It might sound that way - and that may be true. But for Popovic to compare himself at the same age when he had been locked in for 5 to 6 years is also a bit much.

When we surrendered August-September to the AFL/RL is when lost that connection. In the early days of the A-League players would get out to the training sessions of the clubs in the late afternoon and night in June and July. The kids would get excited and start attending in August - September...

Orana did have an A-League bid at one stage - wonder if they would be keen for a national second division or lower team. The vision was to unite the football bases of Orange, Bathurst, and Dubbo together with the Glen Willow stadium at Mudgee (probably the best venue of the 4). I would love to...

Segecic has picked where he wants to be The bit I don't like in this is the comparison Popovic makes. “I know when I was 20 or 21, when I got called on the national team, if I didn’t play, all I thought about was, ‘I love that environment. I want to play for Australia. And I’ll keep fighting...

The mechanics can be worked on - as long as they are in place before the comp starts.

If the Federation can back them now that they no longer are looking at an APL team you would hope so.

I'm happy with that - but it needs to go wider than 2 states first.

and he has dropped the A-League bid

So the question remains. A NSD needs to have more than 2 states. So who can realistically step up. Someone mentioned Adelaide City in relation to them chasing Balotelli. If they have that sort of money then they would seem to be a chance. South Hobart. I suspect we forget a Perth team at this...

How long does this format last? Who are realistic to add to the foundation 8 for a home and away format.

With Tony Pignata turning his attention to a home of football rather than an AL team surely South Hobart has to be supported for a Championship spot

Not like that!! 9 games for 3 goals and 1 assist For Blacktown tells me there are better NPL players out there than Alou

He always had that - but was never a 'system' player. Came back too regimented.

I agree with most of that. I think Foster's comments must be more about his national team set up. I think we could have been close to as defensively strong if he picked his squad with a 4-3-3 formation in mind - but with a much better offense.

His overseas stint took all the spontaneity out of his play. He used to do thinks that were unexpected, that was his advantage. Came back a worse player

Yeah - probably true - I still think 26 is way too small and would like a 30 game minimum plus other games. At this stage a lot of teams just play 27 games but if you can keep a team together for a couple of seasons you can rack up decent game totals.

League 1 and the Scottish League (assuming you avoid injury) gives you proximity and eyes on you from the other English and European leagues and much longer seasons.

Canberra and another Melbourne was the given in the question. I was giving 3 for the final two and Hobart don't have a stadium the APL would accept. TBH I always thought the Gold Coast would end up being RB Gold Coast . Townsville and Gold Coast had better attendances (in spite of the self...

Wherever there is a stadium that fits straight away. So Gold Coast and Adelaide or Townsville

I don't want to play 40 games in the A-league against only the current sides . But let's bite the bullet and expand quickly. 16 team ALM, 16 team Championship. That's 30 games, then up to 5 games for the ALM in the Australia Cup, more for the Championship sides. Then a 'League cup' with the top...