There is expected to be up to 15 bids from around Australia vying for two expansion spots for the 2019-2020 A-League season.

Between four and six of the bids are expected to be shortlisted by the FFA next month before a final decision is made in October this year.

Southern Expansion, which somewhat controversially aims to bring together the Illawarra region with neighbouring Sutherland and St George, are one of several new clubs aiming to crack the top tier.

Meanwhile, the Wolves are hopeful of returning to the national stage for the first time since the demise of the NSL in 2004.

Wolves chief executive Chris Papakosmas was confident the club had put forward ‘the most complete and holistic’ bid across the country.  

"We put in a very thorough, detailed and inclusive submission," he said.

"It's the culmination of a year of hard work, sweat and passion from local business, people and supporters, who are determined to see a standalone bid in Wollongong success.

"The beauty about it is that it is a community based proposal that covers all sections of our wonderful region.

"There is a level of excitement. There is engagement right across the board and it fills me with pride and confidence that what we are doing is very special.

"It will have a lasting impact across the region, not just in football."

Papakosmas said he wasn’t concerned with rival bids, including Southern Expansion.

The Chinese-backed franchise has drawn fierce debate within the Illawarra football community, but are undoubtedly one of Wolves’ main rivals for a spot in the competition.

Southern Expansion chief executive Chris Gardiner felt extremely positive about the bid the club put forward.

“We are confident with the bid we have,” he said.

“We believe it is a strong bid and are looking forward to that next stage of the process now.

“We have been working really hard and talking with the FFA for 18 months to get to this point and we are really happy with what we have put forward.”