Despite all the highs experienced in Australian football history and the deserved credit given to those who pioneered the path for the modern generations, the game has never, ever, been amidst a more exciting and potentially successful phase.
Plenty is made of the heroes of 1974; the amateur players that headed to the FIFA World Cup as the most significant of underdogs and a group that did themselves proud under the captaincy of Peter Wilson.
The brilliant English careers of players like Harry Kewell, Stan Lazaridis, Mark Viduka, Tim Cahill and Australians who did amazing things in other foreign leagues such as John Aloisi, Vince Grella, Lucas Neill and Kevin Muscat, will forever live in the memories of those of us who longed to see the men’s national team do something of significance and prove themselves on the world stage.
That finally happened in 2006 when the team came together and advanced beyond the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since ’74.
All and sundry who are old enough will remember exactly where they were the night that John Aloisi hammered home from the penalty spot to return Australia to World Cup play for good.
Increasingly, people are becoming aware of the pioneering women who paved the way for the current Matildas. Greg Downes’ book The First Matildas captures that sentiment superbly and the historical Encyclopaedia of the Matildas by Greg Werner and Andrew Howe is a stunning read that continues to be republished thanks to significant demand.
Yet as increasingly aware as Australian football fans become of the past and the platforms laid by players who fought seemingly impenetrable odds considering the tyranny of distance and reputational disadvantage they suffered, the future looks rather special.
Socceroos celebrate after scoring a penalty kick during the friendly match against Mexico. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
The reality in which Australia’s domestic leagues exist and the impressive performance of our national teams across both sexes is simply unparalleled in the history of the game.
In short, the A-Leagues, their impressive representation in the national teams and the sheer number of Australian players impressing around the world flies directly in the face of archaic attitudes that have consistently suggested there was something of a dearth in player development in Australia.
It has been a great source of frustration for many, myself included, that male players of the NSL era have ridiculed, mocked, questioned and derided the local talent produced over the last 20 years.
Quite frankly, the small number of stars that made the grade in Europe when those modern critics played the game, did so prior to the explosive of African representation, whilst also accepting national selection in the incredibly weak Oceania Confederation amidst one failed World Cup campaign after another.
Australia’s decision to leave and embark on a bold journey into Asia has been far from plain sailing, yet beneficial in the long run, for both our male and female teams.
As has the much lambasted National Curriculum, from which the first graduates having experienced the full course have now, and continue, to emerge, with stunning results in terms of the young talent on display in the A-Leagues.
Whether it be young stars like Western Sydney’s Talia Younis, Indiana dos Santos of Sydney FC or young women already abroad like Sarah Hunter, the Matildas are set to be bolstered with future stars to add to the young players already forging impressive careers like Charlie Grant, Mary Fowler, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin.
Mary Fowler celebrates scoring a goal. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
It is time for the likes of Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop and Claire Polkinghorne to step aside and facilitate the transition; with the next World Cup and a potential victory the long-term and non-negotiable objective.
From a male perspective, never before has the A-League seen such an explosion of talent and quality that continues to draw the eyes of scouts abroad. After the most statistically impressive World Cup in the history of the men’s team, the future looks nothing but bright.
Teenagers right across the league have popped up as replacements for the swathe of players given opportunities abroad and the cumulative number of goals scored by players under the age of 23 across Round 2 was stunning and groundbreaking.
Toss in the fact that Australian coaches are enjoying increasing success and recognition around the globe and it could easily be suggested that Australian football has never been in a brighter place than it is right now.
Personally, I align closely with that school of thought and challenge anyone still hanging on to a mythical ‘Golden Generation’ that was created abroad rather than locally and based more on fluke than good management, to a rousing debate.
Fans are certain to keep the momentum going, with a men’s Asian Cup crucial in the New Year and the Matildas’ Olympic campaign certain to demand nothing less than an impressive tilt at the title and a potential medal.
We are living in heady times for football in Australia and as a few colonial endeavours appear on their knees, the timing could not be better in terms of the future of the game.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Raso got the goals at the world cup, Foord was the one making them.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The way I see it players are made in the backyards, streets and local parks. The most important element is to find them. Its great your not doing it for money, and are at a club that isnt charging big money as well. What we need is someone to take the next step though like they do overseas. They will go down to a local park or street and pick out the best player and pay them money not the other way around. Here its I think your great and if you parents pay x dollars you will become a star.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Well, there is a gravy train going on but it’s only part of the “system” and not all of it. The massive community playing base don’t turn in to professional footballers without quality coaching and today - imo - Australia has the highest number of quality young players it’s ever had (and what we’re seeing in the A Leagues is just the tip of the iceberg) because of the quality coaches. And just for the record, because you made it personal, I don’t take a cent out of football, and I pay my own licensing and CPD costs. I’m also proud to be at an FQ Academy club that doesn’t charge huge fees - none of our players fees (at any level) run in to four figures and our FQ Academy players typically pay just over $500 to the club for the privilege. These things can be done with the right people involved.
The Llama
Roar Rookie
It's great that we have moved on from the dark days of the NSL, of course, go looking for a write up of any A-League game from the last round, and there's none to be found.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Maybe a move back to Oceania will lift the game were its needed.
Waz
Roar Rookie
“but the most important development is done in the professional environment of the Aleague” But it literally isn’t and you won’t find a professional coach that says otherwise. Any suggestion otherwise by the way insults the rest of football and adds fuel to the “us and them” debate. Think about this: AFLW raided other codes to get players, they loved our keepers and basketball players. A League clubs don’t raid other codes for players - because they haven’t had the football development over 8-10 years that their peers would have. Even a “natural” sportsperson in multiple other disciplines struggles with the required technique and don’t transition easily - not to say they can’t play well at a social or community level, but impossible to compete at an elite level. Our World famous sprinter at mariners is a case in point. The football pyramid is more than pro/rel, it also allows players to find their level and move between clubs. This off season I’ve lost five players to Olympic and Lions U13’s. If they kick on those clubs may lose them to Roar. That’s the natural order. And there’s nothing wrong with it. Be clear on what I’m saying though. The development pathways occur outside of the A League (in nearly all cases) and present players - by age 18 - that the A League clubs can pick up. This is complemented by State NTC’s which are funded by grassroots clubs (not A League or FA). Thats the most important development because if they haven’t got the skills by mid teens they won’t be getting them. The A League then - imo only - now replaces the AIS and acts as a finishing school polishing the skills further, increasing strength & conditioning, and giving these players experiences only professional football can provide eg Waddingham playing in front of 8000 people. So the A League has its place but it’s at the very end of development. The A League can’t survive without these pathways because they’d have no players The pathways would survive without the A League because players could go overseas. (But obviously better if we have the A League). Hope that helps.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
So your on the gravy train as well, not only are more senior players getting payed than ever before but how many people are making money out of kids coaching. They even have a franchise called soccah joeys like mcdonalds. Bulk of development or bulk of fleecing parents.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I think the producers these days concentrate too much on the crowd and side issues..I regularly find when watching games, both EPL and A League, they switch to some off pitch views/matters whilst play is missed.. :angry:
Garry
Roar Rookie
from Sporting News “Last season, A-League matches recorded an average of 3.06 goals per game (477 goals in 156 matches). This ahead of the 2022-23 figures for the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Eredivisie. In fact, the only top-line league that had more goals per game than the A-League was the Bundesliga.”
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Did they think Raso was Italian?
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Because nobody rates us, and most of us don't care
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
lol, nice try.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
If that was the case Waz then the vast majority would bypass the Aleague and go straight to Euro leagues, but they don't. I'm not saying the players don't develop at all in the NPL, of course they do, but the most important development is done in the professional environment of the Aleague.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Ohhhhh yeah, a flash in the pan moment. When there are waiting lists for kids to trial to get into programs, when there are not enough football pitches to meet demand, when Australia reaches a world cup semi-final and makes a wad of money that a backyard sport could only dream about. It's absolutely a backyard moment when Australian football is expected to break the 2 million participant mark next winter. "Excuse me Nurse, I think this man might need Dr"
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
pretty accurate comment. im trying to think of the word to use, i believe it is 'cannibalisation' when it comes to those 3 cities and a secondary side coming into the competition. its interesting because they are the 3 cities with the best teenagers in this country (in my opinion it goes adelaide, perth, brisbane) they could all run a second team in the competition filled with 15-18 years old and still be reasonably competitive
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Garry, Adelaide City won't even be applying to get in. I think they have looked at the NST and had second thoughts, due to the costs involved. Logic tells me that if they can't afford to run a team in the NST then getting into the A League will also be beyond them. maybe SS has an opinion on this?
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Waz, some people want it to be or need it to be so. Let them think it is, older wiser heads know differently.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Not being silly, but who is Nathan Cleary? My wife tells me he's Mary Fowler's other half, is that his claim to fame?
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Just on the Matildas, how is it that Caitlin Foord didn't make the top 30 in the Ballon D'Or?
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Thank GOD you turned up mate. I was waiting for something negative. I mean all this positive stuff had me thinking I was living in an alternative reality. [I apologise, my wife just informed me that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit]