It was halfway through the Matildas’ 2-2 draw with Brazil in Parramatta last Tuesday night when I realised something I hadn’t felt for a while – I was actually enjoying the broadcast.
The Aussies were leading 1-0 at the break and Andy Harper had just launched into one of his passionate halftime reviews either side of panellists Grace Gill and Georgia Yeoman-Dale.
Clare Polkinghorne had earlier scored her second goal in as many games to open the scoring and the Network Ten coverage, featuring Simon Hill in commentary, was as slick as anything we’d seen for a while.
I’m by no means the biggest Matildas fan around. That’s not to suggest I don’t enjoy watching them, but rather that I don’t have the same reasons to be as emotionally invested as many others do.
What I most enjoyed about their two-game series with Brazil was simply the chance to watch some high-quality, professionally broadcast football in prime time on free-to-air TV.
And it’s that final point that surely means football is, at long last, on the right track in Australia.
You could write a book about all the reasons Aussies decided not to shell out for Foxtel in the same sort of numbers that watch Pay TV overseas, but it always starts with the attitude the service is too expensive.
The fact that football fans must now shell out comparative amounts for multiple streaming services to watch the same content once available on Fox Sports was entirely predictable.
But if some fans have long struggled to understand how broadcast content is created, what it costs to create it and who’s paying for it, the two Matildas games at least suggested there are better days ahead.
That’s because the two broadcasts were the best we’ve seen yet on Network Ten. Just as importantly, they were supported by the sort of ancillary content that helps drive new viewers to the game.
He may not possess the verbal dexterity of Andy Harper, but watching Archie Thompson on Celebrity Masterchef – he’s a surprisingly good cook, for those who don’t know – as well as Ten’s Melbourne Cup Carnival coverage, is the sort of cross-promotion we could once only dream of.
Network Ten’s news coverage now features football as a matter of course, while Adelaide United defender Josh Cavallo spoke at length to The Project’s Carrie Bickmore last week after coming out as the world’s only current openly gay male top-flight footballer.
And the recent announcement that Network Ten and Paramount+ had nabbed the rights to broadcast the FA Cup – a competition virtually every football fan in Australia is familiar with – means a similar bid for English Premier League rights is arguably just around the corner.
Fresh from covering Lionel Messi’s surprise switch to Paris Saint-Germain, commentator Robbie Thomson is another who has just bid adieu to the French capital to presumably take up the microphone alongside the likes of Hill and Harper in the A-Leagues.
Clare Polkinghorne scores the opener (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
And ViacomCBS, which owns Network Ten and Paramount+, have been vocal about using football as a vehicle to target viewers. Put simply, they see football and its band of intensely passionate supporters as a vital demographic.
It’s the sort of renewed investment football so desperately needed after years of stagnation.
It’s not all sunshine and smiles though, as Macarthur FC skipper Adam Federici’s shock retirement and Mark Milligan’s sudden decision to quit as assistant coach might suggest.
The A-Leagues may have a real problem on their hands in south-western Sydney this season, and that’s on the back of Western United’s ongoing struggles to find a suitable home ground.
But for the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic about the direction football is heading.
Yes, closed borders and coronavirus restrictions are still making life difficult, particularly for Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix.
But after a frustrating few years wondering if the A-Leagues would even survive, it finally feels like we can start planning for football to thrive once again.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
I find it hard to believe that a commentator who played 321 National Soccer League games, is a former CEO of an A-League club, who helped host coverage of two World Cups, who has travelled the world covering Australia's national teams and who more recently has been a dedicated A-League commentator - for 15 years - "has no idea what he is looking at sometimes," but I guess you and I must expect different things from our football commentary.
Duncan Ryan
Guest
This is a bit premature? Most games will be on paramount, a streaming service, another pay per view. Channel 10 might show 1 game per week. Foxtel got rid of it as playing football in big empty stadium has no attraction for the public, no atmosphere and is not attractive viewing. So what has changed here? The name on your bank statement of who you pay to watch the games. Also They have only taken the show from Foxtel and dropped it into Paramount, Andy Harper takes me out of the equation straight away, he has no idea what he is looking at some times. So to say they have saved the game? We will wait and see!
criag
Roar Rookie
Yes, some very high standard games last season. With regard to getting better TV viewing, it may be because World Cup qualifiers are on, but I can't work out why the A-League isn't on NOW, taking advantage of not having to compete with the winter sports. They could've started a month ago. Last season went well into the NRL/AFL seasons, which could potentially affect crowds as well.
sam
Guest
Can Football save Ch 10? https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2021/11/04/ratings-analysis-audiences-abandon-10-in-droves-as-the-viability-of-a-third-commercial-network-is-in-doubt/
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I would suggest that until such time as the A-League Generation become ticket paying adults, I would suggest that the greatest challenge FA has is getting numbers up in membership, in attendance and in viewing. I astounds me that the Australian football public are not more supportive. Struth, there was quality football played last season. Yep, like every league, there are dour games, but why would you not support your own league. I've been interested in English football for nearly 47 years, but lately the stupidity that is creeping into the EPL through impatience and just stupid amounts of money being spent is leaving about a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I mean I really feel for Nuno Espiritu Santo. But back on track, what's not to like about seeing e.g. Jamie McClaren and Matt Leckie carve it up. Who wouldnt take their son or daughter to see Dan Sturridge go round. I think this year Victory will see the numbers come back, their memberships will be up and with the strength of every team, what's not to like about the competition that's going to play out.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
The one aspect of football life in Australia that is constantly overlooked, or misconstrued is football culture or lack of. It just does not exist here in any great number. There are simply thousands playing the game that have no interest beyond “fun fitness and friendship” and that is adults and then families of children playing. Although I draw mainly from grassroots experience (and that is where the numbers come from) it is also true in the higher leagues as well. What it means is that the pool of potential A League fans is much smaller than people believe and just looking at general population numbers is extremely naive. Before WSW came along a decade ago, SFC had approximately 5 million people to draw from. Let’s discount all the non football population and just go off grassroots affiliation. Sutherland, Eastern Suburbs. St George, Canterbury Bankstown, Northern Suburbs, Manly, Granville, Southern Districts, MacArthur, Blacktown, Nepean - Hills these days. Some of the larger associations have between 16-18k and the smallest has 10k so let’s just use an average of 12k. That is 132000 registered players. Add on all the SAP, and so called rep teams, northwest womens league etc etc and for the sake of the argument you have 200.000 registered players. If just 10% of those were nailed on football fans, Sydney FC should have been drawing crowds of 20k and we know the history. Whilst there are other factors to take into account and statisticians might pour over the figures for hours on end, in short, all it does is tell us that just because someone plays football, it does not make them a fan…they might be potential but nowhere near a dead certainty. What I find incredibly sad is the number of people who bet on football with little to no knowledge and they regularly gamble on MultiDelete across the globe and right here in the A League. I can’t count the number of times I have been asked who I think will win a particular game just to help out with a bet- and then get castigated when the bet fails!
Aiden
Guest
Genuinely nice guy Archie. Goes around coaching school football in my local area. Generally friendly and down to earth with everyone he crosses paths with.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Yeah, let’s leave the name-calling out and just focus on the debate. If we wanted pointless squabbles we’d invite Nemesis back.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Thanks - I’ll give it a read.
Exitstrategy
Roar Rookie
Hi Mike , Brendan Brumby wrote a good article on this subject https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/10/22/uncovering-the-brilliance-of-network-10s-new-a-league-promo/?comment_id=8208816#comments-section
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
It's statement that I have been longing to hear. The girls are bringing as much to football as the guys, maybe even more. It's the girls who are going to host a world cup and let's been honest, when there's a tidy boost to the FA's bank balance, the guys are going to want their share of it.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Macarthur are building their own academy and that gives kids who dont get picked up by WSW a chance to get picked up by the Bulls. And I agree, from the likes of Campbelltown, Leumeah etc it's a cut lunch and a sleeping bag to get to Wanderland. Campbelltown stadium is just down the road. It's a no brainer for the far south locals i reckon
Punter
Roar Rookie
Summed up perfectly.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Even if that's the case 17-18000 registered footballers, that's a lot of mums and dads who have kids playing football, it's a lot of seniors both men and women who would enjoy nothing more than going to support their team with their mates after their game on saturday. I am sure you are getting the picture I am painting. I have a fiver that a certain backyard code that's heavily related to felonies and misdemeanors doesn't have 17-18000 registered players.
AGO74
Guest
As buddy says it is 18,000 not 300,000 Regardless more people in Sydney live west of parramatta than east of it so you are still looking pretty good demographics wise for wsw Josh.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Sutherland has approx 17-18000 registered players last time I looked. That's a bit different but they are a large association at community level.
Grem
Roar Rookie
There was an interesting article in the ABC today discussing this.
chris
Guest
Paul how refreshing is that? 10 years ago a lot of people were sniggering at the women's game. Now look at it. Globally its growing at phenomenal rates and with the 2023 WC on our shores, you may well be right in its growth potential.
chris
Guest
Hmm pip, Mr Football and Mr AFL - thats 3. I never said you watched BBL.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
The only response I have to such an odd outburst is: I'm scratching my head wondering whether I've ever written anything about the BBL...ever. Also: was the BBL on Ten??? I have no memory of that, and wouldn't have noticed, even if it were true. I'm not sure I've ever watched a BBL game in my life, certainly not a complete game. Mr AFL might be something like 7th nickname you have given me. Very odd behaviour indeed. Try and stick to the discussion at hand, leave the ad hominems behind, they are unbecoming and unecessary.