Despite the best efforts of Australian football's relentless rumour mill, the jewel in the crown of the A-League's newest club is coming.

That is, at least, what competition boss Greg O'Rourke firmly believes after catching up this week with Western United powerbrokers, including club chairman Jason Sourasis and chief executive Chris Pehlivanis.

Western United have a temporary home at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong while they wait for work to start on their proposed permanent base in Tarneit. Credit:Getty Images

So close is the green light for Western United's proposed $150 million, privately-funded boutique stadium in Tarneit that O'Rourke has spoken to the club about how to manage the "shovel moment" – as in, who to invite and how to engage media to appropriately cover the turning of the first sod at 1160 Sayers Road in Melbourne's outer west, which will probably happen early in the New Year.

The Hairdryer is aware of at least one Football Federation Australia director who is seriously concerned by the amount of time it has taken Western United to move on their stadium plans, while figures at other clubs are openly sceptical about what has been promised.