The Roar
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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A good optimistic piece Stuart … although “the new 13-team A-League season” I counted only 11 !! But that’s neither here nor there. On point 1) Great idea but the fact we are only getting 1 not 2 new teams and therefore still just 5 games a week means it feels slightly half-hearted. I’m truly baffled why they didn’t go to 12 straight away. Thoughts? I’m more looking to the following season when there are 12 teams.
5) I think this one is massive – if the new stadium doesn’t boost WSW and the league then there are problems. They have made a great start by playing Leeds Utd – hopefully that sets the bar – as long as seats are not too expensive I would like to think WSW could average 20k next season.
And… go the ’tildas !!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is the state of play in football after another stagnant A-League season?

Great article Jordan. Isn’t football a game for the people? Surely Perth Glory represent the people of Perth. This game is a showpiece – let’s get it out of the garage and put it on the big stage.

This A-League grand final bandwagon talk must stop

Interesting how this worked out and it’s hard to argue considering the criteria you set. At the end of day there are 4 Victory players but only one Glory player. My changes: Reddy in for Thomas, Davidson for Deng, O’Neill for Isais and sorry to say I don’t think Ninkovic has been at his best this year – I would swap him for Castro.

The Roar’s A-League team of the season are Johnny Warren Medal contenders

Wasn’t the exact tweet “Sydney can’t lose from here”? In which case he was technically correct?

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 25

Champers? Compliments of The Roar? Is it Pinot Roar? Yes, yes, sharing is caring.

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 25

The Crowd are on a roll – the people have spoken!

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

Was a great venue and a great weekend. Such great potential in the future for football journalism and literature and football itself. Good to see such a diverse group, young and old, men and women. Very good write up Stuart and on a personal note you did very well in your session!
Punter, Stevo, AG074, Nemesis, Midfielder – get yourself along to next year’s conference!

2019 Football Writers Festival: An inspiring weekend with Jens and Foz

Very well said Matt. Relocation is not expansion – it is robbing passionate RL fans of their sport and dropping it into an area where no-one gives a toss. In anti-corporate terms it’s a lose-lose scenario. The Bears would be massive.

Relocation is madness. Bring back the Bears

Hi Mr Football. I was interested to note that when questioned about it just the other day, the new SW Sydney franchise people said they absolutely welcomed promotion and relegation. Just a bit of bravado or is this representative of a new way of thinking?

What do football fans want from an Australian second division?

Financial viability is a huge factor Redondo but who really is an expert on this aspect? Not me. Mr Nogarotto and co. have made some pretty bullish noises about this – I expect they are in a better position than me to make it happen.

What do football fans want from an Australian second division?

Cheers Nem. There are so many facets to this I could have kept writing and writing but if you gaze too far ahead you’ll never see the challenges right ahead of you. The thing that impresses me (and even surprises me) is the absolute enthusiasm and commitment of the people involved.

What do football fans want from an Australian second division?

Should we demand a recount Griffo? (Although I’d probably go backwards if we did)

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 21

All 13 home games. Does that mean next season will have 26 or 27 rounds?

Western Sydney Stadium is the feel-good story the A-League needs

Thanks for the grand walk down memory lane. Well played David

A lifetime of great sporting memories

Trophy? Please make those enquiries Stuart. I’m clearing a space on my mantle piece just in case.

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 20

My bad. Castro of course. Well spotted Haydos.

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 19

So my one point was actually good? Well it’s certainly tight at the top. Should be another cracking round this week.

The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 19

I’d agree with all of these but I think you’ve left out the biggest one – that is to ensure that the best Australian players are available for most of the tournament – which can only happen if Internationals end after the Sydney test. People are getting sick and tired of watching 2nd rate teams going around. If international white ball games must be played, do that later in Feb after the BBL

What Cricket Australia must do to fix the Big Bash for 2020

Relax Mike, things will change next season when we have one more match a weekend to watch… actually with 11 teams we won’t really… hmmm….look I am on a commuter bus in Sydney and although I have my earphones in, all the buzz is about Tarneit (is that how you spell it?) some hipster has a t-shirt that reads: New York London Paris Tarneit

The A-League has six months to save itself from oblivion

Congratulations on the Perth ABC gig Evan. Nemesis has a good summary which I concur with wholeheartedly (although I’m kind of hoping you drop out of the tipping comp.) Good show lad, keep those Sandgropers on their toes.

An illustrated review of Australia's 3-2 win over Syria, and my last column

My line “Brisbane coach John Aloisi’s position seems to be safe for now” – famous last words.

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

I’ve got it. The expansion decision came through on a Friday (I think) …so…. Tarneit Friday. (comp. Sheffield Wednesday). Fridays in Oz are all about happy hours and POETs days – a good day in Oz culture.
For SWS I’d definitely have Fisher’s Ghost in there somewhere – Macarthur Ghosts.

An aesthetic assessment of the A-League's new expansion teams

They are calling it the Miracle in Miami.

NFL Week 14 wrap: The Patriots fumble, the Texans stumble, and the Rams take a tumble

Baltimore Colts! Talk about old school! Thanks for pointing that out Tom – I’ll see if the editors can change it.

NFL Week 14 wrap: The Patriots fumble, the Texans stumble, and the Rams take a tumble

Hi Peter. No problems. The Super Bowl is contested between the winners of the two conferences: the AFC and the NFC. Each conference has four divisions – East, South, North and West. For each conference I have listed the divisional leader: so LA Rams lead NFC West; New Orleans lead the NFC South; Chicago lead NFC North and Washington lead NFC East. Not sure if I have explained that too well mind you!

NFL Week 11 wrap: Spectacular Rams help unite Los Angeles

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