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Robbie Di Fabio

Roar Guru
http://www.facebook.com/robertdifabio.journalism

116,245 Article Reads
107 Articles Written
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About

Freelance Sports Journalist specialising: football (soccer), AFL, cricket etc. Write for FFV, Goal Weekly, SoccerAnchor, The DAVE Network, AFL Online and The Roar. Follow me on Twitter @RobertDiFabio

Member Since:: October 2010
Based In:: Melbourne, Australia
Favourite Sporting Team:: Melbourne Victory, FC Inter
Favourite Sports:: Cricket, Football, AFL,

Latest Articles

Showing articles 1 - 6 of 107 | More Articles >

A-League crowds rising as momentum thrives in season eight

5 Apr 2013

The 2012-13 A-League season has been a tremendous success on numerous fronts. The introduction of expansion outfit Western Sydney Wanderers has added much enthusiasm and excitement to the competition. The addition of three marquee stars has given the league a worldwide portfolio, while the football on the pitch continues to intensify from a tactical and [...]

Timewasting tactics must be eradicated from world football

29 Mar 2013

Australia’s clash with Oman in the Asian World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday night was disappointing on numerous levels. Despite a spirited fight-back from the Socceroos in the second half to even the ledger at 2-2, the solitary point was simply not good enough against an opponent notoriously weak away from home. Holger Osieck’s troops will [...]

A-League All Stars concept big hit with fans

23 Mar 2013

Four-time national championship winning coach Ange Postecolgou was announced as the inaugural A-League All Stars coach on Monday. In what is anticipated to be a monumental occasion, the A-League representative team will lock horns with English powerhouse Manchester United at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on July 20. After 15,000 votes were registered by the game’s fans, [...]

A-League season must be extended to help Socceroos

15 Mar 2013

Socceroos boss Holger Osieck has named his 23-man squad for Australia’s crucial World Cup Qualifier against Oman later this month. Much of the focus in the media conference was seemingly in relation to the length of the A-League season, and the competition’s failure to recognise international breaks on the football calendar. A frustrated Osieck reiterated [...]

Victory revival leading into business end

8 Mar 2013

Melbourne Victory’s 5-0 rout of the Newcastle Jets last weekend has catapulted the club’s championship aspirations, following a poor run of form which saw the club lose three consecutive matches. The win not only put Victory’s season back on track, but it also helped avoid an embarrassing club record of four straight A-League losses. The [...]

New A-League finals system lacks integrity

6 Mar 2013

As many A-League fans will be well aware, this season’s finals series has been given a face lift. The format is a revised three-week format, which embodies more of a knockout style cup competition, as opposed to a traditional play-off system in years gone by. However, as often is the case with problematic procedures, the [...]

Robbie's Recent Comments

Robbie Di Fabio has written a total of 75 comments

TV rights pact important for football’s pathway

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback although I never actually said the AFL’s state leagues were broadcast on Foxtel – I’m aware of the ABC’s commitment to the second tier leagues. I merely mentioned that the affiliate competitions were televised on a weekly basis – evaluating its exposure in contrast to football’s National Youth League, where it receives almost nil coverage through the media and zero airing time on television. This is an area which must be rectified in the new TV rights agreements. If youth are a key priority for Australian football, then the media ought to play its role in exposing our best young talent to the public eye.

23 Mar 2012

Long road looms for Victory parade

Thank you for the feedback, very much appreciated! In the taxing environment of professional sport, tough decisions need to be made. To be frank, they should have been prior to this season, although I think the board, in tandem with the football community have realised that change is imperative for this club to prosper. It is the end of an era for many of Victory’s seasoned veterans. Roddy Vargas – an influential stalwart in the club’s two championships and road en route to the 2010 final loss – will be fondly remembered by the supporters. While a player overhaul will manifestly be conducted throughout the closed-season, this week’s signings – Gold Coast full-back Adama Traore, defensive utility Sam Gallagher from the Mariners, while young gun Julius Davies has just been cleared and will play tonight – are a good starting point. TomC – Who should Victory target? Well I guess it depends on many factors, one is if Carlos Hernandez re-signs with the club. Although, if I had to pick one from left field, I’d be interested in signing Jason Culina – assuming he has recovered well from his knee surgery. At 31 years of age, he still has plenty to offer the game. A Socceroo, in excess of 50 caps and two World Cup ventures, could provide the impetus Victory is lacking through the centre. A versatile player, he was utilised as a holding midfielder for many years in the national team, while also encompassing the ability to play out wide and in behind the strikers. From reports, Mariners prodigy Tom Rogic is finalising details and will put pen to paper in the coming weeks. Despite a horrendous campaign, Victory supporters should feel optimistic for a much improved 2012-13 season.

16 Mar 2012

Revived Gold Coast a catalyst for ‘united’ success

* If a shrewd community ownership model can be adopted, in conjunction with a viable marketing plan, then the Gold Coast region deserves a second shot in the A-League. After all, FFA’s market research revealed that Gold Coast was a viable market for Australia’s domestic competition.

9 Mar 2012

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