I still like Redcliffe. I find it sad and disappointing schlepping into Suncorp just to see bank after bank of empty seats. (Throws the grenade and ducks for cover).

I still like Redcliffe. I find it sad and disappointing schlepping into Suncorp just to see bank after bank of empty seats. (Throws the grenade and ducks for cover).

Ha. I am not sure SS would be happy with another East Coast focused event.

Shame! He looked better in Orange than Navy.

I am sure those boys are all lovely, but as a Qlder I will reserve the right to detest any team in skyblue…Just…, well…, Because.

Money in the coffers is great, but does anyone know how much it cost an A League team to compete in AFC? Overall, did they make money??

But the NPL academies already run alongside the A league ones. Training 3-4 nights a week with fully qualified coaches headed up by an audited and approved program run by the qualified TD under the Aus curriculum. They have sport scientists and physios, track player data……The only real difference was that The roar were able to pick the best of all the NPL players for their squad, so the level of play would have been higher at the A league academy. But that would be no different from an MLS academy compared to the MLS next club. I am not having a go at you here mid. I have 3 boys all involved at NPL FQ1 level. One in the FQ academy. I am very interested in all things youth development and find a better way to support my boys. Perhaps I just misunderstand the concept???? But NPL training is a good level. Especially when FQ have a very promising elite pathway running alongside that not only identify top talent around the state but then coach them regularly, track their progress and maturation upto ag16 giving A league clubs and national selectors detailed knowledge of the best 100-150 player in each age group (14-16 I think) when it comes to selection time. If your plan can do all that and be free or at least lower cost, I am all for it. But with Aleague clubs skint, I fail to see who pays for this other than the parents again??

I would 100% agree that the youth system (at least on Qld) seems to be on the right track. FQ have done a good job (albeit painful in process) to shuffle the football landscape over the last couple of years to create a connected working Football pyramid. Again, sometimes their decision making and execution leave a little to be desired, but I think they have a solid vision of their elite pathways. The kids are phenomenally good at FQ1 level, especially when you then see FQ’s TSP (Academy) in action. Holy Moley, those kids have skills. Good players are being produced at a high rate, but I think you are right Waz, with lack of funding and resources compared to the rest of the world, it will never be enough until real investment is made into these kids. I also feel the priorities in coaching (possession at all costs) is stifling those real “X factor” players that make the difference at international and tournament level. All countries can keep possession, or play disciplined enough to keep the goals out, what we need are players willing to run at the opposition, break the line and force opponents to break structure and scramble. We dont have too many of those anymore.

I might add to this, that my oldest boy is involved in this set up (u15) and the concept is really good. Sometimes the execution leaves something to be desired, but the framework is solid. I can see how this system benefits both the kids aiming for the elite end of football, as well as Bne Roar and in turn Joeys, Olyroos and Socceroos. A great way to deal with the geographical nature of the state of QLD too. I would add though, it is still a “user pays” system only available to the kids who parents can afford it. And costs went up….substantially this year!

Sorry Mid, but I dont see how this is different to the current set up. Other than the fact that the A League clubs dont contribute to the costs of juniors (understandabley as they struggle to keep themselves afloat). We have a local A League team, lets say the Roar. Then you have 10 FQ1 clubs in Brisbane (which are all NPL clubs with strict rules on high coaching levels, back room staff, curriculum and training plans….In fact we had an FQ rep out at our club last night assessing our club’s acadmey training practices) producing talent that the Roar can keep tabs on. Other than getting the Roar to connect more with the clubs and get to know the player by sending out their coaches regularly, I dont really see the difference?? Am I missing something? I would also say that I was sceptical when the Rosr dropped their youth program, but can see how that now fits better with FQs talent ID program, Which in concept I really like. Being that football is a world of “who you know” Having A League clubs run their own Football Academies I feel excludes a great number of kids that may be late bloomers, as teams generally close up shop around under 13 or 14 not seriously looking at bringing in new players. If you dont get selected at age 13 for an A League academy, they are far less likely to consider you at 15 or 16. (same with NPL clubs I might add).

I suppose that is where the regular annual auditing would come in. You would have to show where those funds are going.

This has been the problem with Arzani for years though. He keep showing potential but never follows through with consistency or takes that next step forward. At what point does potential and “could be” become underachieving and “never was”. I reckon he must be pretty close to that line by now.

Nice little mention on ABC this morning of JMac’s departure from the A League and his goal scoring records.

Assuming Mileusnic goes, Ben seems like a “no brainer” replacement on the right wing. Nikoli only producing 5 goals and 5 assists across 26 appearances with Ben achieving the same goal contributions in 22 appearances this year for the Reds. I hope the possibility of a homecoming might pull a little more out of him as I assume he would be aiming to wind up his career where it started with some kind of legacy. For a club crying out for a relatable identity and a way to connect with past fans that have left the club, a nod to the “good ole days” through Halloran might be another very small piece in the puzzle for the Roar next season.

Ibusuki’s conversion rate cant be any lower than the strikers we have had at the Roar for the last 3 or 4 years. Not sure we have had one player crack double digits in that time. I think he would look good in orange. As would Zawada mind you.

Why have the owners of the other clubs that don’t have members on the APL board not demanded answers? It seems there is a small group of 4 or so clubs (I don’t know the exact numbers) that make the decisions for all the clubs. If I was a club owner not on the board of the APL, I would be calling for heads to roll. But nothing????? I am sure they a not impressed to continually see their personal fortunes squandered by bad decisions within their own ranks.

100% agree. If they put half the promo into A League that they do for “I’m a Celebrity” or “MasterChef” perhaps they would see mor people tuning in. They have tons of shows they could include A League players in as cross promotion. How many A league players have been on “Ready Steady Cook” or “Have you been paying attention” or even “The Project”.

Keep the orange. Go back orange and maroon like the old days.

Happy that the Roar have confirmed RZ as coach for two years. He has shown he can get good football out of the club, even if the results are not yet there. It is his continued rhetoric in regard to stability for the club and positivity that I feel (hopefully) will be the difference in the team going forward. I feel he seems to be on the same “realistic” page that Zac and Kaz are on. That is, that the club has 10 years of mismanagement to overcome before they can really start looking at titles again. You have to right the ship before you can send it to war. We just want what all supporters want, 1) a competitive team made up by some exciting local lads. 2) A few quality senior players leading the group and building a culture. 3) going into every game with a positive style of play that could get them a win mor often than not 4) a great matchday experience where we can bring the kids to sing, shout and march. It does not seem too much to ask. I am not expecting any big signings, but that is ok. We have a strong core group of players that have been playing together for a while. Hopefully he can find that missing piece to get the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis. I reckon it is linked with the missing maroon shorts. Bring back the maroon! Having said that, I quite liked the orange and white on the weekend.

Problem is we keep expecting free coverage from media platforms that are invested elsewhere. The APL and individual clubs need to starting paying for regular full page adds Generate content and pay to have it published on that page…every week. Fairfax and co will run content if the APL pay for it, Revenue is revenue for them. Plus, they go where the cash is. If people demanded more content from them, and they see money to be made from that content, I have no questions they would run football content. They do not care a jot for the sport of Rugby league ior AFL. They are motivated byt the “foot traffic” those codes generate. That is why they run only the bad news in football, because all other codes love a football hooligan story and will buy the paper to read it. It is the same “victim” mentality football suffers from when crying out for government funding for facilities, stadiums, homes for Socceroos, AIS……… At some point FA and the state federations need to realise that if they do not put up, no one else will. Perry Park is prime example. Everyone in Qld knows this is the best location for a proper boutique stadium. FQ need to be working with FA to raise the funds and do it themselves. If Strikers want to dig their heels in and not play ball, FQ need to pull a “Sunny Coast Fire” on their A$$ and pull rank dishing out sanctions on the club in order to stop them from hindering the development of the game for the whole state. When will we stop being a product of our circumstances, but rather our decisions.

Unless the players coming through go on to become legit stars, that is a hard slogan to sell. We really need Irankunda, McGree, Soutar, Silvera, Gaucci, Volpato…….. to step up a gear in their careers for that dog to hunt.

If Canberra didn’t have an owner lined up, why were they given the nod as the expansion team? Surely when bringing in new teams to a competition that is based on private ownership, you would ensure that first and foremost…….. YOU HAVE AN OWNER. If they did not have an owner lined up than what criteria did they have in place to convince APL they they were viable over other bids?

I really liked the Roar at the start of the year under RA. They seemed to have a really good balance. They initiated an oppressive high press to initially win the ball back quickly, but as soon as it was clear that they had not won the ball they quickly reverted to a medium block. They were happy to sit off until they saw an opportunity to to win the ball back. They then sprang into action getting into the box as fast as possible, however they did have the ability to recycle the ball and knock it around the 18 yard box probing for entries if the opposition closed up. A shame he left before we could see this across an entire season.

Say what you will about GA and his style (and for the record I am not a fan, huge respect for the man, not for his style) but he gets results. Ange’s team of 2014 played the best football I have ever seen Australians play, and we came away with 0 points. GA’s team played the most reactive, unimaginative, low possession type of game possible, and we got through to the final 16. I think this goes to the heart of the conversation. Entertaining, brave, “good” football that often does not yield rewards, or predictable, steady, reactive play that get you points. Striking a balance between the two is probably the key. But in the end………Aussies love 2 things… a battler and a winner. GA might be shrewder than we give him credit for.

I agree, it is not great watching from a life time football supporter standpoint, but my point is “that is football”, and as football fans we must know that it goes through periods and revolutions. I dont know the stats (and cant be bothered looking them up right now), but is seems to me that we are seeing more goals this year than the last few seasons despite some of the un-inspiring build up play?? I think “informed” football fans appreciate the tactical side of the game and understand that changing nature, and that it will not always be boring low possession games. But as for new fans and kids, they just want to see goals and their team winning. They don’t care about low block or pressing or Inverted wing backs. They just want to see the net ripple 4 or 5 times in a match. Lets just hope they keep scoring regularly despite the style they employ. Aussies love a high scoring sport.