The Australian Professional Leagues and the NSW Government have ended their controversial Sydney Grand Finals deal two years early, instead announcing the “Unite Round”.

Football expert Andy Harper has described the move as a no-brainer, following the protests from fans and dismay over the decision which ended a decades-long tradition. The sole year of the deal saw neither Grand Final sell out but did see a record women’s crowd of 9519 for Sydney FC’s 4-0 win over Western United at CommBank Stadium.

“Lessons have been learned, this is a great outcome”, Harper said before voicing his support for both the A-League Men and Women comps being played simultaneously for the Unite Round – something unique to the “Magic” or “Gather” rounds seen in other codes.

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