It was another exciting week of football action, with plenty of goals scored in Mudgee on Saturday afternoon and then in the Hunter later that evening, and the struggling Brisbane Roar gave premiers elect Melbourne City a fright earlier today.
Here are your A-League Round 20 talking points.
How far can Goodwin take Reds?
I mentioned last week that it’s been close to seven years since Adelaide United claimed their maiden – and only championship. But on the back of a Craig Goodwin masterclass in the 4-2 victory over Newcastle, it’s looking like the Reds could be the best placed side to challenge Melbourne City for the 2022-23 crown. If Goodwin stays fit, they are a better shout than the inconsistent Mariners and Western Sydney, who can’t buy a goal most weeks.
And speaking of inconsistency, you can put a line through any side outside the top four. They won’t be making any noise in the finals.
Carl Veart also has a pretty exciting ace up his sleeve in Nestor Irankunda. The 17-year-old’s cameos off the bench are getting more tantalising by the week – he once again showcased his pace before firing a rocket past Jack Duncan for Adelaide’s fourth, and had the goalkeeper beaten late on, only to be denied by the woodwork.
(Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
Veart tempered the excitement in the post-match press conference, but I’m sure he knows how little opposition teams will be looking forward to Nestor coming on at half-time or for the final third to terrorise their defence. He’s got incredible pace and athleticism – adding consistent goal-scoring to the mix will see him earn a move overseas sooner rather than later.
Where are the crowds?
Ask the average A-League fan whether or not they think the standard of play has been good this season, and you’re very unlikely to hear a negative response. Just look at this weekend’s five matches and the quality of goals, defending and goalkeeping heroics around the grounds. That’s why it’s so puzzling that the crowds are nowhere to be seen.
The average for the round is 5888 so far, with Victory still to host Western United on Monday evening.
It should be noted that the Central Coast “hosted” Macarthur in Mudgee, with the awful crowd figure of 1408 skewing the average, but even a Gosford crowd wouldn’t have moved the needle much.
The season average stands at 7351, which is actually probably higher than I expected, however it’s still nothing to write home about. There are outliers on both sides of the ledger, but there’s just no escaping how farcical some of Western United and Macarthur’s crowds have been.
Of course, by this stage of the season any clear air the league might’ve had in column inches and on-air time has now been swallowed up by the behemoths that are the NRL and AFL, and even Super Rugby is attracting some media attention.
Stench of Melbourne Derby shame will linger for some time
Earlier this week, a Sydney Morning Herald columnist took aim at our great game, drawing a comparison between the murderous Saudi Arabian regime and A-League fans. The journalist’s pathetic attempt at passing it off as “humour” on Twitter aside, it was another unfortunate reminder that reporters from other codes – and even those who don’t focus on sport – will take any opportunity to stick the boot in.
It’s difficult to quantify the damage done by 100 or so criminals on that fateful night at AAMI Park, but it’s safe to say we will be feeling the effects for quite a while. Some fans will be so disenchanted that they may never come back; parents could, understandably, be frightful of taking young children along to the football.
The only thing law abiding fans – 99.9 per cent of A-League supporters – can do is to continue to support their team. In doing so, hopefully the general public will be eventually reminded that we’ve got players worth paying to go see, and that there’s nothing for spectators to be afraid of.
At work
Roar Rookie
I wonder if their previous dealings with Rugby Qld will hold back that deal though. As we know Brisbane Roar are guilty of trying to squeeze out of paying any debts. Just look how many ex-players/coaches have had to sue them in order to receive their fair payouts upon termination.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
I take it back Redondo, because he was behind Goodwin when the ball was played forward he IS onside. Bizarre rule.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
If he was level when Goodwin kicked the ball forward of course he would be onside. He clearly wasn't. Offside 100%.
Josh
Guest
Trying to tell me that AFL in Western Sydney is 'on par' with football is literally the funniest thing i've ever read on here. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
that's a bit rich
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
indeed, she's a good scholar too, with two years school to go but likely to fit her football in with studies. I have a friend who did a Softball college scholarship in the US, which was ok for her but two years was enough of US.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
time and again I'm reminded it's all about goals scored, the rest is noise. The score was 1-1 until the 88th minute. That's not dominant, at all.
AR
Guest
This article has nothing to do with the AFL, or racism, or the myriad of other social issues in other sports. It's about ALeague crowds. The headline literally asks: where are the crowds? Can you really not deal with the issue in the article...or is it all just a deflection to "oh but the AFL is racist!!" Crikey. It's as though you didn't even watch the FA Cup Final.
AR
Guest
Despite your obsession, this article is not about the Giants. The headline asks: where are the (ALeague) crowds? Your only answers is to deflect everything back to the Giants. But...since you insist on bringing it up...from the time they entered the competition the Giants' average home crowd at Giants Stadium is 10,572. About on par with WSW, despite the millions of people wearing WSW shirts and not attending matches.
josh
Guest
At least they exist. What does your sport have to show after 12 years and $200 million? Sheedy had to resort to handing out free sherrins at Blacktown Train Station, kids were taking the balls to school and playing touch footy with them. How embarrassing, surely the humiliation is enough to cancel the whole failed project?
chris
Guest
And yes rac ism is a global problem. But we are talking about local issues. The AFL is a ra cist organisation with ra cist commentators and ra cist coaches. Our indigenous players have walked away from the game because of it. We aren't just talking about meat head supporters we are talking about the whole AFL industry with serious raci st issues. The fact that Eddie McGuire still has a presence in media is just deplorable. Adam Goodes who was so shamefully treated by the AFL is now working for football. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/11/former-afl-great-adam-goodes-takes-up-official-football-role
chris
Guest
Canberra coming in will be a great addition. Talk of potentially resurrecting the Gold Coast in a few years doesn't fill me with much enthusiasm though.
chris
Guest
While you're here - can you give me an update on those 2 coaches? Whatever did happen to them?
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Chris, check out the date of posting, the comment above. "March 15th 2023 @ 4:35am" :laughing:
Punter
Roar Rookie
Exactly, we need more games. Can't wait till we get to 20 teams.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And we’re already producing gems.
Franko
Guest
Don't worry about the attendances with these two. Think of the additional pathways and extra games for our kids. This is a great step forward.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I can see SS’s face now – that means Sydney will get another 2 games in NSW! The APL are looking at more derby games with the extra NZ team and a second QLD team to come.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Auckland and Canberra to be teams 14 and 15 in 2024. That might not increase average attendance figures initially, but it will increase overall attendance. A second Queensland team after that as we move to 16 teams.
moe_syzlak
Roar Rookie
if ra cism is a problem in the AFL (and it is – lets not ignore the bleeding obvious) ….. then it is certainly an issue in the ‘world game’ ….. and on a scale/reach that would make the old ford production line blush with envy ……. to paraphrase your post below ….. while you’re busying yourself asking AFL folk the hard questions, maybe you should put better use of your time and deal with the bigotry that exists in the ‘world game’.