Be it because of rust, teams missing key contributors thanks to A-League call ups or some sides taking the competition more seriously than others, an astounding 25 goals were scored across the opening round's four games as Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United commenced with victories. 

Disappointingly, however, for fans of the clubs in action, none of the contests on show during the opening round of the season were available to via streaming services. 

Though, undoubtedly, the potential audience for a competition that is in dire need of reform is tiny, at best, when compared to the A-League and W-League; modern advancement in streaming services and platforms could surely mean that a newly independent A-League could investigate a simple, one-camera operation to allow fans to catch a glimpse of the next generation.

In an era in which every NPL Victoria U20 game is broadcast live over Facebook and YouTube and former English Premier League boss Richard Scudamore is doing the rounds telling A-League that the best asset they have is “the local boy made good”, the chance for clubs to further engage with fans and create an emotional connection with the next generation through rudimentary streaming is surely worth consideration.

These efforts would also, no doubt, improve the ability of scouts – both Australian and international – to get a look at young players and hopefully provide opportunities for young players at home and abroad.

Ultimately, streaming is a long way down on the list reforms that the Y-League requires to bring it up to standard as a forum of serious development for young players and the issue of rights – currently held by league naming-rights sponsor Foxtel – is a tricky one that would need to be sorted out.

Nonetheless, it’s an avenue worth exploring.

Brisbane Roar 7-0 Melbourne Victory

The first of two thumpings handed out in the opening round of the campaign, defending champions Brisbane Roar got their campaign off to the best possible start on Saturday morning when they downed Victorian rivals Melbourne Victory at Eric Evans Oval.

Taking the lead in the 32nd minute through Cai Tipaldo, the Roar added further goals from Mirza Muratovic – FTBL’s Young Player to Watch from the Roar in 2019/20 – and Aaron Reardon to take a 3-0 lead into half time.

Eli Adams struck with a scintillating solo effort in the 70th minute to make it 4-0 to the boys in Orange before Muratovic secured an opening day hat-trick with goals in the 80th and 84th minutes.

A red card earned by Victory’s Matthew Bozinovski gifted the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous area in the 90th minute of the contest and Keegan Jelacic promptly made them pay; sending the resulting set-piece home to make it seven.

The loss – one goal heavier than the 6-0 drubbing Roar delivered to Victory in 2018/19 – continues the dominance Roar’s academy has held over Victory’s in youth competition: Victory winless against the Queenslanders during the conference era of the Y-League.

Sydney FC 8-3 Newcastle Jets

The most goal-heavy contest of the round, Sydney took the lead after just six minutes of action at Leichhardt Oval when Jordi Swibel steered in a cutback from Jake Hollman.

Own goals from the Jets’ Tom Beecham and Kieran Hayes then proceeded to stretch the Harboursiders lead to 3-0 by the 18-minute mark before Joe Langlois struck back for the visitors to make it 3-1 just seconds after.

Hollman fired himself onto the scoresheet in the 23rd minute, only for the Jets’ Sam Donnellan to answer with goals in the 32nd and 39th minutes and send the game into the sheds at 4-3.

Sydney FC, though, was then able to pull away in the second half as Young Socceroo Marco Tilio delivered a second-half hat-trick and U17 World Cup captain Ryan Teague added a goal of his own to drive Sydney to a comfortable win.