A-League v EPL: Australian football’s growing momentum is taking the shine off EPL, writes Robbie Slater

DRIVEN by the big clubs firing and the phenomenon of Tim Cahill returning home, the future is looking bright for the A-League if it can maintain the current momentum, writes Robbie Slater.

Milos Ninkovic of Sydney FC controls the ball during the round two A-League match between Sydney FC and the Central Coast

Like so many Australian football fans, I get into some serious debate and banter with my mates over the weekend action when we catch up.

But I was taken by surprise the other day when one, who once swore he’d never bother watching a game of A-League, couldn’t stop raving about Sydney FC star Milos Ninkovic and how much he’s enjoyed every game the Sky Blues have played this year.

I couldn’t believe it!

This was a bloke who, before this season, had never watched a game of our domestic competition. Yet, here he was, telling me that Ninkovic was the type of creative player that he used to enjoy watching at Arsenal.

That was interesting, because with that same group of friends, we used to always debate what was going on in the Premier League, so I was also surprised when I quizzed my mate on his reaction to Arsenal’s draw at Manchester United a few weeks back and he replied: “Yeah, I heard, but I didn’t see it.”

After the romance of Leicester last season, the Premier League has returned to type with the big clubs flexing their muscles, and as a result, we’ve got a title race that you couldn’t safely predict with any certainty.

It is going to be thrilling. But, you wouldn’t know.

The conversation is changing in Australian football — and the Premier League’s loss is the A-League’s gain. Instead of the fans losing out in this changing landscape, they’ve decided to ­direct their attention to the A-League more than ever before.

Having previously neglected what was on offer on their own doorstep, fans are embracing the domestic competition in greater numbers, and, from conversations I’ve been having, they’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality, speed and competitiveness that A-League fans have long enjoyed.

Driven by the big clubs firing and the phenomenon of Tim Cahill returning home, the future is looking bright for the league if it can maintain the current wave of momentum, which is delivering strong TV ratings and attendances.

Tim Cahill’s presence in the A-League has helped boost TV ratings and attendances. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Many of the current generation of football fans fell in love with the Premier League influenced by the viewing habits of their parents. My old man was certainly a huge influence on me and my love of Liverpool!

But if the next generation of fans can’t see it, they won’t watch it. Simple. The fact is, the Premier League has become invisible since it went to Optus.

It might not happen overnight, but before long, more and more kids will be associating with A-League icons, your ­Fornarolis and Maclarens, for example, as much if not more than your Premier League stars like Coutinho or Hazard.

Whatever happens in the future, we have a new audience.

That’s a win for the A-League.