Nick's Roar Profile

Oct

Optus gave away the farm, the no 1 ticket item is the Matildas and the final games.

No, there would have been intense pressure from all sides to allow an FTA network to broadcast the finals and Optus would have copped some bad PR.

There was precedent in England during the cricket world cup in 2019, when Sky Sports as a gesture of goodwill on sold the semi-finals and final to ITV.

Plenty of winners after Women's World Cup, yet funding debate addresses most important group of all

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Aug

So I’m meant to say something positive about a result that will never happen.

Even if Browning cracks 10, he will never make a final. He is not a top 8 sprinter.

He gets a disproportionate level of attention for someone who, results wise, is poor.

We have two actual world champions that are barely getting a mention in the papers. We have a legit chance in the pole vault and the current world leader for 2023 in the women’s high jump. Brandon Starc is in the men’s high jump final tonight.

These are the positive stories I’ll happily talk about. Chuck in Jess Hull, Peter Bol too.

All the pre talk chat in the mainstream media was whether Browning could make a final, when there was absolutely no form to indicate it.

He is not good enough and proof why funding should be very, very bespoke in Australian athletics.

Special inspiration from late grandmother helps Aussie stride into silver at world titles, Browning misses sprint final

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Athletics

Aug

Channel 7 were very astute. They correctly saw the women’s world cup to be a ratings bonanza. Much like SBS in 2005 picking up the rights to the Ashes after Channel 9 declined to bid. Oops!

Optus were very astute as well to ensure that they weren’t giving away the farm to a FTA network. 15 games was fair enough when all things were considered. They did pretty well out of the subscriptions.

“Supporters” of Australian football, Channel 10, need to be taken out the back and thumped.

Plenty of winners after Women's World Cup, yet funding debate addresses most important group of all

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Aug

Fair call, Joel

Six Points: The coach killer to end all coach killers, and why score review system will always be imperfect

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Aug

And pick 5 in the draft.

The best placed team in all of AFL history.

I sense a dynasty

Six Points: The coach killer to end all coach killers, and why score review system will always be imperfect

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Aug

Oh, 100% agree with all that.

It was awesome to be outnumbered at the semi final by mothers and daughters.

But it was also just incredible to see bars teeming overseas (i was in Bali for the QF…an entire street in Seminyak was awash with fans and the street needed to be closed to traffic teeming with Australians watching women’s sport

It was refreshing to not once hear the snide comments by men about women’s sport and instead people just full throated supporting the team.

Perversely, the amount of abuse Carpenter copped online after the semi – while vile – is also a sign of the acceptance of women’s sport and the passion (albeit redirected hideously) people had for the team. A sign of true emotional investment…in a sinister way.

I think also though, is that the entire Matildas team – to a person – are just lovely people. There is no one you could possibly dislike. And, as Courtnee Vine showed after kicking the winning penalty, they are a team. Vine ran straight back to her teammates. She didn’t run to the corner, she didn’t soak up the individual glory. She went to her team. It spoke volumes, and we respect that.

It's time for football in Australia to grow up and stop being so naïve

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Aug

A bit over the top, but definitely something has started for sue.

I think we also need to just be realistic and see it for what it was:

The stars aligning in such a way so that the home nation could get on a dream run through our once in a generation world cup event, with our once in a generation captain. We were excited because, unlike the socceroos, we weren’t just making up the numbers. No matter what the Matildas do in future, heck even if they win the whole thing, it’s unlikely we will ever be as joyous as that night against France. Winning it will of course be amazing, but it won’t be at home and so it just won’t have the same connection.

More girls will want to play, no doubt. And that is good. The extra funding that was announced was terrific too.

International football has always been widely supported in Australia when it comes to world cups, and a lot of that was evident again, just magnified because we were hosting it.

As to whether this momentum will carry forward to the Women’s Asian Cup…no chance. Australian games will be well attended, but the other games will get fewer crowds for sure. Australia just isn’t invested into fan followings for the regional cups.

Will it improve the visibility of the W-League? Maybe, but unlikely either. It has certainly consolidated the reputation of the W-League as an excellent development league for players to look for Europe/US opportunities, and that’s a good thing. But I can’t see the world cup changing the status of the W-League beyond development grade.

It's time for football in Australia to grow up and stop being so naïve

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Aug

I’m sorry, don’t you have a Phil Gould speech to transcribe?

It's time for football in Australia to grow up and stop being so naïve

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Aug

Yeah, Malthouse was coaching simply to break Jock McHale’s record and get some sweet sweet revenge on Eddie and Collingwood. Agreed he wasn’t in it for the right reasons.

I think Hardwick is in it for the right reasons. I think he legitimately burnt out at Richmond and needed a change of scenery and to escape the Vic bubble.

I think he’s in it to win it at Gold Coast, I just don’t think he will. It’s just the history he is up against.

Good on him if he does though.

Dimma the Sun: Gold Coast unveil triple-premiership Tiger as new coach

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Aug

Nor is North.

The 6 month rule only applies to clubs on the AFL teat.

North is not one of those clubs.

Dimma the Sun: Gold Coast unveil triple-premiership Tiger as new coach

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Aug

It won’t be a disaster. It just won’t be a success.

There are just 4 dual club premiership winning coaches. Hardwick is battling against some mighty odds.

Dimma the Sun: Gold Coast unveil triple-premiership Tiger as new coach

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Aug

Pezet wasn’t unknown enough for the Storm to buy him from Newcastle. He’s a highly talented player & has shown that he’s a first grader.

He was known enough in football circles. But that’s not what drives third party deals.

No one just gives joe nobody a wad of cash.

I note how you’ve just glossed over all the other damning evidence against your argument.

NRL News: Annesley backs refs in Garrick incident as PVL hints at rule change, Burgess eyes Test star for NRL signing raid

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Aug

Your prior labelling of anyone sympathetic to AFL makes it hard to believe, but I will take you at your word that it was one of kudos.

And good for you for apologising.

It's time for football in Australia to grow up and stop being so naïve

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Aug

Lol

I see Penrith losing first grader after first grader every year. Plus good lower grade players & juniors.

What’s your point? That happens to every club, every year. Penrith had 5 players depart the club after 2022. Tigers had 12. Canterbury and the Warriors had 11 each. Titans, 10. Broncos, 9. St George, 7. Penrith was actually in the bottom 4 of clubs with players leaving.

It’s a known fact that the Panthers produce a lot more high quality juniors than any other region – because by population they have, by far, the biggest feeder market to tap into. A squad can only have 30 players, so some need to be moved on. You can’t obviously keep them all. You need to choose.

Linking that to third party payments is hilarious.

The Pezet example is spectacularly funny. He’s 20 years old and virtually unknown. What type of third party payment do you reckon he could possibly be getting?

It was a cute attempt. but so hopelessly wrong.

NRL News: Annesley backs refs in Garrick incident as PVL hints at rule change, Burgess eyes Test star for NRL signing raid

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Aug

Like you’re assuming a huge underground following for the NRL in Hamilton?

NRL News: Annesley backs refs in Garrick incident as PVL hints at rule change, Burgess eyes Test star for NRL signing raid

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Aug

Since when is the finals “the post-season”?

It’s the finals.

In Australia the “post-season” commences the second after the ref blows the whistle to end the grand final.

The NRL and AFL have always considered the finals to be very much much a part of the season and all stats for h/a and finals are included in the same pot.

The season and post-season differential in the US is important, because they do quite distinctly partition the stats between the regular season and the post-season playoffs.

ANALYSIS: 'Silly' Latrell facing ban for elbow as Souths unravel - but demand explanation as Knights score on eighth tackle

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Aug

If you wanted to be in the coaching department of any club during an the off season, it’s Freo.

No need to look at the list.
No need to change the game plan.
Players all on the up and up.
Best coach and assistant coaches in the league all happen to be at our team. What providence.
Flag is a lock.
Enjoy the holidays, see you in March.

Six Points: The coach killer to end all coach killers, and why score review system will always be imperfect

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Aug

And Penrith aren’t a club that can offer attractive third party deals eh?

NRL News: Annesley backs refs in Garrick incident as PVL hints at rule change, Burgess eyes Test star for NRL signing raid

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Aug

Whisper it, but if Carlton go deep in September (i.e Grand final) and Curnow keeps having a few more days out with the goals, he might be lining up for his 100th during a granny.

Now THAT would be the moment of a lifetime.

There’s a lot to play out, and so much needing to go right to be in that position, but you never know…

Six Points: The coach killer to end all coach killers, and why score review system will always be imperfect

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Aug

Yeah Brett…now everyone can resume discussions about the next expansion for the NRL team in Hamilton.

Woot Woot.

It's time for football in Australia to grow up and stop being so naïve

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Aug

Stokes probably concluded there is no better place to audition for a fat IPL contract than in India.

'Me, me, me': Tim Paine slams Ben Stokes' World Cup un-retirement as star left out of warm-up series

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Cricket

Aug

The hype behind Browning is silly.

At the end of the day he’s a white guy who can’t crack 10.

The only way he’s making a final is if half the other racers do their hammies mid race.

Special inspiration from late grandmother helps Aussie stride into silver at world titles, Browning misses sprint final

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Athletics

Aug

Kellie Whatshername was even enjoying discussing football.

You could at least be civil and polite enough to mention her by her name.

It's time for football in Australia to grow up and stop being so naïve

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Aug

No need to go that far. Just call the post in play. If it hits the post and goes through, goal.

If it hits the post and stays in the field of play, play on.

Same with the behind posts.

Done.

Footy Fix: The Crows were stone cold robbed... but they've only got themselves to blame

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