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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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Football in Australia stands at an interesting juncture.
As the confetti is swept from the surface of Optus Stadium, fans of Sydney FC revel in the knowledge that they are the champions of Australia for the fourth time.
As all grand finals should, the 2018/19 A-League decider loomed as a tight and unpredictable affair. Both Perth Glory and Sydney FC had every reason to believe they would prevail at Optus Stadium.
The Essendon Bombers face the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium in an important Round 9 AFL clash. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:25pm (AEST).
There was something about the Broncos versus Roosters clash that led many to believe Brisbane had more than a hope in Hades.
After 27 rounds of home-and-away action and a gripping finals series that produced the unthinkable, Perth Glory and Sydney FC will contest the A-League grand final.
As tense, dramatic and thrilling as Friday night was, Sunday night’s A-League semi-final between the Sky Blues and Victory proved to be anti-climactic.
Sydney FC host Melbourne Victory in the second A-League semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7pm (AEST).
The so-called Magic Round offered little advantage to the Brisbane Broncos.
Okay, it is time to sort the wheat from the chaff, the men from the boys and an A-League champion from three pretenders.
Melbourne Victory meet Daegu FC in their penultimate Asian Champions League fixture for 2019. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEST).
After 27 patient rounds of placing the standout A-League performers into a team of the week each Sunday night, the moment of reckoning has arrived.
The New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights meet in a vital clash for both clubs. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm (AEST).
The Western Bulldogs and Richmond Tigers face off in Round 7 AFL action at Marvel Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:25pm (AEST).
Surely the Cronulla Sharks were no chance against the clinical Melbourne Storm without the services of Wade Graham, Matt Moylan, Shaun Johnson and Aaron Woods?
At the recent Football Writers’ Festival in Jamberoo, I had the privilege of meeting promising young sports writer Shabab Hossain.
And then there were six. The A-League has jettisoned four clubs who dragged the chain and became relative cannon fodder for the six teams who have advanced to the finals series.
The old adage of being a rooster one minute and a feather duster the next pretty much sums up sport.
While there were some stunning performances in the final home-and-away round of A-League football, one couldn’t help but think a few teams failed to turn up for the contest.
Hawthorn and Carlton do battle in Round 6 AFL action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
I’ll be up at 5am working on the game and cheering her on as I always do. I’m just calling a spade a spade in this instance.
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class
You have missed something. The details in regards to Compliance Committee Chairman Greg Griffin being denied access to documents relevant to the Stajcic sacking came to light last week. A third murky layer.
It is interesting how some people think I dislike Sam. I don’t, but we can’t have national team captains speaking in that way…..well, in my view anyway.
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class
Why has there been such attention to her comment? Probably because of the simple fact that more is expected of Australian captains. They are trained to respond in more measured and less emotional ways. Are they always perfect? No. But if Kerr’s response becomes acceptable I think we will have arrived at a pretty pathetic place.
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class
Would the comment have been made after a victory against the Italians Waz? As I pointed out above, Kerr specifically mentioned the critics and used the phrase ‘we’re back’. Surely a reference to the team and some of the criticism that came their way after the loss in the opening match?
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class
“There was [sic] a lot of critics talking about us, but we’re back, so suck on that one!”
Swansfan, this is Kerr’s actual comment. It refers to critics and uses the phrase ‘we’re back’, an obvious reference to the loss against the Italians in game one. To suggest that the loss and subsequent commentary from analysts wasn’t behind her comment is untrue.
I’m sure Kerr has experienced much online and cowardly behaviour, with her sexuality a key component of the message. Interesting that she chose that precise moment to respond, no doubt the pressure the team was feeling after the loss was the driving force behind it.
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class
Just for the record matth. I felt the criticism of the ‘high line’ and Garriock’s comments were well off the mark. Sure the team did not play well, however the hysteria created was quite silly. As I have written often in the lead up to the tournament, the team has done too much hard work for them to be anything but highly competitive.
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class
Doing that as well Adam. Covering the match at 5am.
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class
It looks like Mike and I might be about to have our first fight. I’ve taken a different view on this in my piece for tomorrow. Sorry mate.
Sam Kerr can say whatever she damn well likes
Always makes me think of Max Mannix. When is a certain try not a certain try?
A boring Friday night with four teams outside the eight? Yeah, right!
It would be a funny sight seeing a coach lose his lollies in the sheds prior to the match. You have to wonder how a team can be so flat to start a match.
A boring Friday night with four teams outside the eight? Yeah, right!
Hopeful somebody explains the forward pass rule to Badger. That was an appalling and instrumental call. How many times have we been over it?
A boring Friday night with four teams outside the eight? Yeah, right!
That footwork of Tuivasa-Sheck is something to behold. I cannot image how difficult he is tackle when he steps at the line. I’d pay my money just to watch him.
A boring Friday night with four teams outside the eight? Yeah, right!
“If only you knew”, “the untenable situation”,”he’ll never work in women’s football again”.
You, along with Lucy Zelic and Daniel Garb fell for the drip feed of information that was strategically directed towards certain people in the media.
If you know something, let us all know. As yet, despite all the noise, Stajcic’s reputation is intact.
The sacking, a subsequent apology and a hamstrung FFA compliance committee
Yeah, you are right. I’ll stop calling out a lack transparency and the questionable motives of people who have admitted to stating falsehoods in regards to Stajcic’s sacking. I’ll sleep well tonight if I ‘give it a break’.
The sacking, a subsequent apology and a hamstrung FFA compliance committee
Out hustled by the Knights last night. There were quicker and keener in every facet of the game. As things went sour, Souths then resorted to the predictable. Great win for the Knights, held their nerve throughout. How Tom Burgess stayed on the field is beyond me and hasn’t Sam turned into a grumpy old man?
No Ponga? No Klemmer? No problem for Newcastle
Don’t say anything about Moose, his family contact you. True story.
Five talking points from State of Origin Game 1
Remove that tongue from your cheek Danno1!
Five talking points from State of Origin Game 1
I am flattered that you think I am that young JB. I grew up watching Mr Arok at the helm. Had that slightly unstable feeling about him that all great managers have. Klopp is undoubtedly the greatest current version. Keeps the boss, the players and the media on edge the whole time. I love the pantomime of football and the role the managers play.
Arnie’s search for taegeuk in his Socceroos squad
Didn’t say young players or footballers. Ask anyone the wrong side of 40 and they would all describe a 26 or 27-year-old male as a ‘young man’. Certainly not middle-aged or old.
Arnie’s search for taegeuk in his Socceroos squad
Perhaps, however investing in players pays dividends in the long run. They key is to invest in the right ones. Mabil demands investment as do Souttar and O’Neill in my view. Let’s hope Arnie has them firing on Friday. I’ll be calling the game on theRoar, hoping to see some positive signs.
Arnie’s search for taegeuk in his Socceroos squad
I agree, sick of dinosaur commentary in the modern game. If the game was so poorly adjudicated 30 years ago that that was a try, it merely shows just how rubbish the standard of proof was back then.
Five talking points from State of Origin Game 1
Cody Walker’s performance should be a talking point. Or lack of.
Five talking points from State of Origin Game 1
Let’s agree to disagree on this one…….I respect you too much.
Sam Kerr's childish sledge lacked class