Like you Waz, personally, a GF in Brisbane would suit me also. Though a bit of a hike, I could walk to the stadium in less time than it takes interstate folk to find their missing baggage.
I expect many interstate might disagree with the concept however.
Especially as Queensland has no claim whatsoever to call itself the de facto home of football. Sigh!
With 20,000 (sorry. I forgot the 59) capacity though at the Mariners, let’s hope that the regular fans who have followed the team across the season are the ones to get seats.
I fear that quite a number of folk from both camps will be disappointed.
I doubt the APL suits will be foregoing their privileges to help out.

So it is Mariners v Victory.
At Industree Group Stadium, which is a 20,059 capacity stadium. Let’s not forget the 59.
With the propensity for people to attend regular games in their handfuls during the season, but who want to come to finals in their tens of thousands, you can see the APL’s logic of wanting to host the game in a bigger venue.
But, football in Australia remains light years away from that concept.
With the FA Cup Final in England being an all Manchester affair, they could hold it at Etihad in front of 53,000, or Old Trafford in front of 74,000, or as it stands trek down to Wembley which holds 90,000.
The trek is doable in a day by coach, car or train. Even taking into account the gridlock.
The geography and associated cost is the heart of the matter.
I am sure the APL suits will be in attendance wherever the venue.
Congratulations to Mariners and Victory.

With Mark Jackson’s stocks being very high at the moment, which has not gone unnoticed in the old country, I would not be surprised to see NM back at Mariners next season and MJ taking up a better offer.

Thanks SS
Van der Saag is confirmed today by BR as is the expected but very sad departure of Kai Trewin.
It’s the defence that is priority one. If BR are not forever chasing the game, and having to take additional risks, it would be helpful.
BR need a couple of decent centre backs and I am not convinced that Warland is what is needed. That signing is a bit of a head scratcher. Delbridge is more the man.
BR really need an experienced leader in the centre backs.
Roar also badly need to find an enforcer with Rufer like steel if BR are to improve defensively. There was loose talk about Baccus earlier in the season, but that goose appears cooked. And hardly up to Rufer’s standard. Mind you, there’s only one Alex Rufer.
Ibusuki would be a good acquisition up front, and if he is indeed coming, it will hopefully be locked in early especially with the Cup play off v Perth on the horizon; though my hope is to keep Waddington for another season, and see Brownlie get more game time.
Ben Halloran. Nice guy. But I believe has had injuries. I would like it to work out, but after the recent experience with Robbie Kruse’s home coming, I fear we may not see too much of him. It begs the question why Adelaide are letting him go and taking Mileusnic.

Perhaps not the right spot to post this, but Congratulations to Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe and St Pauli. Promoted to Bundesliga 1 and top of the League with one to go.
Anyone wanting to know what active support looks like, put a trip to the Millerntor on your bucket list.

I am not sure how widespread it is, as I stumbled across it by chance, but FRG minutes are on the A League website. Here is a link to the latest minutes from March 2024.
https://aleagues.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/04/League-FRG-MINUTES-_-26-March-2024-2.pdf
It is not clear to me how, and even if, the local FRG reps are meant to work with members back at the clubs. You would hope they do.
As a Roar member I have yet to receive any communications from my local FRG, or be asked for my opinion ( I would have thought it not hard to contact members via the club).
Hopefully whilst it is neither earth shattering in content nor effusive in detail, the attached provides a bit more information for those who have not come across it.

Re Network 10/Paramount, Sony and Apollo Global Management have submitted a US$26 billion joint cash bid to buy Paramount. Time will tell where the ripples will end.
Typically companies getting ready for sale slash and burn. And new owners pretty much the same.
Just saying.

Agree on the once Roar are out comment, and for me it is all a bit like watching the grown ups party whilst saying goodnight from the hallway before an early bed time.
I am going with the Mariners.
Partly because it is a fairy tale and we need more of those.
But also because it gives us some hope and confidence that the salary cap is working at least to the extent that the wooden spooners in 2018/19 and 20 can not only bounce back, but win trophies.
I would hate for the trophy to cross the ditch, although I admit it is preferable to Melbourne or Sydney.
On the subject of fairy tales, it was fantastic to see the assist from 16 year old Indi dos Santos in the women’s final.
A game marred in my opinion by the tactics of Sydney. 28.8% possession!
Just because the coach is called Ante, it doesn’t demand anti football.
I am hoping that the men’s GF is a more open contest.
I am hoping for a Mariners v Victory final.
Another 6 1 win to the Mariners would nice. But any win will do me.
If Sydney make the GF, I will not be watching.

Harry Souttar is another player at newly promoted Leicester contracted until 2028.
He is well regarded at Leicester by all except the guy that matters ie Enzo Maresca.
Maresca does not rate Big Harry, and with Harry desperate for game time, it seems inevitable that Harry will move.
He is certainly EPL quality, and I would expect a move to the EPL, with or without Leicester, or a move to one of the big two in Scotland.
I’ll be watching this one closely, and hope Harry attracts a suitor from a big club.
(And yes; the pun is intended).

I think everyone got my drift. My bad. AFC Cup.

Congratulation to the Mariners.
Thanks for taking it up to the big clubs and showing that good recruitment, good coaching, good youth development, good community support, good ownership, self belief and a big heart can prevail over cheque book journeymanism.
Good Luck in the ACL Cup Final.
Here’s hoping you do the nation proud and bring the cup back to Australia.

CBs?
That’s a hard one Harry. Roar’s toughest challenge I’d say.
The pairing of young and older at Wellington has worked.
Experience like a Scott Wootton alongside a younger player like a Finn Surman is the model I would go with. But I don’t see that happening any time soon.
Despite the trend these days to demand defenders that are good on the ball, I am a bit old fashioned, and prioritise their main job of defending.
I think it was Brian Clough who said: priority one. You’ve got to be able to head the ball.
A fit Scott Neville with the younger Nikolovski might work, but there’s a shadow over SN with his injury and age unfortunately. And two additions are needed.
Someone like Tomi Uskok at 1.96m might be a useful addition.
We could do a whole post on this topic.
Does Brian Kaltak have a brother?

I think Taggart is contracted beyond this season to Perth.
Remarkable effort by Taggart considering the position of the team.
Unfortunately for Roar, they are having to compete with the new franchise for players in addition to any normal off season changes.
Plus when it comes to a striker, I guess Melbourne City would be higher up the pecking order than Roar.
As for defenders, looking at the players Roar had on paper, they were not that bad.
Unfortunately the game is played on grass, and Roar who conceded 33 in the previous season, with much the same players, conceded 55 last season.
Whilst the turmoil and injuries did not help, questions need to be asked of the club, including RZ, about their tactics and approach.
Although one thing I notice is that the worst defence in 2023 was Macarthur at 48.
This past season, seven teams conceded 47 or more. Perth as many as 69.
Any reason for that do you think?

Thanks Harry
Since posting I had heard that India is the most likely destination, but the door is still open to an A League club.
At Roar this is the first off season for RZ, Zac and Kaz, and I would expect most Roar fans will be expecting improvements. So far the announcements do not suggest the clean out many were hoping for, though admittedly the information is at a trickle.
For mine, defence still has to be the priority, whilst a Mclaren, Ibusuki or Zawada or other proven attacker would be nice.
I would still prefer another season with Waddington leading the line, and a much improved defence, than a star striker and more of the same defensively.

Thanks SS.
I suspect Roar’s reported interest might have helped the improved offer from AU.
With Jamie McLaren leaving Melbourne City, any ideas where to?
I would be happy for him to come back to Brissie, though still think that Roar’s 55 goals conceded is far more of a problem than the 42 scored.
And I am not hearing much about that apart from general statements from RZ about the need to be better in both boxes.

I remember way back when similar questions were raised about Mark Viduka.
Melbourne Knights, and Viduka were flying back then. So Viduka was in a better team compared to Roar.
I don’t want to add to the pressure of expectation on Wadders, by the comparison with Viduka, although I must admit he seems to be a cool character though.
But, I think he should stay for another season, as did Viduka when the question was raised way back then.

As a Roar fan, whilst Roar played some great stuff at times, and O’Shea was a magician, in all honesty, Adelaide did not seem to get out of first gear. They were and are a better side than Brisbane. Adelaide have defensive frailties for sure, but creditably held on for a deserved win.
I had been looking forward to seeing Irankunda who showed a few flashes of quality on the ball, but too few in fairness, and his yellow card showed his other side.
His replacement certainly made an impact. Roar’s defending has been an Achilles heel all season, and the cut backs from the goal line to unmarked attackers seems to be the worst culprit. Admittedly, with Roar chasing the game by then, there had been some positional changes, but all the same!
I am not sure what was more disappointing. Roar’s general defending, Aldred’s inability to jump to prevent Ibusuki’s second, or Irankunda who really did not show up.
Yet again Roar fans have to put aside another disappointing result (and season) and console ourselves with the privilege of having being able to watch Thomas Waddingham. And what a privilege it has been.
In terms of the contest between Wadders and Irankunda there was no contest on the night.

It would have been nice if Roar confirmed who is definitely leaving so that the fans can farewell them on what hopefully is the last outing of the season for Roar.
I’m saying hopefully as play-off positions for the Australia Cup are not finalised; although maybe sorted by the final whistle this evening.
I’m happy with the news on Henry Hore. Thanks SS. Missed it earlier. Still not officially announced though.

Thanks SS. I love our work.
I saw the Marco piece mentioning Roar’s interest in Zawada and Ibsuki.
From a Roar perspective, my thoughts were that Roar were being used by the player agents to get better deals for the players concerned. Surely Phoenix will want to keep Zawada.
If Roar manage to lure Ibsuki away, I would be happy enough. So I hope that Roar have the dollars. Especially as Roar have a number of other gaps to plug.
It’s certainly an encouraging sign that the Roar management seem to have learned not to bring in overseas players that are all reputation and no substance, and instead look to players that can deliver. I trust that is the case anyway.
Halloran fits with the Roar’s Queenslander philosophy, but I am not convinced in the merit of a return to Brisbane, either for him, or for Roar. I guess it would be encouraging to know that ex-players are willing to give Roar a second chance after all that has gone down. That has not often been the case.
Throwing a coin into the wishing well, the ex-player I would most like back at Roar is Dimi Petratos.
My four must keeps at Roar (excluding the youngsters) were Trewin, O’Shea, Jelacic and Hore.
So I am very sad to see Kai Trewin go.
Going to City may well help his representative prospects, and also I believe his partner is in Melbourne. It would make sense for him especially if there is more coin to be had.
A loan extension for Jelacic would have to be up near the top of Roar’s list surely!
And please somebody (anybody!!) confirm that Henry Hore is staying at Roar.
Going into the last round, Roar are matching Phoenix on goals for. But almost double the goals against. Whilst most people are talking about recruitment in attacking positions, it is in collective defending that Roar’s season has been a shocker. Something more than a tweak is needed.
RZ has already commented on the lack of tall timber defensively. A tall striker such as Ibsuki would be useful for set pieces at either end, but a couple of decent centre backs are needed. A bit more height would be good while we are at it.
I would like Nikolovski to get more time, but assuming Neville recovers, it still looks like two centre backs are a must have.
RZ also mentioned some more steel needed in defensive midfield. Perhaps RZ does not believe Gomulka can provide it, and might explain why Gomulka is wanting out. He has been getting a bit more game time of late and has one game left to show RZ what he can do. Personally, I hope he does enough and there’s a mutual decision for him to stay.

My bad!
Thanks for the pick up on my maths. Not my strong suit.
Let’s hope for a win on Friday night

Hi Lionheart
I too am keeping the faith.
I received an email yesterday about auto renewals and based on that I am hoping that we will be getting more comms from Zac real soon.
I am also keen to hear more about the new teams coming in which I hope will end the lottery of uneven home and away fixtures. That has been another bug bear affecting the integrity of the competition.

For the record, it is three seasons outside the top six for the men’s Roar.
Whether or not the signing of RZ is exciting or not, I guess it will have to do until the real excitement comes along.
Four wins, four losses, three draws with one to go under RZ is the sort of form that over a season might just have enabled Roar to nick a spot in the six, without necessarily setting the world on fire.
To be fair, he walked into something of a firestorm and has put out the fire and stabilized the ship.
Roar supporters may have hoped for more, but in fairness, RZ has delivered on what we reasonably could expect under the circumstances.
RZ has had sufficient time at the club to put a slide rule over the current crop of players and have input into who stays and who goes. He said as much in his latest post match interview.
Appointing RZ is sensible without being ambitious.
Whether he gets to keep the players he wants to keep will be revealed very soon enough.
Trewin is rumoured to be going. Jelacic is a loanee who achieved what he came to do by achieving Olyroo selection. Rojas is another where the rumour mill has run hot since he arrived.
If we can trust the weekly Queensland Injury updates, there are a number of players not listed as injured, and not featuring, who I assume RZ deems surplus to requirements.
Armiento and Parsons come to mind.
Whether RZ can get the players in that he would like may take a little longer to be revealed.
Certainly, based on the disappointments, false starts and missteps of past years, I am not getting overly excited. I don’t think Roar will be splashing the cash anytime soon.
All eyes will be looking to more of the youth coming through, with hopefully one or two shrewd older signings along the way to bring in some more quality and experience.
Can RZ take Roar forwards and upwards?
Can he build a team that not only dominates possession, but actually can score more goals than the opposition?
Personally speaking, if he can achieve that, I won’t care what colour strip the team wears.
We dare to dream.

The lost opportunity for football in Australia, that is the Brisbane Olympics, is yet another failure by the Australian football to come together and articulate a common vision and set of non-negotiables that has broad appeal right across the Australian Football Community for the betterment of the sport.
12 months ago, the Federal Sports Minister called for football grassroots to unify before seeking government funding.
By not heeding this, I believe, as I have commented previously, that collectively we make it easy for governments at all levels to ignore football.
You would think it relatively straight forward to put forward a proposition that each major population centre with A League aspirations has a suitable stadium that can be used by an A League franchise(s) as well as the broader football community. But somehow, this is elusive.
In a country that prides itself on the fair go, you would also think it relatively straight forward to demand greater parity of grass roots funding for stuff like training fields, changing rooms, women’s amenities and equipment. Again, elusive.
Why has this not happened?
Despite what Anika Wells spelled out, and reiterated more recently, no leadership has emerged to bring the various fifedoms together to formulate a set of common requirements.
To date, football in this country has lacked the leadership to overcome the I’m Allright Jackism, parochialism, and the self interest of the disparate parties across the broader community.
Whether it be Football Australia, or the APL, or the state federations, or prominent and powerful clubs, or players associations, or football alumni, or academies, or interested media, etc; not one of these dominions has come to the fore on behalf of the game of football as a whole.
I call upon the football alumni to come forwards and provide leadership.
I acknowledge that what you have achieved was through your personal hard work and sacrifices, and the sacrifice of your families. But the game which provided you with the platform to launch your careers was built by the giants who came before you. And the future generations need your help now.
We need a national football convention with delegations from around the country tasked to develop a positive agenda for football in this country, and formulate a set of funding requests and priorities to take to federal and state sports ministers.
As Waz says, there are 100 plus things we need to change.
But funding is up there in the top one to use a Brian Cloughism.
We should not be letting the likes of Anika Wells of the hook through our own ineptitude and tribalism.
I cannot think of another way.

Hi BT
The Olympics website (Olympics.com) does not distinguish between qualifiers and competition matches of the upcoming games with respect to eligibility of up to three men footballers born before 1 January 2001.

Either that is misleading and I stand corrected, or it is actually right.

With the competition occurring outside of any official window, getting players released from Europe at this stage of the season is a challenge.
I wondered if TV had thought outside the box a bit and asked Leicester to release Souttar as an overage player. It would bring some leadership and international experience at the back, plus a potent weapon at set pieces. Younger players could learn from his guidance.
Given Marasca’s aversion to Big Harry, it appears that Leicester are just biding their time to offload him to help offset their financial woes and so the answer would most probably be yes.
As for Nestor. No comment. If recent events in the UK have taught us anything, it is that weighing in with uninformed and disrespectful comment is ill advised.