THE FRONTRUNNERS

MACARTHUR SOUTH WEST SYDNEY

The merger of two bids from Sydney's southwest has pushed this one into outright favouritism. The stadium is there, an impressive investment group led by billionaire property baron Lang Walker has been assembled, and the region has a rich football pedigree. Hard to see them missing out.

TEAM 11

The standout Victorian bid. Based in Melbourne's southeast, a hugely multicultural area that does not have its own professional sporting team. Big unresolved question is whether the Victorian government will pay for a stadium in Dandenong - but all indications are that if they're successful, it will happen.

IN THE MIX

SOUTHERN EXPANSION

The Chinese-backed bid covering the Sutherland Shire, St George and Illawarra is believed to have dropped back in the reckoning. Their plan to play home games out of three different stadiums has not been well received.

WESTERN MELBOURNE GROUP

A cashed-up consortium has pledged to build and fund its own stadium on vacant land in Tarneit, nearly an hour's drive west of the Melbourne CBD. Has strong council support but while their target market is a huge growth corridor, it might be a little too premature for an A-League team.

THE OUTSIDERS

SOUTH MELBOURNE

The former NSL giants have wanted an A-League spot since day one. Passionate fanbase and a perfect boutique venue in Lakeside Stadium. If successful it'd be a powerful olive branch from 'new football' to 'old soccer' - but do they have the financial capacity to match other bids?

CANBERRA

Intending to cover not just Canberra and the wider 'capital region' but parts of southern and inland NSW too. Appears to have ticked most of the boxes, but the desire for more big-market teams from FFA and Fox will be too strong. Next time.

WOLLONGONG

Another former NSL team, the Wolves have been engaged in a cold war with Southern Expansion, who want to include the Illawarra as part of their catchment area. Have gone quiet since the departure of chief executive Chris Papakosmos, which isn't a promising sign.

BRISBANE CITY

Looking unlikely, despite being the leading bid from Queensland. Proposed home ground Ballymore badly needs a renovation but noise out of the Queensland government suggests it won't be happening just yet. Next time.

WESTERN PRIDE/IPSWICH

Precious little is known about this bid. They have not made any public declarations and don't have a stadium. Safe to cross them off the list.