Off-field issues are ever-present but players in Australia’s domestic league take to the field in its 21st season with an added motivatorPut aside, for a moment, anxiety around the A-Leagues’ next broadcast deal. Shelve calculations for the impending “hard” salary cap. Forget the perpetual challenges of venues, crowds, members. Of connecting the pyramid. Of all the worries in Australian football’s future.The A-League Men kicks off on Friday for its 21st season, and for the best 300 or so footballers in the country, nothing matters more than when the referee blows for kick-off. “Once the whistle goes, I’m going to be doing what it takes to win the game,” says Kai Trewin, the player of the year at champions Melbourne City. Continue reading...