Tom Rogic produces the fairytale for Celtic, and back in Canberra his nursery club Tuggeranong United are bursting with pride. More evidence, as if it's needed, that the development pathway needs to be broad and deep. It's why the push for a national second division is gathering steam, whether Football Federation Australia likes it or not. A new tier of professional football is on the way in 2018 because the time has come. Rogic underlines that.

Now a Celtic hero, and a Socceroos great-in-waiting, Rogic always had the talent but struggled for opportunity. Missed by the 'system' - overlooked in his hometown by the AIS, forced to cut his teeth in the local NPL with ANU and then Belconnen United, before being shopped around the A-League until Central Coast Mariners finally took the punt. There's no perfect pathway to the top, but the key is trying to make sure the good ones don't slip through the net like Rogic almost did.

That's what enlarging the professional footprint does. It's not the only reason - but it remains a significant one - behind the drive for a nationwide competition below the 10-team A-League. Australia's biggest participation sport continues to be suffocated by a lack of opportunity. Developmentally, commercially, intrinsically.

A new second-tier will unleash the potential. The FFA still doesn't seem sure, and remains in a self-induced state of paralysis. So others are moving ahead with a plan. Don't think enthusiasm has ebbed away because the issue has disappeared from the news cycle. The push for a second division is about to hit the headlines again.