The power of the marquee shining through
Columnist
By Adrian Musolino, 23 Dec 2009 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- A-League, Archie Thompson, football, Robbie Fowler
Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson is challenged by Adelaide United's Paul Reid. AAP Image/Joe Castro
Neither Archie Thompson nor Robbie Fowler scored over the weekend; neither led their teams to the three points. Yet, in their respective matches, they showed yet again why they are the archetypical marquee players that other A-League teams should aspire to attain.
Thompson was once again fantastic against Sydney in the blockbuster at Etihad over the weekend with his pace and creativity – a constant threat. He did everything but score.
Thompson probably wasn’t the type of marquee the FFA was on the look out for when they instituted the marquee rule, but, nevertheless, he is deserving of his marquee status.
Thompson works as a marquee as he is intrinsically linked with the Victory. Along with Kevin Muscat and Ernie Merrick, he is part of the fabric of the team, and that history and connection with the club and its fans is part of the reason why Melbourne has been so successful off the field. Exciting to watch, Thompson has been the star of the A-League’s short-existence – an A-League product, a homemade star.
In that sense, he’s a very different marquee from Fowler.
Continuing to defy the doubters with his performances and commitment, Fowler has been a revelation this season with his commitment, longevity and touch.
Yet again, at Newcastle over the weekend, his presence was a contributing factor to the higher than average crowd.
Likewise, the surprising crowd of 11,530 last week in the Fury’s midweek fixture away to the Roar, while highlighting the resilience of Brisbane’s core supporters – a point they were keen to stress in their banners and messages of support to the team on the night – was another indicator of the impact Robbie Fowler has on crowds, judging by the high number of Liverpool shirts in the crowd.
Fowler has consistently increased crowds beyond their averages at the Fury’s away matches, despite playing for the much-maligned Fury – a team seemingly destined for the wooden spoon.
In Fowler and Thompson, the A-League has two very different yet incredibly successful marquee players.
The marquee dispensation is, sadly, underused in the A-League; one of the contributing factors to the ongoing crowd irregularities.
Looking across the league, Adelaide, Central Coast and Wellington contribute nothing to the marquee pool.
Of the seven marquee players, four are recently returned Socceroos. If we factor in the age of the current Socceroos – including the fact that South Africa could well be the international swansong for many of the ageing green and gold – it’s likely they will be joined by a few of their compatriots in the coming seasons.
This leaves few marquee slots available for players of the Fowler ilk; international stars that can drive crowd figures up across the country.
Mike Cockerill, on Fox Sports FC last week, wished a sponsor would give the league the funds to spread evenly across all teams to be spent on marquees only.
If only.
Without such a sponsor, it’s high time the FFA instituted a second marquee slot, encouraging clubs who are brave enough to find another Fowler, while also rewarding those clubs who have their bottom-line in order.
Perhaps it could be mandated that one of the marquee slots is to be used for Australians only – catering for the returning Socceroos – and the other for internationals – encouraging clubs to entice a Fowler type or rewarding a player of the class of Carlos Hernandez to stay.
Imagine if each club could field two marquees in the mould of a Fowler and Thompson.
The A-League would be far better off.
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agga78 said | December 23rd 2009 @ 7:20am | Report comment
A marquee player should not be Australian, unless they are Harry Kewell or Tim Cahill, Archie Thompson has been good for victory, but he has not been the main factor behind Victory’s two championships, Fred and Carlos Hernandez were both the main reasons for Victory’s success. Robbie Fowler and Dwight Yorke are real marquees who have contributed on and off field to the A league, they bring people through the gates with their names and show the standard we Australia want to reach. THe A league really needs it’s clubs to get real marquee players, not fringe Socceroos or no name Italians, the football public, general public and mainstream media need these big names to help create interest in the league.
Tom said | December 23rd 2009 @ 8:11am | Report comment
Meh.
I think Adrian makes a better case than Agga.
Marshall said | December 23rd 2009 @ 11:20am | Report comment
That’s what I fear. All the returning Socceroos will take up the marquee slots and there’ll be no room for Fowler types. Would love to see three marquee slots down the line – Australian marquee, Asian marquee, International marquee
Punter said | December 23rd 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
I like the fact of 2 marquee players (1 returning socceroo & 1 int’l), but I would like A-League clubs follow the Asian federation direction of allowing 1 player from Asia that is not included in your foreign quota.
Let’s remember most of these ex-socceroos like Alosi, are also heroes in this country for their exploits in the last world cup.
Gweeds said | December 23rd 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
While I agree with the concept, I still think that it is kind of sad that people go to the football to see a famous foreign player in his twilight rather than supporting the team itself.
As an hypothetical, if Sydney was going to get Beckham as a marquee (this is as an example, of course it’s not going to happen) I am sure that crowds would increase dramatically, but is that something that is good for the development of the game?
Gibbo said | December 23rd 2009 @ 11:40am | Report comment
it’d be good for the coffers of the game, and one could theorise the cash might then trickle down into development..?
AndyRoo said | December 23rd 2009 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Come see Robbie Fowler…stay because of Tommy Oar is the plan I guess.
The A league is only on Pay TV so you have to give potential fans a reason to get interested. And the amount of press that Fowler and Dwight generated was fantastic.
But when it goes wrong like Jardel your left holding the can.
David V. said | December 24th 2009 @ 10:41am | Report comment
You raise a point, I think football culture here is so shallow and simplistic that people seem to follow the game for big names, and not for anything else. In this country, the obsession with names can reach moronic levels but it shows how undeveloped our football culture is.
pete said | December 23rd 2009 @ 9:08pm | Report comment
Anyone heard the rumour Harry Kewell is Sydney FC’s marquee target next season??
Apparently his family is still in England and he’s obviously in Turkey so his family may look at coming home after the World Cup.
Joe FC said | December 23rd 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
I hpoe it’s truse pete.
Marshall said | December 24th 2009 @ 1:47am | Report comment
That would be great. As Adrian says the returning Socceroos will clog up all the maerquee spots so it’ll be unlikely that we will see internationals come in unless there is an increase in marquee slots
Rob said | December 24th 2009 @ 2:15am | Report comment
Thompson was fantastic?…didnt the guy miss a hatful of sitters?