FFA Cup on hold due to cost concerns

[suspectandy]

4. Don't introduce HAL clubs till Round of 16 (Meaning 9 state clubs + 7 HAL clubs).

You mean 9 HAL clubs, right ?

What if you took the top 6 HAL clubs from the previous season (seeded clubs) and they entered at the round of 16 (this giving more importance to a finals apperance etc) and have the other 3 teams enter in at the round of 32. . . or something along those lines.

I like that idea.

[dave_saves]

I'm glad that the FFA are taking their time with it.  They've rushed into things in the past and it's backfired.  Rather they have all the pieces in place to ensure the comp is viable and successful than rush into it and see 100+ clubs out of pocket because of an oversight/flaw in the set up.

[Finsta]

I'm glad that the FFA are taking their time with it.  They've rushed into things in the past and it's backfired.  Rather they have all the pieces in place to ensure the comp is viable and successful than rush into it and see 100+ clubs out of pocket because of an oversight/flaw in the set up.

I understand what you're saying Dave but my worry is that if it gets built up too much and sponsors etc are brought onboard, then if the Tourney doesn't go gangbusters from day one, the media and north pole negatives will jump on the bandwagon straight away and sprout their shite.

IMO the first edition of the Cup shouldn't have 100+ clubs competiting anyways as the logistics and $$$ would have to be pumped in.
Start with 9 HAL clubs and 23 State Clubs.. If it works out without massive expenses then hey let's add another 32 clubs to next year's Cup. Maybe by then we can start fielding offers for some TV coverage as well as sponsorships..

[noodles]

I agree finsta, the first time around should be kept low key and build it up from there....  rather than making it big from day 1 and costing heeps and being a logistical nightmare..... revert to the KISS method and build up

[RRG]

Its difficult to take this seriously when Football Queensland's APL league is already boasting that APL teams (of which there are actually none as yet) will get a bye into the 2nd round of this.  Awesome.

[Disadvantage]

I completely agree with the thoughts here about starting and letting it grow. It is probably the best choice, but there are two things to consider.

One being that the premier league clubs probably don't have enough money to fly around the country to compete in play offs for this type of thing without some help from the FFA.

Secondly, as we are aware via the courier fail, and I'm sure the FFA would be considdring, the aussie media is extremely scathing in general toward anything football. If they are going to do this, they probably want to do it pretty well, get maximum crowds, and maximum sponsorship money, to give the support to the teams that can't travel as easily as a league teams can (some of which are barely afloat as it is)

[Brisbane fan in US]

I know the open cup which has been a round for a hundred years at still suffers from a sponsorship/popularity problem.  So it is probably a good idea if they at least get some sponsors and support drummed up. 

[Roary]

Viewing wise, there's the possibility of getting people like PaulyTV to stream the early rounds as such with some sort of contract in place preventing the streamer to not show content of HAL due to the TV deal (Foxsports, SBS etc)