When Melbourne Victory substitute Chris Ikonomidis smashed an unstoppable volley across Mark Birighitti to win the FFA Cup, he reminded everyone of what it is that makes football special.
The left-foot stunner was a goal worthy of winning any cup final, and Ikonomidis celebrated by diving straight into the Victory fans massed behind the goal at the northern end of AAMI Park.
They were the kind of scenes you never see in other Australian codes because fans in those sports are passive consumers who tend not to congregate collectively or lend their support as part of a unified group.
And they were the kind of scenes the old Football Federation Australia – for whom, anachronistically, the FFA Cup was still named – did little to protect during their long spell in charge.
You don’t have to look hard to see what happens when a fan-base is given little incentive to turn up. On the same day Victory downed the Mariners to win the FFA Cup, Western Sydney Wanderers lost 1-0 to Western United in front of a virtually non-existent Red and Black Bloc.
And the Wanderers’ dwindling attendances should be a concern for the Australian Professional Leagues, even if there are legitimate reasons – COVID and current form among them – that help explain them.
Not that they’d publicly admit it, but the APL are probably glad one of their flagship clubs lifted the last ever FFA Cup, booking a place in the AFC Champions League playoffs in the process.
It certainly felt like things were going Victory’s way in the build-up to the game when AAMI Park was drawn over Gosford as the host venue and recent Mariners signing Jason Cummings was denied the chance to line up for his new team.
It’s hard to understand the logic of denying burgeoning cult hero Cummings a shot at silverware after the Mariners moved their semi-final forward by 11 days because of COVID concerns only to be punished for their flexibility by being told the former Dundee striker was ineligible to play because he was signed after that same semi-final.
I’m all for integrity, but this is a cup competition that often sees lower-league teams give up their home ground advantage, that expects New Zealand’s representative to play all their home games in Australia and that didn’t even take place at all last season.
On the plus side, we’re finally seeing some positive signs that the game’s administrators are giving up their addictions to bad ideas and are putting some common-sense plans in place.
Renaming the FFA Cup to the Australia Cup – after the first-ever national cup competition that ran from 1962 to 1968 – is a step in the right direction and a link to the game’s own history that, as football writer and historian Greg Stock eloquently argues, has so often been obliterated by a constant desire to start everything anew.
Dropping the price of general admission tickets to $20 across the board is another smart move that shouldn’t have taken the league’s marketing department 17 seasons to figure out.
But as important as it is to see some hurdles to attending games removed, it’s equally important to acknowledge that fans themselves have a role to play.
There’s a fine line between passionate support and anti-social behaviour, but the sheer emotion pouring down from the stands at AAMI Park was what made Saturday night’s cup final so unique.
And it’s here where Melbourne Victory fans are blowing every other club out of the water.
The atmosphere generated by fans is what makes football special, and it’s a unique selling point that has been misunderstood and neglected for far too long in Australia.
The FFA Cup final was a powerful reminder of why we love the game. But everyone needs to play a role – from fans to broadcasters and the game’s administrators – if we’re ever going to replicate Saturday night’s raucous scenes on a regular basis.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Not sure if anyone else saw it, but on Sunday morning on ABC's Offsiders, Waleed Ali, Journalist and passionate football fan, stated "that game was so powerful, that I had a big name former AFL player sitting next to me in the stands. He stated 'wow, this is powerful/impressive stuff". The AFL culture is so hard core and so parochial, for a former prominent/big name player to say that, for me that is an endorsement you cannot buy. Always remind yourself that this is season 17 or 18 of the A-League. Most countries have been engaged in professional football a lot longer than we have been. What we have achieved since the 2006 World Cup qualifiers is pretty damned good. Now we need generational transition to further progress. I agree that there is a fine line between unacceptable behaviour and passionate support. Have a look at the faces in the Victory active support area and they are all millenials or younger. 99 percent of them get it, they know the fine line. As my Father in Law says "there'll always be one", but most the behaviour and the support was nothing short of impressive, and there's a lot more to come in that regard as younger kids hit the age where they have more independence, where they can get into the Active Supporter groups and they can proudly demonstrate that they are the A-League generations. The beautiful game is making more ground than most are aware of. The comparison can clearly be seen if you read the article about the developing gang culture in Rugby League see article in Daily Telegraph 7/2/2022. Parents want their kids involved in football. Families go to the football, those lads who comprise the Jets Squadron, absolutely proud of them. They support, they conduct themselves well, but they know the limits. Our beautiful game is only getting started, the quality of Australian coaches (Rudan, Kisnorbo, Papas, Moon, Popovic, Talay, Montgomery (adopted Australian), the increasing quality of play, the recognition of our history and embracing of our history, the eventual establishment of 2nd Div, and pro/rel will all eventually compound to produce something we have all waited for, some of us longer than others (almost 50 years). Be proud, support the game and never lose faith
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
I attended Day 1 of The Ashes... the Barmy Army this time around were all Aussie-based expats. But yes, you've hit the nail on the head with one of the biggest problems the A-Leagues face. We have a perfectly watchable league right in front of us, but most football 'fans' would rather tune into the EPL.
Punter
Roar Rookie
I 100% agree with what you say Mid, I think as AA says below that clubs need to be compensated with transfer fees, especially if one sells the player on.
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
Mike; Personally, I think the Barmy Army coming half way round the world to watch England getting beaten rivals any supporters that soccer has, but you are spot on the money when you point out that soccer crowds are much more parochial/intense than those from any other “football” code. I suspect that the reason the crowds for Australian soccer matches (including this final) are low is because the quality of the games is also low when compared to the top-flight games in Europe that are available over the net. You can buy a lot of subscriptions for $20 a week.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
see this is where it gets interesting with domestic transfer fees and the 'follow on effect', it would need to be a sliding scale when its comes to payment if a player spent 5 developemental years for arguments sake at the mariners rather than 2 years - the mariners should be entitled to a higher fee. but what about if that player had been at EG. manly united for 8 years as a junior, they would also be entitled to a cut of the fee. there were a couple of big cases in america several years ago when they fully implemented domestic transfer fees lots of junior clubs where taking professional clubs to court, to try and get some form of payment the dallas texans were clint dempseys junior club and they took there case all the way to FIFA for compensation and they ended up losing the case.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Wasn't responding to your post, but sure, if you wanna rationalise it down to just produced players, then it makes things harder for ALM clubs.
chris
Guest
I think Channel 10 do a very good job in giving the lesser football competitions air time etc. When was the last time you heard APIA or Bentley Greens mentioned on Channels 7 or 9? lol
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Pun I acknowledge they did not all go to SFC from the start. However say we received transfer fees on all players over the years the Mariners could spend that money how they want but it would change our budget position.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Chris Fans want a lot but it when say SFC raid the Mariners I don't see their fans crying pay the Mariners... It's more that be smart business. We need to reward development club's at all levels
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
There was some talk in the past of it being played on Australia Day, but given the date of that holiday might change in the near future anyway, that idea has probably been laid to rest.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
I wouldn't know how, since it's in the third paragraph and you'd have to click on the article to find a reference to clutch your pearls to in the first place. Nat, the reason I compared football crowds to other codes is because football crowds are much louder, more passionate and make a concerted effort to support their team in a way that doesn't happen in other codes. I know this because I have been to plenty of matches in other sports (including several State of Origins) and none of them compare to the support you find at a football game. Hence the comment.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I visited Cold Blow Lane on quite a few occasions in the 70’s and early 80’s well before they moved to the new ground. Interesting times would be an understatement and I have some scars to show for it and living and surviving teenage years through those football times is the main reason I laugh when the subject turns to Ultras in Australia!
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
JB – you’ll find it was John O’Neil, who was from the Rugby Union code, our first FFA CEO. I’m sure he was the one who decided that there would be no transfer system in the A-League (only to overseas clubs). Starting the comp with only one team per city and regional towns; 8 teams in all. Totally ignoring the Professional Football Players assoc proposals.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Roar do have one of the best songs in the league “oh, the black n Orange, follow you for ever more …” bit sadly it hasn’t been sung with gusto for 5+ years, but it does still break out occasionally
Waz
Roar Rookie
I’ve been to the old Den on a cold winters nights with my mates from the UK, not an experience I will forget lol. But yeah, filling up supporters bays has to be the priority irrespective of what they’re called.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
FA Cup, or FFA Cup, are too similar to the English FA Cup (in name). Clearly the revival of the AUSTRALIAN CUP (Football) has a long past history, which the name clearly says, it is our NATIONAL KNOCKOUT CUP. Many oldies like me, can remember its past popularity. There were over 700 clubs from all over Australia who entered in this last competition and I suspect that number will even grow further. What has to be done now, is to promote it properly; and to continue to encourage, grass-root-all-age, amateur divs, semi-pro, to fully professional teams to embrace it fully. To start off on the fairy tale journey, to compete in the AUSTRALIAN CUP; to see how far they can go, mixing it, with the big boys.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Waz, not an argument really just that there has been a reasonably well known Den for a century or so and the shed at Perth’s old home ground looked remarkably similar to its namesake in Southwest London. Whatever the ends are called, I just wish they were filled up with fans every week. It’s a pretty sad sight at the moment which was why the final on Saturday night looked and sounded good….I miss it!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I hope your last line is proven wrong.
Punter
Roar Rookie
OK Mid I play your game Anthony Caceres left Mariners 2016 join SFC 2019. Alex Wilkinson left Mariners 2012 join SFC 2016. Musty Amini left Mariners 2012 join SFC 2022. Trent Buhagiar left Mariners 2018 joined SFC 2018 Tom Heward Belle left Mariners 2016 joined SFC 2017. The game against Mariners was his first full game for SFC, he's the reserve goal keeper. So how much money does Mariners want? Only 2 players came directly from Mariners & neither has set the world on fire with little sign of signing in Europe. The first 3 has already played O/S & came to SFC after their sojourn O/S.
Nat
Roar Guru
Hey AMD, of course. I'd like to think I'm very respectful to those who offer it. I know what Hooligans are/represent but I only use the term Ultras because it has been bandied around on here but not in a bad context. Yes for those OS. The context, I feel, was apt though. Agree there are 'less-than' fans in every code absolutely but there is very good reason the reference exists. No point getting offended over it. Like getting offended there are bogans in league. :stoked: Don't worry about the mushi thing. He's been riding me for weeks. Time he got some back.