Over the last seven years, the A-League has been a promotion and relegation free zone, and with talk of a second division now on the back-burner, the system is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

While this has ensured last-placed clubs remain in the competition, it has taken away some of the end of season drama seen in other leagues around the world.

In lieu of this, former Socceroo Oscar Crino said the A-League can afford to be even more adventurous.

And to achieve this, coaches should be backed in this approach by owners.

“We have a league that is starting to be respected by the whole of the Australian sports market,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com

“It’s an ongoing process that has to evolve and we shouldn’t let that stop. But it needs to be accelerated on the pitch.

“I think the coaches should be given a bit more rein, given the fact there is no relegation in the league.

“They should be given the reins to be a bit more adventurous and try things out and overall push a far more attacking outcome in every single game.”

He argued that in the long-term this will help the league by making it an even more marketable commodity.

Argentine-born Crino was one of the Socceroo greats of the 1980s playing 70 times and scoring 12 goals for the green and gold.

His silky skills and entertaining style and vision across midfield made him a fan favourite at national team and club level with South Melbourne.

Crino, one of the first AIS football graduates, is a regular A-League watcher at Melbourne Victory games.

“Brisbane Roar has shown us you can play well and be successful at the same time,” he added. “The results have to come through just sheer positivity, so to speak.

“Maybe the coaches need to back themselves or have people behind the scenes backing them and let them have that free rein.

“And now that people are following the game and the league has a good structure in place, pitches are fantastic there’s no reason why the game can’t take that next level up.”

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