Two weeks into the season, Matildas coach Alen Stajcic is delighted with the impact of the W-League's foreign legion on the women's domestic football competition.
A total of 30 internationals spread across the league has, to the national team boss's eyes, lifted standards across the board.
That means more players pushing into national team calculations for next year's international program, but Stajcic is welcoming the challenge of fitting everyone in.
"The harder it is the better. I'm happier when the job is hard," he said.
"I want to see players coming through, pushing the players that are already established in the Matildas team.
"The really, really pleasing part has been the performances of some of the Matildas.
"Katrina Gorry was outstanding last week for Brisbane Roar as was Mackenzie Arnold and Clare Polkinghorne; Caitlin Foord similarly for Sydney FC.
"At Melbourne City, players who are already at that level are performing at a high level again. They'll all drag the league standard up."
Punters are liking what they see as well, with crowds up around the country, except Melbourne.
Four curtain-raisers played so far have attracted at least 2,000 people each while the standalone opener to the season in Brisbane attracted over 3,000.
And unlike last season, the race for the title looks a lot more open than before.
City -- who won the double last year after a perfect campaign -- might top the table after two rounds but didn't carry a championship-winning swagger in either of two tight wins.
Stajcic believes the rich depth of foreign talent -- capped at four per team -- across the league has broadened the list of potential title-winners.
"They adds quality; quality at training, experience and extra competition for places," he said.
"It's everything you want in an elite environment.
"We want our domestic players pushed and players that they can learn from and play against because we want the best possible competition we can get.
"The big question is always the balance of how many foreigners do you want in a team and at the moment we've got the balance right.
"Hopefully down the track we can progress and not rely on foreigners as much and give more of our youth a go, but now the league is in a position where a lot of youth players have their opportunities and the internationals add a lot of value."