Sydney FC, Macarthur through to Australia Cup quarter-finals

Thanks Wes, I do respect your point of view. I'm not sure the NSD sides are going to suddenly unearth all these hidden gems of players, that the A-League sides haven't given a chance to. I am certain those pundits out there now saying the A-League clubs are not giving chances to local players etc, and there are only 12 professional clubs so not enough spaces for these types of players. I think that the cream rises to the top. If a player is good enough they will be picked up by an A-League club. All of the A-Leagues have people out there looking at who is around and as soon as a player starts to stand out, I am 100% certain that all the A-League clubs run a ruler over them. The number of times I heard in the Sydney Croatia vs Western Utd game about the number of players in the Sydney team that had A-League exposure, well that to me proves that many players do get a chance and are found wanting for some reason.

Hey Rodger. I will respectfully disagree, as I felt the same as you up until recently. Yes the NSD will be less of a standard, but that is expected as a second division, they should be lesser standard. And I also agree that A League teams and NPL teams are in very different points in their seasons, but we do not expect a promoted NSD team to win the A league on their first year promoted. No-one expexts Nttm Forrest in the EPL to beat or even compete realistically with Man City for the title, only that they will make a game of it and deserve their chance to build and better their club at that level. Again, if you consolidate the best NPL players around the county into 12 teams, gave them full time training, I still believe they would not embarrass themselves at A League level, and would put massive pressure on our underperforming A League clubs to perform and not "write off" a lost season only to try again next year.

You’re right - his strength is his strength! If he stays injury free he will be an excellent centre back who will defend very strongly, break down attacks and get the team moving forward. His organisation of the team alongside Wilkinson should also be invaluable. Any player who gets to the Premier League, plays for England and commanded the salary he did must have talent. Perhaps hugely talented was a bit of a stretch, but he should shine in the A Leagues.

When you say hugely talented what exactly is the talent. Rodwell was in the premier league because he was a big tall athlete and when injuries affected his athletic ability he doesn't really have that much to fall back on.

Also surprised at the lack of coverage of our Young Matildas at a World Cup. They won their first game 3-1 against Costa Rica in front of their home crowd of over 50000 people. They now face Brazil and Spain. They are a talented team representing our country at a World Cup- what has happened to news reports? This is news and should be reported! It is far more significant than NRLW and AFLW! Seems like more censorship from more organisations.

This could be a great signing. He is obviously hugely talented and you can see his passion and determination to do well. A few years ago Sydney helped rehabilitate DeJong really well. If this can happen again then we have a Premier League signing at a good price. And we need a centre back. I can see he wants to do well and will certainly be a good mentor for Segecic, Yazbeck, Kurcharski, Gird, Parsons, Wood and all the other young players that Sydney don’t have! Mak may be better than Holosko or Kissel so that could be brilliant, but hopefully he’s not a Narsing from last season. Parsons is a great signing as he looks a real talent. It’s about time Sydney signed a youngster or two from another club after having Van Der Saag, Timotheu, Blackwood, Talbot. Niewenhaus, Devlin, Ivanovic, etc enticed by other clubs. Sydney will be good this season and will hopefully play a more attractive brand of football. Time will tell, but that’s what makes the A Leagues interesting.

It would be good if the editors could make a comment about it. I would have the vast majority of us would have nothing but overwhelmingly positive comments to make about he appointment.

You’re right, Grem. Stu’s article doesn’t allow comments. Such a shame. Too controversial, I suspect. “Integrity” is spot-on. Goodes has lived his sporting life standing tall, copping barbs, yet always resilient, & never on his knees, yielding. He is football in a nutshell, now flying the flag for soccer.

What happened to Adam Goodes was such a shame. He was an extraordinary athlete and I wonder how far he may have gone in football if he had the chance. I certainly wish him well in his new role. The fact is only around 1-2% of the A Leagues is made up of indigenous players and much more needs to be done. While Adam’s success in football will never be known, I am hoping his influence may see more indigenous players in football at the highest levels. If Adam’s influence can get aboriginal players to any of the top 5 world leagues in the future, while being influential Socceroos at the Olympics or World Cups would be a great honour and achievement for him. I’ve always felt that if football in Australia could unlock entry to the game for our indigenous Australians then we’d go from playing at World Cups to challenging for World Cups. As Stuart said - you are very welcome Adam. This is the comment I wanted to write in Stuart’s AFL post, but it was closed to comments - AFL censorship?

Sydney fans surely can't be excited with his signature? let alone any of the off-season recruitment (so far)? Rodwell is an incredibly underwhelming signing due to his wages and his inability to string 2-3 games together due to injuries It’s going to be a tough season for Sydney (even with thier usual NSW padded fixture list), I still don’t see them in the 6 - I think they could get 7th or 8th (if they get their last VISA spot right and that’s a big if)

Waste of money, was ok for the Wanderers but certainly not the worth the money he was on. To see Talbot, Niewenhoff, Van Der Saag going to other clubs was ridiculous.

Jack Rodwell, welcome to Sydney FC. Game on.

They had double the shots but the ones they hit well like the one that hit Connor Otooles head were way off target, and the ones on target were hit too soft. It was the refs fault, he put magnets in the ball did he?

Really feel bad for Bentleigh Greens, they were the better team though out the 90min and had the ref against them the whole game. SFC once again advance due to ref favoritism.

I hope he can grab his chance. Dwight York could be good for him, who by the way at age 21 had played nearly 40games in the top division in England....

@Wes - To be honest the distance between the various grades is a lot greater than you might have seen last night. All of the NPL sides are match hardened and some may be weary after their current season. While all of the A-League clubs are just coming together in their pre-season. I suggest that once the A-League sides have had a few games under their belt any of the NPL sides won't get within a bull's roar of them. Yes the NSD will be interesting but will it be any better than any other NPL games we can go and watch now, if we choose to.

Wes, no truer words were spoken. The competition on and off the pitch the NSD is going to facilitate is going to be like an adrenaline shot for football. The desire to be the best, for clubs to become financially robust, for recruitment, facilities etc. And from the supporter’s aspect more football is a good thing. It’s not going to be shabby either when you look at Greens, South Melbourne, Broadmeadow Magic, Lambton Jaffas, Edgeworth, Adelaide City, Marconi, Heidelburg , Brisbane Strikers, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58 and the list goes on.

Brainstrust, totally agree. Greens didnt make it easy and Segecic, that kid will eventually play for Australia. U23s has his name all over it.

there studies on how athletes can be more susceptible to injuries in different weather conditions al's never been the same player since he got that injury playing for the national team (he was already carrying a knock to begin with and never should've been in that squad in the first place) - it goes some way, to explain the reluctance of united to release players for national team duty ever since he took his goal well and was a danger when he got into forward positions. I'd be worried though if i was macarthur and having to rely on him to back up every week, he is incredibly injury prone

And Caballo’s set pieces are very average.