Former A-League title winner Jacob Timpano is set to be reunited with Sydney FC, while controversial former Croatia defender Josip Simunic could be on his way back to Australia as part of this year's FFA Cup.
A handful of former National Soccer League clubs appears to be the big winners out of the round-of-32 draw, conducted on Thursday, for the knockout tournament.
Melbourne Victory will open their FFA Cup defence on the road against Newcastle, while Brisbane will resume their cracking A-League rivalry with Perth at home.
But as ever with the FFA Cup, the real intrigue lies below the professional level.
It's not quite a derby, but arguably the most-exciting match pits former NSL champions Wollongong Wolves up against Sydney FC.
The Wolves, in NSW's National Premier Leagues competition, are coached by Timpano, who won the inaugural A-League title with the Sky Blues and played under Graham Arnold during his Olyroos coaching days.
"For the people down in the Illawarra, it's probably a dream draw," Timpano said.
"There's a lot of Sydney FC supporters down there. I'm sure we'll pack out WIN Stadium.
"It's definitely special to be coaching against them now -- it'll be a very tough match-up for us."
Two-time NSL winners Melbourne Knights are at home to WA side Cockburn City and, following Heidelberg United's recruitment of Greek international star Kostas Katsouranis last year, they could have a marquee recruit of their own.
Coach Andrew Marth confirmed the club was in talks with Simunic -- a former Knights junior who opted to represent Croatia instead of the Socceroos and was the infamous recipient of referee Graham Poll's third yellow card at the 2006 World Cup -- to play a one-off match for them.
Newly crowned A-League champions Adelaide United, meanwhile, have been sent to Brisbane's southern suburbs to take on one of Queensland's oldest clubs, Redlands United.
The biggest chance of an upset in the draw lies with Victorian outfit Green Gully, who will fancy their chances of knocking off A-League battlers Central Coast.
Green Gully spent three seasons in the NSL in the mid-1980s but have been a powerhouse at state-league level since.
"It's been a long time since the club was on the national stage," coach Arthur Papas said.
"To draw an A-League team, at home, we embrace the challenge."
Details for all FFA Cup round of 32 matches have now been confirmed.
Full draw:
Brisbane Roar vs. Perth Glory
Newcastle Jets vs. Melbourne Victory
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Wellington Phoenix
Melbourne Knights (Vic) vs. Cockburn City (WA)
Far North Queensland Heat (Qld) vs. Edgeworth Eagles (NNSW)
Shamrock Rovers Darwin (NT) vs. Brisbane Strikers (Qld)
MetroStars (SA) vs. Bentleigh Greens (Vic)
Canberra Olympic (ACT) vs. Surfers Paradise Apollo (Qld)
Devonport Strikers (Tas) vs. Lambton Jaffas (NSW)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles (NSW) vs. Manly United (NSW)
Hume City (Vic) vs. Marconi Stallions (NSW)
Blacktown City (NSW) vs. Sydney United 58 (NSW)
Wollongong Wolves (NSW) vs. Sydney FC
Redlands United (Qld) vs. Adelaide United
Green Gully (Vic) vs. Central Coast Mariners
Floreat Athena (WA) vs. Melbourne City