Promotion and relegation, that's how. Given the FFA's gun-shy attitude to adding teams to the top tier, it's time to introduce a second tier to the professional game. The danger of doing nothing is clear.

The stunning success of the FFA Cup - more than 11,000 fans at Olympic Village this week for instance - proves conclusively that a market exists for a new level. So let the FFA focus on their expansion timetable for the A-League, and let the state federations make themselves useful and drive the formation of a national second division.

Two competitions run separately, but linked by a system of promotion and relegation, would transform club football in Australia. Since the formation of the old NSL in 1977, this link has never genuinely existed. Geographic and economic arguments have been used to stymie promotion and relegation, and they're understandable.

But what's been achieved? State-based leagues that have atrophied, and a top tier that remains no closer to financial stability than it was 40 years ago. Only the scale of the losses have changed.

On Saturday night at Dorrien Gardens in Perth, Bayswater City and Blacktown City meet to decide what is, in effect, the second-division championship of Australia. But apart from a place in the history books and the honour, there's nothing material at stake. The chance to win promotion to the A-League and it's a different story.

As it stands, these NPL play-offs last just three weeks and gain virtually no traction in the marketplace. Creating a national second-tier league to sit on top of these state leagues, however, would revolutionise the corporate, broadcast and public interest - as long as the door is open to the A-League.

The more ambitious NPL clubs currently spend about $500,000 per season. Of course that's a huge jump to the minimum $7-8million per season required to play in the A-League. But it you add the Fox Sports dividend, you're already about 40 per cent of the way there.

A national second division owned and run by a coalition of state federations, and boosted by better gate takings, a TV deal and improved sponsorship, would help bridge the gulf. Investors prepared to back the dream of promotion would further narrow the gap. If you believe the whispers, at clubs like South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic, Perth SC, Adelaide City, Wollongong Wolves and North Queensland Fury, these backers are already waiting in the wings.

The arguments against open promotion and relegation - a system decided on the field of play - are increasingly obsolete. Look across Europe right now, and the fairytales are everywhere. Bournemouth (England), Carpi (Italy), Gazalec Ajaccio (France), Grodig (Austria), Ingolstadt (Germany). Just some of the small clubs playing in the top tiers of some of the biggest, richest, leagues in the world. If a team like Nieclecza can play in the top tier of Poland representing a village of just 750 people, why should Australia deny the dream?

Lately, the A-League has flat-lined on some key metrics. Familiarity is a factor. There's nothing wrong with having the same clubs year-on-year, but there's a lot wrong with having only 10 of them.

The AFL and Super Rugby have 18, the NRL has 16. These are the competitions that the A-League is competing with in the toughest, meanest, sporting marketplace in the world. Their size, and their diversity, remains a huge advantage. Clearly it's going to take a while for the A-League to match them for scope, if ever.

That's why the moment has arrived to introduce a national second tier. Not only is it a cheaper way to broaden professional football, but it capitalises on the game's greatest asset - the depth, strength and breadth of its base. Livening up the business end of the A-League season by opening the trapdoor wouldn't hurt either.

For so long it's been about why the game can't have promotion and relegation. As the A-League heads into an 11th season without the frisson  of many previous campaigns, it's become a matter of why not?