A trophy tailor-made for a national second division
Could a nearly 100-year old trophy be the icing on the cake of the proposed national second division?
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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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Could a nearly 100-year old trophy be the icing on the cake of the proposed national second division?
The marketing for this year’s A-League is practically invisible, with reports an advertising campaign was pulled at the last moment because not everyone would sign off on it.
Here we are in September and my thumbs have blisters from so much twiddling. All this clear air is hurting my lungs. I want to watch some A-League now.
For Australian football fans to make the distinction between the winners of the league and the winners of the grand final, we should come up with a new name for the A-League champions.
One of the feel-good stories of the new European football season is the appearance of Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
Imagine if every time the Socceroos stepped onto the pitch it was for competition points. No more tiresome friendlies.
If sports fans were after someone to barrack for in this year’s series of The Voice, they should look no further than ex-Test cricketer Henry Olonga.
On the 28th February this year a significant event took place at FFA headquarters in Sydney.
I learned two things about the Kansas City Chiefs this week. Firstly: their home stadium is not actually in Kansas. Secondly: their seemingly straightforward march to the top seed of the AFC has hit a snag.
Houston Texans’ nine-game winning streak was halted and the New England Patriots blew the chance to wrap up the AFC East in a helter skelter round of the NFL.
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the Lone Star state hosts two of the biggest football teams in the land.
For the first time this season, the New Orleans Saints have taken over as the number one seed in the NFC. In fact, they now have the best record in the NFL.
The Hollywood scriptwriters must have been hard at work prior to the hugely anticipated clash between the offense-crazy Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 10 of the NFL opened at Heinz Field when Pittsburgh Steelers hosted an in-form Carolina Panthers.
Halloween serves as a convenient halfway point of the NFL season. After the weekend’s games every team has played at least eight of their 16 fixtures.
Week eight of the NFL began with the Houston Texans hosting the Miami Dolphins.
The Western Sydney Wanderers take on Sydney FC this Saturday in the first Sydney derby of the 2018/19 A-League season.
Who’s in an NFL tipping competition? I am and I’m running dead last. My average score of 50 per cent is no better than someone randomly picking wearing a blindfold. It’s a score on a par with a marsupial or a fence post.
American football moved offshore for the first time this season, with Wembley Stadium in London hosting the match between Seattle Seahawks and the Oakland Raiders.
On the outside of Churchill’s Sports Bar in Kingsford is a collection of life-sized sporting posters. The NFL one is of a quarterback in classic throwing pose – a quintessential American football image.
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
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
“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)
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?
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
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
They still have draws in Ice Hockey don’t they? How many points for a draw?
Golden-point bonus points are unfair
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Nothing live for me this week – mini matches rule
Did anyone watch an EPL game live this weekend?
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?
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
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
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
Assuming the foot-shooters were clean
Shayna Jack reportedly faced with four-year ban by ASADA
Not League Cup, but the FA Cup rounds are on weekends. Lighting wouldn’t be such an issue for a mid-week round of NPL if they are not being televised to broadcast standard.
There'd be more magic in the FFA Cup if teams could play at home
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