Among the eager throng are familiar bids from former NSL heavyweights South Melbourne, Wollongong Wolves and Brisbane City, but there's going to be a lot of new faces at the first day of school.

Bids from Dandenong's Team 11, Southern NSW's Southern Expansion, Fremantle City, Canberra, South West Sydney, Geelong's Victoria Patriots and West Melbourne are also on the table, while there's also a rumoured bid from Tasmania.  

City's major rival, Brisbane Strikers, recently withdrew their bid due to "uncertainty" regarding FFA's expansion criteria, however they are, so-far, the only club to do so. 

Between four and six bids will be shortlisted by FFA next month and asked to submit detailed proposals, which will allow FFA to scrutinise funding and board arrangements, among other factors.

FFA will then announce the decision in October, allowing two successful clubs one-year in preparation before the commencement of the 2019/20 A-League season with 12 clubs.