A-League HUBabaloo
Can we play another season to empty stadiums? How long can our domestic game survive? What will new stakeholder Paramount bring to the party? These are some of the many burning questions facing the 2021/22 A-League season.
Last season we chased our tail and if the AFL/NRL 2021 seasons are anything to go by it will be a similar story. Borders have opened and shut their doors more than the old Get Smart credits and sadly this trend will continue. As we speak 75% of teams are involved in border lockdowns and the season is only two months away.
The A-League needs to throw down a marker and two six team hubs could provide a possible solution. This would at least buy time for the majority of clubs to facilitate home games for the beginning of December. Whilst you would have to be Nostradamus to predict how the Australian summer is going to look like, let alone plan a few games of football for a domestic season. Whilst it’s extremely frustrating watching packed stadiums throughout Europe enjoy some world class football you begin to appreciate what the fans bring to the game and realise playing sport to empty stadiums is pointless and insignificant.
What I’m suggesting is two football hubs with six teams each based in either Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane. This would provide an opportunity for all teams to play five games in this environment at the start of the season and would also allow (under current conditions) fans to attend the stadium. Ideally this would conclude on the final weekend in November and allow all clubs (fingers crossed) to return home and continue the second stage of the season.
Here’s what it would look like…
Stage One
Two groups of six teams, playing in a round robin format for five games.
| Group A | Group B |
| Adelaide United (Host) | Perth Glory (Host) |
| Central Coast Mariners | Brisbane Roar |
| Macarthur FC | Melbourne City |
| Melbourne Victory | Newcastle Jets |
| Wellington Phoenix | Sydney FC |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | Western United |
For the benefit of this scenario let’s say the South Australian and Western Australian governments have agreed to a five week, six team hub ensuring all COVID protocols have been established and hotels have been found for the twelve clubs (players and support staff).
Popular derbies have been deliberately kept apart for financial consideration (Sydney v Western Sydney, Victory vs City and Newcastle vs Central Coast). Wellington would not be sent to Perth as the time difference is too great for their fans to watch the opening five rounds. Pools have been made as fairly as possible under a brief season prediction.
Stage Two
Home and Away format for the remaining 22 games of the season. This would ensure (all things going well) Eleven home games for each club, playing every club once.
Stage Three
Finals in the usual format.
Whilst far from perfect it would allow for a fair and equitable season, keeping in mind with a new broadcaster this season is extremely important. We also have the curveball of a World Cup qualifying campaign, the ongoing uncertainty of COVID and clubs trying to maintain financial stability in an ever-changing environment.
If that’s not challenging enough for the league throw in an Ashes series in Australia and an NBL season buoyed by the successful Boomers Olympic campaign. Let’s make sure we all support the World Game and each other in these extremely challenging times.
Google+