The A-League Grand Final now another point of contention for Australian football
The governance of Australian football, in particular the A-League, has long been a point of contention. Whether it be issues of fan engagement, development…
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I won’t go home. I’ll just warm the bench, watch, observe, listen. See what people have to say who are providing facts about the situation.
How do A-League fans convince police that passion is not a crime?
I can already see this conversation going nowhere.
I’m out on this one today.
How do A-League fans convince police that passion is not a crime?
Article was going well until we brought up the active supporter issue.
I completely disagree.
We live in a day and age where group think tends to dominate the individual thought.
It seems that if a fan and then friends of said fan, perceive mistreatment, they’ll just walk out.
Some will even go into battle for a friend, even if they know the friend is wrong.
Some will even go into battle for a friend, even if they don’t know what the friend did.
Not once in 21 years of going to NRL or A-League, have I or a family member or group of friends, been subject to mistreatment from police.
Not one line in this article actually points out the facts of the matter as to why either the RBB or the Den, walked out.
We’ve seen this time and time again.
The vast majority of fans which aren’t active support, do not feel the need to leave and abandon their team.
The football and team comes first.
For active support, the way they’re treated clearly comes first.
Yes, there are examples we can refer to regarding mistreatment of fans, but those have facts and not just feelings, but these incidents don’t speak for everyone or the vast majority of fans.
Mike, this is merely subjective speculation about matters which you’ve provided no grounds or insight to prove your point regarding the police.
I’ll happily stand corrected on these three issues if you can provide the facts, but until then, we’ll merely speculate until clubs, football australia, APL and police, have had their say.
No matter what though, the loser in all of this will always be the fans.
For if it’s found the behaviour of a group of fans was deemed inappropriate by all, the group think will still dominate and then those fans and the club will have a disconnect once again.
If it is deemed the police or lack of support to fans, its us fans who lose again.
I’m growing tired of the constant issues these active groups seem to consistently find themselves in.
You either have a active supporter issue or you have a policing issue.
Or maybe it’s both. Who knows!?
But each time a fan group walks out, talking about it is only going to create further division.
It’s what football and it’s fans love to do!
Just saw the article about the brawl after the derby and seen the reminder of fan violence last year.
I’m sorry, but I’m beginning to have no Sympathy. I just want to watch football.
How do A-League fans convince police that passion is not a crime?
My tips:
Macarthur
Western
Newcastle
Wanderers
Wellington
Brisbane
Daughters tips:
City
Perth
Newcastle
Sydney
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sons tips:
City
Western
Mariners
Sydney
Adelaide
Brisbane
I lost track of my ladder, need to get it sorted!!
The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 19
What position should Nisbet play if he wanted to make it into the Socceroos?
The Central Coast Mariners are a reminder of what's good about the A-League Men
Good morning, all.
Another good write up, Mike!
Mariners today, compared to Mariners of last year, are two very different sides.
Last year was fun to watch and they captured the imagination of many as to what they could do and achieve.
This year, the only thing aiding them is the fact they’re in the AFC Cup. For if it were not for this competition, I would have lost interest in their cause.
I think the reason, I now think like this is due to their sustained success. More so, it is honestly more to do with their behaviour and character when playing.
They are quality, don’t get wrong, but I’ve noticed a lot more now, this arrogance that’s being expressed by a fair bit of the playing group.
They are really giving it to opposition fans in terms of their celebrations, especially their import players.
Perhaps it’s just me and my personality, but this new found arrogance is rather off putting. It might just be me who has noticed it, but the Wellington this year, feel like Central Coast last year.
So I’m backing them in. It’s good for their club. It’s good for the sport. It’s good for the A-League. And it’s good for New Zealand.
With Auckland being formed as we speak, Wellington’s success right now will help tremendously.
As for the rest of the competition, Sydney FC fans continue to lead the way.
Victory were so lucky to beat Western. They earned it, but jeez they left it late!
Western just keep keeping on. It’s been a difficult year for them both on and off the field. The sooner they get to Tarneit, the better!
Brisbane Roar have been greatly affected by coaching changes and upper management for years. The weather has been dire almost every game and it’s a shame cause I genuinely believe that when Roar have done well in the A-League, the competition has done well. Might be coincidental that thought though.
Roar at this rate can put a line through this season and have a good discussion about what could have been. It’s not their time yet, but they need it, a lot of teams do.
Perth Glory picked the best, but worst time to hand out 3,000 free tickets to u16’s. At optus stadium 50k+ turned out for WWE live event, elimination chamber and whether you’re a fan or not, it would have been a spectacle to see. I’m a fan and was caught between flicking channels.
I had WWE, Perth Glory and Matildas to watch and due to bm the WWE event being what it was, to be honest, Perth came last on my priority for evening entertainment.
Just quickly, and whilst I think of it, kudos to Mariners for breaking their hoodoo, especially after Thursday night’s game against Macarthur.
Kudos to Macarthur as well against the Jets.
Jets and Roar are the two clubs that now need to be sorted.
Roar need a 15k to 20k purpose built stadium.
Newcastle’s stadium looks cavernous as well.
Give them a 15-20k purpose built stadium.
There was a man in America who revolutionised the game for MLS, in the way of starting the concept of purpose built stadiums.
Can Auckland’s be owner, who is also American, be the man to start an A-League revolution as well?
The state of the football pitches for Roar, Sydney is just beyond a joke now.
Let’s put a line through Adelaide. Let the coach stay. I believe he’s earned it. Too many players lost. This is Adelaide though and he’s played his part. What the club owners do with the money will be important to note. Other than this though, Adelaide appear from the outside, good.
New Perth owner has work to do.
Melbourne as a city appears to be in a pathetic state regarding support for football.
I believe the four clubs in the second division will offer something new and unique for Melbournians down there and I have a feeling Victory and City will suffer.
I would like to see City owners do something for the A-League for once and go against the grain and actually bring a fantastic marquee across.
The A-league and Melbourne would benefit greatly.
I know youth is the way forward, but there are other metrics at play here and bums on seats and eyeballs on phones or TVs are key.
Anyways, another good round to look forward too, but now Rugby, League and AFL are all returning, let’s see how attendances track in the later stage of the season.
The biggest positive will be the grand final host being the highest placed team again.
Cause Roar aren’t going to do it, I’m hoping for a full cake tin! Give me Phoenix vs… Sydney FC with Nix to take it. I feel like Sydney FC are good enough and would make for great opposition.
The fact Ufuk is previous Wellington coach writes another story itself.
And seeing Australia’s best club vs all of NZ would be great! I reckon the Sydney faithful would travel in good numbers too.
The Central Coast Mariners are a reminder of what's good about the A-League Men
During the game, Phil Moss in commentary made a comment about the Shed and how Perth will be pushed by the support.
Literally within the next minute or two, Glory score and his comment was vindicated.
He’s not the most vocally entertaining but I do not mind him to be honest.
Perth Glory's long-suffering fans deserve their change of fortune
All of that doesn’t make for a good read, but what it does do is afford hopefully is a clean slate for Pelligra.
If the Perth faithful were aware of all that has come before, they’ll merely want what Pelligra has stated after the win against the Roar. He wants them to get to a point of sustainability and be a community club.
Keep focusing on the junior’s there, follow a similar model to Adelaide and Central Coast and slowly watch the interest come for these developing players.
At least that’s my take on it.
Perth Glory's long-suffering fans deserve their change of fortune
Happy Monday, all.
Morning, Mike!
Another well written, rather balanced article that also touches on a few points worth noting and leads into another exciting week ahead.
Regarding Jacob Farrell, he should 100% have received a second yellow.
Mariners were very lucky to take all 3 points in that contest.
And Wanderers will continue to feel Aggrieved but I can’t blame them to be honest.
Wanderers will find it tough in Adelaide this coming weekend.
Adelaide’s home form has been extremely inconsistent with 3 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses. And 2 of those wins came in Rds 1 and 2.
If they want to play finals football, they are going to have to grind out a win at home in what I suspect will be another 9k+ crowd.
Another side in good form, like Perth Glory, is Sydney FC with 11 points out of 15 in last five games and one of those games was ruined by the officiating against Victory.
They’ve sneakily been creeping up that ladder and are right in the contest now for top 3.
Onto Victory and if they cannot beat Western this Tuesday night and Sydney knock off an inconsistent City this coming weekend, 3rd is all Sydney FCs.
Rather impressive given they’ve also had a coaching change this season.
Regarding Brisbane Roar, I swear if they don’t pull their socks up and start grinding out the games they should win, this season may go down as a season of what ifs.
They are more than capable of playing some of the most attractive football out of all the teams but they’re extremely inconsistent.
They’re back at home against Western this Friday night and given Western have a game Tuesday and have to back it up again Friday, anything but a win will be deemed a huge failure by the Roar.
Back to the Mariners and the more costly situation is that Farrell and Theoharous both picked up their 5th yellow cards for the season and will miss their next fixture against Victory.
However, before we even get to that fixture, we have a historic clash this Thursday night – Macarthur vs Mariners in the AFC Cup Zonal Finals.
I’m hopeful we see a good turnout for a historic clash. 5k would be nice.
Newcastle may see this as a perfect opportunity to try and kick-start a hopeful push for finals against an otherwise tired Macarthur. A goal from Apostolous Stameptelopolous anyone?
Just quickly, the race for golden boot is well and truly on!!
Macarthur, on the other hand, will want to keep touch with the Mariners and Wellington, as they sit 3rd and have Victory and Sydney breathing down their necks.
Victory face Western tomorrow night and I have a feeling Western will be up for this one!
This means Victory will want to really give it to the Mariners who will also be fatigued.
Perth Glory remain at home and Wellington on the road in the OG distance derby.
I look forward to this fixture. This will be another banger as this will be must win for both sides.
Wellington are beginning to see slightly into the distance the premiers plate and each win and slip up by other teams, only inches them closer to a historic first title.
Perth on the other hand are buoyed by a new owner and thrilling wins on a Saturday night.
It is must win for Glory if they want to mount a push for finals football and avoid the constant jockeying between teams placed 7th to 11th.
No matter your cup of tea, there is always plenty going on to talk about and I cannot wait for another round.
My ideal is as follows:
Western beat Victory
Roar beat Western
Sydney beat City
Adelaide beat Wanderers
Perth beat Phoenix
Newcastle beat Macarthur
Victory and Mariners draw.
This creates even further drama heading into the next round of football!!
Jeez, how much better would if be if there was the possibility of relegation. That’s a dream for one day though.
Perth Glory's long-suffering fans deserve their change of fortune
Sounds like a good idea!
The A-League is enjoying a purple patch and we're all the beneficiaries
But the question is, which one!? They’re all very capable on their day, but if you had to pick one as of this moment, who would you go?
The A-League is enjoying a purple patch and we're all the beneficiaries
Let’s go Adelaide this weekend! 😁
Mariners vs Sydney with a great crowd. Everyone else was ok.
I swear every Brisbane game bar maybe one has been raining. I would go as far as to say this is the worst season Brisbane have had in terms of home game weather. Can we just get a 4 or 6pm kickoff on a Saturday with no rain?
Despite how poorly the results have been, Adelaide fans keep turning up.
The A-League is enjoying a purple patch and we're all the beneficiaries
Fantastic write up, Mike.
Now, TheRoar football community, let’s do our part in contributing to the discussion even further!!!
Who saw that weekend of football coming?
1 out of 6 tips correct.
Never expected Roar to come out and do that to Melbourne City. Wish I went.
The Central Coast Mariners were on a 12 game unbeaten run? Something like that and bang, Sydney FC just come out and walloped them!
Wellington, just love what they’re doing this season. Hope it translates into more fans coming. I feel like the announcement of a new NZ team has kicked Wellington into gear and they know they have to get their stuff together.
The first NZ derby is definitely going to be a cracker and Wellington need to host it at the cake tin! I can’t wait for that fixture.
Adelaide fans honestly deserve a round of applause. The football has been so inconsistent but the fans must keep turning up. Adelaide fans, please be aware that others east and west look with admiration at how supportive you are as a fan base.
On a player note, I hope Nestory finds his groove again because we as fans do want Australian players to do well.
Give him the next penalty to take and get that confidence flowing again.
I genuinely feel for Western United.
Such poor results on the board but their football isn’t exactly bad.
Only 10k for Victory yet they were the only undefeated side left. What’s going on in Melbourne?
Good to see Bruno back. I have a feeling this loss might be exactly what Victory need. Sometimes losses can prove to be a good thing.
What a cracking game between Wanderers and Newcastle. Loving Rudans interviews at the moment.
Perth against Adelaide, another win they let slip but they’re always in for the fight.
Perth vs Roar will be a cracker hopefully.
Macarthur appear to be the quiet achievers. 3rd and only 5 points off 1st!
They’re attendances have also seen slow incremental improvements.
This weekend ahead looks even more mouth watering than the weekend that just passed.
Thanks again, Mike!
The A-League is enjoying a purple patch and we're all the beneficiaries
I do remember that. 12k, that’s absurd!
Wanderers play victims again as Rudan launches childish, Trump-like conspiracy theories
Lionheart,
Let’s say the break even is 8k, for arguments sake.
If they get 15k, do Brisbane get more money?
Wanderers play victims again as Rudan launches childish, Trump-like conspiracy theories
Jeez, if that’s what gets our game media attention, can we get Kosmina back in the coaches box? Can Vidmar talk of p***ants? Can Kossie and Muscat go at it? Can Miron talk in code?
That was rather tame and I can see where he is coming from with respect to his view. I believe there is a stigma around the club, not sure exactly what it is, but I get the feeling it’s fan/ club related.
Rudan isn’t wrong on the poor decision to yellow card the city player. It appeared rather intentional.
As for the referees targeting his club or him or the players, hmm not sure on that one. Gotta be very careful as those sort of comments do get you into hot water and it appears that is exactly what’s happening.
I actually don’t mind much of what he said though. I enjoyed his passion.
Hey, it’s given us a talking point. And there are always many talking points to be had.
I cannot wait for the clash this arvo at 1pm between Phoenix vs Central Coast. I would love to see 15k.
There have been plenty of articles in NZ where club owners have made it apparent that a good attendance actually bodes well for their back pockets.
Which is another very important topic!
If 25k for Phoenix would set them up for a possible year (clubs words, not mine), then what kind of deluded arrangements do we have for all our other clubs.
My understanding was that’s not how it works for clubs like Brisbane.
Can anyone fill me in on this? If clubs actually get good attendances, like Brisbane, does it actually help or due to agreements with the stadiums, they’re still no better off. I genuinely would love to know a little more on this issue.
Wanderers play victims again as Rudan launches childish, Trump-like conspiracy theories
I’ll still confused 😂
Are we a mature enough football nation to honestly discuss the Socceroos?
Marcel, forgive my ignorance, but I do not know this man. What have I stated that was similar to what he stated?
Are we a mature enough football nation to honestly discuss the Socceroos?
Congrats to Gauci! The journey doesn’t start now though. It started as a kid and continues onto Aston Villa. Let’s see what’s in store for him there. We all hope he does well and he dreams big.
Love watching Perth Glory in the East on the late Saturday night games. They’ve been very entertaining to watch in a lot of their home games and it makes for entertaining viewing.
Central Coast are the team to watch currently. 12 games unbeaten? Was there much to turn around or is it more a matter of he just needed a few weeks to settle in? The culture at the Mariners looks just as good. It could be argued its even better?
I’m going to make a prediction about Tuesdays fixture between Phoenix and Mariners. 15k will be there in the top of the table clash and I can’t wait to watch.
Prayers go out to Cahn. No complaints about the 4th coach this season when the loss is a result of unfortunate health.
Rudan lashes officials as Bulls pip WSW, Gauci's dream move, City struggling
Germain does appear to stomp on the Wanderers player in that highlight. A wider camera angle would have helped, but from the limited angle available, it doesn’t appear good.
Same with the final goal given. The camera angles were very much limited.
This is football. This is the way football was for 100+ years.
VAR is there to help, but it will never get it right or even be able too.
Was an enthralling encounter for the neutral though. I know I enjoyed it.
'Stigma attached to my club': Rudan blasts refs amid major A-League controversy as Wanderers dudded in 4-3 loss
There is definitely a culture of negativity that surrounds everything to do with Australian football which ALMOST makes this debate a redundant exercise.
In order to mature though, this article and the proceeding debates will form part of that maturation process.
So I’ll give this my best effort.
Is Graham Arnold the best coach?
No.
Is Graham Arnold the best coach, for Australia?
Is Graham Arnold the best Australian coach, for Australia?
Does Graham Arnold have abilities as a coach that make him stand out above others that benefit the Australian playing group?
Is Graham Arnold going to lead the Socceroos beyond the group stage again, into the round of 16 and for the first time in our history, achieve a quarter final place?
Do we have the calibre of players available, to play a different style of football that another coach could implement?
If not, is it worth keeping things as they are?
If we do, who are they, where are they and who should coach them?
What are our expectations of the Socceroos for major tournaments like the Asian Cup and World Cup?
Should our expectations be affected by results of other nations we would expect to achieve better than us? For example, Japan.
Should our expectations be affected by how our governing body performs?
Does our expectations go beyond that of the Socceroos then and the more broader question become, what are our expectations of football in this country?
Expectations are a feeling based on what is currently occurring now.
Those feelings are shaped by all that’s occurred, prior to the now.
Our expectations are either realistic or unrealistic and therefore are primarily shaped on emotion and feeling.
If you’re being realistic, you would not expect the Socceroos to win the world cup and yet there is such a fine margin between what’s realistic and unrealistic.
What exactly was expected of the Asian Cup?
I didn’t expect to win it.
I expected a quarter final berth at worst.
My expectations were met and were realistic.
Anything beyond that, given the results produced by many nations throughout the tournament and ourselves included, would have been unrealistic.
Now that was reasonable was my expectation that if we could score a goal and hold out, this would be enough.
I was not wrong, but I was also realistic in knowing exactly what South Korea would throw our way.
The fine margin was a tackle in the extra minutes of normal time and the subsequent penalty.
This was the difference between what I expected could happen, which bleeds into hope really.
Most of the topics here in the past have been rather negative and centred around governance of the Socceroos or domestic game.
If you want to change the culture, be honest and strike a balance between that highlights both the positives and the negatives.
Unfortunately we also live in a time in which social media has greatly impacted the psyche of all and not for the better.
We have a generation in which criticism is a fine line between one drastic decision and the next.
The results based agenda and the impacts on the mental and physical health have recently been highlighted by two prominent coaches and a very well known player recently.
You must strike a balance. With all the harsh criticism, it must be balanced with a just and fair approach that warrants such harsh criticism but allows for improvement.
Opinions are like… everyone has one. Opinions mean nothing really, but constructive, well thought, well mannered and meaningful opinions can be the difference.
I could go on, ask a lot more questions, make a lot more statements, but I feel like I’ve made my point.
Perhaps it’s not just football culture that needs to change, but culture itself.
I’m learning as I get older to be more in the moment. This isn’t a matter of looking forward or looking back, but trying to consistently remain in the present.
I can let my mood be affected or I can just be with it.
My weekend of football consisted of Brisbane Roar scoring a stoppage time equaliser. Everton scoring a late goal against Tottenham who I thoroughly enjoy watching due to Ange Postecoglou. My Liverpool being smacked around by Arsenal. And Socceroos being knocked out of the Asian Cup.
If I expected wins for all my teams, I would be a miserable man today.
To add to my weekend, I had family come up to my house and helped out in preparation for the coming of my third child. The assistance was given due stuffing up my knee.
What they did well help tremendously.
Seems the results of my football teams was balanced by other aspects of my life.
People just need to stop being so negative.
We are all part of the problem or solution.
These articles and the commentary added are all part of every day life. These comments matter to us and we hope they lead us forward.
So have the mature conversation. However try to be objective as possible. Your feelings won’t change the past, but your feelings now can change the future. So be in the now.
Ask the right questions, think of the possible answers, but let’s change the culture! Let’s balance it out to be just but fair.
I hope my efforts prove that despite the negative culture that exists, that there is still hope and this isn’t a redundant exercise.
Are we a mature enough football nation to honestly discuss the Socceroos?
All we had to do was hold out in those extra minutes.
If anyone here honestly expected Australia to dominate, they were kidding themselves.
South Korea were always going to dominate pretty much every aspect of the game and they did.
All we needed was that one goal, which we got, and then we needed to just hold out, which we came to within a whisker of doing.
South Korea were always going to fight to the end, all you have to do is look at their results throughout the tournament.
They’re battle hardened and I hope this bodes well for success in Qatar. It would be well deserved.
Here’s hoping for a South Korea vs Japan final.
I’m proud of our Socceroos. I don’t see that our playing style will change, but I do believe it is capable of holding up against quality opposition.
We don’t have the players to play much of a different style, even Ange was saying this 8-9 years ago and nothing has really changed, yet!
But what we are seeing is continual interest in A-League players going overseas.
This bodes well for our national team.
We aren’t world cup winners, but we’re now at a level of maturity in which we cannot expect anything less than Round of 16 from now on.
Depending on how the next world cup is formatted, I fear round of 16 will be made harder by the rules set and this will be where the challenge lies.
We were literally minutes away from winning this one, let’s not forget that. We lost I accept that, but I’m really driving home the point of just how close we were despite all the naysayers. I can’t argue with anyone with respect to playing the full 90 + some, but they can’t argue the approach taken, with “quality” or lack thereof, didn’t get us to within minutes of a semi final.
Anyways onto a night of hopefully great A-League action. Perth vs City was a cracker last night as well and I’m so happy Perth won. A-League, get behind it! Loving how congested the ladder is!
'Devastating', 'painful', 'punished': Socceroos OUT of Asian Cup after Miller's moments of madness
Daughters tips:
Roar
Perth
Sydney
Newcastle
Adelaide
Macarthur
Mariners
My tips:
Wellington
Perth
Sydney
Newcastle
Adelaide
Macarthur
Wellington
Sons tips:
Brisbane
City
Sydney
Victory
Mariners
Wanderers
Mariners
I gotta do the ladder and see where we’re all at.
The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 15
Hi Chris, I’ve heard so many stories about how common this injury is and yet so many did not elect to have surgery!
I find this very comforting. Thank you for sharing. It’s very much been a topic of conversation today within the family and social circles.
The Socceroos aren't the only 'favourite' battling their way through the Asian Cup... It's a bloody hard tournament
As a supporter, I prefer the 3 points.
As a neutral, I prefer a contest that has minimum 3 goals.
Wellington Phoenix fans will be happy as they are first.
Would they be happier if it was an attacking/attractive brand? Of course.
Ask Tottenham fans how they feel? They play both attacking, attractive and possession based football but they also aren’t winning all the time.
There aren’t many managers who can get the team motoring in all departments.
Winning had to come first though.
There aren’t many teams who have been able do to both. I feel as though Brisbane Roar between 2010-2014 did a good job of it.
Also, scoring goals doesn’t also mean some will perceive it as attractive. Depends on how they go about scoring.
I feel most would prefer possession based football as opposed to counter attacking football.
Good on Wellington though! Wish Roar were coming first.
Giancarlo Italiano's rise is the best story in the A-League