It's grand final day for the NSW competition on Sunday. If the weather gods are kind, up to 6000 fans could descend on Leichhardt Oval to see whether Blacktown City or Sydney United can claim the state championship. These two storied former NSL clubs set the pace in the NSW National Premier League this season, so it's entirely fitting they'll be contesting the showpiece occasion. The broader brush, though, is whether anyone that matters really cares.

The relevance, context, and future of second-tier competitions around the country is a hot-button issue everywhere except where it counts. Put it this way, it will be interesting to see how many FFA trumps, or A-League coaches, show up at Leichhardt. Don't expect miracles.

Succesful transition: Jai Ingham celebrates after scoring a goal for Melbourne Victory against Juventus. Credit:Robert Cianflone

Truth is, in the boardroom of the FFA more time, money, and energy is being expended on keeping Tim Cahill happy than building a viable pathway for the 81 semi-pro clubs (excluding A-League reserve teams) who make up the eight NPL competitions stretching from Cairns to Hobart to Perth. Those 81 clubs, in theory at least, represent the vast majority of the stakeholders of the game.

In the bootrooms of A-League clubs, there's equal indifference to the quality, and potential, of the 1620-odd players and 160 accredited coaches who work in trying conditions to produce a product which deserves a lot more respect than it gets.