AUSTRALIAN football’s longest off-season is finally over and, if the excitement of the hysterical Under 13s team scoffing sugar lollies and squealing in high-pitched, ear drum-piercing voices in front of us is anything to go by, people are excited.

Clearly 1200-odd people in Brisbane were, turning out in energy-sapping 34-degree heat to see Roar Women take on Canberra United Women in a grand final rematch.

Roar Women went 3-0 up on their cooler territory counterparts in what proved an assured and dominant on-pitch display. But it was still an entertaining match to watch, not least because of the characters emerging on and off the pitch.

Most notable-and visible-was pint-sized Taiwanese international Shu O Tseng, whose iridescent purple mop of hair was matched by her fierce, terrier-like tenacity, which saw her getting under everyone's feet and in the middle of every action. Expect purple-haired groupies to appear within the week.

And while pre-season promotional material undersold season two by promising more of the same football with style, it's proving to be same same but different.

The relatively unchanged Roar Women, which boasts around 10 Matildas players, looks to be similarly strong to season one's team. But their youth are starting to take the reigns, with 20-year-old workhorse Clare Polkinghorne being awarded the captaincy.

Meanwhile former New South Welshwoman Jo Burgess, who last year trained with Roar Women but played for Sydney FC Women, has entered the sunshine state fold.

Canberra United Women too are investing in the youth, with up-and-comers Emily van Egmond (who is also the daughter of former Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond) and speedy Dubbo twins Nicole and Ashleigh Sykes (whose participation in the Dubbo men's league caused controversy) joining the ranks.

Kara Mowbray, who carved up Canberra's opposition in season one, has joined Melbourne Victory Women, who posted a convincing 2-0 victory over Perth Glory Women in their opening (albeit un-televised) match.

Sarah Walsh, Lydia Williams, Heather Garriock, Lisa de Vanna, and Collette McCallum have returned from their on-season in the American WPS during the W-League's off-season ready to implement and impart the skills they picked up playing against some of the world's best.

And newly appointed Governor-General and former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Quentin Bryce has lent her support to the W-League by agreeing to become its patron (whether that involves her getting her kit and game face on to get out and kick the ball is yet to be determined).

But perhaps the greatest difference between seasons one and two is the inclusion of some international players hailing from the USA, Denmark, and Taiwan.

Shu O Tseng's distinct hair colour might make her the most immediately identifiable, but each international adds an element of the unknown to the W-League. Canberra signed two Taiwanese, including Tseng, Sydney recruited two players from Denmark, and the Central Coast picked up three from the USA, adding a dark horse element to all three teams' play.

Indeed, Roar Women might have the homegrown talent and the early ladder lead, but the teams with internationals have overseas experience the advantage of surprise, which could ensure that season two is not same same at all.