The exits suggest the gap between the National Premier Leagues and top tier is closing, with six of the eliminated A-League sides exiting at the hands of their semi pro outfits.
With uncertainty still hovering over the A-League with the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations between the APL and PFA at a standoff, it is one of many complex factors coaches like Kisnorbo are navigating as they try engineer deep Cup runs in the middle of the A-League’s notoriously long pre-season, all while still trying to piece their squad puzzles together.
“There’s pros and cons to (a long Cup run),” he mused.
“I think it’s great you get to play games, but also it’s a bit different because your squads aren’t really sort of done yet.
“There’s been talks about this salary cap, you’re trying to figure those things out, figure your squad out. You have younger players, look at the A-League teams, they are playing with a lot of younger players now … it’s a great test for the young kids, to play against men, players that have played a lot of NPL football.
“There’s good things, but also there’s some things that you actually can’t control.”
After Lions FC and SD Raiders’ wins on Tuesday, former A-League striker Roy O’Donovan said on Paramount’s coverage that too many A-League clubs are now fielding squads tipping too heavily towards youth, and against NPL outfits, were experiencing a men against boys scenario.
Kisnorbo himself has a youthful Sydney squad and is balancing the exact same situation, where the likes of Rhyan Grant and Ben Garuccio have pivotal roles in what is otherwise a very talented, but young contingent.
“I think there is a balance,” he explained.
“I think there is room for kids, don’t get me wrong, and I think there’s room for older players. It’s getting the balance but I’m sure if you ask a lot of A-League teams, yeah, they’re trying to balance everything with the preseason, with preparing for the start of the season with sort of the uncertainty of the salary caps.
“There’s a lot of things in the background that they’re trying to deal with.
“Also, you have to get on the pitch and train and try to get results.
“There’s a lot of great NPL clubs, a lot of good players in those systems, which is fantastic. But also the the A-Leagues it’s a bit different because of the timing, where we are in our season compared to theirs, what’s happening behind closed doors, meetings with the APL and the salary caps.
“So in our space it’s a bit cloudy sometimes. But…we have to do what we do and, if it’s kids it’s kids. They’ve just got to adapt and get on with it.”
But, with the challenges, come the rewards, like for Macallister, selected in the Under-20s squad as the road to the World Cup in 2027 begins.
“Talk about blooding younger players…last year or when I came (he) was obviously playing in the NPL. Now he’s with us and he’s starting, so he’s looked great. These games do help him to understand the level that you need to be at. It’s a great reflection on where he’s come from to get selected…we will be trying to push as much of our youngsters through and hopefully they’re in that position as well.”
Kisnorbo has also been able to unleash Joe Lacey, 19, Zac De Jesus, 20 and Tiago Quintal, 20 amongst the fresh faces so far this pre-season.
“So look, it’s great to have these players coming through, but they need constant work.
“I think we go too much, I think, the other way sometimes with young kids scoring or doing well. Yes, it’s great, but they need more work to push them harder because hopefully one day they get the opportunity to go abroad, but you’ve got to prepare for that.”
While new midfield addition Takiho Sekine has hit the ground running, with goals against Spurs and in the Australia Cup, Kisnorbo wouldn’t shy away from his desire to bring more cavalry into his squad, particularly given Paul Okon-Engstler’s recent departure to the Bundesliga.
“(The transfer window) can be crazy at times.
“There could be some surprises, there couldn’t be. You just have to wait and see.”