The quality of the A-League continues to rise
Columnist By Mike Tuckerman, 10 Oct 2011 Mike Tuckerman is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- A-League, football, Harry Kewell, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC
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Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton dice for the ball in the A-League (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
“There’s no such thing as an exciting 0-0 draw” someone once told me, but they clearly possessed little understanding of the nuances of football. For if Melbourne Victory’s pulsating scoreless draw with Sydney FC is any indicator, this will be the most exciting season of the A-League yet.
Talk about living up to the hype.
Saturday night’s Etihad Stadium grudge match had everything but a goal as two of the A-League’s fiercest rivals went at it hammer and tongs in front of a raucous 40,000-strong crowd.
At times the frenetic pace left you breathless as the two sides traded near misses, outstanding goalkeeping saves, a missed penalty, a red card and a heated all-in scuffle in what was a fabulous advertisement for A-League football.
Brett Emerton was the biggest loser, as his scuffed penalty was brilliantly saved by an Ante Covic who had practically just stepped off the plane from Sweden after signing as a late injury replacement for the stricken Tando Velaphi.
Statisically speaking, Covic didn’t always have the best goals-against record during his time at the Newcastle Jets, but on his day the lanky custodian is one of the best shot-stoppers in the league and he was on fire against a determined Sydney strike force.
That Sydney played so well with their backs against the wall bodes well for the rest of the season, although Sky Blues fans will hope Emerton is not haunted by his costly penalty miss.
Of course, Emerton wasn’t the only star on show and Harry Kewell proved he’s not back home for a holiday with an industrious display full of intelligent running and the occasional shot on goal.
Nicky Carle also chimed in with several incisive touches for the visitors and some of the football on display at Etihad Stadium was a joy to watch.
Carle is just one of several big names still looking to make their mark on the A-League and one of the most underrated did exactly that in Saturday’s early kick-off against Melbourne Heart.
Newcastle Jets midfielder Ryan Griffiths essentially dropped off the international radar during his time in China, yet the talented sibling of twins Joel and Adam proved he’s more than capable of making a name for himself with two excellent strikes.
His first goal – a wonderfully taken left-foot free-kick – showed just how much technical prowess is filtering through to the A-League.
And while the rest of the goals in Newcastle’s absorbing victory over the Heart weren’t necessarily of the top drawer variety, there was plenty of great football on display to keep the purists enthused.
Mitch Nichols also impressed as his winner for Brisbane Roar saw off an outmatched Central Coast Mariners, and Nichols is another who will hope to make the step up from competent squad member to genuine match winner this season.
The Roar need to find a new go-to man now that Matt McKay is plying his trade in Scotland, and if Nichols can overcome his penchant for blazing wild shots over the crossbar and hitting impetuous passes into nowhere, his dynamic drive to get forward could prove a key component of the Roar’s title defence.
Put simply, there’s more than enough good football on display in the A-League to keep football enthusiasts glued to their seats and the joke is on those who insist the competition is not up to scratch.
It may have some way to go to match the heights of the region’s best leagues – see the improvement made by Shimizu S-Pulse star Alex Brosque or the importance of Nagoya Grampus striker Josh Kennedy to the Socceroos.
But if the quality continues to rise at its current rate, then the A-League is well and truly on the right path when it comes to providing entertaining spectacles for fans.
Mike Tuckerman is a Sydney-born journalist and lifelong football fan. After lengthy stints watching the beautiful game in Germany and Japan, he has settled in Brisbane and has been a Roar columnist since December 2008. Follow Mike on twitter @Mike_Tuckerman
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- Explore:
- A-League, football, Harry Kewell, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC
October 10th 2011 @ 10:11am
Griffo said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:11am | Report comment
A draw would have been good for both Jets and Hearts. Sometimes though, luck isn’t given to you. You have to earn it off the back of someone else
Heart will be dangerous team to face this year. Jets pressed them early and as long as they could which was good to see and made it difficult for Heart to play out.
Ryan Griffiths is the obvious quality standout before his two goals. Thought the Heart ‘keeper might have made an attempt to save Griffiths’ free kick although it did curl in more late in flight.
We isolate ourselves in the lines at times and will need to address that a bit. On that point wasn’t impressed with Zadkovich that much: regularly stood on the line, received the ball and passed it on then watched the game. That was in the first 10 to 15 minutes.
Interesting also that we didn’t conceed a goal in pre-season but looked ordinary in defence for the two goals. Won’t take NTS and Tiago long to gel in defence I don’t think. Tiago is a good find. Had to laugh a bit at the end: Tiago’s runs up the field were good, but his slow jog back to defence on dead legs was very reminiscent of Ljubo
October 10th 2011 @ 10:31am
M1tch said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:31am | Report comment
I really enjoyed the Melb v Syd game and to be honest I didn’t even notice it was 0-0 the goal keepers were superb and attack from both sides was great.
October 10th 2011 @ 10:36am
Bondy said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:36am | Report comment
M1tch ,
I think we’ll have to chalk that game down to both keepers having blinders, their will be howlers through the season also .
October 10th 2011 @ 10:31am
Qantas supports Australian Football said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:31am | Report comment
I think I saw the goal of the season yesterday—a 25 metre thunderbolt from GCU’s James Brown, which left the Nix goal keeper cemented to the ground as he watched on haplessly, eyeballing it, right into the top hand corner of gaol. A great goal that got us out of jail with a 1-1 draw..
October 10th 2011 @ 10:34am
Al said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:34am | Report comment
I thought Paston could have stopped it, it was only after the game that it was revealed that he was playing with suspected fractured ribs and wasn’t subbed as Wellington had used up all their subs, mostly on other injuries.
October 10th 2011 @ 12:47pm
Axelv said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
It was a lobbed shot, the height was way above him, and he was too far out to have a chance (he was only a little bit out), only way he could have stopped it is it he was 3 meters backwards or was 3 meters tall.
October 10th 2011 @ 1:28pm
Al said | October 10th 2011 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
It wasn’t a shot straight into the top corner, if he were fully fit I believe he would have not stopped it but at least made an attempt. Not taking anything away from the goal though, it was a beautiful hit.
October 10th 2011 @ 1:33pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | October 10th 2011 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Al and Axe—-lob my ass, it was a terrific goal and give the kid credit for it—Paston didn’t even move.
October 10th 2011 @ 3:31pm
Roger said | October 10th 2011 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
Just watched that goal on the Foxtsports highlights, and I have to say that a fit goal keeper should have stopped that. It was neither too high nor too fast. Broken ribs would explain it.
October 10th 2011 @ 3:37pm
The Cattery said | October 10th 2011 @ 3:37pm | Report comment
I have to agree with Roger, it almost looked like he just had to stretch an arm out and take it one handed, it did look like a poor effort from the keeper.
October 10th 2011 @ 3:42pm
Roger said | October 10th 2011 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
“…it almost looked like he just had to stretch an arm out and take it one handed…”
You’ve hit the nail on the head Cattery
October 10th 2011 @ 3:44pm
The Cattery said | October 10th 2011 @ 3:44pm | Report comment
Just to add to that point, if we look at the Victory v SFC game, the keepers made something like 13 saves, and around 10 of them were more difficult than the one that tied up the GCU v Nix game.
October 10th 2011 @ 4:28pm
Axelv said | October 10th 2011 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
I disagree, look at the height of the ball, it was way too high for him to reach it was only reachable at the very end but by that stage it was already past Paston.
On the live action it had a replay that shows how far he was standing out, he had to be on the goal line to have any chance, it was way too high for him to reach. Maybe Shaq could have saved it. It only dipped at the very end. Amazing shot if it was on purpose.
October 10th 2011 @ 4:41pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | October 10th 2011 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
Roger—–the ball was brilliantly struck; it swerved and dipped. I reckon the goalkeeper was beaten by the swerve and dip—also he may have been slightly unsighted as it came around a defender.. if you viewed the goal behind James Brown on the replay.
October 10th 2011 @ 4:45pm
Axelv said | October 10th 2011 @ 4:45pm | Report comment
It reminds me of Robbie’s Kruses goal against Sydney, except Kruse’s goal was in the corner and lower height, Bolton went to full stretch but still had no chance.
Kruse
James Brown
Yeah Paston didn’t move because he is injured, but even if he did he wouldn’t be able to reach.
October 10th 2011 @ 5:01pm
Roger said | October 10th 2011 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
Simply don’t agree Axel and QsF. It wasn’t too high, and it wasn’t too fast. The keeper just didn’t react. He could have put a hand up to stop it.
Agree that he may have been blind sighted though, might explain his non-reaction.
October 10th 2011 @ 5:17pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | October 10th 2011 @ 5:17pm | Report comment
Have another look guys—-it was a superb goal, the keeper was beaten by the pace, swerve and dip.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/2150391704/Gold-Coast-United-v-Wellington-Phoenix
He was disgusted with himself because he misjudged the pace, swerve and dip—end of story. You can see that by his reaction at the end of the clip. A contender for goal of the year…
October 10th 2011 @ 5:22pm
Roger said | October 10th 2011 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
Haha, QsF, that’s now the 5th time I have seen the goal, and still not seeing what you see.
Agree to disagree I’m afraid.
October 10th 2011 @ 5:58pm
The Cattery said | October 10th 2011 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
I’m the same, the ball sails inches above his head, people, it’s woeful goalkeeping, honestly, just shocking. Good on Brown for hitting the target when his team needed, no problem with that, but that is pathetic goalkeeping.
October 10th 2011 @ 6:07pm
Al said | October 10th 2011 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
Woeful? The guy had cracked ribs!
October 10th 2011 @ 6:53pm
Rellum said | October 10th 2011 @ 6:53pm | Report comment
The guy did also beat two players with great skill before beating the keeper with curl and dip. Wonderful goal.
October 10th 2011 @ 7:22pm
The Cattery said | October 10th 2011 @ 7:22pm | Report comment
Brown did very well, agree with all of that, but the keeper has let his team down badly at a critical point, if he had taken half a step to his left, the ball would have brushed the tips of his hair.
October 10th 2011 @ 8:04pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 10th 2011 @ 8:04pm | Report comment
Perhaps, we need someone with GK experience to settle this matter – apaway, please we need you assistance!
From an outfielder’s point of view, when you review the video replay from in front of the goal, I reckon Paston probably saw the ball too late and then it seems to swerve up and away from him and he’s caught flat footed.
Check out this goal from the 1982 WC – BRA v USSR. Eder scores a beauty – albeit with the left foot – from about the same area as James Brown and catches Rinat Dasayev flat footed.
Daseyev was considered the best GK in the world and one of the best GKs of all time – he was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.
Source:
October 10th 2011 @ 8:36pm
The Cattery said | October 10th 2011 @ 8:36pm | Report comment
I’m very familiar with the Eder goal, but it goes like a rocket just inside the post, the Brown shot nearly hits the keeper on the head!
October 10th 2011 @ 8:57pm
Titus said | October 10th 2011 @ 8:57pm | Report comment
I wouldn’t call it an easy save. Unless you react straight away its too late and with the amount of dip and curl on it it initially looked like it was going high and wide or he had no chance getting to it.
In the end it was well within reach but by then it was too late.
Having said that, both Reddy and Covic would have stopped it on saturday night.
October 10th 2011 @ 12:20pm
ali said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
Hey Qantas,
what was the attendance at skilled park ?
October 10th 2011 @ 12:27pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
QsAF has actually provided insights in to one of the highlights that occurred during the actual GAME – you know, the stuff that makes sport “a sport” … but, your only concern is the crowd?
ali, do you follow the HAL and attend matches, or are you a non-football fan just here to cause trouble?
October 10th 2011 @ 12:30pm
Al said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Judging by ali’s opening post right at the top, he is a football fan. Let’s not get too defensive.
October 10th 2011 @ 12:57pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Good point, Al.
My sincere apologies ali – I get overly sensitive about this issue.
GCU attendance was 4,137.
October 10th 2011 @ 1:27pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | October 10th 2011 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
Ali—glad to give you the figure as you are a guest in Australia (I see Fuss has beaten me to it
—however, I believe that the crowd was more than what you would be use to in Qatar. All in all a wonderful day—the average is on track, beating last years avg that is all we are hoping for at this stage of our development.
October 10th 2011 @ 2:07pm
ali said | October 10th 2011 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
laughing at your pre-sumptions and over protective defensive responsive’s of anyone who asks a simple question.
Yes ofcourse mr Qantas you would automatically assume just cos my name is Ali i am a guest in this country and have more interest in Qatar.
just so you know i am a western sydney born arab decent man who loves the local game, is a coach and a father of two who play the game,
and if i wanted to cause trouble, i would go into the NRL and AFL forums and tell them how much their game has stopped our game from progressing to main stream.
October 10th 2011 @ 2:08pm
ali said | October 10th 2011 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
i Should have looked below and saw the attendance’s of each game before i opened my big mouth!
apologies
October 10th 2011 @ 4:50pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | October 10th 2011 @ 4:50pm | Report comment
C’mon Ali, we both know what your comment was all about.
Smile anyway, it’s a beautiful day up here on the coast—even if we are on strike.
October 10th 2011 @ 2:19pm
Bondy said | October 10th 2011 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Ali ,
Welcome to the football thread brother .
October 10th 2011 @ 10:37am
jmac said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:37am | Report comment
already there is a contender for the robbie slater understatement of the year: “rojas has been good”, pretty much as an afterthought. merely good?? once again I wonder which game the bulldog is watching. rojas’s passes in the second half to tee up allsopp and then solazarno were several classes above what we usually see in the HAL. both those forwards should be locked up for missing, of such high quality were those passes.
surely he will be in europe this time next year, if not before. enjoy it while it lasts!
October 10th 2011 @ 12:13pm
Michael said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
+1. He was a standout.
October 10th 2011 @ 10:41am
Antonio said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:41am | Report comment
Too bad that the victory home game got more than the other 4 games combinded, including the fromer premiers in the grand final re-match! if you ask me the a-league looks once again being higher quality but lower crowds.
October 10th 2011 @ 10:59am
striker said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:59am | Report comment
Antonio i have to agree i thought the other crowds were disappointnig will be intersting to see what the TV rating for Sydney -Melbourne are lets hope there good.
October 10th 2011 @ 11:02am
bob said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:02am | Report comment
highest first round aggregriate crowd….
October 10th 2011 @ 11:10am
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:10am | Report comment
@ Antonio
Your comment about crowds has no factual basis – albeit after only Round 1.
All 5 matches attracted crowds that were HIGHER than the average for those teams last season.
Compared to last season:
Brisbane: UP 45%
GCU: UP 20%
MVFC: UP 165%
NJFC: UP 48%
Perth: UP 11%
Note: the crowd at the MVFC, Perth and NJFC matches was above (for MVFC) or close to (for Perth, NJFC) the highest average annual crowds in their HAL history.
Happy for the HAL to cop criticism when crowds are down, but it’s ridiculous to cop criticism when the FACTS indicated higher crowds than last season.
October 10th 2011 @ 11:15am
striker said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Fusball it ill intersting to see what Sydney get this week because a strong Sydney means a strong A-League, Fusball any news on the pay TV ratings for the big game yet from FOX?
October 10th 2011 @ 11:28am
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:28am | Report comment
Striker – I don’t know where to access data for PayTV ratings; only have access to FTA Tv ratings.
October 10th 2011 @ 11:36am
striker said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:36am | Report comment
I Think they come out tomorrow i hope they were good considering all the publicity.
October 10th 2011 @ 12:02pm
Matt F said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Yeah they usually come out Tuesday. It will be very interesting to see the figures, especially given it was up against the RWC quarter finals (though thankfully not the Wallabies)
October 10th 2011 @ 9:11pm
Titus said | October 10th 2011 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
Syd v Mel rated 153 000 on Fox
Was 5th for the week, not bad considering it was up against a big RWC match.
Apparently it is the highest rating regular season a-league game of all time.
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/10/pay-tv-ratings-week-41.html
October 10th 2011 @ 12:03pm
jmac said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
crowds in early rounds, I think, are typically higher than the ultimate season average for a club. so we need to be careful comparing round 1 with previous season averages.
HOWEVER, the news is still good, I think..
2010/11 first (or second, depending when they first played at home) round crowds, compared to round 1 2011/12:
Perth 2010: 16,019 (2010-11 avg 8,488) / 2011: 9,452
Melbourne 2010: 20,358 (2010-11 avg 15,234) / 2011: 40,351
Brisbane 2010: 10,339 (2010-11 avg 9,279) / 2011: 13,467
Newcastle 2010: 8,735 (2010-11 avg 8,429) / 2011: 12,467
Gold Coast 2010: 6,394 (2010-11 avg 3,434) / 2011: 4,113
So on the up in Melbourne, Newcastle, Brisbane. Lower starts than last year in Perth, GC. GC looks a real worry. Last year’s opener was against the Roar, so likely quite a few brisbane fans in that 6k.
But on the whole cause for optimism, and not even blind optimism, like I normally indulge in..
October 10th 2011 @ 1:40pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | October 10th 2011 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
Our crowds (GCU) against the Nix have always been the lowest. Good to see we have drawn a very good crowd at home against them this year (ie for us)…
October 10th 2011 @ 2:16pm
jmac said | October 10th 2011 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
yeah sorry qantas, probably abit of an overreation to describe something as a ‘real worry’ after one week! I was half thinking the lower start than last year might be due to the opponents lack of ‘draw’, so good you can back that up.. good luck up there
October 10th 2011 @ 9:29pm
j binnie said | October 10th 2011 @ 9:29pm | Report comment
Fussball – Comparing crowds. – Last year the best attended WEEKEND in the HAL normal season was probably the weekend 20/1 to 23/1.There were some unusual occurrences happened that weekend that did add to the overall figure but bear with me while I explain. Victory drew 32,230 to THEIR “derby” game on 22/1.Adelaide drew 10,986 to their Fury fixture on 21/1, CCM drew 10,650 v Sydney on 23/1,Wellington got 5,115 v Perth on 23/1 & GCU had their FREE DAY v Jets on 22/1 that pulled14,780. A 5 match weekend that pulled 73760 fans,albeit with 2 “unusual “influences.
The weekend just closed pulled 80350 so we had a 9% increase on 2010′s best weekend crowds.Thought you might be interested. jb
October 10th 2011 @ 9:35pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 10th 2011 @ 9:35pm | Report comment
thanks jb
You know me – I’m always interested in dwelling on the good news … but, do get a tad grumpy and fragile when having to deal with bad news.
October 10th 2011 @ 9:50pm
Johnno said | October 10th 2011 @ 9:50pm | Report comment
Fuss i’m always interested on dwelling on the bad news.
eg old NSL VS New A-league. Not a bad weekend in A-league but , NSW state league grand final, sydeny olympic v sydney united was still more excting than any A-league match this weekend, could only imagine olympic and united with all the money of a a league licence, they would do well in Asian champions league to. But victory looking good with H K Kewell , he has not lost his touch.
October 10th 2011 @ 9:55pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 10th 2011 @ 9:55pm | Report comment
Johnno
Which A-League game/s did you watch this week-end to form that opinion?
And, I know you didn’t watch the Sydney Olympic v Sydney Utd, so you are just making stuff up.
Why do you persist in trying to denigrate the HAL when you don’t even watch it?
October 10th 2011 @ 11:23am
Matt F said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:23am | Report comment
I think you’re going off a little bit early there Antonio. It was the highest round 1 crowd figure in A-League history (though you are right that 1/2 of it did come from one match.) Whilst MV vs SFC was always going to attract a strong crowd the Jets crowd was very good given the controversy during the week and the fct that nobody was really giving them much of a chance this season.
I won’t compare it with season averages because round 1 crowds do tend to be higher then the season average across all sports but let’s look at it compared to each teams 1st home game from last season.
The jets got 8000 to their 1st game last season compared to 13k this season which is fantastic.
Melbourne was double that of last season (20k vs 40k) but the reason for that are obvious.
Brisbanes crowd would be dissapointing given what they achieved last season but was still 4000 higher then their first match last season (10k vs 14k.)
Gold Coasts was down from 6k to 4k. Given the lack of star power and expectations in the team this season and given they played Wellington rather then Brisbane that’s not too surprising.
Perth was down from 16k to 9k but given Perth were tipped as outside title chances last season compared to outside finals chances this season it’s again not too surprising.
October 10th 2011 @ 12:05pm
jmac said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
sorry matt I just duplicated your post.
October 10th 2011 @ 12:14pm
Matt F said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
you bastard
October 10th 2011 @ 2:42pm
Nathan of Perth said | October 10th 2011 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Perth has a bit if making up to do with the fans but playing like they seem to do now (ie, fluid rather than hoof, creative rather than thug) should go a long way to convincing fans the club culture is not as toxic as some thought. There are a lot of bitters to bring back around, but we can do it, and once we believe, new people will too.
October 10th 2011 @ 2:49pm
Bondy said | October 10th 2011 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
In watching The Glory it looked like at times they were trying to replicate The Bris Roar which is good, at times alot of passing and on the ground , they could be a suprise package or at least alot better than they were last year .
Dissapointing to see Paul Eifel ( Phoenix) come off too .
October 10th 2011 @ 3:20pm
Matt F said | October 10th 2011 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
The Glory have promised its fans much over the last few seasons but ultimately delivered little, especially when compared to their success in the old NSL. The signings of Burns, Coyne, Sterjovski, Fowler etc were supposed to turn them into contenders and they went 5 or 6 games unbeaten at the start of last season (if I remember correctly) only to collapse in a heap. They’ve made some very good signings but some of the Perth fans, or potential fans, are probably treading with a bit of caution at the moment. They looked very good yesterday. Hopefully they can have a succesful season because if they do I’m sure the crowds will shoot back up.
October 10th 2011 @ 3:29pm
Nathan of Perth said | October 10th 2011 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
It’s not even the results, it’d how the results are obtained, as well as the perception that a number of players were simply, as the Hatt report put it, seeking a superannuated retirement, rather than theree to play for city, team and fans.
Bit frustrated at a so-so run with media so far but hard to compete against the Wallabies QF win so hopefully that will get back into gear soon.
October 10th 2011 @ 10:58am
Fauntleroy said | October 10th 2011 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Upon reflection, i’m actually glad the game finished 0-0. I took along an AFL die-hard who was pestered by his son (who loves football) to go along. He left very satisfied with the match and a realisation that the scoreline is rarely a summation of a game’s quality. He loved it (the atmosphere, which was also a new experience, didn’t hinder his experience either) and now the kid is pestering for a membership.
I am certain a critical mass of people left the match with the same impression. If the “theatre goers” (as people sometimes call them – I hate the term) don’t return, it won’t be because of the scoreline.
October 10th 2011 @ 11:20am
Midfielder said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:20am | Report comment
The crowd figures ….
Opening round
MV … 40, 357 .. Hal 6 average .. 15, 234
Roar.. 13, 467 .. Hal 6 average .. 9, 279
Jets .. 12, 467 .. Hal 6 average .. 8, 429
Perth .. 9, 452 .. Hal 6 average .. 8, 488
GC … 4, 113 … Hal 6 average .. 3, 434
Total … 79, 856
Average … 15, 971
Compared to other opening rounds
Hal 1.. 70, 343 average 17, 586 … 4 games …
Hal 2 .. 62, 965 average 15, 741 … 4 games
Hal 3.. 58, 214 average 14, 553 …. 4 games
Hal 4.. 53, 332 average 13, 333 …. 4 games
Hal 5.. 68, 156 average 13, 613 … 5 games
Hal 6.. 54, 047 average 10, 804 …. 5 games
October 10th 2011 @ 12:32pm
Axelv said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
If the Gold Coast were to not exist like in Hal 1, the average would have been 19,000 for this round
Really great crowds for the opening round, it’s going to be a thrilling season! On the opening day all 6 teams looked really good. Adelaide however may have been over estimated!
October 10th 2011 @ 2:50pm
Griffo said | October 10th 2011 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
12.5k not too bad for the Jets, about what I thought, but a larger Ausgrid capacity means more needed to help it fill up…
Round 3 is the F3 darby – plenty of chatter on the way out after the game from people confirming their calendars and demanding friends do the same.
I think around 15k for darby, hopefully more…
…Mid, you whipping up a few bus/train convoys
October 10th 2011 @ 3:21pm
Matt F said | October 10th 2011 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
If both teams can win next weekend, which looking at the draw is quite possible, then there could be quite a healthy crowd
October 10th 2011 @ 5:57pm
Midfielder said | October 10th 2011 @ 5:57pm | Report comment
Griffo
We will bring the mini bus…. ” Mariner joke from HAl 3 I think” ..
Love to get a huge crowd … BTW go back to your old poo shirts they were awfull … your new shirt looks good ..
October 11th 2011 @ 9:30am
j binnie said | October 11th 2011 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Midfielder. As you have probably noticed I too keep figures for a hobby of mine. I have a request for you for in my opening round attendance figures I find mine and yours agree EXACTLY except for the “big one”,where you show 40,357 but the figure I got from the TV attendance (at the game) was shown as 40,851.For the sake of accuracy could you please find out what figure is correct so that I may alter my figures if required. Thanks again jb
October 13th 2011 @ 1:14am
Midfielder said | October 13th 2011 @ 1:14am | Report comment
JB
Mine from the FFA site http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/aleague/matchcentre/Melbourne-Victory-FC-v-Sydney-FC-Hyundai-A-League/2088
October 11th 2011 @ 10:29am
gawa said | October 11th 2011 @ 10:29am | Report comment
It is also important to note from a Brisbane viewpoint that in previous seaons the opening fixture sees huge numbers of local junior teams get free entry into the game which inflates the attendances.
Out of the 13.5k that did turn up nearly all had a real understanding of the game, that certainly was not the case 7 years ago.
October 10th 2011 @ 11:32am
striker said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:32am | Report comment
Look i think crowds its a positive start lets hope it continues.
October 10th 2011 @ 11:37am
Futbanous said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:37am | Report comment
So hows Harrys bank balance look after game 1 for Victory?
October 10th 2011 @ 11:39am
striker said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:39am | Report comment
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ hahaha
October 10th 2011 @ 12:42pm
Axelv said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
apparently it’s no longer bonus crowd commission, it’s all sponsorships that’s paying his wage.
October 10th 2011 @ 11:43am
Futbanous said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Just going back to the crux of this article,the quality of football on the park in the A-League.
Judging entirely by The Roar’s overseas recruits the quality of overseas players & our ability to pick the right players has improved tenfold since season 1.
I leave other fans to make judgements on their own club.
October 11th 2011 @ 9:38am
j binnie said | October 11th 2011 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Futbanous – While agreeing with the overall gist of your comment I think once again it has to be mentioned that someone BEHIND the scenes at Roar is doing a far better than average job with young local players. Zullo,Sarota,Oar,Cerznak,Kruse & Nichols have all emerged from their youth system in the past 2 years to go on to bigger & better things not forgetting Mackay who is also a long time product of Brisbane youth football. jb