Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne says the level of playing talent injected into the A-League this year is as much responsible for the growing interest in the local competition as is the usual peaking in the sport's popularity around World Cups.
With the World Cup in Qatar just 24 days away, football fans in Australia are as invested in the sport as ever and that is spilling over into the A-League.
The additions of former Manchester United star Nani at Melbourne Victory and ex EPL striker Charlie Austin at Brisbane Roar have caught the imagination of fans.