Anyone who hasn’t enjoyed the A-League over the past few nights is hardly a football fan. But should we be playing more games over the festive period?
Following an absorbing 1-1 draw between Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers just before Christmas, the Round 12 action started to really heat up on Boxing Day.
It was great to see off-season recruits Kosta Barbarouses and Gui Finkler get on the scoresheet for Wellington Phoenix in their 2-2 draw with the Newcastle Jets, even if the reliably forthright Mark Bosnich claimed the Phoenix are “offering the A-League nothing” after the game.
Sydney FC’s destruction of reigning champions Adelaide United was even more entertaining – except, of course, if you’re a Reds fan – as the Sky Blues systematically tore apart a shell-shocked Adelaide defence.
It’s strange enough that a Barcelona legend in Guillermo Amor coaches in the A-League, but even stranger still to think that after such a rocky time with the national team, Graham Arnold has undoubtedly developed into one of the best managers in Australia.
But as enjoyable as it was to watch Sydney’s admittedly one-sided demolition, it was nothing compared to the action at AAMI Park on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Melbourne City’s 3-3 draw with Perth Glory was, quite simply, one of the most entertaining games in A-League history.
It wasn’t just that there were six goals scored, or two penalties saved, or two red cards, or even the post-match spray from Neil Kilkenny that made the game so enjoyable.
It was the manner of the goals, and the players who scored them, and the on-going renaissance of Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy – who twice saved penalties from Bruno Fornaroli, including one from virtually the last kick of the game – that made it one for the history books.
That Tim Cahill should score another vital goal is a given, but his input was outdone by Glory star Diego Castro’s double-scoring contribution.
Both should have been outshone by Fornaroli, who scored a brace himself, but missing two crucial penalties cost City dearly and should probably see the Uruguayan relinquish spot-kick duties – for now, at least.
The 11,000 fans in attendance and those watching at home on TV could hardly believe their eyes at some of the football on display, with the match another high point for a season fast turning out to be the best, quality-wise, yet.
And with Melbourne Victory equally impressive in their 4-1 win over Central Coast Mariners the following evening, the festive season has proved a happy hunting ground for those flicking around the dial looking for a fix of local football.
So should we be playing even more games over the holiday season?
Herald Sun reporter Matt Windley reckons we should, arguing that the ’10 games in 11 days’ currently being advertised on Fox Sports is actually less football than what we’d normally get over two rounds.
There’s also the fact that the Big Bash League is filling the void on TV screens across the country on nights when there’s no A-League.
There’s already been talk of playing a BBL game on Christmas Day – shot down, for now, although there were NFL games in the United States on the day and the world didn’t end – and unlike Windley, I think the A-League could also play a game on Christmas Eve.
But if we’re not going to play games closer to Christmas, then surely it’s not too much to ask for a bit more consideration to go into the fixture list?
How, for example, does having back-to-back games at AAMI Park help attract casual sports fans through the gates?
And why do so many of our A-League fixtures repeat themselves within such a short timeframe? Is it really that difficult to create a home-away-home schedule?
The festive season has been fantastic from a footballing point of view. The question now is: should we be enjoying more of it?
Truth Bomb
Guest
So you need not have engaged in this comments thread at all, fuss!
Nemesis
Guest
Mainstream media is dead to me so it is of no concern if A-League gets lots of mainstream media coverage, or no mainstream media coverage. And, I place little value on those who still read and watch mainstream media.
Truth Bomb
Guest
Well, pathetic straw men aside, if they A League did collapse you would ironically get ample of the media coverage you think you are denied in your paranoia ?
Pauly
Guest
Here's an idea - 12 days of A-League.
SVB
Guest
anon Why did you take that picture of yourself with the sunglasses off? I thought it was great you coming out of the closet like that and expressing who you are..
punter
Guest
ye of small minds!!!
punter
Guest
Truth Bomb, no axe to grind, if you look at the chain, I was answering Mister Football not you. 10 pts clear coming into New Year, no axe to grind, pretty content, plus Australia won in the Test.
anon
Roar Pro
Maybe play some A-League games on Christmas Day. Many A-League fans are of non-Christian backgrounds and don't celebrate Christmas. The A-League should think about catering to these people. Maybe the Wanderers would be a good choice for hosting the first Christmas Day game, since they are in Western Sydney...
Nemesis
Guest
AR/TruthBomb you are absolutely correct. There's such low interest in football in Australia it's likely the Aleague season will collapse within the next few weeks. May even happen before 2017. Watch this space. Unconfirmed sources have said this.
Truth Bomb
Guest
Punter, nemesis, this comment chain hangs of c's comments about "media coverage ratios". My responses related to that, it seems you poor old chaps have got a little excited and started grinding your well ground axes in a way that didn't really relate to the thread Soccer gets a double page spread in both major papers every day in Melbourne. It seems to be on sen as much as cricket and football when I've had it on in the car recently. In my opinion it gets a priveledged run given the ratings implied interest level. May be a case of the (very) squeaky wheel getting the oil
AR
Guest
punter, I've just read 4 of your posts above. In those 4 posts, you mention "AFL" no less than 10 times. Amazing that you don't know it, like it, or watch it...yet you talk about it almost obsessively.
Hammerhead
Guest
When there are only ten teams, there are only so many games you can play over the Christmas/New Year break.
Nemesis
Guest
I, too, wouldn't mind seeing a Sydney Derby some time. I live in Melbourne. If the Sydney Derby were played in Melbourne I would not go. It won't be the Sydney Derby. It's just a match played in Melbourne between 2 teams who have no connection to Melbourne. I can't believe we're having this discussion. It's just crazy.
offsider
Guest
You will be labeled a cricket fan boy
Chris
Guest
Ablett in Beijing would get 100k for sure
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The A-League need to "own" a day. I lived in the US for many years and the NFL own Thanksgiving (no NBA games scheduled), NBA own Christmas Day (no NFL unless its a Sunday), College Football own New Years Day (unless its a Sunday). Boxing Day is cricket, with the Test in the Day and Big Bash at night. The A-League would do best to takeover New Years Day. The Sydney Test doesn't start for a couple of days, so take advantage of people recovering at home. Start games at 2pm and play a couple of big Derbies. Make New Years Day THE day A-League fans look forward to.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Cricket, in particular the BBL, smashes football in this country - both domestic and international - in ratings and crowd attendance. Obviously it is going to get more media attention.
punter
Guest
I'd prefer Swimming to AFL.
punter
Guest
Truth Bomb, I think with the TV deals, we had sufficient AFL fanboys on here to tell everyone that the AFL is bigger then the A-League. There is no argument from me. However, Mister Football was talking about his favourite subject, football, even though he struggles to watch it & football is a far different beast then A-League in this country. I understand it's difficult for you to understand as AFL only has the AFL.
punter
Guest
95K in Melbourne to watch Steven Gerrard 80K in Sydney to watch Hazard 70K in Sydney to watch Kane Liverpool with no Gerrard, sold out both at Brisbane & Adelaide. Brazil v Argentina to sellout in Melbourne, so many modern day champions in football, the AFL doesn't have a modern day champion to sell out Sydney.