The ACT government is only providing the Mariners with a subsidy for one game, with the Central Coast taking on the financial risk of the other. Barr said Capital Football, soccer's governing body in the ACT, would need to drive any long-term deal, which would be dependent on this summer's games being a success. The Mariners played two games at Canberra Stadium in 2009, with an average crowd of about 5000. Barr said the facilities and capacity of Canberra Stadium made it much easier for the Mariners to turn a profit from games than the Giants can at Manuka, which means the government does not have to pay as much for game. He said the only exception was for games where more tickets could be sold at a venue elsewhere – like a Socceroos game.

"We're pleased [the Mariners] want to do more and they're looking at the success of the Giants model as a way forward and are prepared to take some financial risk themselves," Barr told Fairfax Media. "Clearly Canberra Stadium is a better venue, in terms of its amenity and revenue-earning capacity than Manuka, so I imagine when you compare it with their venue on the Central Coast it stacks up pretty well. "I think it makes financial sense, particularly if they can get the sort of crowds that they're looking for. I hope people get behind the Phoenix game this year and the Adelaide game next year. "[Capital Football are] very keen to pursue longer-term relations with the Mariners. If the fixtures are successful and well supported then the revenue that comes from Canberra Stadium should make it a pretty good commercial proposition. "It's a much better venue from a hirer's perspective, in terms of the corporate and other facilities, than Manuka Oval is. It has much greater capacity. If they're outrageously successful maybe they'll get 25,000 to an A-League game."

Football Federation Australia has put the kibosh on Canberra having its own A-League team in the foreseeable future, so Barr wants the Mariners to provide a pathway to elite soccer. The lack of an A-League team means there is not a defined pathway for male players out of the ACT, although Capital Football has plans for a team in the National Youth League. Canberra United provides a pathway for women to the W-League and beyond. "I think it helps that the FFA are supportive and the longer-term path needs to lead to opportunities, particularly for junior talent, to find its way into the A-League," Barr said. "I think there's significant opportunity there if that's the viable path in terms of A-League opportunity.

"I know Capital Football is interested in a Youth League team and ensuring Canberra United are also appropriately supported in the W-League. "It seems to be a very sensible way to grow football in the Canberra region."