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Expert
Joined January 2015
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Stuart Thomas is a sports writer, freelance journalist and copywriter who made the jump from Roar Guru to Expert in 2017. A former trainee professional golfer, his sporting passions are broad with particular interests in football, AFL and rugby league. His love of sport is only matched by his passion for gardening and self-sustainability. Follow him on Twitter @stuartthomas72, connect with him on Facebook and LinkedIn and see his work at https://www.stuartthomas.com.au
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The COVID all clear that Australia is currently enjoying sees A-League matches coming on thick and fast. Another seven will take place in Match Week 10, beginning with the return of the Glory on Friday night when they take on Brisbane Roar.
It is mighty tough to write a football article in Australia right now without mentioning the disastrous weekend of officiating that saw VAR become the central point of A-League discussion.
The ladder-leading Central Coast Mariners have been beaten on the road by Adelaide United, with three Tomi Juric penalties, referee Adam Fielding and VAR proving to be the most influential factors in the Reds’ home victory.
Another week of fixture gymnastics faces A-League fans as Match Week 9 rips into action this Friday night, when the Reds host the ladder leading Mariners.
After yet another exciting, competitive and somewhat unpredictable weekend of A-League football, the season continues to satisfy.
Last-minute draw changes saw Monday night’s slated Jets versus Western United clash postponed and instead, Brisbane Roar took on Macarthur FC in Redcliffe.
Back in October 2019 as a new A-League season was just coming to life, I penned an article for The Roar entitled Six young Australians ready for an A-League explosion.
Thank goodness for my old friend the Brisbane Roar getting me on the tipping board last weekend.
Socceroo goalkeeper Mat Ryan’s move to Arsenal made headlines last week, as the lone Aussie Premier League regular made an emotional move to London.
The panel lived more tipping hell during Match Week 5, with Texi Smith the only member to nail three correct selections.
In late December I was somewhat stressed by a pressing and personal matter around which I required some advice.
The A-League enters Match Week 5 of play with a host of interesting and potentially tight contests. The panel is back for another week of tipping, despite some disappointing recent performances.
Much has been made of the added opportunities afforded young domestic players during the early weeks of the new A-League season.
The first Sydney derby of 2021 is here, as Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers do battle at Stadium Australia. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:05pm (AEDT).
Once again I asked young writer Jack George to go head to head, this time on the result of Saturday’s Sydney Derby.
After a frustrating weekend where just two A-League matches were played, the competition bursts back into action, we hope, with six matches across five days.
Despite only an unfulfilling two A-League matches being played over the course of the weekend, there were continued signs that the 2020-21 season could well be something of a resurgence for the competition.
After what has been a terrific start to the A-League season, rather disappointingly, just three matches will take place this weekend.
The quality of Fox Sports’ A-League commentary has slipped since Simon Hill departed and fans have been quick to criticise.
Week one of A-league play took some time to get going. However, it eventually did and some pleasing football was played.
Me too. Might be our weekend. Perhaps a 7 from 7 week and rivers of gold coming our way.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10
Roar looking good still, no slump, but if the net doesn’t bulge in this one………..PANIC!!! 😂 😂
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10
The live scores were up. The schedule has been so flexible that it has been tough to follow. Getting the tips and predictions together has been a nightmare at times with games changing in an instant and the A-League website not always being up to the minute. Hopefully things will settle in a few weeks.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10
I agree on the Perth pick. Easy win one would think. I actually think they could well win both this week. It would make a huge statement.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10
Those “eastern state’ Victorian teams are really killing it.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10
And then you jagged the Victory last night just the right the ledger. It’s looking like the year of the Mo, despite all the pins I’m sticking in this Ken doll I have here!
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10
I tipped them pre-season and stupidly bet on Sydney last week. Roar have by far the deepest and most talented squad. Title certainties. Bank it now. Congrats. You know I am always spot on with my Roar tips. 😂 😂
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Gielnik has been superb and all happening without mum to be Gorry. Pleasure to watch them.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Violence towards players and inappropriate relationships were not part of the innuendo. It will be stuck with him, thanks to people who fail to look beyond Lucy Zelic and others who appeared to have been well tuned for the cause. They fell, hook, line and sinker.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Woah! Steady on there. Alen’s success this season was built on the clear improvement he brought to the team when he took over (as I wrote at the time it occurred). The culture and environmental issues where addressed by Heather Reid when she apologised for making false statements. As I wrote at the time, she strangely never explained why she made them.
It is also very unfair to ask three inflammatory questions that have never been raised prior and then write, “not exactly the sort of person i’d want coaching my club”. That is unfair and potentially defamatory. Such statements should be withdrawn. Not fair on Alen and way off the mark in terms of what actually occurred.
Alen Stajcic has proven in a very short time period that he is an excellent football coach in either men’s or women’s competition.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
She’s a star that Polks yet Yallop playing as well as I have seen. Great attacking weapons.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Very little return on the investment to this stage of things. Can’t see him getting any better either. Injuries have really destroyed his twilight years.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
He sure is. Part of the furniture. I’d like to see him go out on a high though. Deserves it. Underestimated player by many in my eyes.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Sometimes I’m not sure whether coaches are trying to convince the world, the media, their players or themselves. Maybe their next employer?
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
I probably should also have included the referees to that list as well. Although, Newcastle certainly was the team on the rougher end of the stick on Sunday.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
The grumpiness is obvious. He is frustrated and not enjoying football at all. Well, that’s how it looks on the outside.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
True, but so has the entire squad. I’m not sure Broxham is quite done yet, a few wins will make a heck of a lot of Victory players look a whole lot better.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Or is he the best standard in the A-League? Probably.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Massive issue in the Sydney midfield. T is getting caught out badly and was so against the Reds on the weekend. Great front line, strong defence but some real holes in the middle of the park. Unpopular opinion probably, but I charted her on the weekend and was stunned at her decisions and defensive choices in possession. Some bench talent needs a run in my view.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Few good moments at the other end as well Punter. Sydney did seem to run the game out better but I’m not sure there was as much between the two teams as some people made out. Can’t wait for the return match, we may get an answer.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
I’d argue all game plans require a great shot stopper. Certainly did against Sydney on Saturday. Is the kid good enough yet to deserve a few A-League starts? I’m not sure Moon could risk it considering how Young just keeps producing and the reality of a convincing run at the finals.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
I’d argue that in terms of youth development and the criteria used to do so, we perhaps should be taking a leaf out of the English book. I’m doing a little bit of work with Fleetwood Town FC’s International Football Academy here in Australia and having read the EFL docs used to develop and monitor players, and the Australian equivalent, it occurred to me just how poor our formal docs and criteria are. It was a fascinating exercise. However, I do take your point about players. Not all 30+ Englishmen will succeed in the A-League. Many will though.
How bad are Melbourne Victory? How good is Jamie Young?
Okay………PANIC!!!
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Match Week 10