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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 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).
The Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions meet in Round 6 AFL action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm (AEST).
South Sydney have held on for a closely fought 22-18 victory over Penrith at Panthers Stadium to keep pace with the Roosters and Storm at the top of the competition ladder.
After 26 rounds of play, the A-League nears the end of another exciting home-and-away season.
Sydney FC take on Shanghai SIPG at the Shanghai Stadium in Matchday 4 Asian Champions League action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9:30pm (AEST).
Managing the embattled Central Coast Mariners was one of the last things on Alen Stajcic’s mind when he turned up for work on the 19th of January 2019.
The final round of A-League action is upon us and the top six is set. In a round of upsets, emotion and drama, the stars came to the fore. Here are the men that made the difference in Round 26.
The Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers do battle in what is the penultimate match of the season for both clubs. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
Ignore the final score. Whether the Roosters had claimed a 21-20 victory off the back of a freakish Latrell Mitchell field goal or the men in purple had pinched the game at the other end from the boot of Cameron Munster, it makes little difference.
Well played Perth Glory. The plate is yours and the top six is decided.
Mondays can be particularly sobering in professional sport.
On a weekend when Perth Glory claimed the premier’s plate, the A-League produced an upset or two, and some players delivered stunning individual performances, here are the men that made all the difference.
Winx makes her final competitive appearance in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick Racecourse. Join The Roar for live results and commentary from 3:05pm (AEST).
The Geelong Cats and the GWS Giants clash at GMHBA Stadium in what appears to be the match of the round. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm (AEST).
If the Melbourne Storm can play as poorly as they did in Townsville and still manage an 18-12 victory against a much-improved Cowboys side, I’m not sure who stops them from winning their fourth legitimate premiership.
The big news story of Round 25 should be the Perth Glory’s Premier’s Plate-securing win over the Jets in the west.
I love the notion of a ‘sure thing’. Nothing tingles the hairs on the back of the neck like a friend leaning in a little closer and whispering some ‘secret’ information into my ear.
In a week where two contenders met to decide who would attempt to hunt down Perth Glory over the final three weeks, there were few upsets.
I must admit I agree with you on the Pearce issue. Ponga was sensational. Great to see the team jump in and make a statement when he was whacked. Showed real unity.
It's official: Nathan Brown can coach and the Sea Eagles are questionable!
Are you calling a Doggies win for tomorrow The Barry? If so, just let me know how much to invest.
It's official: Nathan Brown can coach and the Sea Eagles are questionable!
I was responding to Jordan’s comment above where he stated that Perth should get 13k crowds next season. Sheeeesh! Read the thread.
What is the state of play in football after another stagnant A-League season?
Great to see Taggart there. I’m assuming Nabbout couldn’t get a release. I can’t believe Andrew Redmayne is near becoming a Socceroo. Well done to him after a lot of criticism over his time. Good young squad that will struggle against Korea Republic if they play a strong side.
Graham Arnold unveils Socceroos squad full of fresh faces for South Korea friendly
According to my notes, Perth Glory drew just one home crowd in excess of 13,000 all season. Achieving that figure in 2019/20 would require the club to perform even better on the pitch. I’m not sure that is possible.
What is the state of play in football after another stagnant A-League season?
It’s kind of like when you go to the bank Nemesis. For those few minutes, the teller ‘IS’ the bank. The A-League, Socceroos and Matildas are the face of football in this country to those disinterested or with only a remote concern for the game.
600 pages would be required to do an in-depth review of the state of play of football as a whole. We tried at the Football Writers’ Conference earlier in the year and after three days had only scratched the surface.
This piece was meant to be more of a broad reflection on a season just passed and a highlighting of the exciting things coming up in the near future, with a few references to some of the unresolved problems around the game thrown in.
What is the state of play in football after another stagnant A-League season?
Apart from all of that, things are going swimmingly. Ah……we are suckers for punishment. #goMatildas
What is the state of play in football after another stagnant A-League season?
I need to be more negative. Next week I am writing a piece death knelling the entire league, in fact, the country itself.
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
In response to my own article……..yes they did!
Did Sydney FC just scare the heck out of Perth Glory?
Perth? Victory? CCM? Could be all really.
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
Neither had I. Bad song actually….got nothing on ‘Con te Partiro’.
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
Someone suggested ‘Loser’ by Beck. But that is harsh and unfair. No football fan would ever insult a fan of another club!
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
I liked the Muscat one! Where is he off to I wonder!
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
In fairness I changed it. Better not death knell him although I wonder where they are at in talks. But we will both remember the prophecy.
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
I do not love John Aloisi, although he does have a nice head of hair. I felt the tone I used around him was a little negative in the piece; as though the first two years were just a mask for what was to follow. Did I not?
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
Have just contacted my source who informed me six weeks ago that Babbel would not be resigned. Now it appears he may indeed stay. Still negotiating, but some of the late season wins obviously put him back in the frame. I’ll adjust the sentence to reflect that more accurately.
What would each A-League club's 2018-19 season song be?
Undoubtedly. Always remember, I bet against my tips. Negatively gearing 107 properties right now!
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Grand final
I agree. Unprofessional in my view.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Grand final
Meredith. He doesn’t even attempt to hide it. The other side isn’t even on the pitch in his view.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Grand final
Bosnich is a Mariners fan. Always speaks highly of them.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Grand final
I’m tipping who I think will win the game. Last week I tipped Victory because I thought they would win. This week, I feel Sydney might be too strong.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Grand final
Talk about don’t get your hopes up! Back them in Jordan.
The Roar's A-League expert tips and predictions: Grand final
I’ll be there mate. Catching up with a player manager for an upcoming interview. I think the Storm will be too hungry this week.
It's official: Nathan Brown can coach and the Sea Eagles are questionable!