2012–13 A-League

The 2012–13 A-League was the 36th season of top-flight soccer in Australia, and the eighth season of the Australian A-League since its establishment in 2004. The 2012–13 season saw the introduction of a new Western Sydney-based team, the return of Newcastle Jets FC after their A-League licence was returned by FFA, and the end of Gold Coast United after they were removed from the competition at the end of the previous season. This season was also the last A-League season to be broadcast exclusively on paid television, after SBS obtained the rights to a live Friday night game each week of the A-League season, and all A-League finals games on a one-hour delay, on a $160 million four-year broadcast deal, effective from the 2013–14 A-League season onwards.

Foreign players
The following do not fill a Visa position:

1Those players who were born and started their professional career abroad but have since gained Australian Residency (and New Zealand Residency, in the case of Wellington Phoenix);

2Australian residents (and New Zealand residents, in the case of Wellington Phoenix) who have chosen to represent another national team;

3Injury Replacement Players, or National Team Replacement Players;

4Guest Players (eligible to play a maximum of ten games)

5Additional Expansion Club Visa Player

Home and away season
The 2012–13 season sees each team play 27 games, kicking off on 5 October 2012, and concluding on 31 March 2013.

Finals series
In its eighth season the A-League has adopted a new knock-out format for the finals with six teams competing over a three-week series climaxing in the decider. As a result, the play-offs have been reduced from four to three weeks and the top two teams no longer receive a double chance. Instead they will get the opening week of the final series off and will only need to win one game to make the grand final.

Attendances
These are the attendance records of each of the teams at the end of the home and away season. The table does not include finals series attendances.

Updated to 3 February 2013

Discipline
The Fair Play Award will go to the team with the lowest points on the fair play ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season.

Current as of 5 January 2013
 * Notes
 * Brisbane Roar's Thomas Broich was given a straight red card that was later rescinded by the Match Review Panel.

End-of-season awards

 * Johnny Warren Medal – 🇳🇿 Marco Rojas, Melbourne Victory
 * NAB Young Footballer of the Year – 🇳🇿 Marco Rojas, Melbourne Victory
 * Nike Golden Boot Award – 🇦🇺 Daniel McBreen, Central Coast Mariners, 17 Goals
 * Goalkeeper of the Year – 🇦🇺 Ante Covic, Western Sydney Wanderers
 * Manager of the Year – 🇦🇺 Tony Popovic, Western Sydney Wanderers
 * Fair Play Award – Brisbane Roar
 * Referee of the Year – 🇦🇺 Peter Green
 * Goal of the Year – 🇦🇷 Marcos Flores, Melbourne Victory (Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix, 05-Nov-12)

Team of the season
Formation: 4–3–3