Grand final replay for start
A-LEAGUE premier Brisbane will kick off its 2012-13 campaign with a grand final replay in Perth on Sunday, October 7.
The season will open with a Melbourne derby between the Heart and Victory, who both have new coaches at the helm, at Etihad Stadium on Friday, October 5.
The following day will see Wellington Phoenix host Sydney FC and the new Western Sydney team up against Central Coast.
Round one will conclude with Sunday matches between Newcastle and Adelaide and the Roar versus Glory at Paterson Stadium.
Brisbane fans will see their team for the first time in week two when former coach Ange Postecoglou returns in charge of the Victory.
Season eight of the A-League will see a match on Good Friday in Newcastle, Australia Day matches in Melbourne, Western Sydney and Perth, New Year's Eve football in Gosford and Adelaide and for the first time, back-to-back New Year's Day matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Western Sydney.
The 27-round regular season will finish on Sunday, March 31, before a revamped six-team finals series.
Two of the lowest four teams will be eliminated in week one, with the winners going on to play the top two teams in week two semi-finals.
The winners of those matches will then meet in the grand final the following week, with the highest-placed semi-final winner hosting the premiership decider.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said the elimination-style format of the finals would, "Reduce the repetitive nature of the previous system where teams have previously played each other three times in the four-week format."
