Football community united in frustrated boredom
Columnist By Davidde Corran, 19 Jan 2012 Davidde Corran is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- A-League, football, Robbie Slater, Sydney FC
Sydney FC's Terry Antonis (right) is tackled by Adam Hughes of Perth Glory FC. AAP Image/Paul Miller
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So, after a few days in which divisive spot fires popped up all over the Australian football scene, it was nice of Sydney FC and Perth Glory to come together last night and play out one of the drabbest games of the season.
Finally the football community was united, albeit in frustrated boredom.
Sydney and Perth’s 1-1 draw came as a calming antidote to the weekend’s main altercations.
First a bare-chested Besart Berisha asked Pascal Boschaart to meet him in the car park in a stoush that turned into a rather depressing online debate.
The following day was witness to what can only be described as an ill-conceived clash between high profile pundits Robbie Slater and Craig Foster that also burned its way through the Internet.
But amongst all the debate and acrimony this week there was one article on The Roar that got me thinking – my colleague Vince Rugari’s endorsement of Fox Sports’ initiative to mike up Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg during their home match with Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
“The Big Bash League is going the extra mile, and that’s why it was good to listen to football playing catch-up with Bleiberg’s role in Sunday’s broadcast,” wrote Rugari.
“Australian football has to do things differently.”
My former editor at Football+, Tony Harper, highlighted the other side of this debate in the Sydney Sun Herald on the weekend when discussing Fox’s coverage of the Big Bash League.
“If the battle is important, the combatants need their time and space to fume, grieve and reflect on what it all means for them,” he wrote.
“You wouldn’t expect a formula one driver to be fully focused if miked-up to chat to the commentators.”
Harper went on to conclude that, “I want rage with my sport but, in the quest for ”insight”, with its microphones and dressing-room cameras, the players aren’t allowed to be themselves. In sport, less can be much more.”
Finding that perfect spot between offering all-access insight and allowing a sporting contest the space to thrive in our imaginations is a delicate balance.
It’s also a decision for far more capable people than me.
There is one inescapable truth though – no matter what initiative a host broadcaster implements, the final product will depend on the raw materials placed in from of them.
Good characters like Bleiberg are fine, big opinions like Slater’s make headlines, but it’s all just a side-show to the real game.
The only way football will continue to make significant moves forward is with the consistent employment of coaches of the highest technical level who are supported by an informed football department.
When this becomes the norm, it won’t matter whether Gold Coast United’s coach allows a microphone to be pinned to his shirt.
That’s the key point that threatened to be overwhelmed by the debate on the nationality of a coach this week, because no amount of lapel microphones would have made yesterday evening’s snore fest any more entertaining.
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- Explore:
- A-League, football, Robbie Slater, Sydney FC
January 19th 2012 @ 10:02am
Rusty said | January 19th 2012 @ 10:02am | Report comment
Davidde it would have been so easy for you to link that same article to the positives of the great CCM game or even the positives from the Glory perspective… but no lets look at the negatives.
January 19th 2012 @ 7:31pm
Davidde Corran said | January 19th 2012 @ 7:31pm | Report comment
Rusty, I mention a negative but this isn’t a negative article. Read it through again if you need.
January 19th 2012 @ 10:14am
Bondy said | January 19th 2012 @ 10:14am | Report comment
How’s this for a quote by Mourinho on Cr7 ” he needs to be cuddled and pampered ” it’s a gee up isnt it .
January 19th 2012 @ 1:55pm
JAJI said | January 19th 2012 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
…and yet again they still lost to Barca – clearly Mourinho’s bogey side (putting aside the semi finals of the 2010 Champions League)
That said Madrid will probably win the League
January 19th 2012 @ 3:00pm
Bondy said | January 19th 2012 @ 3:00pm | Report comment
JAJI.
I watched that match this morning but my luck wasn’t in each time a goal was about to be scored the buffering played havoc. I still got to see most of it .
There were 19 streams of that match on the net ” sportlemon” , i watched commentary from Salgado and Guillem before during and after, the pundits really steal the show it’s great .
January 19th 2012 @ 10:31am
striker said | January 19th 2012 @ 10:31am | Report comment
I Still reckon bringing the game to campbelltown is a good thing at 7.30 there would have been at least 10k, the 5.30pm had no chance of getting a big crowd.
January 19th 2012 @ 10:52am
Bondy said | January 19th 2012 @ 10:52am | Report comment
An interesting observation i’ve made in listening to radio 702 A.B.C. no mention of A League results in their sports bulletins, on the other hand 873 2.G.B. and direct rights holders to the N.R.L. actually tell you when an A League game is on and the results the next day they actually dont do a to badder job with the H.A.L and there meant to be direct rivals, and the A.B.C. are meant to be independant .
Can anyone explain that to me .
January 19th 2012 @ 12:02pm
Midfielder said | January 19th 2012 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Its no cricket Bondy
January 19th 2012 @ 12:38pm
JAJI said | January 19th 2012 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Thats interesting with ABC. I have noticed Karen Tighe on Grandstand decide last Saturday afternoon that the Hobart Womens Tennis Tournament between 2 Central European women 9 people out of 10 could not name (and not very highly ranked mind you) was of more importance than the F3 derby. I can understand putting the A League behind the Test Cricket and Big Bash (as cricket is 702′S BREAD AND BUTTER) but thinking the Hobart Invitational is of more local interest is a farce putting it mildly
Having said that Debbie Spillane on News Radio every morning absolutely loves her football
The A League is getting more and more mainstream coverage each year. A Highlights show each week on Channel Ten (and maybe one game a week) would put it on the next level
January 19th 2012 @ 1:49pm
Bondy said | January 19th 2012 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
JAJI.
I agree, i overall dont expect the H.A.L. to take a greater priority over Test or BB but to listen to Grandstand sometimes i think to myself whats the point .
I agree Deb Spillane likes her futbol and does a great job .
January 19th 2012 @ 1:54pm
JAJI said | January 19th 2012 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Debbie Spillane is tip top. On mornings when there is an EPL game she tells you who is fit who is not who is starting, manager formation the lot. Unfortunately following Arsenal she is on a hiding to nothing but we will forgive her on that one
January 23rd 2012 @ 1:35pm
PeterK said | January 23rd 2012 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
JAJI, if we have to choose between a highlights show and a replayed game (though having both would be better than having to choose), I vote for a replayed game — and preferably on SBS.
I’ve got to say too, that I was very very disappointed that the ABC telecast the Women’s Cricket live, and only gave us one-hour replays of the two W-League semifinals. However, I was pleased that we got SOMEthing.
January 19th 2012 @ 12:36pm
Dean said | January 19th 2012 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
A nonsense headline that doesn’t reflect the body of the article – Davidde uses 2 sentences to reflect on last night’s dull game between SFC v PER . I’ve been to all 9 MVFC home games this season and, every week, there is drama, tension and talking points. Interestingly, the worst game was Derby 1; but Derby 2 more than compensated for that and Derby 3 will be a ripper. This season is the most exciting of all the 7 HAL seasons with all teams very closely matched. Only one team is separated from the pack but, in my mind, CCM is nothing special. They are just very consistent but I doubt any of the 9 other teams fear CCM the way they feared Brisbane last season. It looks like every spot on the ladder – apart from No 1 – will be decided on the final round results.
January 19th 2012 @ 12:46pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | January 19th 2012 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
Davidee—-it may have been drab to you but to the Glory fans they were delighted to come back the way they did. It was a tough gig in searing heat sometimes you have to remember that. Can you imagine now what it’s going to be like in Qatar 2022 with 50 C. degree heat for the WC..? Do we still want it there?
January 19th 2012 @ 1:51pm
JAJI said | January 19th 2012 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
Tell me hasnt been arguing Qatar 2022 has he? No cause Australia hosting would be just a disaster for the “old football” crew…
January 19th 2012 @ 2:24pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | January 19th 2012 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
Yes he was in favour of the Qatar bid over Australian bid along with Jesse Fink. I know this is old ground but there is a correlation with drab games, heat, and location. I just thought it was a timely reminder of those elements that result in drab games.
January 19th 2012 @ 3:39pm
JAJI said | January 19th 2012 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
Anyone in this country who can sit straight and argue Qatar of all places deserved a World Cup more than Australia has an agenda against the FFA and “New” Football.
Unfortunately with the individuals you mention that is exactly the case. Qatar couldnt even host the Asian Cup Final last year without shambolic events occurring with fans stuck outside the ground
January 19th 2012 @ 7:29pm
Davidde Corran said | January 19th 2012 @ 7:29pm | Report comment
Qantas, I don’t mention how the Glory fans might have felt about it as it’s not an article about their season, etc. While Qatar rarely hits anything close to 50 C. during the World Cup period, it will be very hot and that’s the concern. Either way we haven’t heard the end of this discussion though I still believe it’ll take place in Qatar.
January 20th 2012 @ 2:24am
Nathan of Perth said | January 20th 2012 @ 2:24am | Report comment
“Qantas, I don’t mention how the Glory fans might have felt about it as it’s not an article about their season,”
Should be, though. More interesting than Sydney
January 20th 2012 @ 2:26pm
Punter said | January 20th 2012 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Anyone who agrees with the decision to hold the WC in Qatar is certainly not thinking of the fans.
January 19th 2012 @ 2:09pm
tribina said | January 19th 2012 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
i live in the western sydney area. I don’t think you can fault the players too much in that sydney-perth game, the weather even at 5.30 was dreadful yesterday.
January 19th 2012 @ 2:32pm
Futbanous said | January 19th 2012 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
Personally walking to the bus stop this time of the year at 5.30 is draining in Brisbane, Having lived in the Campbelltown area I remember it a similar oppressive climate in January through to March.
Football your avin a laugh.
Experimentation is acceptable in a new league to test the waters I accept that. However the proviso should be that you have to be able to present your best possible to the public your testing on.
I understand the cancellation,Foxtel pressure etc etc,but the timing of this match guaranteed an article such as this.
Commonsense should prevail regardless of any external pressures placed on the FFA.
January 19th 2012 @ 3:20pm
whiskeymac said | January 19th 2012 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
surely most places in Australia in January (Nov through to March really) are freakin’ hot, especially for games involving constant running? outside of Tasmania its probably true to say temperatures of 30+ are to be expected. and in saying that i was outside in Western Sydney yesterday also and to imagine running about wld seem a particularly cruel form of torture, but it cannot be said to be unusual with the HAL enduring it for 7 seasons now.
January 20th 2012 @ 11:18pm
j binnie said | January 20th 2012 @ 11:18pm | Report comment
whiskeymac..As one who was first to suggest the promotion of NSL football in summer might I inform you of some facts that WIKI does not include in it’s reasons for the changes.
(1) For years we in the “soccer” world had been told that we had by far the most populous sport “player wise” in the country. A problem arose from this,most of these players ,junior and senior played at the same time as the NSL. By moving the premier league to summer this potential market was freed up for the clubs to attract to their games
(2) At that time we played our football at a totally different time from the rest of the world and it was felt with the international scene booming we would be better playing in conjunction with the north. The FFA “calendar” in recent years has proved that to be a crucial move.
(3) Due to the weather conditions in summer it was proposed all games would be played under lights at a time suitable for families to attend and yet allow others teens and singles to enjoy evening entertainment if they so desired.say 6.30om KO. 8.15pm finish.
(4) Wiki’s published reason concerning the other 2 football codes is not strictly accurate.It was felt that by playing our major league in summer the opportunity to get more media publicity would present itself but this of course would not be guaranteed,however it was felt that there may be more than a few fans who enjoy both RL and AFL that may also enjoy watching our code and by playing our game in summer they would not be forced to make a choice.
(5) A possibility oft ignored was that as the NSL was not full time professional , NSL players could be “loaned out” in winter to state league or city league competitions in a limited manner,say one or two per team.This would have had a two way effect aiding the semi-pro players to play all year round while helping the youngsters in the local leagues to play with better footballers.
(6) What was never published was that the meteorological departments were contacted in each state and asked about mean temperatures at that time of year and at that time of night. No problem was envisaged anywhere except —- in Brisbane,not because of heat ,but by the possibility of summer thunderstorms with accompanying rain.
Now, can I ask you to do a simple exercise. Read these 6 statements and tell me it was a bad idea. By the way,since it’s inception, no-one has died of heat-stroke. jb
January 19th 2012 @ 5:27pm
Titus said | January 19th 2012 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
Its not so much that one game though, Sydney needs to do a lot better to entertain the fans, firstly Lavicka needs to go, whether at the end of the season or now. His recruitments have been poor, his first team choices are poor, his tactics are poor and his teams are boring defensive affairs that are in the most part pretty poor to watch. He’s a nice bloke though, won us the double, and would probably be a good coach with a technically gifted team.
Then we need a team in which the foriegners are technically better than you would get here, some young exciting players (already have plenty who aren’t getting gametime under Lavicka) and some solid Aussie squaddies (Beauchamp, Carle, Emmo, Bridge) and thats it, just get them playing attacking, fast, possession, passing football. There are a number of teams in the HAL that are leading the way.
Oh yeah, and McFlynn has to go. Maybe into the coaching staff but despite all his hard work and passion he is the reason we play ugly football and his role is to bring other teams down to our level, making the audience the losers.
January 19th 2012 @ 5:52pm
Futbanous said | January 19th 2012 @ 5:52pm | Report comment
I must admit that as a neutralI have found Sydney boring to watch under Lavicka. IMO he’s definitely not the right coach for the Sydney market. Whether other fans accept it or not a vibrant SFC playing an attractive style of football greatly benefits them. Our biggest crowds by a country mile have been against Sydney. Last week we would have got over 20,000 if SFC were on a roll playing exciting football,despite our indifferent form recently.
Your new CEO can only do so much(seems to have his finger on the pulse more than his predecessors to me anyway) off the park & Gary Cole is only just kicking off.
January 19th 2012 @ 9:55pm
The Cattery said | January 19th 2012 @ 9:55pm | Report comment
Even when Sydney last won the championship, and Lavicka was heralded as the messiah, SFC were dead boring to watch.
It would be a line ball contest as to who has had more 1-0 wins between SFC and CCM.
January 19th 2012 @ 6:06pm
Titus said | January 19th 2012 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
do comments seem to go missing for just me or everyone? is it some form of moderation?
January 19th 2012 @ 8:44pm
Stevo said | January 19th 2012 @ 8:44pm | Report comment
Davidde’s article is a lucid gem unlike the “The ugly face of the A-League” by Philip Micallef at
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1089869/The-ugly-face-of-the-A-League – which has more than a hint of FFA “bashing” – who would have thought that from SBS TWG.
January 19th 2012 @ 9:53pm
The Cattery said | January 19th 2012 @ 9:53pm | Report comment
Stevo
I actually thought something similar when I stumbled across Micallef’s piece, so alongside that, Davidde is correct in arguing that his is not overly critical.
January 19th 2012 @ 8:49pm
Johnno said | January 19th 2012 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
Souless clubs with no tradition, not run by real football people what do you expect.
Sydney olympic, or sth melbourne would do wonders for the A-league.
And a name like sth melbourne is based on geography not ethnic lines, hence the name sth melbourne.
And sydney olympic have a great business model, the FFA cronies are scared the old NSL lcubs will boom in a A-league.
January 20th 2012 @ 10:41am
super G said | January 20th 2012 @ 10:41am | Report comment
Here’s….JOHNNO!!!
January 20th 2012 @ 2:28pm
Punter said | January 20th 2012 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Only is De Goey became president of Sth Melb.