The A-League Expansion Thread

I just based it on population. That 4th Melbourne team could always just go to Geelong who are close enough but far enough to represent a different population.

 

I actually think a 3rd Melbourne team, if not South Melbourne, would be in the Western Suburbs. A team in Melton could draw from Ballaratt, Bendigo, and the growing western suburbs.

 

I would think ground sharing with the Victory is doing Melbourne City more harm than the lack of geographical divide. Although the two could be related? But, honestly, just getting them into their own stadium would help MelC as it will be a way for them to attract a "local" population that they can't really attract now as the Victory have already gotten that population.

 

I'm pretty sure they don't play at Eitihad much, if at all, anymore.

They play at Aami Park.

EDIT: I know when they started as Hearts they shared the stadium. Also, if folks really wanted to they could support Victory if they were from the western suburbs and City from the east. It also kind of plays into City being more wealthy as the eastern suburbs are seen as the old money wealthy of the city while the western suburbs are more working class.

 

Unless there has been a change, the Victory play at AAMI as well... Etihad is only used for "special matches" like the Melbourne derby and the Victory/Sydney rivalry match.

 

That's crazy didn't realize that. When I still lived there Eitihad was Victory's home park and Aami was for Heart.

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

I'm with you on this. The days of ethnic based clubs at the top level are over. I also think its rubbish that Melbourne doesn't have geographical divides. The only problem they have is they build all their stadiums within 3K of the city. This is the only reason that sporting clubs have a hard time "belonging" to a geographical region of Melbourne.

 

Its one of the reason why I think Geelong or the Western suburbs will get a team before South Melbourne or Melbourne Knights. Not to mention that those two clubs are ethnic based, and ethnic based clubs whose immigration is shrinking compared to others.

 

Yeah I agree it was just in reference to Darwin having a team. Personally I think a Darwin based team would be better off trying to get a team into the Indonesian league (if they've managed to sort their administration out). Flights would be cheaper, they'd play during their ideal climatic season and probably more realistic than playing in the A-League.

 

Melbourne doesn't necessarily need a "geographical" divide ... in Sydney a lot of the divide is based on "social" differences.

A ground outside of the central area of Melbourne would be good too (South Melbourne are still quite central ... is it a big enough point of difference to the other two teams??)

 

I can see what you are saying. I can actually see two teams being added in Victoria in the long run. Geelong would be first but a regional team in the far western suburbs of Melbourne (anywhere along the VLine) I think would pull a good mixture of new fans and from Victory. It technically wouldn't be a Melbourne team but could pull in supporters from there as well.

100% agree. And if Victory would just play more in Etihad it would also enforce a geographical divide as well (albeit small).

Agree as well. South Melbourne is actually really close to Docklands (Etihad) and AAMI park.

 

Pretty sure the AFL is buying out Etihad too ... so they might price it out of A-League range??

But yes terrible ground for football, and they really need to hire some eagles to patrol the area for game time.

 

Interesting for sure. Think Geelong might be ahead of that idea though.

 

I had never heard of this either but I do know that after visiting the area, I thought it could sustain a team with a smaller stadium (12-18K). Makes sense IMO