(Sean Walsh is a Melbourne Victory fan and regular BPL contributor.)

I think the only losers to emerge from what was otherwise a golden week for the A-League - with the recruiting of Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell - have been Lucas Neill, Mark Bresciano and Mark Schwarzer. 

Neill and Bresciano have both signed for big wages at UAE clubs that the national coach Holger Osieck seems to have little regard for. 

Even if the standard of soccer is comparative to the A-League, both these players have placed their bank balance before any consideration of helping their local league. Osieck should think long and hard over Neill's future in a Socceroo shirt: I believe this decision is unbecoming of the incumbent Australian captain. 

Kewell and Emerton have made a mockery of his derogatory comments about the A-League and its supporters.  I have enjoyed watching and supporting all three throughout their careers. However their recent decisions and comments have diminished the respect I have for them, especially in comparison to Emerton.  

But no point dwelling on the negatives, for these are exciting times to be an A-League fan. No sooner had the Kewell saga finished than Sydney FC attempt to steal Melbourne Victory's thunder by announcing the recruitment of Emerton. 

As evidenced by the circus and resulting media attention surrounding the Kewell announcement, the signing of one of these players was a huge fillip for the A-League's fortunes. Both returning in the same week has completely changed the way in which the A-League is perceived - no matter what Schwarzer says.

Kewell has re-energized support for Melbourne Victory. The strategy of capping membership at AAMI Park games means Victory is confident of having near-capacity crowds due to Kewell's involvement. It should also channel people into the five-game 'blockbuster membership'. 

Etihad Stadium is a fine venue (surface aside) for watching sport but the loss of atmosphere when crowds are under 20,000 is marked. This strategy takes a calculated risk that Kewell's body will hold up and ensure good walkup numbers for the AAMI Park games.  It is a decision that is open to criticism but without being privy to the finances, we have to accept the MVFC board's judgment on this.

Before Kewell's unveiling, Victory were looking at continued static or declining crowd numbers.  We now have an overworked membership department and talk of 35-40,000 crowds at Etihad.

Emerton is an audacious signing by Sydney FC and it is hard to find any negative in his recruitment. 

He is Kewell's equal on the pitch and a better bet physically. The only question is how a naturally reserved individual deals with the exposure a marquee signing of his status inevitably attracts. 

Don't expect me to utter this phrase too often - "well done Sydney FC" - but in terms of personalities it is hard to avoid the conclusion that Emerton is a better fit for Victory and Kewell for "Bling" FC, but beggars can't be choosers.

The events of the last few months truly mark a watershed for the A-League. The template for the A-League's place in the world is based on these groups of players: 

1. Young players first establishing themselves in the A-League and then heading overseas as first team members not prospects (Kruse, Leckie and Langerak before them).  

2. Older players who have had success at sizeable clubs overseas and return to Australia rather than slide down the leagues in Europe. 

3. Fringe Socceroos not first choice at their European club returning to ensure regular games and put themselves back in the shop window (Dario Vidosic). Matt McKay is another example of how this shop window effect can work for our fringe Socceroos.  

4. The worker bees. Those without the talents to get a first-team place with anything above a Championship standard team in Europe. These players accept that the A-League is a viable place to ply their trade and accept their lot in life will be to toil away in the A-League and Asian Champions League in good conditions and at financially stable clubs (clearly wiping the North Queensland experience from our collective minds).  The prototype for this category is Leigh Broxham (sorry, Leigh).