After a dream week for Football Federation Australia that coincided with the start of formal negotiations with potential new broadcast partners, Tim Cahill provided the icing on the cake with a 35-metre strike that could prove invaluable at the negotiation table.

It took Tim Cahill just 27 minutes into his A-League debut for Melbourne City to make the club's near $4 million joint outlay with the FFA seem like a wise investment. His wonder goal in the Melbourne derby on Saturday night showed why the most notable name in Australian football is also the game's best advertisement, providing a new sales pitch to attract sponsors and broadcasters.

Some will debate that it's not the best goal that Cahill has scored, but it could become the most important as the veteran boosted the value of the A-League's broadcast rights with one swift strike.

Having failed to lure any big-name players to Australia during this transfer window, the FFA and City put all their eggs in one basket with the signing of Cahill in their bid to attract a major network and bumper TV deal for the future seasons. It was a gamble that may have paid off as Cahill's incredible long-range goal was struck before a full house at Etihad Stadium and in front of the prospective new broadcast partners.