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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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“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
 
Jul

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

Cheers Griffo. I gave up with FIFA when 7 year old relatives started to run rings around me. I’ve been getting into a bit of NFL to be honest.

Hey A-League, wake me up when September ends

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Football
 
2019

I saw the incendiary device in the photo and thought, cool, we have another quantum physics article. Nice work Professor Tuckerman. Seriously though, it is welcome news that the assistant commissioner is a fan of the game. Also, can you somehow split the off-season atom so that we can start the A-league season? My thumbs are getting blisters from twiddling.

Better policing will help improve A-League atmospheres

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Football
 
2019

Interesting article, Mike. A 3 part reply:
1. If MVFC permanently move to AAMI then really it is only SydFC, Brisbane and Wellington that would be playing in oversize venues. Wellington is tricky but part of me thinks SydFC and Bris SHOULD be playing in big stadiums – and the solution, as you touch on, is how to fill them – or at least to average 20-25k per game. Sometime football people aim too low.
2. How many currently existing boutique stadiums would be good enough for a 2nd div? I doubt there would be 12. Would there be even 5 or 6?
3. Why no quantum physics in the article?

Boutique stadiums are a must for a national second division

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Football
 
2019

Nothing live for me this week – mini matches rule

Did anyone watch an EPL game live this weekend?

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Football
 
2019

Is the A-League independent as of now? I have heard of 1 August deadline but not heard confirmation that it has happened. If the draw has not been released are the discussions still between FFA and Foxtel or is it between the A-League and Foxtel? Who is the chairman of the independent A-League?

A-League independence is almost here but how commercially daring can it be?

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Football
 
2019

Just needs a final lick of paint and all should be ready for the season opener….

I'm on the Western United bandwagon - and you should be too

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Football
 
2019

I have a feeling I don’t get 9Gem. Hmmm…. radio and The Roar blog should do it

The Ashes: England vs Australia, first Test preview, prediction

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Cricket
 
2019

9Network? But I can’t see it on any of my TV guides. Is it on one of their subsidiary channels (which I don’t get?)
PS Great preview Scott.

The Ashes: England vs Australia, first Test preview, prediction

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Cricket
 
2019

Assuming the foot-shooters were clean

Shayna Jack reportedly faced with four-year ban by ASADA

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Swimming
 
2019
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