http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/deb ... rize/61692This is not news, but let’s make it clear for those who have any doubt – the winning club in the Hyundai A-League grand final is the undisputed champion of Australia.
It’s been this way since the inception of the Hyundai A-League in 2005. Going back, it was the case in the former National Soccer League for almost 20 years between 1984 and 2003.
Across the nation in the semi-pro National Premier Leagues, the champion of each State emerges from a grand final.
It’s an Australian sporting tradition that goes back 100 years and now it’s an Australian football tradition. So why are we even having this discussion?
In recent commentary, we’ve heard one or two voices suggesting that finishing on top after the A-League regular season is the best measure of who’s the best team in the country.
Clearly, there are some pockets of nostalgia, usually driven by the view that what happens in European football is what matters in world football.
In Europe, the “first past the post” format decides domestic champions. In Australia, the club who finishes on top after the regular season of 27 rounds is declared the “Premier’s Plate winner”, but is not the champion team.
Sad to read him refering to people as Europhiles and backing up Ange's whinge about AFC recognising the league winner with automatic entry to the Champions league over the GF winner.
I am happy for us to have a wonderful finale to the season with a GF but as the head of the HAL to cheapen the effort of being the best side over the entire season is poor and transparent.
Love the disclaimer at the bottom
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author, and do not reflect those of Football Federation Australia
