O'Rourke told The Women's Game an announcement will be made during the season about an avenue for more games in the W-League, but a final decision has still to be made whether it is by expansion or a full home and away season.

There are currently two options before the W-League chiefs as to what they'd prefer to set as criteria for expansion. 

"We've started working on whether or not we are going to release a criteria for expansion," O'Rourke told The Women's Game.

"If we do, one option could be based on a queue system, for example the Central Coast Mariners have been waiting longest, even though they had one [licence] and gave it back. 

"Other criteria may include [in the Mariners case] checks on starting an academy program, working with Central Coast football, stadium infrastructure being up to scratch as well as male and female dressing rooms, which are things they have done.

"The other option is to say 'the best bid wins' and open the criteria up, which opens it up for Western United and Macarthur Bulls."

It is believed that the four clubs in the A-League who don't have a W-League team, Central Coast Mariners, Wellington Phoenix, Western United and A-League club-in-waiting Macarthur Bulls are all keen to get a W-League license.

According to O'Rourke, those teams can "see the clear benefits" of having a professional women's team.

Macarthur Bulls have shown ambition to bid for a W-League license with CEO Rabieh Krayem telling Football Nation Radio yesterday: "We are looking to have a W-League team by 2021." 

Options to expand the W-League were put on hold as early as June last year when Central Coast Mariners were rejected by Football Federation Australia.

In their letter to the Mariners and Clubs Association explaining their decision, they cited their priorities were broadcasting matches and delivering a full home and away schedule. 

This could indicate that expanding via a full home and away season before endeavouring with expansion teams may eventuate.

Western United's W-League ambitions are unclear, whereas a team for Wellington Phoenix would elevate women's football in New Zealand which is currently played at an amateur level.