It's so crazy it just might work: Why Usain Bolt to the A-League might be worth it

When I see an over-hit ball to a winger, I often say: "Who does he think he's passing to, Usain Bolt?" I wouldn't mind seeing what happens when people actually do put through-balls to Usain Bolt, how other teams would defend etc. It might well all end a flop or a farce but it could be fun and, who knows, some defences might find him hard to cope with.

Maybe, but certainly at the level I've seen it, it seems to be mostly quick passes, before back to the goalie or another defender who has some room, so he can shoot etc. Admittedly that is a low level, maybe it's more that I get quite tired of it quickly, because you see a lot of the same thing really.

This has nothing to do with Indigenous culture. Non indigenous AFL players seem to have the same softness that makes them vulnerable when they have to move interstate. Same language. Same laws. Same everything. But, they get homesick when they move interstate. Indigenous footballers have proven they can move anywhere & thrive in their sport. In football Lydia Williams is an indigenous footballer, who has the mental strength to move overseas & play. So, has Kyah Simon. Jade North spent years playing in foreign leagues.

Not on top of Indigenous mind set and culture then ? Have to be the only flaw in your CV... You'd see no place for them... in the A League ?

Clubs like Muangthong United (Thailand) pay their players very well believe it or not and may still need to be marquee, especially a player like Chanathip Songkrasin would probably demand Fornaroli type wages (though he would be worth it).

Malybe the FFA should make a play for Freddie Flintoff?

Merch profits all go to the FFA, the club won't see a cent of it, though sponsorship could be huge for the Mariners.

Look it's all a bit of fun and publicity and I doubt he will make the cut. I would have thought for the future health of the A-League, the priority with Marquee signings, would be to pick up decent players from South East Asia (we obviously can't compete with the dollars in China and maybe Japan). If we can drum up more interest in Asia in our League (or even our participation int he ACL), then we can sell our TV rights into those countries or even sell the odd game to be played in Asia. That engagement with the large populations and growing middle class in our region is what will secure the future of the A-League. Otherwise we are just scrapping for the local crumbs with the AFL and Rugby codes.

Watched highlights of Bolt in a charity match recently at Old Trafford and he's average. Didn't even look particularly fast against other non or retired footballers, Freddie Flintoff was getting a across stopping him getting into the box ffs.

funny how people don't think much of the A league but spend time commenting. Even more interesting is people that actually know about football are looking to invest 100's of millions in the A league, but yea know one takes it serious Conan.

Tom, I know wrong is an absolute, but if it could be measured you are so far wrong on Futsal as to be off the chart wrong. If you think futsal is one dimensional you have never seen it, sorry. It is not just a 7's style game it is vastly different.

Maybe get out to watch a game or 2?

Arzani is one current A-League player who could play Bundesliga or EPL.

I think the player approaches should involve a bit of lateral thinking. Another World Cup winning Spaniard, Jesus Navas, would be a good example. He's had anxiety issues in his career and while he's apparently happy at Sevilla, in the unfortunate event that he again needs to escape the spotlight, the A-League might be a good fit. Employ Thomas Broich as a recruiter/mentor, and promote a lifestyle and competition appropriate to a large group of talented players.

Cyril Rioli? Isn't he the guy who got homesick living in Melbourne, so he quit his sport? Such a player wouldn't make it in any sport where you're required to spend years away from Australia. He can't handle being interstate. You need to be mentally tough to make it in global sports. That's why some technically gifted kids remain in the suburban leagues, some remain in Australian domestic leagues. The great athletes give up everything to succeed.

The A-League where it’s all about laughs and giggles these days. Why can’t the game just start to grow up and start to act like a real football league around the world instead? Aim for the global standard practice which would ultimately impact positively on the national team and not aim for sugar hits which are only concern the attention seekers whom are not fans of the sport? Why not target people that like football as a first priority instead? And invest in the future national team players and coaches instead? This is where the game is at in Australia? All about fame, getting bigger crowds, getting more likes on Facebook and not about the development for the long term benefit of the game and national team’s benefit. People talk about eras, how is the new football era different from the old soccer era? We have gone full opposite now from what worked in the past to what we have ignored in the present. Maybe Johnny Warren was right with the I told you so moment?

Like Ronaldo going to Juve and shifting +500k jerseys in 24 hours- it's the type of signing that guarantees results... in the profits column.

He could probably play futsal or rugby 7s, simply because of their one dimensional nature. Soccer is such a multi faceted game, it'd be hard to make it with speed, and reasonable passing/kicking skills.

Unlike a visa footballer, who has to be better than local options to be considered worth the extra, bolt merely has to be competent a-leaguer to make this a screaming success. Bolt up front alongside the wizard... scary!

Bolt as captain? That's go down about as well as the time Mitch Cooper was captain of Gold Coast United!