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The closing of a transfer window is one of the few times of the year where agents and clubs aren't embarrassed to say they have working fax machines. Where individuals can flood internet forums with news of stars buying coffee at a café in Albury and somehow suggest that the player is moments away from signing a contract to ply their trade at a club up the coast.
But most of all, it's all about people at home updating their FIFA 14 and Football Manager 14 squads.
But most of all, it's all about people at home updating their FIFA 14 and Football Manager 14 squads.
The return of 'Supernova' Pete Nowakowski sees him take us through all the movements and changes to the squads ahead of the weekend's footballing action as well as talk about how the new boys will fit into the squads for the rest of the season.
Adelaide United
In: Ryan Griffiths (Bejing Baxy), Michael Marrone (Shanghai Shexin)
Out: Antony Golec (Western Sydney Wanderers), Steven Lustica (Brisbane Roar)
Re-signed: Awer Mabil
A lot of Adelaide United's transfer window column space was taken up by the transfer of 22-year-old midfielder Steven Lustica to rivals Brisbane Roar. This will be Steven's second spell at the Roar having played in the Roar jersey whilst on loan during the 2013 season.
Ryan Griffiths does make a step up moving away from seventh placed Bejing Baxy to sixth placed Adelaide United. Having already clocked up five appearances for the Socceroos squad, Ryan is going to have to make a big impact on the field if he has a chance of going to Rio this year.
Brisbane Roar
In: Steven Lustica (Adelaide United), Jean Carlos Solorzano (Puntarenas)
Out: Besart Berisha (to join Melbourne Victory for 2014/15 season)
Re-signed: Dimi Petratos, Shane Stafanutto
Obviously Mike Mulvey has never heard the wise words of John Kosmina, "you don't take back ex-girlfriends, so why would you take back ex-players?" - this comes after Brisbane Roar rolled out the red carpet to welcome back Steven Lustica and Jean Carlos Solorzano.
The news of Albanian madman Besart Berisha agreeing to terms with Melbourne Victory for the 2014/15 season will no doubt disappoint some fans but the news that Dimi Petratos has signed a two year deal to continue wearing the orange jersey will soften the blow.
Central Coast Mariners
In: Eddy Bosnar (Guangzho R&F), Isaka Cernak (Perth Glory), Bernie Ibini-Isei (Shanghai SIPG_, Sim Seung-Young (Ulsan Hyundai), Matt Sim (Manly United), Glen Trifiro (Sydney United 58 FC)
Out: Danny McBreen (Shanghai SIPG), Michael McGlinchey (Vegalta Sendai), Trent Sainsbury (PEC Zwolle), Mile Sterjovski (retiring at end of season)
Re-signed: None
There is no doubt that the Mariners were the most active A-League side during this January transfer window - even out-spending English Premier League side Liverpool FC on transfer deadline day.
The annual 'fire sale' of Mariners players started with the exodus of three big name players didn't impress the club members, especially after the news that marquee man Marcos Flores would be sitting out the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
The annual 'fire sale' of Mariners players started with the exodus of three big name players didn't impress the club members, especially after the news that marquee man Marcos Flores would be sitting out the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
The signing of 33-year-old 6"4' central defender Eddy Bosnar, whose free kicks are so powerful that Chuck Norris himself would be afraid to stand in the defensive wall, is a welcome addition to the Mariners family and will slot in perfectly in the defensive unit for the boys in blue and yellow.
Melbourne Heart
In: None
Out: Golgol Mebrahtu (Western Sydney Wanderers), Dylan Macallister (Eastern Salon)
Re-signed: None
It was refreshing to see that the last placed side on the ladder were so happy with their current squad that they decided that adding any players would be a waste of time. Instead the club have turned much of their attention towards their world famous garbage-bin-ice-bath treatment plan for their players to recover after matches.
The return of marquee players Harry Kewell and Orlando Engelaar give the illusion of new signings, after both players spent the majority of the first half of the season on the physio bench or doing photo shoots for a clothing brand Politix.
Melbourne Victory
In: Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar - joins MVFC for 2014/15 season), Tom Rogic (loan - Celtic)
Out: Mitch Nichols (Cerezo Osaka)
Re-signed: None
There was a shortage of tissues at local convenience stores after the news that Tom Rogic had agreed to join Melbourne Victory on loan for the remainder of the 2013/14 season. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder will be hoping that his performances at Melbourne Victory will be enough to book him a place at the World Cup.
It was obvious that it was only a matter of time before Mitch Nichols would leave the club. Cerezo Osaka had been tracking the youngster's progress for some time, and it was in Nichols' final few games for Victory were his body language suggested that he did not want to wear the dark blue jersey anymore.
Newcastle Jets
In: David Carney (New York Red Bulls), Joel Griffiths (Quigdao Jonoon)
Out: None
Re-signed: None
Clayton Zane realised that if his side were to avoid battling the wooden spoon with Heart, they would have to make some signings.
David Carney (also known as the white Pelé and Super Dave) will bring footballing knowledge, a long range strike and most importantly a left foot to the Jets squad. The fact that the contract is only under the end of the season suggests that David clearly has the World Cup squad in his sights come May, June and July.
Perth Glory
In: Rostyn Griffiths (Guangzhou R&F), Nebojsa Marinkovic (Hapoel Haifa), Darvydas Sernas (Gaziantepspor)
Out: Isaka Cernak (Central Coast), Ryo Nagai (Cerezo Osaka)
Re-signed: None.
Perth have added an international flare to their squads with the signing of Serbian Nebojsa Marinkovic and Lithuanian international Darvydas Sernas to their squad. With his first touch on debut, Sernas scoring a long range goal against Melbourne Victory - a sign of things to come.
Ryo Nagai was just starting to find his place in the squad, dominating the flanks for Kenny Lowe's side, so his loss will leave a gap which will need to be filled quickly if the Glory have a chance of continuing their recent form.
Sydney FC
In: Milos Dimitrijevic (Crvena Zvezda), Sasa Ognenovski (Umm Salal)
Out: Tiago Calvano (Minnesota United), Brett Emerton (retired - effective immediately), Yairo Yau (Sporting San Miguelito)
Re-signed: Ali Abbas, Vedran Janjetovic, Nikola Petkovic, Matt Thompson
Sydney FC are yet to officially change their name to Sydney White Eagles after the signing of their third Serbian to their squad - Milos Dimitrijevic. Slotting into Frank Farina's midfield diamond flawlessly and already becoming a key ingredient in the Sky Blue side. Sasa Ognenovski will add much needed strength and leadership in defence as the club look to secure a place in the finals.
The retirement of Brett Emerton came as a shock for many after a number of niggling injuries meant his body couldn't keep up with the full time training load anymore. There is speculation that Brett could return to his boyhood club, Sydney Olympic in the NPL NSW for a final kick about.
Wellington Phoenix
In: Roy Krishna (Auckland City), Hamish Watson, Milos Lujic (loan - Northcote City - 2 weeks)
Out: None
Re-signed: Carlos Hernandez, Lewis Italiano
It may have been a quiet transfer window for the New Zealand side, but the big news was the signing of Fijian international striker Roy Krishna after a strong display at the Club World Cup in Morocco. His pace and vision will be a welcome addition to the Ernie Merrick's attacking minded style of play.
Carlos Hernandez is in some of the best form of late and his clearly enjoying his football. Having accepted to stay for an extra year wearing the Phoenix jersey will put a smile on coaching staff and fans alike.
Western Sydney Wanderers
In: Golgol Mebrahtu (Melbourne Heart), Daniel Mullen (Dalian Aerbin), Antony Golec (Adelaide United)
Out: Shinji Ono (end of AFC Champions League campaign)
Re-signed: None
Tony Popovic had an eventful transfer window signing three men that he feels can help his club fight for the Championship as well as have a successful AFC Champions League campaign. Daniel Mullen returns to the A-League after a few years playing in the Chinese Super League with Dalian Aerbin whilst Antony Golec will add to the strength and stability of the Wanderers defensive unit.
The loss of Shinji Ono will be a big one for the Wanderers come the end of the season, but there had been speculation over his departure due to home sickness for some time. With talk that Aaron Mooy could be on his way out as well, Tony Popovic will have to start thinking now about who will slot into those central midfield positions for the 2014/15 season.