Life in the A-League bubble; Soccerscene exclusive with Western United’s Steven Lustica

Staff Writer

When Steven Lustica signed on to join Western United in early 2020, little did he know that the world was within weeks of chaos.

By March, the future repercussions of the global pandemic were beginning to become clear and the 29-year-old’s return to Australia for the second half of the A-League season came to a halt before it even began.

The former Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Hadjuk Split midfielder had most recently been plying his trade in Uzbekistan with Qizilqum Zarafshon; playing 14 times and scoring once. Despite interest from a few Asian clubs, a conversation with one of Australia’s most successful young coaches brought him back home for the short term future and he was soon to remind domestic fans of his talent during Western United’s run to the finals.

In this Soccerscene exclusive, I asked the Canberra born Lustica about the behind the scene realities of A-League football in 2020, his return to Australia, Mark Rudan and his thoughts around the recent impasse between the club owners, players and the PFA, as well as the potential ramifications for the league moving forward.

In typically stoic and positive fashion, Lustica was quick to sight the benefits of being locked away as a squad for the final two months of the season.

“Life in the bubble during COVID provided many challenges and difficulties that players had never experienced before, yet spending 7 weeks in a hotel together also provided us with the opportunity to gel as a team; not only on the field but off it”, he said.

Forced to postpone marriage plans with fiance Marina when the restrictions made the mere notion of organising a wedding impossible, Lustica credits Western United and the camaraderie built in isolation with helping players manage the most unusual of situations.

“At times it wasn’t easy being away from family for such an extended period of time but our club was great in helping us get through it and make the experience memorable”, he said.

“Obviously once COVID hit it was a big shock for everyone. No one knew what to expect or what was in store for us. The club stayed strong during this period and provided a fantastic support network which allowed us to come back fit and ready to go once the restrictions were lifted.”

“It was a credit to the club, staff and players that we all came back in such great condition and with a positive attitude to finish off the season the best we could. It was a crazy ride going into the bubble and then finishing the season off but one that we are very proud of and now we can focus on building from our first season”.

The spirit and unity in the United camp were on clear view after the season restart, those elements of team culture Lustica had sensed immediately upon his arrival.

“I signed with the club in January so I missed the first 6 months of the season. However, from my first training session I felt a real positive energy around the place. The boss gave the players the freedom and confidence to go out there and express themselves.”

The boss of whom he speaks is of course, Mark Rudan. The former Wellington Phoenix and Sydney United 58 manager had obviously made an instant impression.

“Mark Rudan is a very demanding coach in a positive way. He sets his goals very high and expects the same from all his players and staff. He provides positive energy and really instilled a winning mentality into the team. He challenges all his players to improve each and every game.”

“I believe the success we had this first season is heavily attributed to his style. He has created a great culture around the club, where there is a balance between working hard and enjoying training every day to improve and achieve our goals”.

Recent discussions between the club owners and the PFA had many concerned that the new A-League season could well be under threat; should a deal prove elusive. The parties eventually agreed on one and with a reduced salary cap and a host of local and foreign talent having departed, I asked Lustica if he was pleased with the outcome.

“I am happy to see an agreement has been reached between clubs, players and the PFA. This is an important step for us all, however I do think the lower salary cap will have a major effect on keeping and attracting quality players in the A league. It is no secret that Asia, especially India, are enticing players with attractive salary packages that the A league can’t match. This will only diminish the quality of the A League.”

Sadly, Lustica’s words may well ring true in the short term future. However, the man who dons the number 10 shirt for Western United has a few other things on his mind. Improving on the fifth place finish achieved in the club’s inaugural season and avenging the loss to Melbourne City in the A-League semi-finals will drive both he and the team.

However, I suspect Lustica is desperately hoping that the ‘new normal’ which we are about to enter also allows those wedding plans to click back into gear and sees Mr and Mrs Lustica finally able to tie the knot.

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Brisbane Roar partners with PlanPay for 2026/27

Staff Writer
Image Credit: Brisbane Roar

TWELVE months ago, as the 2025/26 A-League Men’s season kicked off, Brisbane Roar’s active supporter group surged back to life.

‘The Den’ – as they’re known – had been a famous feature of the Roar’s Championship-winning glory years. Now heavily re-populated by a younger wave of supporters, their enthusiasm through early-season results against Macarthur, Melbourne City and Newcastle made them, momentarily, the talk of the A-League.

The Roar’s administration understand what a crucial role their supporters play in the health of the club – be they the new generation at the front of The Den, or the loyalists who have ridden the ups and downs of their 21 A-League seasons.

So, they have partnered with Australian-founded company PlanPay, to soften the financial barriers and increase fiscal flexibility for those wanting to cheer on the Roar’s men’s and women’s sides, helping to get them in the stands as early as possible.

‘Membership is the most important thing we offer, but given the current cost of living crisis, it’s also the hardest ask at the moment,’ Roar’s Head of Public Relations and Communications, Joseph Esposito, told Soccerscene.

‘When you’re targeting families of four, or youngsters, a full membership can be a big hit in one go. It’s important to be realistic, so having an option like PlanPay lets members spread that cost over time with no interest and no credit check.’

‘It also means we can get people to commit to membership earlier, to come on board and be part of something. It works on both ends, allowing us to offer an earlier price point for potential members – and most importantly, we’re not asking them to spend beyond their means.’

One of PlanPay’s key advantages is its ability to align payment schedules with how Australians actually earn their income.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics payroll data from March 2024, approximately 86% of Australian employees are paid weekly or fortnightly, with 33% receiving weekly wages and 53% paid fortnightly. In comparison, just 12% are paid monthly.

Despite this, many traditional membership payment options are structured around upfront or monthly payments, which don’t necessarily align with household cash flow.

By offering weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments, PlanPay allows Roar supporters to choose a payment schedule that suits their payday and household budget, making football memberships more manageable without relying on credit, interest or debt.

The partnership is also timely in a local sense; the ABS has also found sports participation costs in Brisbane rose 9.6% in the year to June 2025. Furthermore, as of March 2026, 41% of Australians had used a BNPL service in the past six months (Finder).

‘From our end, it’s essentially a bit like a modern layby. You choose your membership, pay a small deposit, and then pay the rest in instalments on the schedule that suits the individual,’ said Esposito.

‘Once the first payment is made your membership is fully active. We have previously had monthly payments to ease the pinch, but opening it up to have fortnightly or weekly options, more often makes it a whole lot easier to have people in.’

PlanPay was founded in Sydney in 2022 as a digitised lay-by for travel, and has since moved into ticketing, sports, and live events alongside expansion into the US and UK.

The company is now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, while maintaining its engineering, customer support and onboarding presence in Australia. PlanPay continues to partner with merchants globally to bring another way to pay, to more fans, Brian Learst, Chairman of PlanPay said:

‘We are thrilled to help Brisbane Roar FC lower the total cost of attending their matches by providing fans with debt-free, interest-free flexible payment plans.’

‘PlanPay allows fans to purchase the best seats early and customise their payment size and timing.’

Both the Roar’s men’s and women’s side present as fascinating prospects this season.

Newly-appointed women’s manager Johnathan Clemente is the youngest manager in A-Leagues history, with his charges looking to better last season’s impressive semi-final finish.

Meanwhile, the men’s outfit kicked off their second season under Michael Valkanis on Friday at Suncorp Stadium with an impressive win over Perth Glory, and will again rely on the energy and passion of those in the stands to drive their success both on and off the field.

‘Our fans are not just the present, but the future. In that regard, it’s not about getting them to spend beyond their means; it’s about allowing them to get in earlier, and in an easier way,’ continued Esposito.

‘Lots of younger fans are students, or they’re early in their working lives. Being realistic about it, paying a full season membership can sometimes be a real barrier, especially if they’re living out of home, paying rent for the first time.

‘Having PlanPay allows them to have the option that isn’t acquiring interest or debt, makes it easier for them to budget, and most importantly allows them to do what they do, without spending beyond their means.’

Make Membership More Accessible for Your Fans — Talk to PlanPay

What is an A-League licence actually worth?

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South Melbourne’s push to enter the A-League has reopened an old debate about who gets to play at the top level of Australian football. Beneath the arguments about history, identity and sporting merit sits a more consequential business question: what should a place in the competition actually cost?

Following its Australia Cup triumph, the debate and discussion around South Melbourne’s bid to enter the A-League has reignited. Co-president Bill Papastergiadis has indicated the club is open to discussing a licence fee, while arguing it does not need an equity stake in the Australian Professional Leagues (APL).

The question is whether entry to the A-League should be treated purely as a commercial asset to be purchased, or whether it should also provide a pathway for clubs capable of bringing genuine value to the competition.

The Price of Admission

A licence offers access to a national platform, broadcast exposure, sponsorship opportunities and the country’s highest domestic competition. The APL is entitled to protect that value and ensure any new entrant has the financial resources, infrastructure and governance to sustain a professional operation.

South Melbourne should not receive a free pass because of its history, supporter base or Australia Cup success. Winning a knockout competition is not the same as demonstrating the capacity to operate a professional club across an entire season.

But a licence fee should not become a barrier that protects the competition’s existing membership at the expense of its future.

There is also a risk that licence fees become little more than short-term sugar hits for the competition, delivering an immediate injection of cash without addressing the longer-term challenge of building sustainable clubs, growing audiences and increasing recurring commercial revenue.

Assessing the Value of Established Clubs

South Melbourne is not starting from scratch. It has an established supporter base, a home at Lakeside Stadium and a storied history in Australian football. Its profile and recent success give the APL a tangible proposition to assess, rather than a business plan built entirely around projected growth.

Nor is South Melbourne necessarily alone. Other established Australian clubs may have the supporters, facilities, community connections and ambition to make a credible case for joining the professional ranks. Not all would be ready, and maybe not all would strengthen the A-League. But that is precisely why the league needs clear, consistent criteria to assess potential entrants on their financial capacity, infrastructure and commercial potential as well as what they could contribute to the competition.

That contribution should count. New audiences, local rivalries, sponsor appeal and stronger connections between community and professional football all have value. An established club may offer a different proposition from launching a new team and trying to build a supporter base from the ground up.

There are, of course, significant costs involved. South Melbourne would need to demonstrate how it could fund professional men’s and women’s programs, generate sustainable revenue and protect its existing operations. A licence fee must be considered alongside the rights, obligations, access to central revenue and commercial opportunities that come with entry. The price cannot sensibly be separated from what a club receives in return.

The Promotion and Relegation Question

This is also where the debate connects to the lack of promotion and relegation. If the system is considered financially unviable under the A-League’s current structure, clubs and supporters deserve a clear explanation. What are the specific financial, stadium, broadcast or governance barriers? What would need to change to make it possible? It is simply down to the licence fees that have already been paid by the existing A-League clubs?

Promotion and relegation is clearly not an immediate or realistic solution, and introducing it would not automatically create a healthier competition and ecosystem. But if it remains off the table, Australian football needs to offer ambitious clubs something more tangible than an uncertain promise of expansion.

Providing a Clear Pathway

A transparent licensing process, published entry criteria and a clear explanation of what clubs must demonstrate would at least provide a pathway to work towards. Clubs investing in players, facilities and academies need to understand what it takes to reach the top. Supporters deserve to know how their clubs can progress, too.

The A-League needs entrants capable of surviving and investing for the long term. It also needs to recognise the value that established clubs can bring. If the price of entry is focused primarily on extracting the largest possible payment, the league risks overlooking opportunities to grow its audiences, strengthen rivalries and deepen its connection with Australian football.

South Melbourne’s bid is an opportunity to test that balance. The question is not whether the club should simply be handed a place in the A-League, but whether Australian football can develop a licensing model that rewards financial responsibility while recognising the value of clubs that have already built something worth bringing to the national stage.

It seems a licence must have a price. But if the A-League wants to grow sustainably, it must also explain what that price is designed to achieve and provide a clearer answer to clubs and supporters asking how the pathway to the top is meant to work.

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