The Rise of Major League Sixes Lacrosse: A New Era in the Sport
- Peter Greenhalgh
- Oct 7, 2025
- 3 min read
My Opinion - Peter Greenhalgh
The noise coming out of the Major League Sixes (MLS) after the latest draft has focused on one striking fact: the massive roster turnover, with teams seeing over half their players replaced in some cases. On paper, high turnover often suggests instability. However, in the context of a nascent elite competition with a direct line to the LA28 Olympics, this turnover is the ultimate measure of the MLS's success and competitive virulence.
The reality is that the MLS is functioning precisely as a high-performance incubator should—it is creating a vicious cycle of elite competition.
The Prestige Paradox: When Turnover Means Strength
Last year's inaugural MLS season proved the concept: Sixes lacrosse is fast, marketable, and perfectly suited to Australian athleticism. The result? A flood of nominations from the country's best talent, all clamouring for one of the limited spots.
This is the key to the high turnover: it is driven by supply, not failure.
With more than half of all MLS participants already holding Green and Gold experience, and internationals competing for spots, the competition just to make a roster is simulating a World Championship selection camp. Players who were 'good enough' last year suddenly find themselves on the outside looking in because a more elite, Sixes-focused athlete nominated. This constant pressure elevates the skill level of every player who remains, forging the mental toughness and relentless edge we need against North American giants.
The LA28 Pipeline: Fast-Tracking the Future
The most exciting data point confirms the MLS's dual-purpose as both a senior proving ground and a youth accelerator:
Girls U16 Draft Success: A staggering seven of the Australian Girls Under 16 Sixes players were drafted.
Boys U16 Draft Success: Three of the Australian Boys Under 16 Sixes players were also picked up.
Ten of our best U16 juniors are skipping the traditional development years and will be competing in the same system, on the same field, as Australian National Team captains and international stars. For a generation whose Olympic dreams are now palpable, this exposure is priceless. It validates the MLS as the unequivocal pathway—it's not just a showcase; it's an apprenticeship in high-performance sport.
The Next Frontier: Stability as a Weapon
While this current phase of high churn is vital for elevating the talent baseline, the future success of the MLS and our Olympic campaign hinges on the transition to roster stabilisation.
The next phase of maturity won't be about replacing 50% of the team; it will be about retaining 80-90% of an already elite roster. Why?
Unit Cohesion: Winning requires teams to 'gel'. Elite performance in Sixes relies on split-second decisions and shared understanding—something only forged through multiple seasons together.
Tactical Depth: Stable rosters allow coaches to move beyond basic concepts and install complex, nuanced Sixes-specific tactics, turning five competitive teams into five world-class, tactically diverse units.
Elitism and Identity: When a team retains its core, rivalries deepen, fan connection strengthens, and the players develop the deeply competitive, long-term commitment that is the hallmark of truly elite leagues.
The high turnover has successfully filled the ranks with quality; now, the challenge is to lock that quality in. The Major League Sixes is proving to be the single most important innovation in Australian lacrosse history. We should celebrate this period of dramatic churn as the necessary foundation, but we must also look ahead. The Australian pathway to an Olympic medal won't be paved with new faces every year—it will be built on the consistency, chemistry, and unwavering commitment of a unified, stable core. The MLS has done its job of finding the talent. Now, let the forging of the champions begin.
Peter Greenhalgh
I can confirm I will again be commentating at the MLS this year at Marden Sports Stadium. It was super exciting last year and this year is proving to be an even more competitive and elite tournament.
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