Does the A-League rely too heavily on recycled players?

For years now, we’ve seen the same players jump from club to club in a bid to revitalise their careers.

It’s common place for an A-League player to start at one club, but to then find themselves at other A-League clubs throughout the years. But as great as it is to see these quality footballers continuing their careers, is it harming our youth and their development?

Furthermore, are clubs to dependent on bringing in proven players, as opposed to giving youngsters and new players a chance to prove themselves?

Journeymen players have traversed the A-League through a smattering of different clubs ever since the inaugural season, forging reputations as proven players in the competition.

Brendon Santalab and Mark Bridge are two great exponents of this very concept. Santalab, who only recently finished his professional career last season with Perth Glory, bided his time with the Western Sydney Wanderers, the defunct North Queensland Fury, Sydney FC as well as last season’s runner’s up in the Glory.

Whilst not being the greatest player to ever grace the league, his longevity in the league saw him given opportunities almost everywhere he went, regardless of who else was on the roster.

Bridge also plied his trade with various different A-League sides such as Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets before ending his professional career with the club he made his name with, the Wanderers.

In fairness, Bridge has represented Australia as a senior and at junior level, so his ability in the A-League, combined with him being the Wanderers highest ever scorer, is unquestionable.

But the question must be asked. Have clubs perhaps neglected the talent at their disposal, instead preferring to reuse players who are only in the short-term plans of the club?

What makes it all the more frustrating is that in Australia, we have such a keen group of youngsters, both male and female, who want to play soccer. And if we neglect the current crop of talented youth, what kind of message are we sending to them and their parents?

Enough has been said about the exceptionally high participation rate for junior soccer in Australia, but we can’t neglect the interest in the sport amongst kids and parents.

But there is one rebuttal clubs could use for this argument. That it’s not a good plan for trophies.

Yes, growing from the ground up doesn’t guarantee immediate success. But it does guarantee success, both off and potentially on the field, for the club. It’s one step backwards so that down the line, you can go two or three steps forward.

We see it all the time in the Australian Football League, where clubs will voluntarily go through a tough period on-field, so that they can secure the future of their club.

Most of the time, it results in championships. The evidence speaks for itself. Hawthorn’s dynasty that begun in 2008 and ended in 2015 was built on going to the National Draft each year with a strong hand.

Sydney, Geelong, West Coast and Collingwood also fall into this bracket as teams who, knew their position in the league’s landscape. Instead of fighting it, they followed a long term plan and brought success to their clubs.

A-League clubs should be willing to do the same. Because if you get stuck in the past, you’re blinded as to what you can do in the future. And often, there is no ceiling.

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‘We Can Do So Much More’: Players Take Control of the A-League Women’s Future

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Image Credit: One Nil

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has launched Ready For Takeoff – The Players’ Vision for the A-League Women, a player-led roadmap outlining the future direction of the domestic women’s competition.

Unveiled on Wednesday at Ultra Football in Melbourne, the initiative places current A-League Women players at the centre of discussion. Elevating the debate around professionalism, sustainability and long-term growth of the league.

The Players’ Vision for the A-League Women – Image Credit: One Nil

The vision, developed through consultation with players across the competition, calls for improved professional standards, greater investment and governance structures that reflect the specific needs of the women’s game. It comes amid ongoing conversations about contract security, season length and the transition toward full-time professionalism.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch – Image Credit: One Nil

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said players had been clear about the sacrifices required to continue competing in the league.

“We’ve heard from players about the struggle and sacrifices they continue to make to play the game they love, but we can do so much more than this,” Busch said. “A fully professional game here in Australia is crucial to creating the next generation of Matildas, but also to ensure we reach our potential and win a FIFA World Cup.”

PFA Deputy Chair Elise Kellond-Knight and A-League Women players Grace Maher and Dylan Holmes also addressed media, reinforcing the importance of player voices in shaping the future of the competition.

The PFA said Ready For Takeoff provides a clear, achievable framework for the continued evolution of the A-League Women. The initiative urges stakeholders to work collaboratively with players to ensure the league’s growth matches the talent, ambition and momentum of women’s football in Australia.

Central Coast Mariners enter into liquidation after financial troubles

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It was announced on Monday this week that the Central Coast Mariners will be temporarily managed by the APL Board during the sales process. The decision comes after several years of uncertainty and financial challenges within the club.

 

Short-term survival, long-term stability

It has been no secret that the Central Coast Mariners have struggled to balance their success on the pitch with administrative security off it. Years of financial turbulence and ownership changes have brought significant challenges to the club, culminating in the decision to enter the club into liquidation and seek a new buyer. 

While a sales process is completed and a stable, long-term owner sought out to secure the long-term future of the Mariners, the APL will act as a managing body on an interim basis. APL Chair, Stephen Conroy, has affirmed the board’s intentions to ensure the club’s survival despite current uncertainty. 

‘The APL Board is resolute in its commitment to fans and stakeholders to protect the game’s best interests, and make decisive action to ensure the ongoing growth, stability and integrity of the A-Leagues,’, he said via an APL statement on Monday. 

‘As custodians of the game, we believe it is the best course of proactive action – for the short and long term interest of the Club – to terminate the current CPA under the current ownership, and run an expedited and robust sale process to find a new and stable long-term owner for the Mariners,’ he continued. 

For now, the priority remains with ensuring the survival of one of the A-League’s most successful clubs. It is, of course, not just about the short-term survival of financial or commercial assets, but about restoring the long-term stability of the club’s board and the trust of the Mariners’ loyal fanbase.

 

A-League funding difficulties 

When previous owner, Richard Peil, announced his departure from the club in 2024, issues with funding from the APL were cited as explanations for the financial challenges experienced during his tenure. Across the span of two seasons, the annual distribution from the APL to each club fell from $2.35 million to $530,000. 

With such a significant cut, the Central Coast Mariners struggled to continue operating. Peil departed in 2024, returning operations back to Mike Charlesworth who had acted as chairman from 2013 to 2022.

The move came as a shock to the league and to the Mariners’ fanbase, who had enjoyed an incredible treble-winning year in 2024 and became the first professional men’s football club to achieve the feat. With such impressive achievements on the pitch overshadowed by challenges off it, the Central Coast Mariners are unfortunately not the first club faced with conflicting fortunes.

Mere months ago, Western United entered a period of ‘hibernation’ during the 2025/26 season to address several financial and legal issues. The decision left players and staff stranded, and featured as a source of criticism for the APL in the A-League Men Report 2024/25.

 

Hope for the future

Despite the troubling implications of another A-League club plagued by financial issues and with news breaking yesterday that the Central Coast Mariners’ Academy has also entered into liquidation, the future of the club is by no means over. 

As the main professional sports team representing the entire Central Coast, the club has huge potential to be both a sporting and commercial centre for the region going forward. Furthermore, with an impressive training infrastructure at the Mariner’s Centre of Excellence, and a proven history of high-quality players and coaches, the club has some of the essential ingredients to achieve new levels of success. 

The one thing which of course still remains, is a reliable and stable team behind the scenes who can steer the club back to the top of the A-League. To this end, Conroy has expressed his confidence in the APL to find the right buyer. 

“We believe in the value that Central Coast Mariners bring to the A-leagues. They’ve shown with the right investment and community engagement, they have a vibrant fanbase and a proven ability to consistently compete for on field success,” he said. 

“We are confident that with the engaged local and international interest, we can find the right buyer for the Mariners to take the Club forward and ensure their long term success.”

While uncertainty remains around the Mariners’ current situation and future owners, it will be hoped by fans, players and staff that years of off-pitch turbulence can be put to rest by a more stable and successful future. 

 

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