Geelong a contender to join an expanded A-League

ANOTHER Victorian region has emerged as a genuine contender to join the A-League, as the FFA revealed it would open an official expansion bidding process “early next year”.

Melbourne Victory take on the Central Coast Mariners at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium.

GEELONG has emerged as a genuine contender to join the A-League, as Football Federation Australia revealed on Tuesday they would open an official expansion bidding process “early next year”.

At least seven expansion bidders have expressed interest, with the Herald Sun yesterday revealing that South Melbourne will submit a formal bid.

FFA had ruled out growing the 10-team league until chief executive David Gallop confirmed expansion was back on the agenda at the 2016-17 season launch.

MORE: Time for Lowy Jr to make his mark

MORE: South Melbourne’s bid to be next A-League club

Since, a Tasmanian consortium and existing clubs Brisbane Strikers and West Adelaide have stated their intent to apply, while North Queensland Fury, Canberra and Wollongong have reinstated their desire to join.

An FFA spokesman said that the expansion framework was being developed.

“As has been previously announced, FFA is currently developing plans to expand the A-League,’’ an FFA spokesman said.

“FFA can confirm it has received a number of inquiries from consortia interested in FFA’s expansion plans for the A-League.

Melbourne Victory take on the Central Coast Mariners at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium.

“At this stage FFA have advised any interested parties who have made contact that a framework for expansion will be completed early next year which will allow them to submit expressions of interest in a framework which focuses on the viability of the proposed franchise and its ability to provide benefits to the A-League and the game.’’

The Herald Sun can reveal that a meeting took place five months ago between representatives of a Geelong consortium and FFA, when expansion wasn’t in the pipeline.

Subsequent conversations have taken place with the Geelong council, the State Government and the Kardinia Park Trust, who run Simonds Stadium, however the Geelong group has kept a low profile and is refusing to comment amid uncertainty around the FFA’s expansion strategy.

It’s understood that FFA heavyweights have privately said they favour Geelong and South Sydney as expansion areas.

A fertile breeding ground, Socceroos Matthew Spiranovic, Josip Skoko, Steve Horvat, Adrian Leijer, Kris Trajanovski, Croatian international Joey Didulica and NSL players Adrian and David Cervinski all hail from Geelong.

FFA focused on a new TV broadcast deal for the A-League, with chief executive David Gallop holding talks with Free-to-Air networks in recent weeks as well as Optus and Bein Sports.

The Tasmania bid is financially backed by former Melbourne Victory board members Harry Stamoulis and Robert Belteky, with support from the state government.

South Melbourne, which was voted Oceania team of the 20th century, is confident of drawing 10,000 each week at Lakeside Stadium, where they have a 40-year lease.

Originally published as Geelong a contender to join an expanded A-League