A fascinating trend that's developed over the A-League's short history is how the balance of power has swung between Melbourne and Sydney - the two, theoretical, powerhouse clubs - and the rest.
The champions of the first two A-League seasons took a backseat in the third season, before returning to the fore with championships in 2008-09 (Melbourne Victory) and their penalty shootout showdown in 2009-10, which went the way of Sydney.
With last season's swing away from the reigning grand finalists to Brisbane Roar and Central Coast, we should, if historical patterns are any guide, see a return to the fore by the powerhouses, helped by their recent Asian Champions League campaigns - pre-pre-season lead-ups into this coming A-League season, in effect.
But it is in Melbourne where the promise truly lies - on and off the field. The confirmation of Mehmet Durakovic as head coach and the arrival of Francis Awaritefe as the new football director is the culmination of significant leadership changes at Victory, heralding the arrival of a new era post-Ernie Merrick.
This new look Melbourne Victory - football department and all, backed by what appears to be an ambitious new board - is charged with two key tasks: appease their fans after last season's differences of opinion between club (and FFA) and fans over overzealous security amongst other issues, and playing the attractive football they're talking up ("Barcelona" has been heard at Victory press conferences) while keeping the winning culture going. There's also the matter of changing the rough and tumble reputation that developed under Kevin Muscat's captaincy.
The addition of Jean Carlos Solorzano, Isaka Cernak and Marco Rojas in particular are strong signings, adding depth and, in Rojas's case, giving Victory an injection of pace and excitement that may have been lacking as a result of Carlos Hernandez's slowing legs. With the Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp duo still capable of doing some damage, not to mention the game changing signing of Harry Kewell increasingly likely; Victory will boast the most exciting attacking firepower in the A-League's history.
Over at Heart, the addition of Fred and David Williams gives the sophomores an injection of much-needed depth and vibrancy to their attack - replacing the retired John Aloisi and departed Gerald Sibon. Throw in Jason Hoffman - hitting his strides, as witnessed by his brace for the Olyroos - Eli Babalj, Alex Terra and former Victory youngster Mate Dugandžic, and there's a lot of promise at Heart.
Looking at their squads and aggressiveness in the market, both clubs should be in finals contention this season. How far they have closed in on Brisbane and Central Coast remains to be seen, but what's interesting is the question of how the competition within their own market is driving this aggressiveness.
Having to fight for their share of Melbourne means Victory and Heart - with no geographical differentiation - have to go on the front foot. There is too much to lose for both clubs at this delicate phase of their rivalry's development to give too much away to their counterparts; to play an unattractive brand of football relative to their same-town rivals; let alone struggling at the foot of the table when the other club occupying the same stadium is winning regularly.
The rivalry is still too new; points of differentiation too few to name for loyalties to be locked in. Heart still have the potential to nab a significant number of Victory fans and vice versa. One could argue the European brand of possession football Heart tried to play in their debut season has prompted this change in direction at Victory. Either way, both clubs are upping the ante. It's a motivator other A-League clubs could certainly do with.
Last season's three Melbourne derbies were the perfect launch for the rivalry - the newbies winning the first, established Victory bouncing back in the second, and the third ending in a draw. A win apiece and a draw left things beautifully balanced, while 24 yellow and two red cards in those three games, including that Kevin Muscat tackle on Adrian Zahra, planted the seeds for true disdain between the clubs' respective fans.
As more chapters are added to the derby, the rivalry will naturally evolve and grow - fuelling each club to strive harder for superiority in Melbourne. The Melbourne derby, if it hasn't already, will become the showpiece matches of the A-League home and away season. 81,187 fans in attendance across those three derbies last season suggest it already could be.
Throw Harry Kewell into the mix - with his public profile unmatched by any Australian footballer - and Melbourne will become the epicentre of the A-League going forward, without any doubt.
