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The Roar

Paul Nicholls

Roar Guru

Joined April 2014

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Sydney based writer with a particular interest in the history and culture of sport. Likes Sydney FC in the A-League and Cronulla Sharks in the NRL.

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Nice story Mike. For me, of an earlier ahem..vintage it was Johann Cryuff and Gerd Muller (loved them both). I have thought in this tournament England have done an “Italy” – started off slow but improving all the time. It should be a great contest between the two best teams. Good luck Michelangelo Tuckarelli !!!!

The two romantic reasons I'm an Italian in disguise

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Football
 
4w

I honestly think Auckland should be about the first expansion team picked. Interesting times ahead!

How many expansion teams would work in winter A-League?

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Football
 
Jun

16 teams playing home and away for 30 games plus FFA Cup and finals will give every team at least 31 games. Considering how much travel there is this would be a good outcome. A good comparison geographically is Russia which has 16 teams in its top flight. The latest broadcast deal pretty much answers the question on winter football – it won’ t happen any time soon – maybe never. As much as I think winter football is great, money talks and football money doesn’t talk winter.

How many expansion teams would work in winter A-League?

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Football
 
Jun

All the very best Daniel, and thanks for the great advice and feedback over the years, provided with courtesy and professionalism. Good luck with everything.

Four incredible years of sport: My farewell to The Roar

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AFL
 
Jun

I think this first week of the finals was good. CCM and Brisbane finished higher and get the home ground advantage. If these matches were over two legs then you would have Syd FC and Melb City sitting out for two weeks. I think there is some merit in next week’s matches being played over two legs however, just so the 1 and 2 teams aren’t knocked out straight away after being rusty from having a week off. Play the second legs at the higher placed team’s ground. It would make the finals series a week longer which is not such a bad thing for a broadcaster.

Did the Central Coast and Brisbane get what they deserved from the A-League finals?

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Football
 
Jun

Cheers Grem. The Championship is wide open I reckon.

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 24

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Football
 
Jun

Good debate Stu. I reckon Archie Thompson will be the first one picked for the Channel 10 broadcasts. He’ll appeal to the young demographic plus he has more A-League experience than all the others combined (except perhaps Cornthwaite). Plus, after a few early hiccups he is proving to be a natural analyst. Obviously I’d go with Simon Hill and Mel McLaughlin if she’s available. For a talk show I’d love to see Kossie, Bozza, Aloisi and Kevin Muscat – (would probably need to hire extra security guards though.)

What should football’s new Network Ten/Paramount+ commentary team look like?

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Football
 
May

This from the Guardian “Western United’s A-League clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park will be played behind closed doors, while Melbourne City’s match against Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Saturday has been postponed.

A decision on United’s game with Macarthur on Monday night will be made in the next 48 hours.”

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 23

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Football
 
May

Has anyone heard how the Victorian lockdown will affect the A-league this weekend?

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 23

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Football
 
May

“Macarthur have already beaten the Mariners this year? Please explain?” – it was the other way around wasn’t it – I even picked that result – well spotted. They definitely learnt from that game. Adelaide: have beaten Victory, City, CCM then WSW away from home – Goodwin back, some great young kids – they might have just turned the corner.

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 11

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Football
 
Mar

“the man they call ‘70’s Mo’ struggled somewhat.” grumble…grumble…

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10

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Football
 
Feb

I’d like to see the 40/20 rule expanded to 50/10, 30/30, 20/40, 10/50. i.e any kick from within your own half that finds touch (not on the full) and has nominally travelled 40 metres you get the ball back.

Two-point field goal included in new NRL rules

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League
 
Dec

But is the round of 32 open? From what I read the round of 32 was going to be regionalised to an extent to ‘create’ derbies. Australia Cup is a good a name as any – keep it simple – and is gender nuetral. Standalone weekends at the end are good. Neutral venue is theoretically a good idea as long we are Ok with a crowd of about 3,000. I think just draw it from a hat from one of the 2 finalists is the best compromise. 2 legged finals – eeeech! please no. After playing hundreds of one off knockout games why would you suddenly change it for the final? And it’s about as thrilling as kissing your sister

The FFA Cup is back, different and begging for a new name

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Football
 
Dec

Great article Pat. I was a nipper at this stage and a bit too young to remember the series BUT there was quite a bit of folklore surrounding it. The number one talking point in my family was Bill Lawry declaring while Rod Marsh was on 92. My aunties/uncles, grandparents and parents would always talk about this one point. I think no wicket keeper had scored a test match century at the time. My grandfather went on about this for YEARS! They always reckon Lawry ended up getting shafted because of it. Great memories!

The 1970-71 Ashes: 50 years on

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Cricket
 
Nov

“with Paul Nicholls and Tom Williamson making up the numbers ” !!! What happened to ‘we’re all in this together” OK, that’s it, I’m spending every spare minute checking the form – I’ll be camped outside Valentine Park spying on the Phoenix.. 😊

The Roar’s A-League expert tips and predictions: 27 in 28 (Part 1)

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Football
 
2020

Maybe we could have an alphabetic series on an alphabetic range of sports. Start with abseiling, badminton, canoeing, dog sled racing, equestrian … you get the picture…

As sport goes into lockdown, what do you want to read on The Roar?

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AFL
 
2020

Mike, does any team have a Pokemon type critter as a mascot, or some Godzilla type monster? I’d go for them. Great read by the way.

Why we should all pick a J.League team to support this season

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Football
 
2020

East Adelaide! Nice. At least you read it – I’ll see if the powers that be can make the changes 👍

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 7

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Football
 
2019

They still have draws in Ice Hockey don’t they? How many points for a draw?

Golden-point bonus points are unfair

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League
 
2019

Are you sure? This would only make sense if a win in regular time was worth three points. What you have described couldn’t have come from the minds of humans surely? Brain-dead zombies maybe.

Golden-point bonus points are unfair

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League
 
2019

In that case can I just comment by cutting and pasting last weeks inspired/lame comment? Seriously good stuff, Geoff – I learned something… I think

The Wrap: The art of writing the recurring rugby column

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Rugby
 
2019

As I write this on my commute to work I notice someone has stuck a Sydney FC logo to the bus window. The derby is definitely back. Really enjoyable read, Stuart.

Sydney has its derby back

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Football
 
2019

Fighting words Tom Williamson! The Crowd are the ones you really have to worry about. Good one and welcome to the panel.

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 1

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Football
 
2019

I think an under-appreciated reason for some dull games is the heat during the summer in matches not played during the evening. Some players are looking fairly knocked out by half-time in some of those games. I’m not sure if even 5:00pm starts are optimal. Perhaps A-League fans should be petitioning governments to abandon daylight savings so we don’t have to put clocks forward…or is it backwards….

ABC viewers must see attacking football when they watch the A-League

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Football
 
2019

Yes I did, Jimmy. In fact I spent more time thinking about the title than the content… but don’t tell anyone.

Hey A-League, wake me up when September ends

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Football
 
2019
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