“only a house brick would come back from that experience without knowledge aquasition”….oops, does that reflect on the young australian players plying their trade their?

We hear a lot about the number of young players in increasing numbers taking the field. Are we heading for the AL becoming a youth league? Clubs seem to be under financial pressure, is this the reason for the increase in young players on the field? Is the broadcster and the public paying for a product that is not truely reflective of a professional league?

I can’t see Cahn stepping up to the SPL, too big a jump. Watching him last night he seems very ajitated and looking around for someone to talk too, maybe did the same in his press conference. Needs a calm head at the helm to protect the dressing room and his authority. From what I read on these pages the Roar has no money, was Cahn the cheapest to put his hand up? PS….fans need to show critisism on any aspect of the club as has been noted in these pages over the last few weeks otherwise no pressure sits with the club and employees.

Neither team deserved to draw a pay-check last night.

Well said. I do like it when facts disrupt the narative.

Sorry Waz but could not read past this one. Can you give me your thoughts on why the ‘thousands’ of you girls ‘inspired’ by the WWC are not turning up at roar w-league games?

I’m still waiting for the call to be made to the thousands of grass route players I constantly hear about on these pages who will save the Roar via their support. Most know nothing about the politics discribed in discussions such as this one so the Roars actions can’t be used in defence of a no show. We like to talk about the truth in these pages yet few grasp the fact that many or most club players do not consider the a-league as their choice for professional sport to follow.

Did Ross just need a job untill something better came along?? Seems history would have given him answers when offered the job, and as you mention he knew what he was getting into.

Why are expectations being made by coaches and fans of a-league clubs when they simply do not have the money. It is also worth noting that the expections are what we would think are expected for a professional league at a minimum. In general terms the league is unable to operate or sustain those expectations. Even if 1 or 2 clubs can from time to time will not save the league. Does the whole consept of the a-league need to be changed, and to what?

Hmmm. seems like another article looking for a scapegoat in some form. Policy makers and commercial operators will repond to potential votes and to a return on investment. It looks like the author is suggesting it needs ‘football fan’ power to get this particular though up and running….let me suggest that regardless of the code, commercial/political bodies will not respond favorably unless there are powerfull sponsors/sense of State sporting achievement/well known athletes in the community to rub shoulders with. The Womens WC has been mentioned, the predictions were made here for great thing in the W-League here for Brisbane. I think most understand the Womens WC was an ‘event’ support and the true picture probably backed up be a crowd of 1500 at the last Roar WL game. Reference was also made that the participation numbers, as I have said many time before (a question I have asked my own junior players) what team will they be watching this weekend…it aint the Roar. They do not relate.
My point is, we need to stop all diversion and provide ‘value’ on the field of play that will want fans and commercail entities want to be involved. From FFA, States, A/W Leagues….simple one subject task…develop and promote a value proposition, Australian sports fan will make it clear if they want it. PS please don’t add that the ‘media’ will not allow it. I am sure Ch7 did not expect the national reaction to the WC. Once the lights came on they were like a pig in mud. Contrary to popular belief (conspirecy), commercial organisations will invest where their is growing potential to make a buck. That potential goes hand in hand with the value proposition on the field, molded, matured and presented by the game, no need to be distracted with discussion over what other people/organisation need to do, the game has no control over that and too resource week to get involved. Stay focused.

They are not there for the football….

I should respond to your post which honestly lacks class.
Let me just highlight a simple example which I hope you can concentrate on. Your quote below….

‘While Australia won more gold medals (2 to 1) than GB at the 2022 World Championships, GB won the most medals (7 to 3). Only English runners won medals in the mens and womens races and I expect this to continue at the current 2023 WC.’

To the above claim that only English runners won the medals in mens/womens competition I advise that this is false in my response. You don’t need to cloud this statement with abuse and other claims I am supposed to have made. For example, nowhere in my comments did I claim Australian runners are better than GB runners.
I must admit, you have no class in the way you try to debate an issue. You may want to think how you address those with an other opinion, which I think these pages are supposed to be about.

Wow….I think you need to re-read your article. I will happily move on. All the best with your writing.

Chris….I have only read one of your articles, this one. Not sure how many you have written, however credibility I think is key for the success of an opinion piece. The wording used in the article leads me to understand this is an Australia v England thing, yet GB figures are used often during the article. It took me about 30 seconds to note under ‘Athletics’ that you have stated only English athletes won mens/womens medals at the 2022 WC…..Laura Muir won bronze and is not English, Jake Wightman does not represent England, Keely Hodgenson is Scottish-American….There may well be others I am not aware off. Good luck with future articles, but they would need to be meaningful to make a reader return for more.

The article does claim a comparison between Australia and England. A mention was made of the other countries involved in the GB figures. It would be polite to remove the emphasis on ‘England’ and re-word your article as Australia v GB. England is not GB.

Waz….just trying to work through your post as it relates to the article. To just concentrate on the ALW, we are reminded of the large numbers of girls/women playing the game. I think it is fair to assume they would be aware of the ALW. Specific to this subject, what I am getting from the article is that if the ladies/girls want to see growth in the ALW it would be fair to expect that they support that league regardless who is running it as that would only be relevant to those who care (FIFA ran the WC and they are often painted in a bad light). We had successful ‘major event’ support that has also resulted in demands being made for the womens game. Maybe I am missing something, however I would expect that growing evidence on the acceptance of the game through attendance, and what would follow commercially would help that cause. Why would a supporter of women playing soccer not want to attend an ALW game? I can’t think they would be delving into an APL agenda, or be aware of the APL in the first place.

Matth…..I just asked my better half if she had opportunity to participate in sport when she was young. I did not raise this article and I can assure you she is significantly over 30 years old, and I mean significantly. She played basketball for many years in her early years, when she was in her late twenties into her 30’s she played touch football and womens soccer, I don’t think she ever did get past me at touch. My recently departed mother-in-law (92) played state hockey and tennis in her youth. I understand the words you use are ‘many women’, however I think this is yet another attempt to paint history wrongly.

Lionheart…I think what causes the comparison between the male/female game becoming a hot button, reflects the constant push for equal pay in a game which right now has a clear differential on which gender generates the greater revenue globally. The market should determine the outcome as that form of the game develops.

I just about fell off my seat…..great title and good article, frankly I did not expect it to be said. cheers

I have no issue with the article and was very mindful of the PM’s pledge being to Womens Sport rather than what I would have thought, womens soccer.
Just one piece of the puzzle to be aware off. We are talking public money, AFL/NRL through professional wages, club ‘clubs’ turnover, employee numbers etc, I would suggest end up tipping in the most on income and corporate tax. Soccer is strong at grass routes but the majority do not translate into support for the professional game, or for the game full stop. Governments tend to favour those who shout loudest and contribute most. Perhaps we need to hear a lot more from the soccer executive?

FIL….you are correct, and one can’t defend the indefensible. However, I think I was trying to encourage a closer look at that relationship. Murdoch has significantly distanced himself from Trump.

Gracias…..Thank you Spain, you made my night.

It is important to acknowledge the support given to the Matildas during the WC has been a ‘special event’ support in the same way the media makes reference to the Cathy Freeman 400m run. Following that event, viewing figures for athletics return to normal and I would suggest the same low figures for the up-coming A-League W season.
I have noted a few time that contributors to these pages are failing to see what is in front of them and stop blaming others when the game stagnates or worse. There is no god given right that the Australian sporting public should adopt this game on the same terms as AFL/NRL. There is no reason to assume that the sporting public MUST automatically follow soccer and by extension they are unable to make up their own minds on a preference. Nothing will move forward until we accept what is in front of us, then work to provide a mature, professional value proposition to the sporting public rather than an appearance of superiority and frankly, bordering on childish playground whining.

Thank you for your article. There are good overall signs that consistent involvement by Australia at the International level is evident. Couple of comments, the fact that squad players at the last mens WC cut their teeth in the AL is probably an expected fact as this is where they started to ply their trade. An interesting aside indicates that it was another League in another country that is often written off in these pages, where members of that squad have refined their ability.
One other point covers the trait, that to me is questionable for the cultural acceptance of the general population is the elitist, whining that this game should be adopted and recognized as the sole national sport at a professional level when it is clear that the general population can make that decision for themselves. That battle is won by giving the mere mortals ‘value’ in a professional way, salesmanship at the pointy end not being dictated too or looked down at for not following the road to redemption. Honestly it is becoming to turn off for some followers of the game.

I follow one sport. I worry that followers of the game are way too sensitive. It would not be un reasonable to take negative comments as a challenge in the way the game is presented, would also make sense to get over isolationist opinions.