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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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Only the best of the best become known by a single name. It might just be the most accurate measuring stick of sporting greatness.
Some time back, I had the privilege of meeting James Boyle. A Scotsman by birth, he has spent the last ten years in Australia, raising a family and continuing his love affair with the round ball game.
This week there was one match dominating discussion around the English Premier League. Many felt it would provide definitive answers in relation to the city of Manchester and the two teams seeking to claim possession of the football bragging rights.
One more round of the A-League is in the history books. Here are the standouts from Round 4.
Okay, let’s get this out of the way immediately. The author managed to throw the proverbial spanner in the works of each and every team he selected last week.
I must admit to letting rip with a loud and aggressive curse word when I heard the diagnosis of Daniel Arzani’s knee injury on Tuesday.
Newcastle United grabbed their first win of the season on Saturday, with a stunning 1-0 victory against the high flying Watford at St James’ Park. To say it was much-needed would be an understatement of epic proportions.
With pundits unable to get a grasp on the season and tipping proving an absolute nightmare, Week 3 of the A-League saw further upsets and unpredictability.
The Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United do battle at Central Coast Stadium to close out Round 3 of the A-League. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5pm (AEDT).
The Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers meet in Round 3 A-League action at Westpac Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
The Victoria Derby will be run and won at Flemington, with $2 million on offer to the best three-year-old’s in the land. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:50pm (AEDT).
People are certainly talking football and with more 160,000 attendees over the opening two rounds of fixtures, the A-League has enjoyed a terrific start to the season.
Adelaide United and Sydney FC meet in the FFA Cup final at Cooper’s Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The original hypothesis behind this piece was the contention that the most frustrated manager after two rounds of A-League action was Marco Kurz.
Liverpool wrestled to a 4-1 victory against Cardiff on Saturday and as a result, took a potentially temporary three-point advantage over title favourites Manchester City.
Week 2 of the A-League saw a host of players take centre stage and exert their influence on the competition. Two men appear for the second time in the Roar’s team of the week, while the remainder make their debut appearances.
The Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix do battle at Suncorp Stadium in Round 2 A-League action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5pm (AEDT).
The Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City meet in Round 2 action of the A-League at Central Coast Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Winx’s mission to claim a record fourth consecutive Cox Plate will play out at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia’s premier weight for age contest. Join The Roar for live updates and commentary from 5pm (AEDT).
If Round 2 of the A-League lives up to the drama of the opening weekend, I may need a good lie down by Monday morning.
Debated whether to use ‘club’ or ‘team’. Certainly some wonderful off-field positives but one must ask why Mr Aloisi is unable to use them to get results.
Aloisi and expansion can wait, this week is all about Barnes and Thompson
It is hard to see any team staying with them throughout the course of a long season. Great to see Wellington win and the Jets looked a little like their old selves.
The A-League team of the week: Round 7
Have you had access to my team of the week that I have just submitted? It’s almost like we watched the same matches. Story of the week….Wellington. Dud of the week……Brisbane. Funniest moment of the week…..Matthew Ridenton. Comeback of the week…….Wanderers. Extra dud of the week……Sydney.
Best bet of the week. Wellington at $8.00 to win. Nobody would have taken that, surely?
Nice column, I’m sure RF will suggest my approval is somehow wrong.
Six talking points from A-League Round 7
Quality read Evan. It is an interesting change in approach. No doubt the manager has played a role in that and the signing of Simon up top certainly promotes the style they are adopting. I’m not sure if young Matty has any other tricks up his sleeve these days, unless you count the cheap shot from last night.
Sad times for the club in a way. Home wins are important for the league and I hope they can string a couple together in the next six weeks or so. Otherwise, we might be looking at a very shaky, broken and disinterested club come season’s end and no one wants that.
The Mariners aren't afraid of change, but they should be
I keep tipping the Roar! Earned me one point so far I think. Bet they stuff me up again this week.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 7
Well tipped. I have a feature on the Jets out on another publication today. Hard to work out whether it is just a personnel issue or a few members of the squad having a tough time getting back to full form.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 7
I love the way you have incorporated the cones into your little picture next to your name. Hopefully the Roar defence will have you jettisoning that quick smart.
The night football out-boxed boxing
Struggling for credibility. Those numbers merely reflect the rather misguided value placed on rather questionable characters by gullible fans.
The night football out-boxed boxing
Responded above. Takes a lot to get me riled up but that went close.
The night football out-boxed boxing
How in the heck did I have a go at boxing? Sure, I suggested that their fundamental skills appears to be the ability to belt someone in the head until they can stand no longer……..yeah…..that is boxing. Isn’t that the entire point? Other than that, I was having a little fun with what was a farcical attempt by an old man to relive past glories, whilst a supposedly ‘soft’ football game in Adelaide outdid the pugilism by quite some way. Read the piece rather than merely responding to the headline based on your own preferences.
The night football out-boxed boxing
I am saddened to hear that mid. I look forward to your contributions and hope you will stick around. What exactly causes the most concern? I am meeting with the eds this week and will be able to pass on some constructive criticism. I know there was some early angst, let me know what is the most frustrating thing and perhaps a few tweaks might help.
The night football out-boxed boxing
With so much money involved I thought someone might source the origins of some of those streams. They were everywhere, good quality and illegal. Anyway, someone else’s problem I guess.
News on Taggart is that he may play this weekend. Injury nowhere near as bad as first thought. I thought I had jinxed him. He did pull up a little gingerly when he hit the post with that miss early on. Yes, should have scored but maybe the leg grabbed as you ran towards goal. Not sure.
He has missed plenty this year but at least they do go in frequently as well. Bereft of a better option, I would love to see him in a socceroos jersey again.
The night football out-boxed boxing
A very good point. Castro did the same as soon as he took to the pitch as well. Really showed what Perth have been missing. A scary prospect. Although Wellington’s leg were well and truly gone by that stage.
The A-League team of the week: Round 6
Fenton would be one of the last players I would remove from this team. He was absolutely brilliant yesterday. Ran all day and worked forward on the right. The best game I have ever seen him play. Ikonomidis is a terrific player yet did no where near enough to make the best eleven of the week. Perth’s first half eliminated most of their squad. Players in this team need to put in a sustained effort. He certainly found some space late in the match but Wellington held him for around 60 minutes. He’ll make the team a few more times this season no doubt.
The A-League team of the week: Round 6
Oooh, hit a nerve there. Not quite sure what you mean. Just commenting on what I thought was a well written piece. Karlo is a fiend of man and someone I find to have quite a good understanding of the game and a clever turn of phrase in describing it. Seriously, throw me to the lions!
Six talking points from A-League Round 6
Brilliant young man. Brilliant. I get a sense you are against VAR. Not sure, feel free to clarify. Waiting for the Wanderers fans to comment. Personally, I felt your comments were more than fair.
Six talking points from A-League Round 6
Sac them all? Is this really a solution? Slightly reactionary?
To save the Wallabies, Clyne, Castle and Cheika must go
Johnny Koutroumbis named for the Jets just a month after a stage one thyroid cancer diagnosis. I’ll be cheering for him this week. Great news.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 6
Looks like Fornaroli hasn’t been named. Could be the end.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Round 6
Must they be saved? A short natural death seems less painful.
To save the Wallabies, Clyne, Castle and Cheika must go
I agree. Tore my Hammers to pieces with ease. No disgrace there. One of the best we have seen for some time. Shame about the competitiveness of the league though.
Chelsea crack as Spurs march into the top three: EPL Matchday 13 wrap
As much as I like him, I don’t think I will be doing the rub down!
Is Taggart the man now that Timmy’s time is up?
That was a superb interview Ouch. Such an articulate and seemingly intelligent man.
Do Australian cricket fans really understand Virat Kohli?