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Lachlan McKirdy

Roar Rookie

Joined March 2014

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Sports nut, will watch just about anything

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Ah geez, looking back could have probably been written a bit less sensationalist. But the main point I’m trying to get across is now that the A-League has finally become quite popular in its own right, it is one of the rare sports in Australia, where most of the world is better at it than us. We have pinnacles of the European leagues and the World Cup, which while we are a fair way off, as long as they exist football in this country will always continue to grow in quality. This article is meant to take nothing away from AFL and NRL, as they are both sports I enjoy, but is more to emphasise the rapidly growing fan base that Football has in Australia.

Is football now Australia's favourite game?

Personally I feel as though the Gold Coast Suns have been very disappointing to start the year. Some sloppy play and losing two games (St Kilda and Melbourne) which they surely pegged down as certainties. Finals had to be their goal after 5 years and the support they have received from the AFL and now it looks like GWS have overtaken them in development and play a better style of footy in the process!

Just how far can the Western Bulldogs rise?

As we have seen this Summer top order frailties were a bit of an issue for Australia with batting deep saving us a few times. Very rarely do you see teams take 10 wickets in an ODI these days, so having a solid top 6 should be the priority, and let the bowling line up pick it selves

How does 15 go into 11? Picking Australia's World Cup XI

Its about achieving that right balance of bowlers and batsmen, but having 3 all-rounders (Watson, Marsh and Maxwell) in our team leaves only 4 specialist batsmen. But having 6 bowlers is also important in an ODI for flexibility! I also think Hazlewood has to be in the team purely based on form, so the first game without Clarke could be interesting to see who the selectors pick

How does 15 go into 11? Picking Australia's World Cup XI

Hey Nudge,
Definitely agree with you regards the three quicks, only thing to that team I may change is bringing Bailey in for either Watson and Marsh and shuffling the batting order around just to make it that little stronger!

How does 15 go into 11? Picking Australia's World Cup XI

What do you mean that’s not how the Salary Cap works? That when players leave, clubs buy new players to fill their hole because they have room in the cap. Yes some contracts are re-negotiated but players aren’t on 1-year contracts, they are usually 3-4year contracts which have a fixed wage for that length. When there is a $1.5mil hole after losing so many players, the clubs uses this extra salary cap room to bring in free agents, or trades with other clubs. That’s what happens with any sport that has a salary cap in place!

The Swans played by COLA rules, so why are they being punished?

Let me point your attention towards this, the amount of players who left the club over the seasons that Buddy and Tippett were recruited
https://pointkicker.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/10257531_795966193758943_1457473938993605083_o.jpg

The Swans played by COLA rules, so why are they being punished?

Completely agree Maggie! The COLA was implemented by the AFL and the fact they are bowing to the pressure of the Melbourne clubs by punishing the Swans for using it is just wrong! Some people commenting really need to understand how well the swans have managed rather than manipulated anything the AFL has put in place for them

The Swans played by COLA rules, so why are they being punished?

Gosh have you seen the price of parking in Bondi? And remember Buddy usually needs 3-4 spots for his Jeep as well!

The Swans played by COLA rules, so why are they being punished?

Yes I completely agree, I think even if it was at the SCG this weekend they may have struggled with attendance. I read on one news website that a majority of sports grand finals and other things were on this Saturday, and this is one of the Swans prime target markets. Whilst the transport is good, it took me an hour and 15 minutes to get to Homebush by bus, and that was from the Inner West so completely agree that this is part of the issue as well

How great AFL can be, when played at the SCG

I completely agree, I was at the ground yesterday and whilst the 36,000 odd people tried to lift their team it still felt way too empty for a Qualifying Final with the Minor Premiers. However one must admit the inclement weather throughout the day would have turned a large proportion away, even though there still would not have been over 40,000. If a similar number is seen in the Prelim Final in 2 weeks time, then it’s of real concern, not only to the AFL but to the Swans. Hopefully this means from 2015 we will see finals back at the SCG!

How great AFL can be, when played at the SCG

This article was written in the experience of a Sydney sport’s supporter as the best live sport in Sydney. The atmosphere in the close win against Port Adelaide earlier this year was definitely the best I have ever witnessed and was up there with the MCG and Subiaco Oval, based on how close and tense the game was, with the euphoria of a win at the end. It is one of the smallest grounds which makes the buzz and excitement more tangible. Anyway, the main point of the article was to focus on the idea that ANZ Stadium is not a suitable venue for AFL games, and that is the main point that should be taken out of it.

How great AFL can be, when played at the SCG

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