Hopefully Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin paid close attention to Round 17 action, since two players he recently disparaged proved key for their respective teams.
Adelaide may sit dead last in the standings, but according to Griffin, there’s no chance they’ll be looking to sign a player from Asia any time soon.
A fortnight ago Griffin objected to the news that Football Federation Australia was looking to introduce the 4+1 rule to the A-League, thus bringing it into line with the rest of Asia’s big competitions – including the AFC Champions League.
For those who aren’t aware, the ‘plus one’ equates to an extra foreign player – in this case one from an Asian nation.
But despite the Reds struggling on and off the pitch, Griffin made it clear the answers, at least according to him, do not lie in Asia.
“There is strident objection from the clubs to any change to the existing visa rules,” Griffin told AAP.
“That objection will remain; we see absolutely no point in going 4+1 and compromising the product we provide in some attempt to curry favour with the AFC,” he added.
Yet the problem for Griffin and his insular world view is a patently obvious one.
When the Newcastle Jets beat Melbourne City 2-1 win in Coffs Harbour on Friday, the opening goal was set up by a defence-splitting pass from Chinese import Ma Leilei.
And when the Western Sydney Wanderers equalised against Brisbane Roar on Saturday night, it was Japanese winger Jumpei Kusukami who rifled home from a tight angle.
But according to Griffin, signing players capable of producing a major impact on games like Ma and Kusukami would somehow compromise the product.
Go figure.
It prompted a stinging rebuke from Adelaide resident and Asian football expert Paul Williams, who told me Griffin’s comments could harm Australia’s reputation in Asia.
“I thought it was grossly offensive, arrogant and inappropriate to suggest, as he did, that signing Asian players would have a detrimental effect on the quality of play,” Williams said.
“Australia is already seen as arrogant and ignorant across most of Asia, and comments such as this don’t do us any favours at all.”
Of course, Griffin’s comments should also be viewed in another context.
The ten A-League clubs are agitating for a much larger slice of television revenue, and as chair of the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, Griffin may feel there’s bargaining power to be gained by aligning against the 4+1 rule.
It’s not like Adelaide United are oblivious to the commercial realities of Asia – their back-of-shirt sponsor is Chinese construction company Datong.
When the deal was first signed, the Reds even said they would look to sign a Chinese marquee. So what has changed?
Williams is right when he says that Australians are viewed as “arrogant and ignorant” within Asia’s corridors of power – and that’s a problem we need to fix.
But we can’t even take the first step, in my opinion, because we lack the language skills to communicate effectively.
Given that so few Australians working in football speak Mandarin or Cantonese or Japanese or Arabic or any other Asian language, we remain isolated from many of the continent’s key decision makers.
Add to that the traditional xenophobia that seems to accompany almost every interaction we have with Asian football – see the outcry from many Newcastle fans over Ma’s signing – and we’re no closer to forging a two-way relationship with the continent we’re currently champions of.
Ange Postecoglou highlighted in his autobiography the stupidity of prime minister Malcolm Turnbull using an AFL game to spruik trade in China – where football’s popularity is booming.
Yet Turnbull is representative of a much bigger malaise.
Our unwillingness to engage with Asia is hurting us where it counts, from broadcast deals to boardrooms across the continent and, just as importantly, on the pitch.
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
4+1 is a very sensible rule change. It's sad that some do not see the sense of it. Many Asian leagues have a similar rule. This has benefitted Australian players getting contracts in Asia. it will also benefit A-league clubs when we play in the ACL.
clipper
Guest
Agree with Swanny - AFL and Football (especially Football) are increasing in Sydney, league is declining, but disagree NRL should be worried about AFL - different demographics - they should be worried about Football.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
according to latest reports participation has increased 6% across the board, mainly helped by women's increase. Male increase has plateaued, there may be a few places in Sydney that has seen decline in junior participation but I would hardly say falling to pieces. But as someone who works in junior afl development I can see why you would like this to be the case.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
You're right probably won't be an NRL in a few years once the AFL unleash another Sydney team.
RBBAnnonymous
Guest
You may have quoted Greg but you took what he said out of context. He isn't opposed to Asian players per se. He is opposed to the way FFA is interfering. Hire the best man for the 5 visa spots is what I got out of his response.
j binnie
Guest
anon - Are you still rattling on about the "history of soccer" in Australia which you appear to think started in the late 1950's and early 1960's when government legislation called for the need for skilled tradesmen, and also the acceptance of refugees from a war torn Europe.?????? Football in Australia has a history stretching back to the 1880's, with a team, Balgownie Rangers, being formed in 1883 and still going strong today. So once again I charge you, if you want to pass comment on any subject at all maybe it is time you started to educate yourself before trying to educate others by citing what is no more than, "factual in your mind), utter rubbish. Back to the books for you my lad. jb.
Amazon
Roar Rookie
you wish!
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
I salute Greg's response and appreciate him taking the time to make it. As for this opinion column being "poorly researched" - I quoted Greg. Regarding the statement that Adelaide are currently trying to contract an Asian player - as opposed to, say, a Senegalese striker - great! I'm glad Greg has used this "social media" forum to communicate effectively with fans. If Greg's main issue is that clubs are denied their proper share of revenues, or that FFA should not be interfering in how club's put their squads together, perhaps 4+1 is not the ideal proposal to conflate those two points with. But, as always, the purpose of these columns is to get people talking. If it prompts someone like Greg to share his thoughts, so much the better.
punter
Guest
True believers Jeff!!!!
Slane
Guest
I don't understand this comment at all, Punter. I'd hazard a guess that I have been to more A-league games this season than yourself but you will call me an AFL fanboy, whatever that means. According to C's comment and wikipedia, a Japanese figure skater (Shizuka Arakawa) believes that football is the most popular sport in 'almost all Asian countries'. I disagree with her. In my experience it the second most popular sport in almost all Asian countries.
jeff dustby
Guest
swanny, you are wrong. AFL is not growing that much in sydney
jeff dustby
Guest
the use of the term australias game by the afl reeks of insularity
jeff dustby
Guest
the author greg is all about click bait
punter
Guest
Swanny, this is why I made my original comment. AFL fanboys are not here to debate, but just to disrupt, he can't even argue his point. It's not the AFL I dislike, multi sports fans like yourselve no issues, even AFL fans like The Wookie who adds to the debates here, no issues. But the AFL fanboys, you have been around here long enough, these are the ones not worth debating & you just throw mud right back.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Mr Griffen's response is expected as Adelaide try to run in the black (admirably so), and have extensive networks in Spain due to their last two coaching appointments. Hence recruiting primarily in that region provides them with a commercial advantage which the +1 will partly negate. The issue is less of the +1 and more regarding the FFA's willingness to support clubs in improving their scouting networks so that sourcing an appropriate Asian player does not become a financial burden.
Swanny
Guest
Edward at junior level. League is struggling compared to when I played 20 years ago Love all my footy codes mate
Swanny
Guest
Punter. I'm a rusted in Newcastle Jets fan and go every match Im also involved in afl junior development. All good Enjoy the debate
Swanny
Guest
I go the Giants and see kids everywhere. But there junior clubs afl all over western Sydney . Happy for all sports to co exist It's the nrl that should be worried abt afl anyway
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
Well if an AFL fanboy says league is dying, then league is dying.
anon1
Guest
There's 23 players on an A-League list right? Is having one Asian player going to effect the talent level of the squad that greatly, especially when Asia is a continent of 4.5 billion with many players of great talent to be had. Australia only has 24 million people by contrast. Not to mention all teams are being forced to recruit from Asia, so no-one is advantaged or disadvantaged. It's really a small price to pay after Australia demanded they be a part of Asian football over a decade ago. The reluctance to recruit from Asia or embrace Asian football makes me think I'm right in what I suspected all along -- Australia only wanted to be a part of the AFC to get an easy ride into the World Cup, not because Australia sees itself as a part of Asia.