A-league 2019/20 Off Season Thread - News, Rumors, Signings etc..

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Jul 5, 2011
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Kruse makes Victory return
Melbourne Victory


Melbourne Victory has completed the signing of Socceroos forward Robbie Kruse on a two-year deal.
Kruse, 30, will arrive at Victory this week and join the squad immediately pending a medical assessment.
Kruse has made 75 appearances for the Socceroos between 2011–2019 and was recently part of the 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
He represented Victory on 43 occasions across all competitions between 2009–2011, scoring 16 goals and making an impact in the A-League and Australian football that put him on the international radar.
Kruse’s impressive form at Victory saw him picked up by German club Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2011/12.
The forward went on to play over 100 games across an eight-year stint in the first and second divisions in Germany for Düsseldorf, Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart and VfL Bochum.
Kruse said he was looking forward to returning to the club that gave him the opportunity to ignite his career.
“I am excited to return home after eight years playing overseas. It was an incredible experience, but to have the opportunity to come back to the A-League and represent Victory again is really special,” Kruse said.
“I have great memories playing with Victory and of the club as whole; it helped me set expectations of myself as a player and ground me professionally.
“During our discussions, I’ve been impressed with Marco Kurz’s vision for the team and look forward to joining my teammates, many new and a couple I already know.”

Kruse becomes Marco Kurz’s first signing since he took the reins at the club earlier this month.
The German believes the former clubman will add valuable A-League and international experience to the squad.
“Securing Robbie’s services for the next two years is a big win for the club,” said Kurz.
“We see in Robbie a player not only with great experience here in Australia and overseas, but also as someone that fits the culture of the club, something which will be very good for this team.
“We look forward to him joining us this week.”


 
Apr 12, 2012
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Any ideas on what kind of money he's on? When do the "loyalty" discounts kick in? :)
4 years.

Has to be continuous as well. So 1st stint at the Vic wouldn't be included.

Screenshot_20190724-083209_Samsung%20Internet.jpeg
 
Jul 5, 2011
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No deal as of yet but but good signs


Network Ten close to landing A-League, W-League rights
Dominic Bossi

Sources close to the negotiations suggest that blueprint has the in-principal support of the game's major stakeholders, including Football Federation Australia and several club owners. Ten will have to purchase the rights to broadcast one match per round from FFA and will also have to privately negotiate buying the rights for the additional game from Fox Sports.
The A-League grand final could be televised on Network Ten.Credit:AAP
The deal is likely to hinge on how deeply Foxtel want to trim costs in light of their current financial woes. Foxtel posted a $417 million loss last year and vowed to cut "non-marquee sporting content".
Under the proposed bid, Ten would cover the production costs of the two A-League games it will broadcast each week and would likely pick up the expenses for its W-League coverage. The split between exclusivity of those games is yet to be determined and will require approval from Fox Sports.
It's understood Foxtel would stand to save nearly $4.5 million each season by offloading the production and broadcasting costs for two games each round, with the production bill alone in the region of $75,000 per game.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...occeroos-star-aaron-mooy-20190725-p52apl.html
While Ten televised one A-League match per round on its digital channel, One, last season, that deal was not in partnership with FFA. The Saturday night timeslot was purchased by Fox Sports, who broadcast its own coverage on One, retaining all advertising revenue meaning Ten had no incentive to promote the A-League whatsoever.
The purchase of the A-League's free-to-air rights would encourage Ten to promote its coverage on other programs, as well as externally. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that while other networks have been involved in discussions over the A-League rights, Ten have been the most enthusiastic. Having lost Big Bash cricket, the network is looking to land the rights to an Australian domestic sports competition.
The A-League's dwindling TV appeal will be made clear to club owners and FFA next week when they meet with Foxtel chief executive, Patrick Delany, on Monday. Having successfully negotiated for the A-League to become independent of FFA, the onus will fall upon the clubs to improve the competition's commercial and public appeal.
Senior stakeholders suggest they are expected to be "read the riot act" by Delaney, with Foxtel understood to be deeply unhappy with the A-League's ratings. It's understood Fox Sports would consider ending their partnership with the competition if it weren't bound by a six-year broadcast agreement which expires in 2023.
Ten and FFA will have to reach an agreement before it is signed off by Foxtel, who must be prepared to sell its exclusive coverage of one game per round.
The Herald sought comment the A-League club owners, operating under the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association. Network Ten and FFA declined to comment when contacted.


No deal as of yet but good signs
 
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Jul 5, 2011
14,859
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"Increased exposure" sounds good. Maybe hinting at using the main channel???

yeah and also heavly promoting the League through there programs such as "masterchef" "I'ma Celebrity get me out of here" which all rate high.
 
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acm21

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Losing BBL and having none of the winter footy codes, and of course now the comp has broken the FFA shackles, can see 10 making a big play with it.

Would make sense.
And from what they did with the big bash, they could be key in turning the league around
 
Jul 5, 2011
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Melbourne derby set to electrify A-League Round 1, with Marvel Stadium set for reconfiguration
An electric Melbourne derby will headline the opening round of the A-League season, with Marvel Stadium’s grandstands to be brought in for the first time in two years.
Melbourne Victory fans will be closer to the action this season, with the Docklands venue’s stands coming in for four of their five home fixtures.

Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City will lock horns with new coaches and new-look squads for their Round 1 clash, with several more derbies set to follow in ensuing weeks with the arrival of a third Victorian club.

Western United will wait until Round 2 to play its first home game at Kardinia Park, after a potentially spicy opening weekend trip to Wellington Phoenix.

United pinched coach Mark Rudan, captain Andrew Durante, A-League goalkeeper of the year Fiip Kurto and rookie sensation Max Burgess from the Kiwis.

Melbourne City host Adelaide United in their opening home game of the season at AAMI Park.

The A-League fixture is due to be released early next week, as venues are signed off and negotiations continue with Fox Sports and potential Free-to-Air partners.

It comes as the A-League prepares to officially become independent on Thursday, in a huge development for the local game.

Western United will wait until Round 2 to play its first home game at Kardinia Park, after a potentially spicy opening weekend trip to Wellington Phoenix.

United pinched coach Mark Rudan, captain Andrew Durante, A-League goalkeeper of the year Fiip Kurto and rookie sensation Max Burgess from the Kiwis.

Melbourne City host Adelaide United in their opening home game of the season at AAMI Park.

The A-League fixture is due to be released early next week, as venues are signed off and negotiations continue with Fox Sports and potential Free-to-Air partners.

It comes as the A-League prepares to officially become independent on Thursday, in a huge development for the local game.

Western United will wait until Round 2 to play its first home game at Kardinia Park, after a potentially spicy opening weekend trip to Wellington Phoenix.

United pinched coach Mark Rudan, captain Andrew Durante, A-League goalkeeper of the year Fiip Kurto and rookie sensation Max Burgess from the Kiwis.

Melbourne City host Adelaide United in their opening home game of the season at AAMI Park.

The A-League fixture is due to be released early next week, as venues are signed off and negotiations continue with Fox Sports and potential Free-to-Air partners.

It comes as the A-League prepares to officially become independent on Thursday, in a huge development for the local game.

FFA chiefs refused to comment when contacted about the fixture, with Round 1 due to kick off on October 11, after the AFL and NRL grand finals.

The grand final is set down for May 17, in a season where the A-League will play through FIFA breaks as byes return for the first time since 2010-11.

Western Sydney will feature in a prime time Saturday slot several times in their return to Parramatta Stadium (Bankwest Stadium), which was rocking for the Wanderers’ friendly with Leeds United last week.

Victory fans by enlarge prefer AAMI Park, but the move to reconfigure Marvel Stadium should go down well with the club’s growing fanbase.

The last time the terraces were brought in was Victory’s 2017-18 Round 10 clash with Adelaide United — the Star Wars round.

A-League chiefs are kicking off the season with a bang, with a Sydney derby featuring in the opening rounds of the season.


Seats in at Marvel :thumbsu:
Round one derby :thumbsdown:
 

JezzasOnTheAsphalt

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This obsession with round 1 derbies needs to stop. Give teams a few weeks to find some form before rushing straight into them. Thought they might have learnt after last year.
 

nobbyiscool

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Melbourne derby set to electrify A-League Round 1, with Marvel Stadium set for reconfiguration
An electric Melbourne derby will headline the opening round of the A-League season, with Marvel Stadium’s grandstands to be brought in for the first time in two years.
Melbourne Victory fans will be closer to the action this season, with the Docklands venue’s stands coming in for four of their five home fixtures.

Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City will lock horns with new coaches and new-look squads for their Round 1 clash, with several more derbies set to follow in ensuing weeks with the arrival of a third Victorian club.

Western United will wait until Round 2 to play its first home game at Kardinia Park, after a potentially spicy opening weekend trip to Wellington Phoenix.

United pinched coach Mark Rudan, captain Andrew Durante, A-League goalkeeper of the year Fiip Kurto and rookie sensation Max Burgess from the Kiwis.

Melbourne City host Adelaide United in their opening home game of the season at AAMI Park.

The A-League fixture is due to be released early next week, as venues are signed off and negotiations continue with Fox Sports and potential Free-to-Air partners.

It comes as the A-League prepares to officially become independent on Thursday, in a huge development for the local game.

Western United will wait until Round 2 to play its first home game at Kardinia Park, after a potentially spicy opening weekend trip to Wellington Phoenix.

United pinched coach Mark Rudan, captain Andrew Durante, A-League goalkeeper of the year Fiip Kurto and rookie sensation Max Burgess from the Kiwis.

Melbourne City host Adelaide United in their opening home game of the season at AAMI Park.

The A-League fixture is due to be released early next week, as venues are signed off and negotiations continue with Fox Sports and potential Free-to-Air partners.

It comes as the A-League prepares to officially become independent on Thursday, in a huge development for the local game.

Western United will wait until Round 2 to play its first home game at Kardinia Park, after a potentially spicy opening weekend trip to Wellington Phoenix.

United pinched coach Mark Rudan, captain Andrew Durante, A-League goalkeeper of the year Fiip Kurto and rookie sensation Max Burgess from the Kiwis.

Melbourne City host Adelaide United in their opening home game of the season at AAMI Park.

The A-League fixture is due to be released early next week, as venues are signed off and negotiations continue with Fox Sports and potential Free-to-Air partners.

It comes as the A-League prepares to officially become independent on Thursday, in a huge development for the local game.

FFA chiefs refused to comment when contacted about the fixture, with Round 1 due to kick off on October 11, after the AFL and NRL grand finals.

The grand final is set down for May 17, in a season where the A-League will play through FIFA breaks as byes return for the first time since 2010-11.

Western Sydney will feature in a prime time Saturday slot several times in their return to Parramatta Stadium (Bankwest Stadium), which was rocking for the Wanderers’ friendly with Leeds United last week.

Victory fans by enlarge prefer AAMI Park, but the move to reconfigure Marvel Stadium should go down well with the club’s growing fanbase.

The last time the terraces were brought in was Victory’s 2017-18 Round 10 clash with Adelaide United — the Star Wars round.

A-League chiefs are kicking off the season with a bang, with a Sydney derby featuring in the opening rounds of the season.


Seats in at Marvel :thumbsu:
Round one derby :thumbsdown:

This copy and paste was... interesting...

I did lol at this part of the article:

Victory fans by enlarge prefer AAMI Park, but the move to reconfigure Marvel Stadium should go down well with the club’s growing fanbase.

wtf?
 

craigos

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This copy and paste was... interesting...

I did lol at this part of the article:



wtf?
Work experience kid writing copy now it seems. The seats are great in for people who are seated in them. Still sucks, albeit a little less, for the rest of us.
 
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