2008–09 A-League
The 2008–09 A-League was the 32nd season of top-flight soccer in Australia, and the fourth season of the A-League competition since its establishment in 2004. Two new clubs, North Queensland Thunder and Gold Coast Galaxy had received tentative licences from the FFA but these were revoked for the 2008–09 season on 12 March 2008. Expansion plans are on hold until the 2009–10 season. Based on their 2007–08 performances, the Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets competed in the 2009 AFC Champions League for the first time.
| Season | 2008–09 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 15 August 2008 – 28 February 2009 |
| Champions | Melbourne Victory (2nd title) |
| Premiers | Melbourne Victory (2nd title) |
| AFC Champions League | Melbourne Victory, Adelaide United |
| Matches played | 84 |
| Goals scored | 249 (2.96 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Shane Smeltz (12 goals) |
| Best goalkeeper | Eugene Galekovic |
| Highest attendance | 31,564 |
| Lowest attendance | 4,433 |
| Average attendance | 12,180 ( 2430) |
← 2007–08 2009–10 → | |
Changes to the league included:
- The introduction of both a youth league and women's league aligned with A-League clubs.
- An increase in the salary cap to A$1.9 million.
- The addition of a Junior Marquee player. (A player under the age of 23 who has up to A$150,000 of his salary outside of the cap.
- Injury replacement players can only match the injured players' salary, or have any excess included within the total Salary Cap.
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