With the overwhelming majority of the 15 bids being of such a considerable standard, should all those preliminary submissions remain by the June 11 deadline for the Release of Request for Proposal, FFA will likely discuss whether to include current bidders in a secondary stage of expansion to a 14 or 16 team competition in the medium-term future. Loading What appears certain already is that this expansion process will already be looking at three entrants for the immediate future given the precarious tenure of Wellington Phoenix. The New Zealand club has two more seasons to run on its licence but, at this stage, appears unlikely to be granted an extension given its poor off-field performances. In the event the Phoenix fold and leave the league, it's likely they will be replaced by one of the bids from the current expansion process. “We started this process looking forward to seeing how many groups would emerge that are genuinely interested in investing in the new clubs and growing the Hyundai A-League. As of last night, we have evidence that the interest is genuine, thoughtful and committed," FFA chief executive David Gallop said. “We look forward to continuing to work with these groups, the existing clubs, member federations and other stakeholders to make expansion a success for the whole of football.”

The volume of submissions has already provided the A-League with a strategic geographic blueprint for its growth. With a varied list of submissions ranging from all states bar the Northern Territory, the 15 expressions of interest has made the first map of what could be the long-term composition of the A-League and potentially the first areas for a possible national second division. Among the 15 candidates to join the A-League are three from Sydney, one from Wollongong, four from greater Melbourne, two from Brisbane, one from Canberra and others from Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Backing an expansion team: Former Premier Morris Iemma. Credit:Louie Douvis Among those bidding from Sydney are Southern Expansion, lead by former Socceroo and media personality Craig Foster and former NSW premier Morris Iemma. The bid is based in Sydney's Sutherland Shire and will draw from a supporter base reaching from St George down to Wollongong. Campbelltown Council is behind a bid for the Macarthur region, while South West Sydney FC is gaining momentum in one of Australia's biggest population growth corridors.

"South West Sydney has got a lot of rich football history," bid leader Gino Marra said. "We are a region that has 880,000 people but don't have a full-time national football team." EXPANDING HORIZONS NEW SOUTH WALES South West Sydney Football Club. Potential venues: Campbelltown Stadium and new stadium near Badgery's Creek.

Pros: Based in New South Wales' biggest population growth corridor and cultural hub of football. Close links with local sporting associations and former NSL clubs, wealthy businesses and centred near Sydney's projected third CBD. Cons: One of two bids in Sydney's south-west, close links with former NSL clubs, won't likely gain support of Western Sydney Wanderers and future stadium plans still uncertain. Southern Expansion. Potential venues: Shark Park and new stadium built in Loftus. Pros: Centred in Australia's largest catchment of registered footballers. Lead by Craig Foster and Morris Iemma, financially backed by wealthy Chinese owners and links with Chinese Super League club.

Cons: Located in a very low population growth corridor of Sydney and in the heart of Sydney FC's biggest membership base. Faced with difficult challenge of uniting three non-aligned regions (St George, Sutherland and Wollongong) . Macarthur Bid. Potential venue: Campbelltown Stadium. Pros: Situated in Sydney's largest population growth corridor and strong player base. Boasting Brett Emerton as an ambassador, home venue locked in and already aligned with local council. Cons: Lack of private funding in early bid stages, competing with another bid within the same region.

Return: Former NSL stalwarts the Wollongong Wolves have put their hand up for an expansion bid. Credit:Andy Zakeli Wollongong Wolves. Venue: WIN Stadium. Pros: Historic brand in a large and tested football market that has no A-League representation. Would provide strong player development pathway. Cons: Small appeal to broadcasters and would require more private funding.

VICTORIA West Melbourne Group Potential venue: New 18,000 seated stadium to be built near Hoppers Crossing. Pros: Based in one of Australia's largest population growth corridors with large number of registered players. Privately funding with plans approved for an 18,000 seated stadium. Cons: No large stand alone CBD in its catchment. Could face resistance from Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.

South Melbourne. Potential venue: Lakeside Stadium. Pros: Recognised and historic brand and existing club that manages its own boutique football stadium. Long history: South Melbourne take on Sydney FC in an FFA Cup semi-final. Credit:AAP Cons: Close ties to Greek community could count against its entrance. Potential issues with public support and private funding.

Team 11. Potential venue: Proposed stadium to be built near Dandenong. Pros: Supported by local council and already boasting Vince Grella and Clint Bolton as ambassadors. Located in a large and defined population of South East Melbourne. Cons: Potentially tapping into supporter bases of Melbourne Victory and City. Stadium funding uncertain yet and its region has far less registered players than rival bids. Belgravia

Potential venue: TBC Pros: Melbourne-based bid lead by Geoff Lord could appeal to broadcasters and assist with player pathways in Australia's second biggest city. Cons: Little is known about this bid submitted at the 11th hour. Point of difference to existing teams unclear. QUEENSLAND Brisbane City.

Potential venue: Upgraded Ballymore. Pros: Historic club already competing in the National Premier Leagues, already gained approval for significant renovations to Ballymore Oval and will alleviate the strains on the bottle neck of player production in Queensland. Cons: Financial instability of Brisbane Roar doesn't strengthen calls for a second team in the city. Could struggle attracting supporters. Gold Coast United. Likely Venue: Cbus Super Stadium.

Pros: Based in Australia's largest city that doesn't have a national football team. Would play a big role in player production in South Queensland and North NSW. Cons: Named after the failed A-League side that collapsed in 2012. Located in the graveyard of Australian support. Would likely struggle for supporters. Potential return: Gold Coast United's first stint in the A-League wasn't exactly successful. Credit:Johnathan Carroll Western Pride/Ipswich. Potential venue: Upgraded North Ipswich reserve.

Pros: Existing NPL club based in a large population growth corridor of Brisbane. Could tap into an unserviced football market and provide point of difference to Brisbane Roar. Cons: Small stadium and untested region, could struggle for supporters and not appeal to broadcasters. TASMANIA Tasmania United. Potential venues: Upgraded North Hobart Oval or new Stadium built in North Hobart.

Pros: Large population that has no national football team of any code. Local, state and federal government support, backing from big business, plans for a purpose-built football stadium and potential Pay TV appeal. Cons: Small football participation base, untested market, geographic isolation increasing travel costs for other teams and potentially unappealing for Free To Air broadcasters. ACT Canberra bid Potential venue: Canberra Stadium and potential new stadium in Civic.

Pros: National capital of 400,000 people yet to be represented in the A-League. It would provide a player pathway to elite football from a considerable registered player base. Appealing to investors with close ties to government. Cons: Canberra Stadium is not the best venue, won't be the biggest appeal to broadcasters and could struggle for a large supporter base. WESTERN AUSTRALIA Fremantle City. Potential venue: NIB Stadium.

Pros: Would provide a much needed second player pathway for Western Australian youth, could potentially benefit Perth Glory by providing a rival. Cons: Would considerably increase travel costs associated to the A-League, could pose hurdles for broadcasters and lack of independent venue would blur its point of difference with the Glory. SOUTH AUSTRALIA Adelaide bid. Potential venue: New small stadium in Kilburn.