The official fixture list for the upcoming 2016-17 A-League season was released earlier today.
The new campaign begins on the seventh of October with a budding grudge match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, with Round One also highlighted by a Sydney derby at ANZ stadium.
2016-17 will also see a number of games played at periphery grounds, with the Wellington Phoenix set to face Central Coast at Waikato Stadium, Western Sydney at Mt Smart Stadium and Melbourne City at Coffs Harbour, while Melbourne Victory will play their Round 13 match at Simonds Stadium and the Wanderers start life at their new home grounds of Spotless stadium.
As always the announcement sparked a frenzy of fan debate, with A-League onlookers already anxious to see how their respective teams will fare.
Here are the best reactions to come from Twitter regarding the draw:
Download the 2016-17 A-League draw HERE
DISTANCE DERBY IN ROUND TWO HYPE #ALeague #Aleaguedraw
— Cal Behrendt (@CalBehrendt) June 9, 2016
Roar v Victory October 7 is good tie to kick off the 2016/17 season. Will come around quick #aleaguedraw
— Blake (@blake_1986) June 9, 2016
The first five games will show Sydney's early season credentials.. Good way to start! #ALeague #SydneyDerby #aleaguedraw
— md. (@sydneyfc_FTT) June 9, 2016
We play the same teams 3X around the same time of the https://t.co/PpfhMs85mD about an open draw to mix it up! #AleagueDraw
— Paulo Miguel (@paulmiguel6) June 9, 2016
So looks like 2 road trips to see the @WgtnPhoenixFC possibly a third to Hamilton if I can swing it #aleaguedraw #COYN
— Steven Gardner (@deepwebdesign) June 9, 2016
Sydney Derby rd 1 will build for weeks, just hope the hype doesn't disappear come rd 2 and beyond. Neee marquees #aleaguedraw
— Blake (@blake_1986) June 9, 2016
The one major gripe I've regularly had with #ALeague fixtures is teams meeting three times within ~half the season. Not fixed this time.
— Ryan Steele (ライアン) (@Steelinho) June 9, 2016
It’s nice that the Nix haven’t been completely shafted by FFA/Fox this time around. #aleague
— Patrick Barnes (@patrick478) June 9, 2016
Derby first round at ANZ….wow..lets see the turnout.. Will be a big night. #SydneyDerby #AleagueDraw @SydneyFC
— sam (@dude_brick) June 9, 2016
Just Seen The Headlines The @wswanderersfc @SydneyFC #SydneyDerby Opening The #ALeague With A BANG @ANZStadium ⚽️🙌🏼
— SokkaaLife⚽️ (@Kupej) June 9, 2016
S Y D N E Y D E R B Y #RoundOne
🔴⚫️⚽️✈️ #BOOKED 👊🏾#WesternSydney #Wanderers #SydneyDerby #WSWvSYD #Aleague pic.twitter.com/eoU48ua0oZ
— Dougiejam (@Dougiejam) June 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/DeanRosario/status/740735530648801280
Again a missed opportunity to have simultaneous kick-offs on last day, I don't think people realize how big and unique it would be #aleague
— Blayne Treadgold (@BlayneTreadgold) June 9, 2016
Glad to see the Adelaide Friday night kick off time is a bit later this season. @AdelaideUnited #aleague
— Alana-Rose C (@AlanaRose_C) June 9, 2016
I wish there was an option to omit all Etihad games from my membership price. #mvfc #aleague
— James Parkinson (@JamesRParkinson) June 9, 2016
#aleague Overall, the FFA have done a pretty good job with the fixture. On paper some cracking Friday night matches
— crowdiegal (@crowdiegal) June 9, 2016
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