As also they’ve made some changes to draft fixtures due to ACL Elite involvement (Central Coast Mariners) and ACL Two involvement (Sydney FC).
ACL Elite league stage East region schedule – Central Coast Mariners (September 17/18, October 1/2, October 22/23, November 5/6, November 26/27, December 3/4, February 11/12, February 18/19)
ACL Two group stage East region schedule – Sydney FC (September 18/19, October 2/3, October 23/24, November 6/7, November 27/28, December 4/5)

Completing a difficult game or achieving a high Eggy Car score can give players a real sense of accomplishment. This feeling of achievement can boost self-esteem and confidence, motivating individuals to strive for success in other areas of life as well.