Western Sydney's stunning success is not only the toast of the A-League, it has galvanised and hardened Sydney FC fans in response.

The result is a genuine blockbuster derby fixture on the national sporting calendar.

But if fans in Sydney are more engaged in the rivalry than ever, it raises questions about how South Coast, in any form, would fit in an expanded competition.

The South Coast camp have long accepted they will need to join ranks with cashed-up Sydney forces to be part of the competition.

Chairman Eddy de Gabriele has publicly acknowledged it as the most realistic option in interviews with the Mercury.

FFA chief executive David Gallop recently tempered expectations of further expansion, urging caution, but there is an underlying sentiment about capitalising on opportunities while the A-League juggernaut is dominating the summer sporting landscape.

The window of opportunity opens around the next television broadcast rights deal in 2017, but one of the key issues will be the propaganda to attract new fans and have existing ones accept change.

The loose theory is the southern Sydney and Sutherland Shire population base could be able to join forces with those on the South Coast to create a viable new fan base.

Part of the problem is hemming Sydney FC into a concentrated central metropolitan geographical area.

After seeing the campaign to deny Melbourne City the Manchester City sky blue home shirt upon entering the competition, you can imagine the backlash against a third Sydney presence.

Viability and sustainability are the key issues rather than pure finances, because if the FFA want another A-League team in NSW, then it will be so, just like they did with the Wanderers.

It was only a couple of years ago a promotion-relegation system, pushed by the Asian confederation, seemed South Coast's best hope, but the gap between A-League and semi-professional is simply too great, despite the relative success of the FFA Cup.

Still, Saturday night's Sydney derby presents a lofty and enviable target for any southern, south-western, South Coast team.

De Gabriele has a point backing another sporting "joint venture" in the region, given a successful bid would likely mean Wollongong would host four or six A-League games a year, a significant leap forward from a preseason trial here or there.

The introduction of South Coast W-League and National Youth League teams as early as next season would be a giant stride forward and ensure A-League clubs recognise the region as credible and serious.

South Coast would provide a significant fan base, but the longer it's left to expand the competition, the more hardened Sydney fans will become, even if the Wanderers phenomenal run of success nosedives in future seasons.

The average fan's goodwill towards the competition is evolving into a fanaticism similar to European leagues, because Western Sydney have raised the bar.

ALARM BELLS

Jarryd Hayne may be chasing a dream to play in the NFL , but his exit - as one of the most talented and marketable products in the game - should be sounding loud alarm bells at the NRL.

It should prompt an urgent review to modernise the game, include marquee player contracts under salary caps and expand the game.

Clubs, including St George Illawarra are under huge financial stress, but the NRL must look to muscle into new markets and find new revenue streams, most vitally in Perth.

Slowly but surely, the shock factor of players defecting from one code to another will dissolve.

With salary cap pressures and rival clubs dangling huge carrots at talent, it's not just one-club players becoming a thing of the past, but one-code players, as young athletes realise it can be done.

The modern-day NRL system lacks the teeth to fight rival codes, like Israel Folau moving to AFL and rugby union.