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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 Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors do battle at Kardinia Park in an NRL pre-season trial. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
If you were planning on firing a few darts at a board to decide your tips for this week, don’t worry, you are not alone.
Sunday afternoon’s A-League match between Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners had something of an NSL feel.
An absorbing week of A-League football saw fantastic crowds, stunning goals and individual performances that changed and won games.
Sydney FC have come from third on the table to win the W-League championship after a 4-2 victory over the Perth Glory in Sydney.
Match result: Sydney FC have come from third on the table to win the W-League championship after a 4-2 victory over the Perth Glory in Sydney.
Match result: Winx extended her incredible record-breaking win streak out another race further at the Apollo Stakes, going to thirty in-a-row on Saturday afternoon.
Last week I wrote that Round 18 looked like potentially the toughest tipping round of the season. It was the only thing I tipped correctly all weekend, and but for Paul Nicholls’ fearless prediction of a draw between the Reds and City in Adelaide, the entire panel drew a blank.
Football writers are always under the pump. Committing ideas to print can be a dangerous practice, as many contributors to The Roar discover on a daily basis.
With the scores tied at 2-2, the deciding rubber of this Federation Cup match-up between the United States and Australia will be the doubles. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8am (AEDT).
There was certainly little predictability about Round 18 of the A-League and the matches threw up some interesting performances.
The second reverse singles match in the Fed Cup clash between the USA and Australia features Sofia Kennin and Kimberly Birrell. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:30am (AEDT).
Match result: Ash Barty has put Australia in a strong position to win their Fed Cup meeting with the USA by defeating Madison Keys in the first match on Day 2.
The Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC meet in the second semi-final of the W-League at Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:15pm (AEDT).
Match result: The Western Sydney Wanderers have finally held on to a lead and defeated the Central Coast Mariners by two clear goals at Spotless Stadium.
Paul Gallen made mincemeat of John Hopoate at the Hordern Pavilion, in the culmination of a great night of boxing.
Match result: Paul Gallen has defeated John Hopoate with ease on Friday night, winning via knockout in the second round.
The Newcastle Jets host the Wellington Phoenix in what looms as a season-defining match for both teams. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
I’m not exactly sure how Round 18 of the A-League could possibly live up to the drama and the goal fest that was Round 17, but let’s hope the players give it their best shot.
Here is an interesting hypothetical.
She was also receiving tweets from that now defunct twitter account.
Alen Stajcic speaks on sacking from Matildas: Says he was terminated without cause, may launch legal action
Not sure if you saw Zelic’s recent piece where the back flip of all back flips took place. Personally I think she may realise that she has been used on this one.
Alen Stajcic speaks on sacking from Matildas: Says he was terminated without cause, may launch legal action
Wow, so all this secret information that Lucy Zelic alluded to after his sacking had no substance whatsoever? Were certain journalists drip fed some negative falsehoods about an innocent man? I think we have been saying as such from the start.
Alen Stajcic speaks on sacking from Matildas: Says he was terminated without cause, may launch legal action
Wenzell-Halls is excitable but looks promising. I put Powell in not necessarily due to his performance alone, the circumstances of his appearance in the game asked for a lot from such a young guy. And his school buddies got to see it as well which was great. He also has far more hair than me!
The A-League team of the week: Round 18
What a great day of football and I’m up at 5am for the Federation Cup tennis. Hooray! Well done Perth and Sydney!
Six talking points from A-League Round 18
Have they named the keeper. Did they go with the young fella?
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 18
I’m flying to Brisbane to watch that!
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 18
There is a big difference between a bias and an opinion. Barbarouses was outstanding and I would have had Kamsoba as the A-League player of the week if he had played 90 but 45 just isn’t enough in my opinion. Not sure if you watched Rowles or Hingert closely, I did, and they were outstanding. Considering how little Wellington threw at Perth, putting all four in is absurb.
Oh, and by the way, Troisi has indeed been in the team of the week. Here is what I wrote about him in December. I’ll stand by it.
James Troisi
The 28 year-old produced one of those performances that keeps him in the mind’s eye of the national selectors. Many still remain unconvinced of Troisi’s ability to produce consistent quality and perhaps Friday night was another example of the frustration that he causes fans. The knowledge that Troisi can indeed produce efforts such as the one he did against the Roar furthers the question as to why it doesn’t happen more often. That aside, it was a classy game from a man benefiting from the quality of the front line around him.
The A-League team of the week: Round 17
He was terrific and had the six all over him until Ninkovic produced that effort on Sunday. Thought Elsey was good as well.
The A-League team of the week: Round 17
He has been playing his guts out all year. Can only work with what you have and his elbows are getting him through.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 17
A Matt Simon hat trick on the cards?
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 17
I’ve fixed that up now Jordan. All the panel selected the Victory which is not surprising.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 17
I wonder what Adelaide would look like with someone potent and classy up front. Ilso has turned out to be a bit of a spare parts player, Halloran trying hard and Blackwood still way off the polished article. With a Fornaroli/Keogh type up front, I wonder if they might look a whole lot more impressive. Just a thought.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 17
And one hilarious, stumble over your own feet with the goal at your mercy! That was brilliant! Not for the Roar fans of course.
If the A-League did have relegation, perhaps the bottom four should all go?
I agree Taggart should have far more but ten goals in that team, with just one win is a ripping effort in my view. But…..I do love Adam Taggart!
If the A-League did have relegation, perhaps the bottom four should all go?
Good point on Strain. Lowry is one of my faves and I’ve had him in a few times. Castro is the reason I threw in the Triad reference. I already had the team sorted and just couldn’t squeeze him in. Keogh, Castro and Kilkenny look unstoppable right now.
The A-League team of the week: Round 16
Can’t wait to see the team that takes to the pitch. One of the worst ‘unavailable’ situations I have ever seen.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Rounds 15 and 16
Hi Waz,
I have seen this play out many times in Education and despite not being able to play the hypothetical in terms of being found guilty of the same issues (still not sure what they are) I have seen some awful things in my time.
Luckily, legislation originally too heavily weighted on the side of the employer has now been adjusted to provide a better sense of balance. A colleague of mine once touched a students collar and gently suggested that he move to the back of the canteen line after having jumped the queue. That teacher was removed from the premises, informed they had been found guilty of abuse and had their permanent record black marked.
Luckily, it was one of the cases that saw the legislation altered to protect the basic principles of natural justice. The black mark was removed and a lot of wording altered in such cases. From the outside, there appears a similar murkiness around this issue. My concern is that some rather imprecise information has been used to make such a precise decision.
Seeing tweets and comments that supported the move based on ‘knowledge’ that most were oblivious to, all sounded a little fishy to me. From where had that knowledge come and how reliable was it? Throw in this supposed pattern of behaviour and the question of inaction from the FFA until now becomes key.
I agree that the general public have no right to information that is sensitive. Many people I have worked with in academic institutions have been ‘vapourised’, in fact it is a common and running gag in the teaching game. My motivation is that Alen Stajcic does have a right to the information, what claims were made, by whom, on what dates and at what times. It appears the data collected is confidential and I find dismissal on those grounds unfair.
As you say, we have nowhere near the full story. I can deal with not knowing but I hope due process has occurred and Stajcic rights have been protected.
If you're ‘in the know’ and on Twitter, Stajcic’s sacking makes total sense
I think that is really the point oldpsyco. I think we have entered dangerous waters in the modern world where a contract can be terminated on what appears to be questionable and inconsistent information.
If you're ‘in the know’ and on Twitter, Stajcic’s sacking makes total sense
Looks like a few have been drip fed information, yet the reliability and motivation of the source should always be considered.
If you're ‘in the know’ and on Twitter, Stajcic’s sacking makes total sense
It was a quite bizarre conversation.
If you're ‘in the know’ and on Twitter, Stajcic’s sacking makes total sense
The long lost brother Herman.
Alen Stajcic: Victim of the modern workplace, or creator of a flawed culture?
Something doesn’t add up and boy have I heard some theories today! One guy rang me and blamed Aloisi!
Alen Stajcic: Victim of the modern workplace, or creator of a flawed culture?
Sssshhhhh!
Chatting with Hope Solo at the Jamberoo pub