“Connecting the A-League with the entire football community - because if we do that, we’ll be unstoppable.

“We’ve got the biggest base of participants in the country.

"Everything is a little disconnected at the moment.

“I don’t care if we’re not the number one sport, I just want the game to fulfill its potential. 

"And as I’ve said many times before we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of the game’s potential.

“If it doesn’t work you can always you can always be tweaked but I like the fact that at least James Johnson [FFA CEO] is thinking outside the square and try to find solutions.”

A-League star and Socceroo defender Matthew Jurman likes what Hill has to say on the topic.

The Wanderers A-League star believes fans will love football being played at a higher tempo for longer in games. 

“I think it’s good what Simon is saying,” Jurman tells FTBL.

“We can’t be afraid of other sports because they play around that time.

“I think it’s reached a point where we need to back ourselves as a game as the A-League, and take it to other sports in that in the country and give it a good shakeup.

“The biggest number of kids in Australia playing sport are all playing football.

 

A-League players from the Wanderers celebrate with their fans

“There are A-League fans out there, it’s just being able to market the game and try and get these families and grassroots kids in and get them to games.

“We have to change something to make sure these fans are coming back and fans coming on board.

“As a player I think you gonna get a better brand of football when you’re playing in the winter months.

“In winter you as a player you feel you can give it a good 90 minutes at your peak, during the summer you can be at your peak and it’s not easy with very tough conditions.

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“You’re gonna get a better brand of A-League football playing in winter.”

Former A-League coach and Fulham FC assistant Scott Miller conceded summer A-League football was a huge challenge.

“There is no doubt that it [the heat in summer] affects the speed of the A-League over the course of the season.

“So, I can certainly see the benefit from the players’ perspective on how the switch would impact their physical capacity on match day.”

But the Victorian coach, who managed A-League club Newcastle Jets in 2015 for one season, adds a note of caution.

“I’m not convinced that switching from summer to winter will be the answer we are all looking for, regarding the standard of play, commercial value, and broadcast exposure.

“However it will bring the A-League in line with the NPL and Asia ensuring the competitions are consistent across all leagues.

“I am cautious about the decision as I do feel that there are a number of other areas that need to be addressed before switching the time of year of the A-League.

“My view is a fresh mentality needs to be instilled," Miller added.

"A culture shift from the past and opportunity for new talent with ambition and fresh ideas whilst fostering young Australian talented player is of most importance to the future of Australian football.”