A-Leagues rule change to weight wins over goal difference on ladder blasted by Robbie Slater

Socceroos legend Robbie Slater has blasted the A-Leagues decision to change how they determine ladder positions, which has cost undefeated Melbourne Victory top spot.

A controversial move which has robbed Melbourne Victory from top spot on the A-Leagues ladder, despite being undefeated, has been blasted by Socceroos legend Robbie Slater as “ridiculous”.

The rule change, which fans knew nothing about until it was pointed out on social media at the weekend, means when teams are level on points preference will be given to the number of wins over the goal difference.

While goal difference will be used if the points and number of wins are tied.

Every other league in the world uses the goal difference system.

This masthead understands that coaches were also unaware of the change in rules – despite the season being almost at the halfway point.

The rule change was spotted by a savvy fan and shared on X at the weekend – questioning why Victory were on top of the ladder if their rules stated wins took preference.

Shortly after the ladder was altered and Victory dumped to second place behind Wellington Phoenix.

Wellington Phoenix are now top of the table after the rule change. Picture: Getty Images

The move doesn’t just affect the top of the table either – Newcastle Jets who have 12 points (three wins, -2 goal difference) have been dropped to 10th – behind Sydney FC who have 12 points but four wins and a goal difference of negative four.

With three points separating the teams sitting in fourth to tenth the rule change could have a massive impact on which teams get to play finals football.

Oi, @aleaguemen, we @WgtnPhoenixFC are top. Do you know your own rules? pic.twitter.com/3EWQbEp1LN

— Kaiser Chief Italian (@KaiserChiefy) December 31, 2023

“That’s just ridiculous and absurd,” Slater said.

“Victory are undefeated, that’s how good they are at the moment.

“It’s very hard not to get beaten in this league and they’re unbeaten. And the games they’ve drawn, they could’ve won.”

The league’s broadcaster wasn’t event aware with seasoned commentator Simon Hill stating: “We were unaware too. Unbelievable. Anyway, belated congrats to Wellington Phoenix – it appears you were top going into 2024!”

Slater said he couldn’t think of one reason why the change would be made.

“The whole point is you just stick to what the rest of world are doing, there is a good reason for it,” Slater said.

“If you look at things that might be wrong with the A-League, and there’s a lot you can pick from, that is not one of them. Why muck around with what the rest of the world does.

“Where has the inspiration come from for that?

“I’m pretty sure it’s not a football person’s idea that has come up with this.

“Don’t fix what’s not broken.

“I can’t remember in my time in the game in the A-League and the national soccer league before that, no one has come up to me with that as an idea.

“If they’re equal on points but had more wins they should be on top. No one has ever said that.”

It’s ridiculous that head coaches didn’t even know about the rule change. APL should’ve gone public before changing the rules. You think they would’ve learnt after the Grand Final debacle but obviously not

— B 🇵🇸 (@JaviLopezSZN) January 2, 2024

APL published a statement on its website on Tuesday afternoon which stated the rule change had been made during the offseason.

“In the off-season, the APL increased its ladder sorting rules from a 5 step to an 11 step criteria to reduce the chance of clubs being tied at the end of the regular season,” the statement read.

“The A-Leagues regulations are reviewed annually to make sure we put the most compelling product on the pitch. We consult with stakeholders and look at similarly constructed leagues around the world before making decisions.

Melbourne Victory will have to settle for second spot, for now. Picture: Getty Images

“Communicated to clubs before the start of the season, the new criteria places a greater emphasis on a club’s total number of wins to encourage more attacking football and to increase the number of matches that matter through the season.

“The new criteria shown below details total number of wins and then highest goal difference as the top two determining factors used as a tie-breaker when teams have the same points tally.

“All A-Leagues Competition Regulations and Policies go through a robust review and approval process and final documentation is circulated to parties involved including A-League Clubs.

“A technical error – which has now been rectified – had led to the league tables showing incorrectly on aleagues.com.au for the opening rounds of the 2023-24 season.”

Slater isn’t the only one confused by the move.

One fan took to X to vent his frustrations.

“Completely unnecessary rule change, everyone knew the old way, APL obvs just like making changes no one wants,” he wrote.

“But what makes it so much worse is no one, not even their own website or broadcaster, knew about it until this tweet 10 rounds into the season.”

Another questioned why the APL hadn’t announced the change, especially after the backlash from their decision to sell the hosting rights to the grand final last season.

“It’s ridiculous that head coaches didn’t even know about the rule change. APL should’ve gone public before changing the rules. You think they would’ve learnt after the Grand Final debacle but obviously not,” they shared on X.

Originally published as A-Leagues rule change to weight wins over goal difference on ladder blasted by Robbie Slater