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Line 42: ==History== ===~~Origins~~Background=== A national [[round-robin tournament]] existed in various forms prior to the formation of the A-League, with the most notable being the [[National Soccer League]] (NSL). The formation of the NSL came after [[Australia men's national soccer team\|Australia]]'s qualification for the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]], which led to discussion of a national league, with 14 teams eventually chosen to participate in the [[1977 National Soccer League\|inaugural season]] of the NSL in 1977.<ref name="worldgamedownunder">{{cite book \| title=The World Game Downunder \| publisher=Australian Society for Sports History \| date=2006 \|editor1=Hay, Roy \|editor2=Murray, Bill \| location=Melbourne \| page=120 \| isbn=0975761668}}</ref> Line 70: The regular season runs mainly during the Australian summer, from early October to April of the following year. As of the [[2024–25 A-League Men\|2024–25 season]], due to the introduction of [[Auckland FC]] and an odd number of teams, the competition consists of 29 rounds, with each team playing every other team two or three times, playing 26 games total. Each team will play 24 home and away fixtures, plus two additional third matches (one of which in Unite Round). Additionally, each team will have three [[Bye (sports)\|byes]].<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Comito \|first=Matthew \|date=2024-07-17 \|title=Dates announced for 2024-25 A-Leagues season \|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/when-does-the-a-league-season-start-dates-finals-series/ \|access-date=2024-07-19 \|website=A-Leagues \|language=en-AU}}</ref> The teams allotted two home matches against an opponent in one season are allotted one home match against that opponent in the following season. Each match sees the winning team awarded three competition points, with one point each for a [[Tie (draw)\|draw]]. The club at the top of this ladder is crowned A-League Premiers, and since the [[2005–06 A-League\|2005–06 season]] has been entered into the [[AFC Champions League]].<ref name="AFCCL">{{cite web \|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3823 \|title=Grand Final rematch to open HAL season \|work=A-League.com.au \|publisher=Football Federation Australia \|date=1 May 2006 \|access-date=3 November 2006 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903095643/http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=3823 \|archive-date=3 September 2006 }}</ref><ref name="foxsports-newfinals">{{cite news \| url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/a-league-season-full-fixture-list-and-new-finals-series/story-e6frf4gl-1226400860929 \| title=2012–2013 A-League season: full fixture list and new finals series \| work=Fox Sports \| date=19 June 2012 \| access-date=2 January 2013 \| archive-date=12 October 2012 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012005328/http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/a-league-season-full-fixture-list-and-new-finals-series/story-e6frf4gl-1226400860929 \| url-status=live }}</ref> The Premier is presented with a trophy known as the Premier's Plate.<ref>{{cite web\|title=A-League: HAL 7 (2011–2012 Season)\|url=http://back-of-the-net.com/2011-2012/R25/R25-Review.htm\|publisher=back-of-the-net.com\|access-date=3 December 2014\|archive-date=14 December 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214131305/http://back-of-the-net.com/2011-2012/R25/R25-Review.htm\|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the completion of the regular season the top six placed teams on the league table progress to the finals series. The position of each team is determined by the highest number of points accumulated during the regular season. If two or more teams are level on points, the following criteria are applied in order until one of the teams can be determined as the higher ranked:<ref name="competitionrules">{{cite web\|url=https://aleagues.com.au/more/competition-rules/\|title=A-League Competition rules\|website=[[A-Leagues]]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029121051/https://aleagues.com.au/more/competition-rules/\|archive-date=29 October 2023\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-leagues-ladder-sorting-rules-change-explained-table/\|title=Explained: Why the A-Leagues ladder sorting rules have changed this season\|website=[[A-Leagues]]\|date=2 January 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102073603/https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-leagues-ladder-sorting-rules-change-explained-table/\|archive-date=2 January 2024\|url-status=live}}</ref> ~~# Most wins;~~ # Highest goal difference; # Highest number of goals scored; # Most wins; # Highest number of points accumulated in matches between the teams concerned; # Highest goal difference in matches between the teams concerned; Line 84: {{main\|Unite Round}} For the [[2023–24 A-League Men\|2023–24]] and [[2024–25 A-League Men\|2024–25 season]], the [[Australian Professional Leagues]] announced "Unite Round". During this round, all matches were held in [[Sydney]], in [[Sydney Football Stadium (2022)\|Allianz Stadium]] and [[Western Sydney Stadium\|CommBank Stadium]], with some women's matches being held at [[Leichhardt Oval]], across the second weekend of January. The round is part of a partnership with [[Destination NSW]], and was introduced after the [[Australian Professional Leagues#2022 Grand Final decision\|Grand Final decision]] was reversed in October 2023, one year into its original 3-year stretch after severe fan backlash.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-18/a-leagues-scrap-controversial-grand-final-decision-introduce-mag/102989960\|title=A-Leagues scrap controversial Grand Final decision in favour of Unite Round\|website=[[ABC News (Australia)\|ABC News]]\|date=18 October 2023}}</ref> {{:Unite Round}} ====Pride Round==== Line 158 ⟶ 160: Between 2005 and 2008 clubs participated in the [[A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup]] prior to each A-League regular season. In 2013 and 2014 an [[A-League All Stars Game]] was also played as a pre-season [[Exhibition game\|friendly game]] between the league's finest players and a high-profile international team.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Stage set for Manchester United to play A-League all-stars\|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/stage-set-for-manchester-united-to-play-a-league-all-stars/story-fn63e0vj-1226515422264\|newspaper=[[The Australian]]\|access-date=20 July 2013\|archive-date=22 November 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122062829/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/stage-set-for-manchester-united-to-play-a-league-all-stars/story-fn63e0vj-1226515422264\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Italian giants Juventus coming to Sydney \|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/aleagueallstars/news-display/italian-giants-juventus-coming-to-sydney/81283 \|publisher=[[Football Australia\|Football Federation Australia]] \|access-date=20 December 2013 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221104448/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/aleagueallstars/news-display/italian-giants-juventus-coming-to-sydney/81283 \|archive-date=21 December 2013 }}</ref> Most A-League Men clubs have teams in the [[A-League Youth]] competition, which runs in conjunction with the A-League Men as a national youth developmental and reserve league. All players in the youth teams are between the ages of 16 and 21 as of the start of the calendar year for each new season, while four over-age players from each of the senior teams also allowed to be selected. In addition, the [[A-League Women]] operates as the top division of women's league with affiliations to the men's competition.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem&id=22966 \|title=Women in a league of their own \|date=28 July 2008 \|publisher=[[Football Australia\|Football Federation Australia]] \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203151814/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem&id=22966 \|archive-date=3 December 2013 }}</ref> However, the A-League Youth has not been resumed since the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In response to the debate about the development of a new professional second division, the [[National Second Division\|Australian Championship]] has been proposed to support the A-League, with the aim to avoid the American franchise-based system and to put in line with European football leagues.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/australia-aus/story/4441281/football-australia-adds-national-second-tier-to-football-pyramid-in-calendar-restructure\|title=Football Australia adds national second tier to football pyramid in calendar restructure\|first=Joey\|last=Lynch\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=30 July 2021\|access-date=24 September 2021\|archive-date=24 September 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924162722/https://www.espn.com.au/football/australia-aus/story/4441281/football-australia-adds-national-second-tier-to-football-pyramid-in-calendar-restructure\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ftblseconddivision/> Line 223 ⟶ 225: \|- \| '''[[Macarthur FC]] ''' \| [[City of Campbelltown, New South Wales\|Campbelltown]] ~~\| [[Sydney]]~~ \| [[New South Wales]] \| [[Campbelltown Sports Stadium]] \| style="text-align:center;"\| 17,500 \| style="text-align:center;"\| 2017 Line 249 ⟶ 251: \| style="text-align:center;"\| 2004 \| style="text-align:center;"\| 2005 \| {{flagicon\|AUS}} [[~~Patrick~~Arthur ~~Kisnorbo~~Diles]] (caretaker) \| {{flagicon\|POR}} [[Roderick Miranda]] \|- Line 300 ⟶ 302: \| style="text-align:center;"\| 2012 \| {{flagicon\|AUS}} [[Alen Stajcic]] \| {{flagicon\|AUS}} [[Lawrence Thomas (soccer)\|Lawrence Thomas]] ~~\| ''Vacant''~~ \|- \| '''[[Western United FC\|Western United]]''' Line 457 ⟶ 459: There are several key rivalries and [[List of association football rivalries#Asia and Australia (AFC)\|local derbies]] that have formed in the A-League, including: '''''"[[Melbourne Derby (A-~~League~~Leagues)\|Melbourne Derby]]"''' – [[Melbourne City FC\|Melbourne City]] v [[Melbourne Victory FC\|Melbourne Victory]]''<br /> The two Melbourne clubs first met on 8 October 2010 in a lively game at [[AAMI Park]] in front of 25,897 fans. Melbourne City (known at the time as Melbourne Heart) came out on top with a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=35811\|title=Heart Claim Inaugural Derby Win\|date=8 October 2010\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220210913/http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=35811\|archive-date=20 February 2011\|publisher=Melbourne Heart}}</ref> A significant narrative in derby history is the role of Melbourne Victory as a more successful club both on and off the field, having joined the A-League five years earlier than City. The rivalry is one of the most intense and well respected in the A-League, producing noticeable atmosphere and some of the largest attendances in the league.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Melbourne Derby: Does Victory v. City trump Sydney derby as A-League's biggest rivalry?\|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/breaking-news/melbourne-derby-does-victory-v-city-trump-sydney-derby-as-aleagues-biggest-rivalry/news-story/af8cb5e397f2db4f6cebe25740ea130e\|publisher=foxsports.com.au\|access-date=31 January 2016\|archive-date=26 March 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326140201/https://www.foxsports.com.au/latest-news?nk=f6760434745b1bd5da6bc3b5ba6ea141-1679839320\|url-status=live}}</ref> Line 463 ⟶ 465: The rivalry stems from the traditional cross-border rivalry between sporting teams from South Australia and Victoria but was strengthened by multiple incidents in the 2006–07 season, such as the confrontation between Melbourne Victory captain [[Kevin Muscat]] and Adelaide United coach [[John Kosmina]].{{citation needed\|date=August 2019}} The two clubs contested the [[2007 A-League Grand Final\|2007]] and [[2009 A-League Grand Final]]s, with Melbourne winning the 2009 Grand Final 1–0 against a 10-man Adelaide United side. The two clubs were also involved in the first and only occasion in the A-League during the [[2008–09 A-League]] season, where they both finished on the top of the ladder equal on both points and goal difference. '''''"[[Sydney Derby (A-~~League~~Leagues)\|Sydney Derby]]"''' – [[Sydney FC]] v [[Western Sydney Wanderers FC\|Western Sydney Wanderers]]''<br /> The derby was contested for the first time in the 2012–13 season with the introduction of the second Sydney-based club, Western Sydney Wanderers, into the league. Sydney FC grabbed bragging rights by winning the first derby 1–0 at [[Parramatta Stadium]],<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/aleague/matchcentre/matchreport/Western-Sydney-Wanderers-FC-v-Sydney-FC-Hyundai-A-League/2613\|title=Del Piero does it again\|date=20 October 2012\|publisher=A-League\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403055626/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/aleague/matchcentre/matchreport/Western-Sydney-Wanderers-FC-v-Sydney-FC-Hyundai-A-League/2613\|archive-date=3 April 2013}}</ref> however Western Sydney Wanderers won the return match at [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)\|Allianz Stadium]] 2–0. A Sydney Derby held early in the 2015 season broke the Allianz Stadium record for attendance during a regular season in any football code, dating back to the stadium's opening in 1988.<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/10/19/flourishing-league-smashes-more-records \|title=FLOURISHING A-LEAGUE SMASHES MORE RECORDS \|work=The World Game \|publisher=SBS \|access-date=20 October 2014 \|archive-date=3 May 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503102001/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/10/19/flourishing-league-smashes-more-records \|url-status=live }}</ref> A match in 2016 between the two teams broke the record A-League crowd with 61,880 fans attending the match at [[ANZ Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/sydney-fcs-epic-second-half-blows-away-wanderers-0\|title=Sydney FC's epic second half blows away Wanderers\|date=8 October 2016\|access-date=23 April 2019\|first=Aidan\|last=Ormond\|archive-date=23 November 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123100004/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/sydney-fcs-epic-second-half-blows-away-wanderers-0\|url-status=live}}</ref> Sydney Derby is intensified by the geographic distinction between the two clubs within Sydney, as well as historical grievances related to the foundation of Sydney FC. '''''"[[The Big Blue (A-~~League~~Leagues)\|The Big Blue]]"''' – [[Melbourne Victory FC\|Melbourne Victory]] v [[Sydney FC]]''<br /> This match is so named because blue is the main colour of both teams' playing kits, and is also Australian slang for a fight or a contest.<ref name="macquarie-blue">{{cite encyclopedia \| title=Blue \| encyclopedia=The Macquarie Essential Dictionary \| publisher=The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd \| year=1999 \| pages=81}}</ref> The rivalry has emerged as a result of a number of spiteful encounters between the teams in recent years, and due to the longstanding rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities. The teams have competed against each other in three grand finals; in [[2010 A-League Grand Final\|2010]] & [[2017 A-League Grand Final\|2017]], with Sydney winning 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw on both occasions and in [[2015 A-League Grand Final\|2015]], with Victory winning 3–0.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/match/melbourne-victory-v-sydney-fc-a-league-17-05-2015/796853\|title=Victory outclass Sydney FC in Grand Final\|date=17 May 2015\|access-date=23 April 2019\|first=John\|last=Greco\|archive-date=6 January 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106070639/http://www.a-league.com.au/matchcentre/Melbourne-Victory-v-Sydney-FC/796853\|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, Sydney FC won the A-League Premiership on the final day of the season by defeating Victory 2–0. A Big Blue match is traditionally played on [[Australia Day]] each year. Line 475 ⟶ 477: First contested in Wellington with their introduction to the A-League in [[2007–08 A-League\|2007–08]], this fixture is considered one of the longest away trips in world football for a domestic top-flight competition, with the distance between the two cities (which themselves are in different countries) being 5,225 km.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2018-02-15 \|title=Bon Voyage: 8 of the Longest Away Days in World Football \|url=https://www.90min.com/posts/5978417-bon-voyage-8-of-the-longest-away-days-in-world-football \|access-date=2022-12-30 \|website=90min.com \|language=en \|archive-date=30 December 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230084834/https://www.90min.com/posts/5978417-bon-voyage-8-of-the-longest-away-days-in-world-football \|url-status=dead }}</ref> Since [[2015–16 A-League\|2015–16]], the two teams have contested the "Long Distance Derby Cup", which is awarded to the team with the best results from the three regular season fixtures between them.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Glory and Phoenix battle for Long Distance Derby Cup \|url=http://www.perthglory.com.au/article/glory-and-phoenix-battle-for-long-distance-derby-cup/9zcv2031lyq71fbcoyigk9e5f \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016001757/http://www.perthglory.com.au/article/glory-and-phoenix-battle-for-long-distance-derby-cup/9zcv2031lyq71fbcoyigk9e5f \|archive-date=16 October 2015}}</ref> '''''[[Kiwi Clasico\|"New Zealand Derby" / "Mai te Raki ki te Tonga"]]''' – [[Auckland FC]] v [[Wellington Phoenix FC\|Wellington Phoenix]]''<br /> With the introduction of expansion club Auckland FC for the [[2024–25 A-League Men\|2024–25 season]], Wellington will have an opponent from the same country for the first time. The first ever edition of this derby is scheduled for 2 November 2024 at [[Wellington Regional Stadium]], and they will meet a further two times during the season.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Rosengarten \|first=Jake \|date=2024-08-01 \|title=Derby Dates: The biggest Isuzu UTE A-League matches to put in your diary NOW \|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-derby-dates-times-sydney-melbourne-new-zealand-big-blue-fixtures/ \|access-date=2024-08-01 \|website=A-Leagues \|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Rosengarten \|first=Jake \|date=2024-08-01 \|title=Fixtures Talking Points: A New TV format, byes & everything you need to know \|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-fixtures-reaction-breakdown-everything-you-need-to-know-tv-schedule-talking-points/ \|access-date=2024-08-02 \|website=A-Leagues \|language=en-AU}}</ref> On 9 August 2024, Auckland announced the signing of former Wellington goalkeeper [[Alex Paulsen]], on loan from [[AFC Bournemouth]] which was thought to be in contravention of the "[[Caceres rule]]" which the APL had only announced that morning would be reviewed.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Rosengarten \|first=Jake \|date=2024-08-08 \|title='Caceres Clause' to be reviewed ahead of 2024-25 A-Leagues Season \|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-rule-change-caceres-clause-explained-latest-updated/ \|access-date=2024-08-09 \|website=A-Leagues \|language=en-AU}}</ref> Following this announcement, Wellington raised concerns with [[Football Australia]] "seeking further information" about the loan move.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alex Paulsen loaned to Auckland FC from Bournemouth \|url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/08/09/alex-paulsen-loaned-to-auckland-fc-from-bournemouth/ \|access-date=2024-08-09 \|website=1News \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-08-09 \|title=A-League shock as Alex Paulsen provisionally joins Auckland FC \|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/524625/a-league-shock-as-alex-paulsen-provisionally-joins-auckland-fc \|access-date=2024-08-09 \|website=[[RNZ]] \|language=en-nz}}</ref> Shortly before the start of the 2024–25 season, the League announced the official name of the derby would be "Kiwi Clasico",<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pisani \|first=Sacha \|date=2024-09-05 \|title=The A-Leagues' newest derby has an amazing new nickname \|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/wellington-phoenix-auckland-fc-derby-kiwi-clasico-buy-tickets-details-a-league/ \|access-date=2024-10-19 \|website=A-Leagues \|language=en-AU}}</ref> however, official channels stopped using that name once the season began.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pisani \|first=Sacha \|date=2024-10-29 \|title=Six acts that have ignited world football's newest rivalry ahead of kick off this weekend \|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/wellington-phoenix-auckland-fc-tickets-details-how-to-watch-latest-news-new-zealand-derby-plane/ \|access-date=2024-10-29 \|website=A-Leagues \|language=en-AU}}</ref> On the day of the first ever match between the two clubs, [[Te Āti Awa]] and [[Ngāti Whātua]] presented a special [[taonga]] to be awarded to the winner, and dubbed the derby "Mai te Raki ki te Tonga", which translates to ‘From the North to the South’ from [[Māori language\|te reo Māori]].<ref>{{Cite web \|last= \|date=2024-11-02 \|title=The derby has a name and there's something extra to play for \|url=https://wellingtonphoenix.com/news/the-derby-has-a-name-and-theres-something-extra-to-play-for/ \|access-date=2024-11-02 \|website=Wellington Phoenix \|language=en-AU}}</ref> ==Organisation== Line 488 ⟶ 490: In January 2017, [[Football Australia\|Football Federation Australia]] unveiled their new A-League logo which formed part of a wider rebranding branding of the A-League and its subsidiary competitions, the [[W-League (Australia)\|W-League]] and [[National Youth League (Australia)\|Youth League]]. The logo design was "inspired by soccer's three outstanding features – atmosphere, diversity and unity" and has colour alterations tailored to each of the 12 A-League clubs. The changes came into effect before the [[2017–18 A-League\|2017/18 season]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/01/25/ffa-reveal-new-branding-and-league-logo\|work=SBS Australia\|title=FFA reveal new branding and A-League logo\|date=24 January 2017\|access-date=25 January 2017\|archive-date=27 October 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027193257/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/01/25/ffa-reveal-new-branding-and-league-logo\|url-status=live}}</ref> The original A-League logo was designed by Coast Design Sydney. It was the inaugural logo of the league. The two-toned [[ochre]] colours represented the sun, earth and desert while the 'glow' emanating from the centre of the logo depicted the playing season's spring and summer time span. The eight 'A' figures that made up the ball shape represented the eight foundation clubs of the league.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Logo signals refreshing new era \|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=616 \|work=A-League.com.au \|publisher=Football Federation Australia \|date=1 November 2004 \|access-date=19 December 2006 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912080024/http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=616 \|archive-date=12 September 2006 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> The A-League has two trophies which are competed for during the season: the Premier's Plate and the A-League Trophy.<ref name="fourfourtwo-trophy">{{cite news \| url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/features/3372,gold-medal-trophy.aspx \| title=Gold medal trophy \| work=[[FourFourTwo (Australia)\|Australian FourFourTwo]] \| date=19 March 2007 \| access-date=17 October 2013 \| author=Ormond, Aidan \| archive-date=17 October 2013 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017222415/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/features/3372,gold-medal-trophy.aspx \| url-status=live }}</ref> The Premier's Plate is awarded to the A-League Premiers, the regular season winners, and the A-League Trophy is awarded to the A-League Champions, the winner of the Grand Final. Both pieces of silverware were designed by Sydney design company D3 Design. The A-League Trophy is nicknamed the "Toilet Seat" due to its shape.<ref name="fox-toiletseat">{{cite news \| url=~~http~~https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/goal-line-technology-toilet-seats-and-mrps-simon-hill-reveals-his-hopes-and-dreams-for-football/~~story~~news-~~e6frf423-1226546632480~~story/6d5cb8eb0ff77d9a6cfd03d1bf449eb1 \| title=Goal-line technology,'toilet seats' and MRPs: Simon Hill reveals his hopes and dreams for football \| work=Fox Sports \| date=2 January 2013 \| access-date=15 February 2015 \| author=Hill, Simon \| author-link=Simon Hill \| archive-date=261 ~~March~~December ~~2023~~2024 \| archive-url=https://~~web.~~archive.~~org~~today/~~web/20230326140203~~20241201135521/https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/goal-line-technology-toilet-seats-and-mrps-simon-hill-reveals-his-hopes-and-dreams-for-football/news-story~~-e6frf423-1226546632480?nk=e4cff13fc38c3311cc8d1ccd0646168e-1679839323~~/6d5cb8eb0ff77d9a6cfd03d1bf449eb1 \| url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="toiletseat">{{cite news \| url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/10/02/top-10-league-flops \| title=The top 10 A-League flops \| work=The World Game \| date=2 October 2014 \| access-date=15 February 2015 \| quote=Then there's the A-League prize – a shiny metal ring that looks like something you stick your rear end in to eject fecal waste through. Aptly nicknamed the 'toilet seat', the A-League trophy is actually an impressive piece of kit close up, but in the lexicon of famous football championship bling, it's a definite flop. \| archive-date=15 February 2015 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215161332/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/10/02/top-10-league-flops \| url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=EPL trophy influenced FFA Cup design \|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/EPL-trophy-influenced-FFA-Cup-design/89622 \|publisher=[[Football Australia\|Football Federation Australia]] \|access-date=11 May 2014 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413130208/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/EPL-trophy-influenced-FFA-Cup-design/89622 \|archive-date=13 April 2014 }}</ref> Where as the Premier's Plate follows a traditional trophy design, the A-League Trophy differs. In 2005, [[John O'Neill (sport administrator)\|John O'Neill]], FFA CEO commented during the unveiling of the A-League Trophy, "We have a new national league and we feel it is important to re-define the conventional view of a trophy to reflect this". Clive Solari of D3 Design explained the trophy's design, saying "We wanted our trophy concept to embody the historical significance of sport in a contemporary design. So we looked to history to see how great achievements have been rewarded across all types of games for thousands of years. The winners of the world's original sporting competition, the [[Olympic Games]], were presented with a [[laurel wreath]] on their heads. We used this model as a basis for a unique, cutting-edge design – our trophy is a modern and versatile translation of the wreath. The winners can hold it above their heads as a symbol of success".<ref>{{cite web\|title=New A-League trophy revealed\|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/647980/new-a-league-trophy-revealed\|work=The World Game\|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service\|access-date=27 February 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302222201/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/647980/new-a-league-trophy-revealed\|archive-date=2 March 2014\|url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Squad formation and salary cap=== Line 565 ⟶ 567: On 23 December 2020, it was announced that the new major sponsor of the A-League and [[W-League (Australia)\|W-League]] would be home improvement store [[Bunnings Warehouse]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/leagues-sign-historic-deal-bunnings\|title=Leagues sign historic deal with Bunnings\|publisher=A-League\|date=23 December 2020\|access-date=31 December 2020\|archive-date=23 December 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223045506/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/leagues-sign-historic-deal-bunnings\|url-status=live}}</ref> On ~~October~~ 6, October 2021, [[Isuzu]] [[Isuzu D-Max\|UTE]] was announced as the naming rights partner of the A-League Men in a 3-year deal, with the league known as the Isuzu UTE A-League.<ref>{{cite web\|date=2021-10-06\|title=Isuzu UTE Australia becomes first naming rights partner of A-League Men\|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/isuzu-ute-australia-becomes-first-naming-rights-partner-a-league-men\|access-date=2021-10-05\|website=A-League\|language=en\|archive-date=5 October 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005221444/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/isuzu-ute-australia-becomes-first-naming-rights-partner-a-league-men\|url-status=live}}</ref> {\| class="wikitable" \|+ Line 743 ⟶ 745: From the 2019–20 season, [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation\|ABC TV]] has broadcast one game a weekend (Saturday 5pm) live on its primary channel. It also has the right to broadcast delayed coverage of some finals matches and the Grand Final.<ref name=ABCdeal>{{cite web\|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/abc-tv-becomes-free-air-broadcast-partner-hyundai-a-league-westfield-w-league-caltex-socceroos\|title=ABC TV becomes Free-to-Air Broadcast Partner of the Hyundai A-League\|work=A-League\|date=3 October 2019\|access-date=4 October 2019\|archive-date=3 October 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003232100/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/abc-tv-becomes-free-air-broadcast-partner-hyundai-a-league-westfield-w-league-caltex-socceroos\|url-status=live}}</ref> Fox Sport's contract with the A-League, which was renegotiated in June 2020 amidst the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia\|COVID-19 pandemic]], concluded in July 2021.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/foxtel-and-ffa-come-to-an-agreement-over-a-league-and-w-league-631926\|title=Foxtel and FFA come to an agreement over A-League and W-League\|work=mumbrella\|date=22 June 2020\|access-date=7 July 2020\|archive-date=6 July 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706231202/https://mumbrella.com.au/foxtel-and-ffa-come-to-an-agreement-over-a-league-and-w-league-631926\|url-status=live}}</ref> Since August 2021, as part of a five-year deal with [[ViacomCBS]], the A-Leagues are being broadcast by [[Network 10]] and [[Paramount+#Sports programming\|Paramount+ streaming service]]. Initially one A-League Men match per weekend was broadcast on Ten's main channel and all matches were streamed on Paramount.<ref>{{cite web \| website=ABC News (Australia) \| title=A-League announces Channel 10 as new broadcast partner in five-year deal \| date=26 May 2021 \| url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-26/a-league-announces-new-broadcast-partner-channel-10/100166894 \| access-date=28 May 2021 \| archive-date=28 May 2021 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528063259/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-26/a-league-announces-new-broadcast-partner-channel-10/100166894 \| url-status=live }}</ref> ~~As of the 2022–23 season,~~ Paramount ~~streams all matches~~+ and ~~two~~10 ~~matches~~hold ~~per~~broadcasting ~~weekend~~rights ~~are~~through ~~broadcast~~to ~~on [[10 Bold]]~~2028.<ref name=broadcast>{{cite web~~\|title=10 Bold, Paramount+ home of 2022–23 A-League\|work=TV Tonight~~\|url=https://~~tvtonight~~www.footballaustralia.com.au/~~2022~~news/~~09/10~~football-~~bold~~australia-and-paramount-~~home~~australia-ofagree-~~2022~~historic-23multi-ayear-~~league.html~~multi-platform-media\|~~date~~title=7Football ~~October~~Australia ~~2022\|access-date=29~~and ~~September~~Paramount ~~2022\|archive~~Australia agree to historic multi-~~date=29~~year, ~~September~~multi-platform ~~2022~~media rights deal for Australian National Teams through to 2028\|~~archive-url~~website=~~https://web.archive.org/web/20220929114722/https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/09/10-bold-paramount-home-of-2022-23-a-league.html~~[[Football Australia]]\|~~url-status~~date=~~live~~28 August 2024}}</ref> ===Other countries=== Line 765 ⟶ 767: \|2013–17\|\|[[Special Broadcasting Service\|SBS]] \|- \|2017–19\|\|[[10 Bold\|~~One~~Network 10]] \|- \|2019–21\|\|[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation\|ABC]] \|- \|2021–26<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Rugari \|first=Vince \|date=2021-05-26 \|title=A-League seals landmark five-year, $200m broadcast deal with Network Ten \|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/a-league-seals-landmark-five-year-200m-broadcast-deal-with-network-ten-20210525-p57v3m.html \|access-date=2024-12-27 \|website=The Sydney Morning Herald \|language=en}}</ref>\|\|[[Paramount+]]\|\|[[10 Bold\|Network 10]] ~~\|2021–24\|\|[[Paramount+]]\|\|[[Network 10\|10]] and [[10 Bold]]~~ \|} Broadcasters as of the ~~2023–24~~2024–25 season are as follows: {\| class="wikitable" \|- Line 788 ⟶ 790: \| [[Sky Sport (New Zealand)\|Sky Sport]] \|- \| rowspan="2" \| [[List of islands in the Pacific Ocean\|Pacific Islands]] \| [[ABC Australia (Southeast Asian TV channel)\|Australia TV]] \|- Line 797 ⟶ 799: \|- \|[[YouTube]] (unsold markets only) \|- \| {{Flag\|Albania}} \| rowspan="2" \|[[Tring Sport]] \|- \| {{Flag\|Kosovo}} \|- \| {{Flag\|Armenia}} \| [[Fast TV]] \|- \| {{AUT}} Line 805 ⟶ 815: \| {{SUI}} \|- \| [[Balkans]] ~~\| {{BRU}}~~ \| [[Arena Sport]] ~~\| rowspan="2" \|[[Astro SuperSport]]~~ \|- \| [[Caribbean]] ~~\|{{MAS}}~~ \| [[Flow Sports]] \|- \| [[Central Asia]] \| [[Setanta Sports]] \|- \|{{CAM}} \| rowspan="2" \| [[True Sport]] \|- \|{{Flag\|Laos}} \|- \| {{CHN}} Line 816 ⟶ 835: \| [[Fiji Television\|Fiji TV]] \|- \| {{~~FIN~~Flag\|France}} \| rowspan="3" \|[[Orange Group#Orange Sport\|Orange Sport]] ~~\|Veikkaus TV~~ \|- \| {{~~GHA~~Flag\|Monaco}} ~~\| rowspan="3" \|[[Sporty TV]]~~ \|- \| {{~~LBR~~Flag\|Belgium}} \|- \| {{~~NGA~~Flag\|Georgia}} \| [[Adjarasport]] \|- \| {{HKG}} \| [[:zh:MyTV SUPER\|MYTV Super]] \|- \|[[Indian subcontinent]] \|[[FanCode]] \|- Line 835 ⟶ 854: \| rowspan="2" \|[[Mola (streaming service)\|Mola]] \|- \| {{~~TLS~~Flag\|Timor-Leste}} \|- \| {{~~IRL~~Flag\|Israel}} \| [[Sport 5]] ~~\| rowspan="2" \|[[TNT Sports (United Kingdom)\|TNT Sports]]~~ \|- \| {{~~GBR~~Flag\|Italy}} \| rowspan="4" \|[[Sport Italia]] \|- \| {{Flag\|Vatican City}} \|- \| {{Flag\|San Marino}} \|- \| {{Flag\| Malta}} \|- \| {{JPN}} \| [[~~Abema~~U-Next]] \|- \| {{~~KOR~~Flag\|Liechtenstein}} \| [[~~SPOTV~~Blue Sport]] \|- \| {{MAC}} \| [[Macau Cable]] \|- \| {{~~MYA~~MAS}} \| rowspan="2" \|[[Astro (company)\|Astro]] ~~\| [[Sky Net]]~~ \|- \| {{Flag\|Brunei}} \|- \| {{Flag\|Mexico}} \| rowspan="2" \|[[TUDN]] \|- \|[[Central America]] \|- \| [[Middle East]] \| rowspan="2" \|[[Abu Dhabi Sports]] \|- \| [[North Africa]] \|- \| {{Flag\|Myanmar}} \| [[Sky Net]] \|- \| {{Flag\|Netherlands}} \| [[Ziggo Sport]] \|- \| {{PNG}} \| [[EM TV\|EMTV]] \|- \| {{PHI}} \|[[TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation\|TAP DMV]] ~~\|[[Premier Sports (Philippine TV channel)\|Premier Sports]]~~ \|- \| {{~~SGP~~Flag\|Poland}} \| rowspan="4" \|[[Eurosport]] ~~\|[[StarHub TV]]~~ \|- \| {{Flag\|Slovakia}} \|- \| {{Flag\|Hungary}} \|- \| {{Flag\|Czech Republic}} \|- \| {{Flag\|Russia}} \| rowspan="2" \|[[Match TV]] \|- \| {{Flag\|Belarus}} \|- \| {{SGP}} \| [[StarHub TV]] \|- \|{{ESP}} \| rowspan="2" \|[[LaLiga+]] \|- \|{{Flag\|Andorra}} \|- \| {{KOR}} \| rowspan="3" \|[[SPOTV]] \|- \| {{THA}} \|- ~~\| [[3BB TV]]~~ \| {{Flag\|Mongolia}} \|- \| [[South America]] \| [[Star+]] \|- \| [[Sub-Sahara Africa]] \| [[Sporty TV]] \|- \| {{Flag\|Taiwan}} \| [[ELTA Sports]] \|- \|{{TUR}} \| rowspan="2" \|[[S Sport]] \|- \|{{Flag\|Azerbaijan}} \|- \| {{UK}} \| rowspan="3" \|[[TNT Sports (United Kingdom)\|TNT Sports]] \|- \| {{IRL}} \|- \| {{Flag\|Gibraltar}} \|- \| {{USA}} \| rowspan="2" \|[[ESPN]] \|- \| {{Canada}} \|- \| {{VIE}} \| [[VieON]] \|} Line 892 ⟶ 982: * {{official website}} {{~~AFC~~A-League ~~Leagues~~Men}} {{Navboxes ~~{{A-League}}~~ \| titlestyle = background:#ccccff \| list = {{Soccer in Australia}} {{AFC Leagues}} {{Sports leagues of Australia}} }} [[Category:A-League Men\| ]]