Last year's championship failure didn't sit comfortably with departing Sydney FC legend Alex Brosque.
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Neither did this year's win, even though it was his Sky Blues that won the title after outlasting Perth Glory in a penalty shootout triumph.
As he rides off into the sunset of his career, Brosque has suggested scrapping the A-League finals series, and with it the premiership, and awarding the title of champions to the best-performed league team.
"The fact that we have a cup competition now, maybe it is time ... to look at scrapping these semis and finals," he said.
"On the day, whoever basically shows up and has a good game, or in some cases penalties, defines it.
"It's a tough way for (Perth) to lose.
"It happened to us last year, we won the league by 14 points and weren't seen as champions.
"And Perth, they were incredible this year, and they're not seen as champions.
"And while it's sweet for us, and it's great and we'll enjoy it, it's something to look (at) in the future."
Brosque's suggestion will draw support from traditionalists, who see the grand final as an Australian cultural compromise at best and an aberration at worst.
But it's not likely to win favour at head office.
FFA is the chief financial beneficiary of the finals series, which has seen more than 100,000 people attend matches in four states; a majority of which packed out Perth's Optus Stadium on Sunday.
To move away from a grand final would also deprive the sport of one of its major cut-through moments in a packed sporting calendar.
Brosque didn't claim popular support for his idea among players, saying he landed in the position after last year's semi-final loss to Melbourne Victory as the runaway premiers.
"After last year, I know how much it hurt," he said.
"We had a one-off night ... it was one moment by (Terry) Antonis.
"Regardless of the season we had, we just weren't seen as champions.
"It is Australian football, it is what it is ... I get why they do it. But I don't think we need to.
"We're football and all around the world, the best team wins the league and they're seen as the best team."
Australian Associated Press
