The Jets and Mariners kick off their respective inaugural ACL campaigns in exactly three months time.

And as coach of the Coast Lawrie McKinna tells au.fourfourtwo.com, both clubs will be given a hand by rival clubs and the national governing body.

"With logistics, Melbourne's been very helpful, they've sent us a report of what they did," he said.

Victory played against Gamba Osaka, Chonburi and Chunnam Dragons in the group stage but failed to qualify for the knockout round.

"And FFA and Adelaide will be working with us with all their international travel and giving as much help as they can to us and the Jets so we're prepared properly to go to these countries," McKinna added.

The draw for the 2009 ACL is set for 7 January in UAE. After the success of the Reds in 2008, Australian football is now aware of the prestige the ACL provides.

The revamped ACL in 2009 will introduce 30 clubs from 10 countries with direct entry into the group stage, as well as two clubs who qualify through the playoffs.

And the 3+1 rule means each ACL team can field a maximum of four foreign players, one of whom must be from an Asian country.

A total of 32 teams (16 from West Asia and 16 from East Asia) will be divided into eight groups, four for each part of the continent.

The top two teams from each of the eight groups will qualify for the knockout Round of 16, which is being introduced for the first time in June.

All the Round of 16 matches will be hosted by the respective group toppers and the final (one-leg) will be held in Tokyo.

What's more, Qatari company Qtel will sponsor the AFC Champions League from 2009-2012. However, insiders say that despite the increased prize-money, it's still difficult to make significant money on the tournament – at least in its earliest stages.

It's said to have cost Melbourne Victory over $50,000 for one of their trips to Asia in 2008. With $30,000 per win next season that still equates to a loss.

And there are other issues too. The Jets and Mariners can be scouted by their opposition but practically every ACL-country league is in recess.

"The big problem is that you've got to start planning now but we don't know who we're going to play till January," said McKinna.

"We know we're going to China, Korea and Japan, but we don't actually know who we're going to play, and their seasons are all finished so we can't watch them play.

"So we've got to start looking ahead but not too much because we don't know who we're playing or where we're going.

"Hopefully we get the grand final on February 28 and the first Asian Champions League is the week after. Then we've got a three week break, then it's every fortnight after that."

McKinna is hopeful the Coast's link with Sheffield United can lead to some new signings ahead of the club's launch into Asia.

He added: "We'll have to take the opportunity to get some players registered as well for the ACL and the next A-League season as well. We're open to that.

"We're talking to Sheffield United at the moment maybe they can help us with some players."