All of a sudden, the Australian football market is hot property. Ripe for profit, ripe for exploitation. Over the next few months, seven big European clubs will descend on our shores – filling stadiums over nine games in four cities which the spin doctors will present as a win for the Australian game. Truth is, the local game will be lucky to get away with a draw.

Two years ago, Liverpool came to Melbourne, filled the MCG, and walked away with a $10 million profit. Now the Reds are on the way back, along with AS Roma, Villareal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid. It's an impressive list, and, yes, an exciting one.

Out of this world: Chelsea star Eden Hazard. Credit:AP

But please don't tell me there are any altruistic motives. What Liverpool showed is that there's good money to be made in Australia – the sort of money that interests even the biggest clubs in the world. That's why these clubs are embarking on a sweep through the country which some estimates suggest will generate around $45m in revenue. How much of that money stays here to re-invest in the Australian game? Maybe 10 per cent.

Football's global appeal is, of course, both a strength and a weakness. Certainly, the likes of AFL, rugby league and rugby union envy football's worldwide reach.