the calendar begins on the last weekend of October, which also coincides with the beginning of the A-League season. the calendar ends in the second last weekend of October, which coincides with the Australia Cup final.
So all domestic leagues… including the ALM, ALW, NPL, Australia Cup, future second division, etc, must be played and completed inside this calendar. Its Football Australia’s way of providing more certainty around fixturing.
As for the A-League,
@AngryAnt mentioned this years ALM GF will be on May 28. The finals have been expanded to 4 weeks (semi-finals will be played over 2 legs). I reckon finals in May, with a GF on the last weekend of May will be the future going forward.