A-League clubs have submitted their 2016-17 fixture wishlists and negotiations with HQ are intensifying with a final schedule just weeks away. MATT WINDLEY says the time has come for bold thinking and big ideas as the national soccer league looks to make ground in a crowded landscape.

1 DON’T RUSH IN

With Socceroos games on Thursday, October 6 (away to Saudi Arabia) and the following Tuesday (Japan at home), don’t crowd the marketplace. Last season’s launch got horribly lost among internationals and the AFL and NRL grand final wash-up.

Starting a week later not only ensures clubs won’t have Socceroo absences, but also allows for clean air.

2 MCG DERBY

Do it early in the season and split the profits between City and Victory. It’s not a great soccer venue, but the event would create a huge buzz and surely break attendance records. The first Sydney derby next season will be at ANZ Stadium. Why can’t Melbourne’s showpiece be moved to its biggest venue?

3 GRAND FINAL MOMENTUM

Adelaide should capitalise on its grand final momentum by playing a grand final rematch against the Wanderers at Adelaide Oval. Source: News Corp Australia

A-League has to convert the 50,000-strong grand final crowd at Adelaide Oval to regulars. But that’s hard considering Coopers Stadium holds only 16,500. United already plays one Adelaide Oval game a season, but let’s make that at least two? Start with a grand final rematch against Western Sydney in Round 1 or 2, then play another big club there once the cricket pitch is gone late in the season.

4 FLOOD THE HOLIDAYS

Big Bash cricket monopolises the summer holiday period with games pretty much every night.

The A-League has to follow suit.

5 SOCCER MARATHON

Play one round in one day. Give it a go on the December 27 public holiday, starting in Wellington and finishing in Perth.

6 FOLLOW THE HOLIDAY-MAKERS

Geelong, Wollongong, Gold Coast. When these venues are used, make sure it’s during the holidays to maximise crowds.

7 FFA CUP-STYLE ROUND

Why couldn’t this work with a midweek, late-season round? Even Round 27. Cover the main game with cutaways to the goals at the other venues. It’d make for great theatre, but for those who want to see their team’s game in full, they could be available via Fox Sports’ red button.

8 W-LEAGUE DOUBLE-UP

It can’t happen every week, but there needs to be more W-League/A-League double-headers.

The Melbourne and Sydney derbies are obvious targets.

9 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

If the Friday night game remains the only free-to-air match, it needs to involve two big clubs playing in front of big crowds. If that means Friday becomes the domain of the Melbourne clubs, the Sydney clubs, Adelaide and Brisbane, then so be it. Poor teams playing in empty venues is rubbish.

10 FLEXIBILITY

Last season’s fixture was the kindest yet for Asian Champions League teams, but more can be done. You can’t have teams arriving home from Asia on a Friday and then kitting up on Saturday. Once the Champions League draw is done in December, surely some fixture switches can be made.