They are six points clear in the NSW National Premier League, meaning the title challenge is on the boil, but coach Luke Wilkshire has been very measured in his approach, refusing to turn up the flame.

After all, there's still nine games left in the season, something perhaps akin to Liverpool, who were seven points clear on top of the English Premier League in January and eventually denied by Manchester City, despite finishing with 97 points.

But even without another night in front of the bright lights and Fox Sports FFA Cup coverage at WIN Stadium, there is a beautiful sense of timing around the Wolves stunning rise this year, against some seriously cashed-up NPL rivals.

A decade after writing a story about how some of Australia's top football minds were discussing the framework for a national second division, the issue is bubbling away again.

The FFA has now backed the Second Division Working Group, to address the hurdles needed to be cleared to form a promotion and relegation system.

Long derided as pure fantasy, a pathway to reality is being built.

When the Wolves were cut from the A-League expansion shortlist - as 10 became six, before Melbourne's Western United and Sydney's Macarthur United gained entry - they were given significant encouragement by the newly-established FFA board behind the scenes.

Bide your time and it may well come, they were told.

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Adding credibility to this offering was the Wolves' belief that territorial rivals Southern Expansion's bid was dead in the water, still months before the successful new teams were announced.

But the next opportunity could only come in three ways.

Firstly, Wellington Phoenix could fall over and the licence be handed to the Wolves, which hasn't eventuated.

Secondly, another round of expansion announced, opening the door to the top table again.

Or thirdly, the FFA finally establish a proper national second division.

Financial pressures remain about how it would work and how those pushing for promotion could then compete with the likes of Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.

Recently, the FFA's judgement has been called into question over the sacking and belated apology to Alen Stajcic, with the Matildas' World Cup campaign kicking off under Ante Milicic this weekend.

What happens next in terms of a second division is vitally important to the old football powers, like the Wolves, South Melbourne, Melbourne Knights, Sydney Olympic, Adelaide City, Marconi or Brisbane City. New territory like Tasmania should also be considered. But more than 15 years after the Wolves effectively handed an A-League licence to the Central Coast Mariners when the A-League was established, because they were a basket case, they're reminding the football public why they're an awakening giant.

A crowd of about 3000 was on hand to watch the their 4-nil demolition of APIA Leichhardt last Saturday to create the six-point buffer.

Under Wilkshire's guidance, the recruitment of Thomas James and Lachlan Scott, among others, has proven inspired.

With Southern Expansion dead, buried and cremated, the Wolves still need the kind of serious financial backing which could make them an A-League force.

There's no point joining the second division to be scrapping to compete again, a feeling the Wolves already know all too well in recent times.

They also need a figurehead, a general manager prepared to outline the vision if and when another opportunity arrives, bringing the wider public and the sceptical nay-sayer on board and make them believe.

Right now, all that matters is the next two months and the NPL title race. Winning it would be an emphatic way to remind the FFA of why the former NSL champions have a bright future, not just a tumultuous past.

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