Being an Australian football supporter is pretty tough right now.
We all know and begrudgingly accept the restrictions placed on travel, the border closures and reduced stadium capacities. We can see how admirably the leagues and clubs have reacted in almost real time to the necessary changes in the fixture list. But it’s still a tough one for the everyday fan.
Following the pre-Christmas announcements, all of a sudden the first match we were going to this season was the W-League Sydney derby at the magnificent Bankwest Stadium. And in a promise of two games for one ticket, the inaugural game for Macarthur FC would follow straight after with a match-up against Western Sydney Wanderers.
It was a night of must-see football. And then – bam – the game was moved back three days.
Hopefully work and family commitments aren’t impacted by the 4:35pm kick-off on Wednesday and we still get the full experience.
The idea of booking events in advance is now considered a risky business. Wellington away in Wollongong sounds like an absolute cracker of a day out – head to the beach during the day, go to the game with thousands of other Sydney FC fans in the evening and head back after dinner or stay overnight in a local motel.
With no formal notification of tickets being available, a quick google for admission led us to the Ticketmaster booking site, where only a few sections of the stadium are open for groups of only threes and fours sitting together. It was too hard to work out and too risky to book if the plans all change with the next COVID-19 announcement.
I did have a chuckle when the membership office at Sydney FC mentioned in their last communication that they were having a short break over Christmas. No, you’re not – with fixture changes galore and no members pack yet, it’s going to be your busiest Christmas ever!
Surveying the fixtures on the A-League website, the latest changes aren’t there. There’s no Brisbane Roar versus Melbourne City game at the time of writing. Mind you, that’s the least of the problems with the A-League website. All of the squads on the site are out of date. Ziggy Gordon is still at the Mariners, James Troisi is at Adelaide and Bernie Ibini-Isei is still pulling on a Jets shirt. Even the signings that were announced way back have not made it on to the site.
That excited feeling of compiling your fixture wall chart or reviewing the final composition of your team’s squad ahead of Round 1 is missing this year. Once again we’re compelled to refer to the statto’s almanac, German website Transfermarkt, to get information about our Australian teams. Marcos Urena anyone?
Stick with it, everyone. It won’t be long before we’re back in the stands, mask or no mask, supporting our teams and enjoying some good quality top-flight football.
Of course this is a difficult time for all, and sport in general is rightly at the lower end of the priority list of our leaders, but it is so encouraging to see that the will is there to make season 2020-21 a massive success.
Popavalum Andropoff
Guest
Remember this name Stuart: Luke Bodnar. He's proof that there's life after Alex Grant.
chris
Guest
Sandpaper on the ball exactly. Imagine having to cheat in a game where only 3-4 countries are competitive. Can't wait for the A-League to recommence. Was looking forward to the SFC v City clash and the derby. Just need to be more patient : )
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Nick, sounds more like the 90’s Brit pop song “Park Life”
Grem
Roar Rookie
And how could I forget the Matildas - hopefully the world's best in the 3rd biggest tournament on our planet in 2023.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You're correct - why didn't Van Marvick play Cahil more. A draw against France and a win against Denmark were real possibilities and then possible entry to the knock out section of the World Cup. Whatever our team has ever lacked with a bit of class they made it up with tenacity. The Socceroos have always been a team to be proud of and as far as I know they've never used sandpaper on the ball!
criag
Roar Rookie
Yes, in my lifetime I've seen the Socceroos beat (sometimes thrash!) England, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil...all former world cup champions, and Argentina was the number one ranked nation when they Socceroos beat them 4-1 at the SFS in 1988. I was there and it was a great day! And after the 1994 world cup qualifiers narrow defeat to the Maradona-led Argentina over two legs, the Argentinians were amazed at the quality of the Socceroos side and were celebrities there after the game. They were also all over Netherlands in their world cup game for long periods in which imo Tim Cahill scored the goal of the tournament. True, we haven't won many world cup matches, but for a long time it seemed FIFA were putting up the hardest obstacles possible in front of us. World class? Maybe not consistently, but a team never to be underestimated? The world knows the answer is yes!
Nick Symonds
Guest
The Socceroos have put in world class performances a number of times matching it with the best, but just haven't gotten world class results to back it up and prove it. Even at the last world cup they managed to push France with a strong defensive effort and the result in that match could have gone the other way. If the Socceroos had a decent striker or two who could convert all the chances they create they'd be very competitive. With all the young players coming through I'd say I'm optimistic about the future. Don't forget the Matildas either. They had a highest ranking of 4 at one point and they'll be going into 2023 very strong on home soil with a bunch of players at top European clubs.
Grem
Roar Rookie
The Socceroos have been ranked in the top 15 of the world - that made them truly world class. They were competitive against the best in the world and will get there again. Cicket - world? I do follow cricket and have followed them when they're down - when the West Indies (not a country) were the champs and when they've been up and they dominated New Zealand, England, Pakistan, etc. If the world of football consisted of about 5 countries who can play the game and another 10 or so such as Zimbabwe who dabble in the game - guess what? The Socceroos would always be world class. That's why the A League and Socceroos suffer compared to our other main sports - they are actually competing against the world. Top 15 is amazing- no other code has that many competing countries. We're now in the 40s - not as good as we'd like but we're ranked higher than another 100 or more countries who actually really play football. BTW - we don't need pretend countries such as the West Indies in football!
Micko
Roar Rookie
And soccer can’t pin it’s hopes on the success/failure of the Socceroos, the same way rugby union can’t pin it’s hopes on success/failure of the Wallabies. There needs to be an element of tribalism that encourages support and passion in the communities, and THAT is where the strength will lie.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Was driving down past Norwood today and saw heaps of Adelaide United and A-League advertisements on bus stops, buildings, etc.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The problem with soccer is Australia already had other football codes which took precedence, and it got mocked as it was seen as "foreign".
Johan
Guest
Your first sentence is true but being an Australian football supporter has always been tough as the Socceroos have never been a world class team. In the entire history of World Cup football, the Socceroos have only ever won 2 World Cup matches. Most World Cups Australia failed to get through the qualifying rounds to even enter the World Cup tournament itself. For this reason Australian football fans need to be extremely humble like Dutch or Irish cricket fans for example. If you wish to be loud and proud about supporting Australian sporting teams try cricket. Australia is one of the top cricket nations in the World. You will face much less mockery too.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I support the A League. I like watching the game and enjoy the atmosphere. I started following Sydney 15 years ago but have taken an interest in the Sydney teams that came later - and I live fairly close to Macarthur's home ground. I loved seeing Adelaide and Newcastle win in front of their spectators - great for football, I loved watching The Roar - coached by Postecoglou - great for football. I hope Melbourne City do well moving to South East Melbourne - great for football, I will fly down to see a Melbourne derby and enjoy seeing Victory get beaten, I enjoyed watching the Gold Coast with Culina, Smeltz, etc, I really like Diamante - one of my favourite players, there's a lot to enjoy in the A League. The stronger the game is the more I can enjoy watching Sydney because if the game/league is strong the better the standard becomes.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I support football, especially the A League. Love the game and the atmosphere. Sydney were the only side I could support 15 years ago and I have really enjoyed following them and will continue to do so. As teams such as West Sydney and now Macarthur have entered I am interested in how they go as I lived and live in their catchment area. I'm part of the many FC supporters who are actually WS scum and should f off home! I look forward to flying to Melbourne in the future to see the Victory ( a team I enjoy disliking ) get beaten by City - who I want to see succeed. I loved seeing Adelaide win the comp in front of their supporters, I loved the Brisbane Roar under Postecoglou, how good were the Gold Coast to watch when they had Culina, Smeltz, etc, Diamante is one of my favourite players - I could go on - the A League is what I actually support.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Hang on, who do you support then???
Grem
Roar Rookie
I can't believe how well he does that. Whenever I have had an issue/ question, etc he responds as if you were Sydney's only member! Apart from the fact they're an excellent team, their membership team ensures I will always support the club. I really look forward to them moving into their new stadium in a couple of years. I have also taken out a 6 game membership with Macarthur - hopefully their membership team and support of members can prove to be just as good long term, as a few fans have not been impressed with their dealings with the club so far. In these tough times membership teams and club decisions need to do everything they can to retain and grow memberships.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Hub life" - Trying to outdo Mike Tuckerman by sounding gangsta?
Nick Symonds
Guest
Six a side BBL would be good. Loads of gaps in the field to the boundaries. Very high scoring. They could even have two innings each and make it a one day test. Mind you, with the way that India are batting lately they're not far off.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Too far away. Forgot about them. Strong team up top but I'm worried about the other end.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'll be tipping the Roar each and every week. They should contend, yet the fact I back them could have disastrous consequences.