I think it is time that all fans of the old NSL (and I was one of them) come back to Australian football, or more specifically the A-League. It is worthwhile returning if only for one reason – to see the Brisbane Roar play.
Like many old NSL fans, I was disillusioned with the game when my team (Sydney Olympic) was “relegated”. It wasn’t for the fact of lost ethnic identity but purely because my team was not invited to the big dance. Many of us started following our old NSL teams because it was passed down by our parents on the basis of cultural ties.
But those teams became “ours” not on the basis of their Greek-ness or Croatian-ness but because they played the game we loved, that our fathers loved, and where the players were our heroes. Growing up in Western Sydney I was not interested in NRL; the NSL players were my heroes.
The way I felt when introduced to my hero, Sydney Olympic striker Abbas Saad, was just the same as any young league fan would feel today about meeting Benji Marshall.
It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that the team I grew up watching wasn’t in the big league any more. I felt like Souths fans felt when their team was kicked out of the NRL – I continued to watch on TV but the inclination to get out to a game wasn’t there anymore.
It is now time to put the rose coloured glasses away, because there is one thing that even rose coloured glasses reminiscing of the past won’t change – that Brisbane are playing the best football I have ever seen in any incarnation of a national league in this country.
I believe that 90 to 95 per cent of all old NSL fans are in fact football fans first. It is highly probable that up to 70 per cent of these fans do not attend A-League matches. Why? Because with those rose coloured glasses on the A-League was probably worse in quality to the old NSL.
I am not talking about the decrepit NSL in 2004, more the era capped by Sydney Olympic’s win in 1990 till their next win in 2002 (sorry, I couldn’t resist mentioning these victories).
I believe that the brand of football that Brisbane have been playing is so good that every football fan from the old NSL would have to applaud it. The passing and movement have been the quickest that I have seen.
Luke Devere’s forays up-field remind me of the good old sweeper position that Ned Zelic made his own at Olympic and Sydney United. Matt McKay has been the revelation, though.
His midfield energy and attacking prowess has not been seen since Aurelio Vidmar in his Adelaide City days. The wide work of Thomas Broich can be compared to Kresimir Marusic and Ivan Franjic bombing down the flanks can be compared to Fausto De Amicis.
All of these players lie within the one team that is on the longest undefeated run in Australian soccer. Every football fan should see them and applaud their work this season.
Fourteen years ago Sydney United’s team of Branko Culina’s babes went to Suncorp Stadium after sweeping all before it during the season. They lost the grand final and as much as it pains me to say it as a Sydney Olympic fan, it was a shame because they played a brand of football in that year that would definitely be in my top five of league play in this country.
Just for the record, my top five would be as follows (I will leave Sydney Olympic out so I am not accused of bias):
1. Brisbane Roar, 2011.
2. Melbourne Knights, 1994-1996. Mark Viduka… what more can one say. YouTube the two legged semi-final against South Melboune in the rain – that will tell you enough.
3. Adelaide City, 1991-1994. I remember Zoran Matic used to announce his line-ups on the Wednesday before game. “Come and get us,” was his attitude.
4. Sydney United, 1997. I still remember a last minute equaliser for Olympic against them in the rain at Leichardt Oval. They were that good it felt like a victory.
5. South Melbourne, 1998-1999. Two on the trot with a group of youngters mixed with a few old heads created a mini-dynasty at the Lakeside.
This year Suncorp will again host a grand final.
I hope justice prevails and the best team wins it, with all of Australia’s sports fans watching, because they deserve everyone to see what they have achieved.
Sth Melb
Guest
The early ninties saw many great teams such as Marconi, Sth Melb, Melbourne Croatia and yes Adelaide and even Olympic, the fact was that they all played great football, every week not just for one game, and although, sth only won one champioship in the early nineties, it played by far played the best football during 91/92, 92/93, as did the Knights in 94-96. In the late eighties and early ninties thre were 5-6 clubs that could win the flag, no in the so called better league, its a two horse race!
John
Guest
^^^If you have fifa 11 you can download that sth melb team from the fifa 11 website through the koufala_85 profile
Jack
Guest
So because the Roar have a quality side i should follow the hal? firstly i live on the other side of the country so watching brisbane once or twice live is about as good as it gets, i agree they have a fine side but thats not the reason to follow, what happends when they eventually turn crap? i agree with melbcro just support your team and thats good enough, FWIW Ange's hellas teams were better simply cos they had much more firepower in the attacking third, as good as Brisbane are i doubt the backline could handle trimboli, boutsianis, lozanovski, Coveny, Anastasiadis, Curcija etc in their prime....absolute lethal attack that could score goals from ANYWHERE on the park....they didnt need to walk the ball into the net!
Evan Askew
Guest
Just let him support his team in the VPL. Its a free country isn't it?
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Who can remember the great Sydney Prague of the early 60s? Well they were a team full on Austrian internationals and at the time I thought I would never see a better Australian Football club side. It's a bit unfair to compare great past clubs sides who were semi professional to the full time professionals of today. As much as it pains me to say this as GCU FC supporter---I would have to say the Roar is the best Australian club team I have seen play to date on Australian soil---however, they have yet to prove it by equalling the feats of Adelaide United in the ACL---which was spectacular by any Australian Club side's standards.
midfield general
Guest
There was a bit more to Knights than just Dukes. Marusic, Horvat, Marth, Tiatto, Spiteri, and if my memory serves me correctly I remember a young Pondeljak and Simunic. The derby games against Hellas used to be crackers. I don't think you can compare Devere to Zelic - just not in the same class! Ned could have been a great player if he hadn't lost his way making some poor career choices (QPR!).
bp2
Roar Rookie
I fully understand that you support your team no matter what. Maybe those of an English background can fill us in. If your team gets relegated does that mean you never watch a Premier League game again or even recognise quality play from any of the teams?
Axelv
Guest
I didn't say he had to support a team in top flight, I'm just curious as to why.
John
Guest
Since when do people support another team just because their first team isnt in the top flight, wake up mate
Axelv
Guest
Can you support both? or does it have to be just ONE club? Do you have to hate the A-League? What do you think of Brisbane Roar?
MelbCro
Guest
oh of course, its only the A-league that is legitimate. Pathetic sentiments right there. And I don't support the VPL. I support a club, not a league. I follow my club regardless of what level they are playing at.
Axelv
Guest
You've left Australian football, you only support the VPL now. Victoria is not Australia. Have you seen Brisbane Roar play a full 90 minutes at Suncorp? It's pretty impressive. I've been following football since 1998, including the NSL and saw many matches. I've been to Bob Jane Stadium, Olympic Park, and even the Docklands in the NSL! Ange's South Melbourne of 97-99 does not compare to his current team. Like Football around the world, he has really improved the standard and moved it to another level. I know you hate the FFA and Frank Lowy and the A-League etc for betraying your club with it's 'plastic franchises', but what about top flight football in Australia? You are turning your back on it.
MelbCro
Guest
No Brisbane Roar is not the best Australian club side ever "think it is time that all fans of the old NSL (and I was one of them) come back to Australian football, or more specifically the A-League." Really? Never knew I actually left Australian football. I continue to support my club in the VPL week in, week out. I haven't left anything
bp2
Roar Rookie
I have to say that i have never changed teams Savvas. Although i cannot make it to every Sydney Olympic game in the State League now due to my young family and heavy workload i normally get out to at least 5 home games a season and am a member of them. I do not have a team that i specifically follow in the A League. But i support the game in this country no matter what. I have travelled to watch Olympic play in every state of this country. When my kids grow i will take them to watch Olympic, and i will definately be taking them to the A League. Even though Olympic was my team i will take great pride in telling my kids how i saw players like Mark Viduka, Ned Zelic, Chris Kalantzis etc before they were weighed down with pressure - when they just wanted to play. I agree with BES. You can support more than one team. I am a fan of the Roar now as the article states. I bet you used to support Olympic, South Melbourne, Heidlberg and West Adelaide back in the day?
BES
Guest
and you are a mindless twat Savvas. Take your pick. Do you have enough brain cells to be able to support 2 teams? By all means continue to support 'your' team, but how hard can it be to put your support behind Australia's premier league in order to keep alive the sport you 'supposedly' love? Grow up.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Listen, I will not read the rest of the article after reading that you HAD a team in the old NSL. Is everyone insane on this blog? Does everyone just change teams at the drop of a hat? Do you see anyone dropping their AFL team? Does anyone drop their NRL team? You are a wishy washy traitor to decency.