So, after a few days in which divisive spot fires popped up all over the Australian football scene, it was nice of Sydney FC and Perth Glory to come together last night and play out one of the drabbest games of the season.
Finally the football community was united, albeit in frustrated boredom.
Sydney and Perth’s 1-1 draw came as a calming antidote to the weekend’s main altercations.
First a bare-chested Besart Berisha asked Pascal Boschaart to meet him in the car park in a stoush that turned into a rather depressing online debate.
The following day was witness to what can only be described as an ill-conceived clash between high profile pundits Robbie Slater and Craig Foster that also burned its way through the Internet.
But amongst all the debate and acrimony this week there was one article on The Roar that got me thinking – my colleague Vince Rugari’s endorsement of Fox Sports’ initiative to mike up Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg during their home match with Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
“The Big Bash League is going the extra mile, and that’s why it was good to listen to football playing catch-up with Bleiberg’s role in Sunday’s broadcast,” wrote Rugari.
“Australian football has to do things differently.”
My former editor at Football+, Tony Harper, highlighted the other side of this debate in the Sydney Sun Herald on the weekend when discussing Fox’s coverage of the Big Bash League.
“If the battle is important, the combatants need their time and space to fume, grieve and reflect on what it all means for them,” he wrote.
“You wouldn’t expect a formula one driver to be fully focused if miked-up to chat to the commentators.”
Harper went on to conclude that, “I want rage with my sport but, in the quest for ”insight”, with its microphones and dressing-room cameras, the players aren’t allowed to be themselves. In sport, less can be much more.”
Finding that perfect spot between offering all-access insight and allowing a sporting contest the space to thrive in our imaginations is a delicate balance.
It’s also a decision for far more capable people than me.
There is one inescapable truth though – no matter what initiative a host broadcaster implements, the final product will depend on the raw materials placed in from of them.
Good characters like Bleiberg are fine, big opinions like Slater’s make headlines, but it’s all just a side-show to the real game.
The only way football will continue to make significant moves forward is with the consistent employment of coaches of the highest technical level who are supported by an informed football department.
When this becomes the norm, it won’t matter whether Gold Coast United’s coach allows a microphone to be pinned to his shirt.
That’s the key point that threatened to be overwhelmed by the debate on the nationality of a coach this week, because no amount of lapel microphones would have made yesterday evening’s snore fest any more entertaining.
PeterK
Guest
JAJI, if we have to choose between a highlights show and a replayed game (though having both would be better than having to choose), I vote for a replayed game -- and preferably on SBS. I've got to say too, that I was very very disappointed that the ABC telecast the Women's Cricket live, and only gave us one-hour replays of the two W-League semifinals. However, I was pleased that we got SOMEthing.
PeterK
Guest
mds1970, I understand your "concern" for GCU, but I can't see how you can legitimately label it "terminal" when crowds are slowly improving (albeit from a very low base). The trend is in the "right" direction -- "right" or "wrong" depends on what you hope for, of course. What is it that you hope for? My personal hope is that all existing A-League clubs thrive and improve, and I don't need that to happen at the expense of other good games such as Rugby.
j binnie
Guest
whiskeymac..As one who was first to suggest the promotion of NSL football in summer might I inform you of some facts that WIKI does not include in it's reasons for the changes. (1) For years we in the "soccer" world had been told that we had by far the most populous sport "player wise" in the country. A problem arose from this,most of these players ,junior and senior played at the same time as the NSL. By moving the premier league to summer this potential market was freed up for the clubs to attract to their games (2) At that time we played our football at a totally different time from the rest of the world and it was felt with the international scene booming we would be better playing in conjunction with the north. The FFA "calendar" in recent years has proved that to be a crucial move. (3) Due to the weather conditions in summer it was proposed all games would be played under lights at a time suitable for families to attend and yet allow others teens and singles to enjoy evening entertainment if they so desired.say 6.30om KO. 8.15pm finish. (4) Wiki's published reason concerning the other 2 football codes is not strictly accurate.It was felt that by playing our major league in summer the opportunity to get more media publicity would present itself but this of course would not be guaranteed,however it was felt that there may be more than a few fans who enjoy both RL and AFL that may also enjoy watching our code and by playing our game in summer they would not be forced to make a choice. (5) A possibility oft ignored was that as the NSL was not full time professional , NSL players could be "loaned out" in winter to state league or city league competitions in a limited manner,say one or two per team.This would have had a two way effect aiding the semi-pro players to play all year round while helping the youngsters in the local leagues to play with better footballers. (6) What was never published was that the meteorological departments were contacted in each state and asked about mean temperatures at that time of year and at that time of night. No problem was envisaged anywhere except ---- in Brisbane,not because of heat ,but by the possibility of summer thunderstorms with accompanying rain. Now, can I ask you to do a simple exercise. Read these 6 statements and tell me it was a bad idea. By the way,since it's inception, no-one has died of heat-stroke. jb
Punter
Guest
Only is De Goey became president of Sth Melb.
Punter
Guest
Anyone who agrees with the decision to hold the WC in Qatar is certainly not thinking of the fans.
super G
Guest
Here's....JOHNNO!!!
super G
Guest
He's gone all quiet now our Rugger Bugger...
super G
Guest
And how many home matches do the Super 15 sides play ? I'd like to see your crowds in a home and away domestic rugby competition spread over 27 weeks. Oh wait...that's already been tried. What happened with that comp? The term still birth comes to mind.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
"Qantas, I don’t mention how the Glory fans might have felt about it as it’s not an article about their season," Should be, though. More interesting than Sydney :D
TomC
Guest
With respect, Davidde, you didn't just mention it was a dull game, you went on and on about it.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Even when Sydney last won the championship, and Lavicka was heralded as the messiah, SFC were dead boring to watch. It would be a line ball contest as to who has had more 1-0 wins between SFC and CCM.
j binnie
Guest
King -You are at it again ,pulling things out of the air and comparing them with something totally different, it's bordering on the ridiculous. Your attempt at "internationalizing" the HAL because Wellington,a city there,has a team playing in it is nothing short of pathetic. Then the biggest laugh of all.You quote figures of TV watchers watching the World Rugby Cup Final and state they are the biggest figures ever registered-------- where? in Australia. Well I can add to that France and England also registered record figures (nb- on lone channels) but do they compare with the WORLD figures who watched Spain playing Holland in South Africa (a noted rugby country) in the Football WC Final and the answer sadly is- NO- for it is estimated 700 million watched that game. Add the TOTAL populations of England,NZ,SA, Australia, France, Italy, and Argentine (your powerhouse countries) and I doubt you would get anywhere near 700 million. Now don't bother to answer this for your logic is totally beyond normal understanding. Go back to Webb's game, another English pastime that has been thrust upon us, and enjoy,don't waste time trying to prove the unprovable. Yours in sport. jb
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Stevo I actually thought something similar when I stumbled across Micallef's piece, so alongside that, Davidde is correct in arguing that his is not overly critical.
Johnno
Guest
Souless clubs with no tradition, not run by real football people what do you expect. Sydney olympic, or sth melbourne would do wonders for the A-league. And a name like sth melbourne is based on geography not ethnic lines, hence the name sth melbourne. And sydney olympic have a great business model, the FFA cronies are scared the old NSL lcubs will boom in a A-league.
Stevo
Guest
Davidde's article is a lucid gem unlike the "The ugly face of the A-League" by Philip Micallef at http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1089869/The-ugly-face-of-the-A-League - which has more than a hint of FFA "bashing" - who would have thought that from SBS TWG.
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
So Midfielder, by simply mentioning there was a dull game I've written a "critical article"? Suspend your preconceptions for a moment and read through the article again. I'm confident you'll find it isn't an intrinsically critical piece.
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
Rusty, I mention a negative but this isn't a negative article. Read it through again if you need.
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
Qantas, I don't mention how the Glory fans might have felt about it as it's not an article about their season, etc. While Qatar rarely hits anything close to 50 C. during the World Cup period, it will be very hot and that's the concern. Either way we haven't heard the end of this discussion though I still believe it'll take place in Qatar.
Titus
Guest
do comments seem to go missing for just me or everyone? is it some form of moderation?
Futbanous
Guest
I must admit that as a neutralI have found Sydney boring to watch under Lavicka. IMO he's definitely not the right coach for the Sydney market. Whether other fans accept it or not a vibrant SFC playing an attractive style of football greatly benefits them. Our biggest crowds by a country mile have been against Sydney. Last week we would have got over 20,000 if SFC were on a roll playing exciting football,despite our indifferent form recently. Your new CEO can only do so much(seems to have his finger on the pulse more than his predecessors to me anyway) off the park & Gary Cole is only just kicking off.