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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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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.
Manchester United and Leeds United meet at Optus Stadium in Perth as the English clubs continue their pre-season tours around the globe. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9pm (AEST).
I’d argue that the majority of the ‘teams’ are franchises, slowly becoming clubs. Hence the problems we have had.
A-League independence is almost here but how commercially daring can it be?
Whilst the Victory scenario is unlikely, this is the kind of thinking we need. Sometimes we just have to be a little careful for what we wish. Hopefully, the game is smart enough to get this right. If it can……..look out!
A-League independence is almost here but how commercially daring can it be?
Excellent comments. Great afternoon of EFL on today. Just saw Mooy’s Huddersfield against Derby and another game starting now. Great way to spend the afternoon.
A-League independence is almost here but how commercially daring can it be?
I didn’t intend that to come across as cynical, just one of those sayings that has become something of a cliche, a bit Bold and the Beautiful, when Ridge is promising to his eleventh wife that he won’t cheat on her. Personally, I do believe things will be different. The question is will Fox buy it?
A-League independence is almost here but how commercially daring can it be?
I called the Broncos pretenders long ago and have not written a piece about the Knights and Brown. Not convinced in the slightest about either so I’m not sure where that comes from. Perhaps you were merely speaking in the second person more generally? Broncos do have winnable matches on the run home. I hope you get there.
Seibold and Kearney under fire for Friday failures
Emcie, I’m not sure what the discussions have been about in your circles over the last few weeks but many of mine have featured the Broncos and their recent ‘run’. As moderately impressive as it has been, claiming the scalps of the Sharks, Bulldogs and Titans isn’t sparkling form, nor was the draw with the Warriors. I wrote a piece about this exact point earlier in the week for another publication. Last night was a true assessment of where they are at and also asks questions around the performances that the coach is getting from his players. Certainly not a stab in the dark based on one good or bad result.
Seibold and Kearney under fire for Friday failures
Adelaide strike a blow with a potentially influential signing.
A-League hope springs eternal: Part 2
It was an interesting affair. Campbelltown did well for extended periods in the match.
A-League hope springs eternal: Part 2
I did a piece on it a little while back Apaway. Essentially a three pronged criteria where metrics is number one and integrity comes after. Lock in Original, Sydney and both Melbourne derbies during those 6 weeks and don’t hold your breath for a third incarnation of Wellington vs Central Coast.
It's the most important A-League season ever - so let's see a fixture list
With you 100% on this. We’ve Mickey Moused when we didn’t need to.
It's the most important A-League season ever - so let's see a fixture list
Tend to agree. Last season I made it to Wellington, Adelaide, Central Coast and AAMI Park. Probably not affected by when the draw came out, although I can see how some long distance travellers might want to plan a big trip as early as they possibly can.
It's the most important A-League season ever - so let's see a fixture list
You raise a good point there Fadida. Far easier to schedule something if the participants all have a purpose built stadium that does little else but host football matches. Although, the draw appeared to be done and now under review thanks to some dissatisfied parties.
It's the most important A-League season ever - so let's see a fixture list
Agree that the Dragons are unlikely to fork out two years worth of salary to off-load him yet his position is still untenable. Nobody could defend his position at this point, surely?
Robbie’s 300th inspires the Tigers, while the Red V continues to die a slow death
Bale and Carroll just days away apparently.
Robbie Kruse to Melbourne Victory? For the love of God no!
I agree. You may remember I wrote a piece fare-welling Nabbout a couple of years back. Along with Kosta, two of my favourite players. Shame things haven’t quite flourished at Urawa as he may have hoped but I still think he may have another chance in the future.
Robbie Kruse to Melbourne Victory? For the love of God no!
Intentionally handball in the box = penalty?
Unintentional handball in the box = yellow card + free kick? Or just the free? Or just the yellow?
VAR, handballs and the ‘natural silhouette’
I can’t see how the adoption of the abstract ‘natural silhouette’ makes a referee’s job easier. Expecting an official to include that into their thought process, when it’s actually meaning and dimensions could be debated seems problematic.
At least they could have released a diagram of a faceless and shadowy figure to indicate exactly what the ‘natural silhouette’ is. A West Ham player would have been happy to model for it. Just so we can all understand what it is. Strangely, the phrase is not written into the actual new wording of Law 12.
It appears to be more of a guiding principle. Good luck when they try to get every referee on the planet on the same page when it comes to their understanding of such an abstract term.
VAR, handballs and the ‘natural silhouette’
I like this approach and completely agree in regards to the speed of the vision being vital to the decision. Where I am coming from here is the application of the abstract phrase merely adding another layer of confusion to the task of officiating. I’m not sure how much rugby league you sneak a look at but the powers at be keep adding layer after layer of terminology some years back. Now a tackle can be a ‘surrender’ tackle, a ‘dominant tackle’ or the ball carrier can be milking. All they did was confuse the issue. Define the tackle, not three or four different kinds of tackle.
I remember when I was doing my training with the PGA some years back and in the rules module, we were taught to read, re-read and then re-read again the definitions at the start of the rule book. It actually works. Knowing the precise terms of reference in any situation makes the application of rules so much more simple.
Introducing the ‘natural silhouette’ will potentially add more grey as it demands interpretation. Football and VAR can work. Russia proved that during the World Cup and their black, white and brisk approach worked well in the main. #VARIN
VAR, handballs and the ‘natural silhouette’
Lovely contextual discussion. Still the best goal I have seen that second in 86′. You will enjoy the film yet probably already know much of what you will see. I must admit to watching more and more Best over the years. Something outrageously belligerent and defiant about the man.
Diego Maradona: An accurate yet incomplete summary of the Argentine's life
Huge shake-up coming to Academy structures in NSW. Watch this space. It will rein in some of the privately run academies that are exploiting the system and bring all under the one umbrella.
How A-League clubs should spend Tony Sage’s predicted $80m windfall
That was my thinking with the $2 million Griffo. Maybe a marquee or perhaps just lift the quality of the VISA players. Y-League should be a big focus.
How A-League clubs should spend Tony Sage’s predicted $80m windfall
BBL crowds took a missive hit last season. I wrote a piece about it a few months back. Something like a third over the last couple of season. Flash in the pan success. This money, if it is truly there, needs to be invested far more wisely than with the Colonel.
How A-League clubs should spend Tony Sage’s predicted $80m windfall
Point taken Waz. Certainly not suggesting clubs were “in profit”, really referencing the profit/loss columns. Originally I had ‘in-comings’ there but that appears to be something of a dubious phrase. I was hoping the extra $2 million could be used to raise the standard of the marquees not just another veteran on that tour. No reason why they could not be Australians either.
How A-League clubs should spend Tony Sage’s predicted $80m windfall
I agree and wrote a piece a few weeks back for another site where I did a full statistical analysis of the massive discrepancies in the number of penalties given by the different referees. It involved countless hours of research and the results were astonishing. Such data would hold them to account yet as Superspud points out below/above, what does that actually look like?
For a team with no coach and rubbish players, the rebuilding Bulldogs are doing okay!
Excuse my laziness!
A-League independence is almost here but how commercially daring can it be?