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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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#Magicofthecup is not negotiable.
If you were caught up in the madness of a very busy weekend of football, where a host of major European leagues swung into action, news of the hat trick scored by Adam Taggart for Suwon Bluewings against Gangwon in South Korea may have slipped by.
Match result: The Western Bulldogs have made the trip to Sydney to take on the GWS Giants and toweled up the home side by 61 points.
The Penrith Panthers took the trip north to Suncorp Stadium on Friday night in an attempt to solidify their spot in the top eight.
When Melbourne City became Melbourne City, the fortunes of the southern capital’s second team appeared destined to change.
After another – and what appears to be becoming an annual – turnover of talent, Sydney FC have restocked and enter another A-League season with a host of fresh faces.
It was all set up for the Sea Eagles. A trip across the ditch to take on a frustratingly inconsistent Warriors side that was coming off consecutive losses; the most recent, a thumping at the hands of Canberra on their home patch.
After Melbourne City and the Central Coast Mariners made successful entries into the FFA Cup seven days ago, a swathe of A-League clubs had the opportunity to do the same last night.
No doubt the recalcitrant little brat that is the A-League will be shortly called to the headmaster’s office at Fox Sports and asked to explain itself.
Match result: The Fremantle Dockers have produced one of the upsets of the season with a 34-point victory over the ladder leading Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium in Perth.
The notion of the Melbourne Storm losing consecutive matches is a weird one. For Craig Bellamy, it is heart attack material.
On Tuesday I hypothesised on the potential positives for 2019-20 of those A-League clubs looking to return to the top six.
Supporting your football team as they battle through a dry run can sometimes be an experience similar to visiting the dentist and getting some major and obtrusive work done.
Milestone matches generally produce the desired result and the Wests Tigers found the perfect way to celebrate Robbie Farah’s 300th against the Knights, on a glorious night in the Hunter.
I picked up the above quote from a Victory fan on social media, as rumours brewed around their potential new signing. Now, it is official.
The frustrating modern day footballing reality that is VAR has changed the game significantly and permanently.
Match result: Hawthorn have comprehensively beaten Geelong at the MCG by 24 points to celebrate Liam Shiels’ 200th game.
Match result: The GWS Giants have belted the Collingwood Magpies by 47 points in Sydney to re-stake their claims in the 2019 premiership race.
Round 18 NRL action began at the Warriors’ second home, Wellington’s Westpac Stadium, and the ‘cake tin’ played host to a wet and slippery encounter between two desperate teams.
Imagining football without Diego Armando Maradona is almost impossible.
Nemesis,
Have you every heard of a measurement for the number of people watching whilst using another persons password on the Foxtel Go app? Can that be measured? Being able to use five devices with one account suggests there may be a whole lot more people watching than the numbers suggest.
New and familiar faces impress on a brilliant night of FFA Cup action
Saw someone on social media asking where his A-League contract was. He looks the goods.
New and familiar faces impress on a brilliant night of FFA Cup action
Nailed it. Perfect summation of the Bulldogs and daylight second to the Sharks.
Which NRL club’s fans are the biggest whingers?
Promising no doubt but far less impressive than what my man crush is doing in Korea at this present time.
Does Adam Taggart’s rich vein of form have Socceroos ramifications?
Ooooh, had a moment there!
Does Adam Taggart’s rich vein of form have Socceroos ramifications?
Leckie is certainly the most valuable of the three but perhaps it is time for a significant move away from what has not worked well in the past.
Does Adam Taggart’s rich vein of form have Socceroos ramifications?
Quite simply because the team is secure financially and when the league does eventually make significant adjustments to the salary cap, or scraps it completely, City will be one of those clubs with the resources and funds to attract quality players.
That strengthens our league, the development of our young players and will, hopefully, keep us in touch with an ever improving Asian confederation.
As I pointed out in the piece, right now City are hamstrung by the cap and all their millions mean very little. However, with independence and change coming, there is great scope for City to play a key role in future growth.
Whilst they are, of course, here to benefit themselves, Australian could benefit greatly from their influence in the long term.
Melbourne City: It will be different this time around, I promise
That may be true but the domestic game can benefit greatly despite City not being an altruistic exercise.
Melbourne City: It will be different this time around, I promise
Nearly 20,000. I was sitting in the sun and still suffering. Also, gluten free options at the ground were unavailable. Very disappointing from the Raiders.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 21
I did and really enjoyed the Hammers’ solid performance against the champions……not.
Did anyone watch an EPL game live this weekend?
I’ll be there Geoff, wearing Goretex!
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 21
Yes, and I plan my annual trip to the nation’s capital when the arctic invades southern Australia. My relatives are laughing at me for coming down but I shall press on!
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 21
Agree 100% with your opening there. I’ve also included the rule above for those yet to see it. Correct decision.
Green, Seibold differ on game-deciding call
Having a vigorous debate with a neighbour today Barry and whilst not connected to either team, I agree with the decision based on the NRL’s rules and interpretations for 2019. Particularly, the very first sentence of the rule. Whilst the tackle was blatantly missed, Cooper stopped and turned in the line. A few years back we had multiple block runners stopping in there and it drove people crazy. That is why the rule/interpretation was amended. I’d be annoyed if it was my team denied the points yet according to the wording, stopping in the line is obstruction, regardless of whether a defender is affected. I’m not sure if it is a good rule but the referees got it right according to it.
The indicators for an obstruction include:
1. (a) ‘Block’* or ‘Flat’ runner[s] (who do not receive the ball) must not stop in the middle of the defensive line
(b) ‘Block’ or ‘Flat’ runner[s] (who do not receive the ball) must not run at (chest or outside shoulder of) defender[s] and initiate contact
(c) The Referee or Review Officials can determine the significance of contact initiated by the ‘Block’ or ‘Flat’ runner[s] (who does not receive the ball) in impeding a defender’s
involvement in a try scoring play
2. Ball Carriers must not run behind an active ‘Block’ or ‘Flat’ runner[s] and disadvantage
the defensive line
3. It will be deemed obstruction if the attacking players who run a ‘Sweep’^ line clearly
receive the ball on the inside of the ‘Block’ or ‘Flat’ runner[s]
4. Defensive decisions that commit defender[s] to initiating contact with an attacking player(s) will not be deemed obstruction
5. Defensive decisions that commit defender[s] to change their defensive line will not be deemed obstruction.
Green, Seibold differ on game-deciding call
Just read an article stating that July was the hottest month ever recorded across the globe. Much of that heat was in Europe so the new men have been living it recently and Fowler will have them fit and ready. He has added a lot to the local scene after just a few short months and an A-League season that hasn’t begun. A great story thus far.
Robbie Fowler makes dream debut against Sydney FC
At 16 I was slugging it out on poor pitches at 8.00am on Saturday mornings and this kid is being managed by Robbie Fowler. What an opportunity to learn.
Robbie Fowler makes dream debut against Sydney FC
Looking forward to Saturday night, 9:30pm and the Optus app as the Hammers take on the champions of England to open the season. West Ham 3 Man City 1. Hat-trick to Fornals.
Robbie Fowler makes dream debut against Sydney FC
I saw a bit of footage on-line of the Roar’s most recent trial yet it was a little tough to measure up as the camera angle was not ideal. I think it was just a dude shooting from the sideline with his phone in the same hand as his bucket of chips!
Robbie Fowler makes dream debut against Sydney FC
I was trying to watch all five games and it made things very tricky to gauge at times. Great comeback from the Jets. Makes for an interesting Round of 16.
Robbie Fowler makes dream debut against Sydney FC
They looked pretty good. Promising signs.
Robbie Fowler makes dream debut against Sydney FC
Sad to read that so many people didn’t have access to the game. Well played to Fowler, his team was organised and disciplined, something we haven’t seen from the Roar in recent years.
Robbie Fowler makes dream debut against Sydney FC
He has a real presence, powerful and commanding.
New and familiar faces impress on a brilliant night of FFA Cup action