Do they still host celebrity boxing matches? Because Gary van Egmond and Kasey Wehrman are the two combatants I’d most like to see pitched into battle.
Reading Wehrman’s comments on The World Game website last week was like looking into the future – you just knew he would be searching for a new club about five seconds after van Egmond got wind of them.
For those who missed the tongue-lashing, Wehrman claimed Newcastle’s tactics on the road were “naive” and suggested sitting back and playing compact were smarter tactics than what van Egmond was employing.
“Those are just my impressions,” added the combative Jets midfielder, who seemed acutely aware he was treading on thin ice.
Sure enough, the veteran was informed days later his services were no longer required, with the latest joust the final straw for van Egmond.
The entire affair was enthralling for two reasons: firstly, it was a rare case of an A-League player bluntly expressing his opinions and secondly, it prompted a swift and decisive comeback from his coach.
Perhaps Mehmet Durakovic should jot down a few notes, although what effect Wehrman’s banishment will have on the Jets is open to interpretation.
He was already playing like he had rocks in his boots and at the tail-end of a lengthy career, he probably felt the freedom to speak out when a younger player may have thought twice.
Hopefully Wehrman moves into a coaching role at the end of his long playing career or failing that, one in the media.
There’s nothing more refreshing than hearing honest opinions in football, as opposed to the carefully media-managed soundbites most clubs train their players to spew forth.
John Kosmina will have none of that and it’s one reason so many of us are looking forward to tonight’s AAMI Park showdown between Melbourne Victory and Kosmina’s resurgent Adelaide United.
It may not be Kosmina versus Kevin Muscat again – on Friday the 13th, no less – but Jim Magilton has already come to the party as a genial and quick-witted stand-in.
Magilton strikes me as the sort of coach who won’t bother to hold back his opinions and how he handles the likes of Harry Kewell and Carlos Hernandez will be fascinating to watch.
From a neutral’s perspective, the goings-on at Newcastle and the Victory are both absorbing stories and the kind of thing which drives interest in the league.
I can’t wait to watch Victory go head to head with the Reds at what will hopefully be a packed AAMI Park, and Central Coast’s showdown with local rivals the Jets should be just as absorbing.
It’s a pity the round will finish on a sour note when Gold Coast United host Wellington Phoenix in front of about six fans and a flock of seagulls.
Clive Palmer’s decision to close three ends of the ground because of ‘crowd trouble’ is surely the last straw.
It’s a crying shame for the supporters who still pay their money to support the club, but they’re being taken for fools by a man with about as much genuine interest in football as I’ve got in synchronised swimming.
Still, there are plenty of other fixtures to keep us entertained this weekend – starting with tonight’s AAMI Park blockbuster.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Funny you just posted your comment PeterK, as a senior supporter of the GCU club---I just happened to be standing in line for a beer with a young 'Beach Supporter' I asked him how is the Beach morale going and how was he feeling being outs from their usual behind the goal position? He reiterated that we deserved what we got and they will be back in bay 30 (their usual spot) next home fixture against the CCM.. Now that was a fantastic response from the young guy as the lesson was taken seriously on board by the Beach kids (by this one at least)... Fantastic outcome...
PeterK
Guest
Well said, Rangaraider.
PeterK
Guest
Hear! Hear! Stu -- on all your points.
PeterK
Guest
People watch seagulls at the cricket!
PeterK
Guest
I can feel lots of very personal agendas here. The look of "empty" stands is nothing to the bad publicity to be got from closing down! GCU must be kept in at all costs -- don't just denigrate, see what you can do to help lift the club. As for Western Sydney, I hope that can happen one day soon too, but let's not sacrifice GCU in order to get WS into the league. At the moment, WS does NOT have a benefactor, and GCU does have one!
PeterK
Guest
Quite right, QsAF. Sensible supporters will be glad that something is being done to get out a message that even minor kerfuffles will not be tolerated.
PeterK
Guest
Excellent points Dean. Why some want to kick clubs when they are "down" I don't know. Personally, I'd prefer to see what I can do to help them back "up" again.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
And we have a Croatian Football Club on the Gold Coast and guess what? They are an invisible shambles that Clive Palmer supports---now sponsoring the Gold Coast Premier league, which he allows GC Croatian FC to compete in as a good will jester. And yes we are a Gold Coast Football Community with a Gold Coast Supporter's Club. Clive Palmer being the benefactor who pays all of our bills. You desperately want to be apart of it don't you? :D Too bad you are resigned to history as part of our dark past never to see the light of day again on the national stage, you must be spewing knowing that hey... lol
BigAl
Guest
How is it possible for them to go head to head - when they would be playing at different times of the year ?
MelbCro
Guest
Wait, Gold Coast is a community club? hahaha. It is a souless franchise, and one that the Gold Coast 'community' doesn't care about. Your delusions are very funny Qantas
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
If the comments are any guide then Mike's prediction of a stormy round is looking promising :)
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Mike--- you do know that after the Nix home game the Beach will return to Bay 30 (behind the home end goal) ?
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
What about drive by shootings out in West Sydney----marvelous entertainment.. lol
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Yeah, yeah, we know where you live and it's not NSW..
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
RF----the same old story you have hate on your mind. The same old haters that can't see the big picture---do you understand that Queensland need two clubs not one in the HAL.?
Stu
Guest
Striker, I can answer that. Because the AFL beat FFA to the market in GWS and won't go head to head during the early stages. I don't think the two sports need to be rivals anyway though on the Gold Coast, United arrived first and was nicely followed by the Suns. There's too much at stake in GWS and the AFL seem to be doing a good job at the moment. I think the FFA will wait until the Giants have had a year or two then put a team in. We can't compete with the initial Sheeds and Izzy hype. Unless we had Becks....... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Well just tell me when you think that West Sydney is going to get their act together and enter the HAL. ??? No one is holding their breath or preventing them from entering but themselves... Go back to my comment I posted at 11am----we need a 12 team comp not a 10 team comp. Are you a Sydney Olympic supporter may I ask?
Rangaraider
Guest
I'm a bit sick of the current trend on this site of turning every conversation into a GCU bashing excersise... Having said that in my opinion I DO NOT want to see them go, They are a bloody good team on the pitch they just need to sort out the stuff off it, which will take time. They're kind of the antithesis of MV really (good off the pitch but on it...). As long as they keep going I reckon the ship will right itself in about 3-4 years time and probably be a lot more solid than other teams. It would be nice for A-League fans to have a little faith.
striker
Guest
They should stick to there theme parks.
Realfootball
Guest
+1