Officially, I didn’t completely believe John Aloisi’s “passionate defence” of the A-League a couple of days ago. Under the surface, he was hiding something.
Maybe it was the magical Haruki Murakami novel I was reading at the time, but Aloisi spoke in metaphors that afternoon.
Let me explain.
After the recent crowd invasion in Melbourne, Aloisi rallied around our professional competition, calling for calm, amidst the outcries of football naysayers.
“It upsets me when we put ourselves down,” he said to reporters.
The quote was intentionally generic. In my mind, I wondered exactly what the championship-winning coach meant.
After careful consideration, I believe the manager was actually referring to Western United. Or to be more specific, sport’s most controversial team.
Dragged over hot coals by every imaginable soccer critic, Aloisi’s emotional words subconsciously raised a drawbridge, protecting his club.
Keep in mind, his lads were the only Melbourne team that escaped sanctions.
“We are only three points from fourth place,” he continued, mentioning the ladder, “after an indifferent start.”
In other words, it was a mediocre commencement to the campaign. On a deeper level, however, it also highlighted four turbulent years since conception.
Tom Glover picks up a flare to remove it from the pitch. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
In passing, if you ever mention the young club to fans, I guarantee the conversation won’t be about injured talisman Alessandro Diamanti. Instead, you’ll be subjected to comments about a delayed stadium construction.
Suddenly, even the most stoic fan melts with mock indignation, becoming bitterly impatient at the set back.
“I never want anyone to feel threatened when they come into the stadium,” Aloisi said. “They should feel safe.”
What Aloisi forgot to utter was: there’s no place like home. To be more specific, a boutique ground in Tarneit, Wyndham.
Yes, I am rubbing salt into the wounds, but look at it this way, critics. In regards to safety, for example, Western United will have direct input into the managing of security staff, CCTV and first responders. This won’t be a task outsourced by the Government of Victoria anymore.
It’ll be a bricks and mortar asset, run by a soccer club. A living, breathy entity, created to support the growth of football, unlike the shared facilities of other codes. Shouldn’t that be celebrated?
Yet still we have the audacity to indicate fault in the fledgling club. Still we tear down an establishment raised during the pandemic.
“I will fight this fight because I love this game too much,” Aloisi said, noting that a “couple of idiots” wouldn’t put them down.
Again, you could easily draw comparisons with jealous sporting commentators, hell-bent on destroying a legacy, which was created by manager Marko Rudan and nurtured by Aloisi.
The success of Western United has a knock-on effect to the rest of the A-League. It’s time to show them some love.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I was surprised at the Bulls big loss over WSW too. I don’t think Macarthur had many shots on target either. Maybe they were too careful? If there’s a happy medium (between conservative & attacking play), then the Bulls haven’t found it. Although... They did win the Australia Cup. So, they’ve got my respect.
Garry
Roar Rookie
and who's higher up the table now?
Brendan
Roar Pro
Some might say “conservative”. Still, their former style of play took WU to the big dance. A few months ago, Central Coast were electric against Macarthur (November 13). They pushed for a win, attacked, & were phenomenal, when the Bulls simply parked the bus for a draw. Suddenly, in injury time, Yorke’s men scored, winning 3-2. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t exciting football, but they were the winners. Give me a slow-burn, careful approach any day. I’ll selfishly take the points. More power to WU.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I feel they may have ownership issues but maybe they might pick up some MV fans.. :laughing:
Garry
Roar Rookie
Cmon they were the most boring team in the A League...it WASNT a good ad when the most boring team wins the League. And as to the stadium thing I have no knowledge but get the impression the original plans were pie in the sky & heavy Melbourne politics & Real Estate plays.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Cheers, Grem. 10Play are producing some great football content. I’m loving the documentaries. Behind-the-scenes footage is my favourite.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Agreed. The A-League fence, protecting all clubs, is only as strong as it’s weakest link, so-to-speak. Both WU & Macarthur obtained silverware during their formative years. That was probably a relief to Football Australia. They’re on the right track to success. It’s a bumpy road at times, but the first steps are always the hardest.
Brendan
Roar Pro
It’s certainly given WU a tougher mentality. They’ve put in the hard yards. Like a frosty beer after a long day, their boutique stadium will be deserved.
Grem
Roar Rookie
A timely article - looks like there’s a story on WU on 10Play - the trailer looked interesting.
chris
Guest
It takes time to build a club, culture, following etc. WU are barely a few years old and people expect miracles. They will grow and with their new stadium will have a place to call home. And yes they need our support collectively as a football family.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
i got a feeling you're right Brendan. Once ad atmosphere starts to establish itself, where the supporters can count on a match in the same place regularly, I would suggest that things will grow. The nomadic existence is anything but positive for them, but the way they have coped with it, and not just coped but achieved has my respect.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Cheers, Football Is Life. Aloisi put himself on the line, got some shtick, but his courage shone through. He’s been copping barbs about WU since he took the gig, & I reckon he’s thrown down the gauntlet. The APL have been caught snoozing, I think. Sometimes it’s just easier to go back to bed. The championship gives WU a solid foundation. Call it fate, but we can credit their online advertising (made a year ago), as it correctly predicated the silverware. No kidding. It was a really powerful clip. I’d like to think once WU stop a nomadic life, & when they’re locked into a permanent ground, then the figures will go up.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Indeed. WU schooled Victory the previous week, especially in defence. To play an hour of the game with one less man is a credit to Aloisi. Victory lost again tonight against CCM.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I am really pleased you wrote this article. The way Aloisi stepped up and made himself the spokesman, not only for the league, but football in general only resulted in an additional level of respect on top of the huge amount of respect i already have for man. I just want to get on with the football, let the talking be done on the pitch and in the stands, but at this point, the APL are sadly missing in action. I tried to find contact details for the APL in an attempt to submit constructive, intelligent and hopefully valuable feedback. I could not find any. Maybe Im just an old fella and age was a contributing factor. It take guts to do what he did. I am not sure if any other Managers or club officials have stepped up, but if they havent, they owe Aloisi. What I am trying to fathom is why Western United have not garnered more support at this point. Struth, they have an A-League title to their name. They have a cracking squad, and obivously they have the seasoned campaigners like Prijovic, Garuccio, Topor-Stanley, Young, Imai and Diamanti, but their younger players as well, are proving they have what it takes. I would love to see some of those lads push for national team spots. My only suggestion is that the footballing public are subject to the misconception that football is the EPL and nothing else exists. Additionally, tell me of a home grown Gaffer that's proven himself as quickly as Aloisi, outside of Ange of course. I might be wrong, but there was conspicuous support for WU at their last match at AAMI and it pleased me no end. I really hope in time that WU become one of the league's heavyweights, because that this point, their efforts, their achievements, their culture is commendable to say the least.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Last week their intensity got them the win with 10 men. This week ironically all their pressing and domination of possession and Roar could have easily beaten them with the balls over the top to Mileusnic who either stuffed up the first touch, or decided to cut inside the defender instead of shooting from wide. The back three for Roar just stayed back together all match and drew them forward.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Yes, the ferocity has turned up a notch for WU. A recent trophy for Aloisi is mesmerising, yet sparkle fades without a polished performance. Hence Aloisi being more vocal in the last week, bordering on a drill sergeant (& defensive bodyguard) to his team.
Brendan
Roar Pro
1-1 draw. I’m happy both WU & Roar shared the chocolates. Brisbane’s another club that’s been through the ringer. Queensland once had three A-League teams. Three! Sadly the wheels somehow fell off. I think it’s why I’m quite protective of both WU & Macarthur, knowing the fate of other clubs. WU might be a small brand, but I think they’re working hard to grow a long-term product with the local council. The Mariners, on the other hand, are always negotiating new leases on the stadium.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont get whats happened to Western United they seem to have completely turned it around, it sounds like Aloisi is now scared if he gets sacked there will be nothing to come back to. The last two matches have matched the intensity of their finals matches.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Just watching the game at the moment. Crowd - not big, but it could be growing and they’re trying to create noise and atmosphere. The team is well funded and they have potential to grow into a bigger club. They don’t seem to have any ownership issues or problems for our competition. We need to just get behind them and hope for the best.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Cheers, Grem. You’re one of the positive A-League supporters, who wears his heart on your sleeve. We both want that competition to be successful. I understand WU got some criticism for low-scoring games (last season), but it was a slow-burn candle to success, which resulted in silverware. They’re a solid team. I’m a fan of the underdog. I even have a soft-spot for Newcastle too.