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Joined July 2022
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Lover of all codes, courts and seasons.
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Initially tasked as the senior interim manager, New Zealand Football (NZF) have assigned Darren Bazeley the responsibility of taking the All Whites’ to the…
"At a young age winning is not the most important thing… the important thing is to develop creative and skilled players with good confidence,"…
Finding favour ahead of the club captain in the starting line-up is no easy feat. Indeed, Jordan Bos, at 20 years of age, managed…
Michael ‘Pretty Boy’ Zerafa sits in the backdrop of an Australian boxing renaissance, refining his craft, and biding his time. Whilst other Aussie boxers…
The ‘welcome home’ matches against Ecuador are now complete. Over the course of two rather robust and occasionally heated games, Graham Arnold offered Socceroos…
The Matildas are the key to re-igniting Australian football fervour.
Regardless of club or country, all managers desire the same thing: a lethal No.9 capable of scoring in all conditions and on any occasion.…
There is a buzz in Macedonia Park. Perth’s season is slowly but surely gaining confidence and the results – however hard fought for –…
The January transfer window following a World Cup is seldom silent. It is a key month for clubs worldwide – and for players too.…
Mathew Ryan appears bound for new club. Links suggest a departure from F.C. Copenhagen is imminent. And yet, Ryan is familiar enough with the…
The dust has settled since the ‘Platinum Generation’s’ Qatar campaign. Socceroos fans are left to ponder the much-anticipated 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign and…
The latest A-League Men (ALM) club instalment should be a team managed by Josip Šimunić, assisted by Carl Valeri, and captained by Tom Rogic.…
Interesting discussion regarding who the Asian powerhouses are. Japan and Korea have typically retained the title, but there are definitely rising nations. Saudi Arabia and Vietnam both are improving (albeit for different reasons; Saudi have invested financially whereas Vietnam’s public interest has skyrocketed). We in Australia are blessed to be part of a federation that is growing in every measurable facet concerning football expansionism. But to ensure we don’t fall behind, the APL must absolutely get their strategy and management of the game right.
The future is bright for South Korean football
I’m glad someone said it. The United States are the master of professional sport and always have been. Football may not be their poison of choice, but America’s ability to effectively market and administer a game is unparalleled.
Being a non-traditional footballing nation, Australia would do well to consider the implementations made by the MLS in garnering the interest, support, and the on-field quality they currently boast.
Bos man: Socceroo breaks Australia's record transfer fee
I whole-heartedly agree with all of your points. And your final assertion regarding Mary Fowler is spot on – perhaps her move to City was premature in hindsight. Her improved work-ethic seems to have coincided with lost lethality in the final third. Hopefully Gustavsson weaponises her as the WC arrives.
Kerr leads Matildas to famous victory as Aussies break England's 30-match winning streak
For anyone who is closely following this season’s PL, the relegation battle is perhaps the most intriguing of any in recent memory. Upwards of 10 clubs could plausibly drop.
Apathy and incentives: Without high-level stakes and drama, the A-League will always be lacking
In terms of playing quality, City remain the benchmark of the competition. Against the Phoenix they were missing Leckie and van der Venne and still dominated. The only teams I can see truly competing with them at the moment are Adelaide and Western Sydney.
Melbourne City dominate the Phoenix to inch a step closer to the premiers plate
Having been the starting striker for all matches at both the Olympics and World Cup, I would suggest that yes, Duke has been his preferred choice.
What the drawn series with Ecuador taught us about the Socceroos
Good article. Addresses the considerations ought to be made before diving into a SE QLD commitment. My wife is from Caboolture – a multicultural and lower socio-economic area – that’s growing beautifully in its football roots. Moreton Bay as a region has great potential to support a top-tier club better than most AUS-NZ regions without a club.
A-Leagues set to expand to South East Queensland in 2025/26, is Gold Coast, Brisbane or Sunshine Coast the best bet?
Watched the game and was frustrated with the opportunities that went missing. Correctly mentioned, Popovic should have scored the equaliser (if not the winner also). I would have liked to see Jing Reec substituted on earlier. He has good size and would have forced the Vietnamese to adjust to his threat.
You’re absolutely right SS – these lessons are valuable and, hopefully, the missing 3 points is worth the experience and memory of how… not to play.
Nonetheless, our youngsters coming through are better than those of five and ten years past – they’re the product of a more mature line of A-League academies which was always going to happen.
Young Socceroos taught a harsh but familiar lesson against Vietnam in the U/20 Asian Cup
Well said and amen. We can be self loathing at times. The A League – less than two decades old – has come a long way already.
If only everything in the A-League was as good as its free-to-air fixtures
Very much agree re: Moudi Naijar. He looked good against Phoenix and has size to him which could trouble most centre backs in the air. Hopefully he continues to start for MAC.
As a new World Cup cycle begins, who will shoulder the Socceroos’ striking duties?
Probably the issue that makes the APL most nervous in anticipating the NSD. The Australia Cup final somewhat served as the catalyst as to how ethnic tribalism can smear our image, particularly with the media not favouring our wider football community. The RBB – who aren’t even ethnic based – have copped criticism and restriction plenty. Imagine Sydney United, etc. I hope the NSD succeeds in the end.
A second division presents an opportunity to celebrate Australian football's multiculturalism and growth
Finally an article that brings attention to the broader efforts that have been made to make NUFC competitive again. You’re right Hutcho, it’s not just sheer money spending, it’s relationship building and detail that has gone a long way too.
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
This is great news for the national team. The future is bright and the young(er) players are pushing themselves for European football which the past generation did not do. Many more in the ALM who will be joining the European scene soon.
DONE DEALS: Socceroo secures $26m PL move, Chelsea swoop takes Jan spending past $500m - but they mess up big time with PSG
Great mentions Stevo. Tafak is definitely cooking something special with Wellington. They’ll be a difficult team to beat come finals and in my opinion are the biggest threat to Melbourne City.
Zadkovich deserves credit for keeping Perth competitive
Certainly will retire as one of the great ALM strikers. His numbers speaks for itself – soon to be unrivalled.
I agree with a sentiment shared below by @Grem: Maclaren, for all his achievements, didn’t have the overseas journey we hoped for. He never actually took off in Germany; Scotland was promising but short lived. At 29 and breaking records it seems rather unlikely J-MAC will have another try at Europe.
With that being said, I whole-heartedly agree with your written work, Christian. He is a player that should celebrated for being such a success story within our league and of our nationality. I also hope, for our sake, he stays in the game in some capacity post-playing career. His footballing IQ would serve this country well in overseeing the next generation of Aussie players.
Jamie Maclaren has fought hard to become the best forward in A-League history
No disrespect to the ALM, but the Scottish Premiership is a step up from the Australia fixture. Only a handful of A League clubs could truly compete week-to-week in Scotland. Kuol – should he be loaned to Scotland – will be competing against players of PL experience and Europa league quality every round.
In-demand Aussie football star Garang Kuol set for loan move
Good throwback. I seem to recall Nikor Topor-Stanley and James Troisi were also in that squad. Hopefully we do not repeat the same “what if” this time around.
The youthful and unblooded hold the key to 2026 Socceroo fortune
The CCM – MV match was definitely the most publicised fixture due to the ‘Last Dance’ Kuol occasion. The game itself certainly lived up to the excitement too. Cummings plays the crowd pleaser extremely well and perhaps the best entertainer of any ALM signing of the last 5 years in my view.
MC – WP another cracking match. Phoenix were in the hunt right up until Maclaren’s sealer. Nonetheless, both sides put in a great shift for a great spectacle.
Do no give up on this league, folks. It’s where we revive and grow this game.
A-League Round 10 talking points: Victory slumping, Kuol says farewell, Maclaren makes history
A tough round to select a starting XI.
Of particular challenge is the selection of defenders. One thing for sure is that the league has good stocks in fullbacks. Between Risdon, Bos, Cleur, Garuccio, and Traore there are a number of players who offer great contest for the wide attackers of our competition. It strikes me that the level of depth in this position is what conditioned the likes of Goodwin, Leckie and Kuol for the World Cup they had.
Who made the cut? A-League team of the week: Round 10
Hard to watch.
Goodwin’s goal should have served as the blueprint in how to play out the match. Instead, we reverted to playing out the back. Short, lateral passing and inviting pressure in our own back half. All of us watching at home could see what was unfolding except the boys themselves.
I would be curious to hear what the players were instructed to do at the break. Because the way things unfolded in the second half indicated that no direction to make runs and play long was given. Curious.
With the exception of Cummings, all our substitutes were introduced too late. If Graham Arnold needs a timekeeper so he can track the full-time whistle, I will happily volunteer my services. Mabil and Kuol cannot be expected to turn the tide of a three-goal deficit with such little time left on the clock.
As for the players, a few played their hearts out and should be encouraged that they can compete at this level. Some (already mentioned by others here) were outclassed or – worse – were their own worse enemy. Mooy and Ryan both were shaky and largely responsible for the punishment we received. Atkinson: hard to judge. Played on one of the best players in the world and he will not be the last RB to feature in Mbappe’s highlight reels this tournament. Behich did not get the support from Goodwin he needed on that left edge either.
My only request that for the Tunisia match is we play to win. Apply the correct tactics, make adjustments as we need and do not play arrogant or dumb football on this stage. You will be exposed.
Come on boys.
REACTION: 'Welcome to world class football' - French stars destroy 'shy' Socceroos in Cup opener
Well said. Miller and Jay Rich as you mentioned were physically far superior to their Asian Cup opponents.
Arnold is sending the wrong message with his World Cup squad
Great article.
A thought that occurred to me during the week is that perhaps our ambition for the APL should be that of what the National Basketball League has become: a developmental league. Albeit, it would be desirable – indeed necessary – for silverware in the ACL to be winnable in order to truly satisfy our footballing fanbase here at home. But for the most part I see the APL as presenting an opportunity to essentially become an U-23 league which can help springboard our bright talent and project them into the (hopefully) lofty heights of Europe.
The means of achieving the concept outlined would require a whole-of-governing body effort. The introduction of a National Second Tier, the implementation of promotion/relegation, increase of the salary cap, higher quality marketing, and bulk investment into youth. Obviously I have no budget estimate to give, but I suspect that those basic ingredients would go the way of achieving a better Football Australia.
Whilst I have been aggrieved at the quality of our game for some years now, I am optimistic in regards to the youth coming through. They are emerging in numbers not previously seen in this country and the desire to play in Europe appears strong. Of the overseas-based Olyroos, for example, virtually all of them are plying their trade in Europe with respectable clubs. Hopefully a trend to stay.
J-League: Can the A-League men learn from it, or is it out of our reach?
To criticise the ARU for its incompetence would be too easy – it’s been laid bare for everyone to see for (almost) two decades.
The lack of player depth is perhaps as bad as it’s ever been. Too many of the starting XV – let alone the remainder of the squad – just aren’t up for the challenge of Test rugby. Rennie was never the sole issue nor is Eddie the solution. Like many of the blokes here, I fear these opening two matches are merely the catalyst for what’s to come in the WC.
And for goodness sake, can our “yes men” pundits in Stan pull their heads out and start calling the disaster that this is? Their attempts to sugar coat the Wallabies’ performances fuels the ignorance that so many harbour in the face of the catastrophe that our game is in.
'Gutted': Cheika's Pumas steal dramatic win to confirm Eddie's worst Wallabies fears