Football Analysis

Time to Get Up, Sleeping Giant!

Time to Get Up, Sleeping Giant!

Some years ago I wrote a memoir of the Uruguay game in November 2005 – the night the Sleeping Giant awoke. So how’s the giant doing now? 11 Jan 2020
Handball is a pig’s breakfast

Handball is a pig’s breakfast

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the new handball laws are a pig’s breakfast. 4 Jan 2020
The Stajcic Revolution Commences?

The Stajcic Revolution Commences?

Alen Stajcic has a reputation for being an innovator and a winner. He did it with the Matildas, but could the Central Coast Mariners also have finally turned the corner? 23 Dec 2019
Could Ange End Up At City?

Could Ange End Up At City?

Last week I pondered whether Ange Postecoglou could manage Arsenal. This week’s instalment wonders whether he might even end up at Manchester City… 20 Dec 2019
Confidence and Culture at Robbie's Roar

Confidence and Culture at Robbie's Roar

Two factors for me summed up the Roar’s performance last night – lack of confidence and lack of culture. 14 Dec 2019
Could Ange Manage Arsenal?

Could Ange Manage Arsenal?

In 1996, the headline in London was Arsene Who? Could lighting strike twice with another manager from Japan? 12 Dec 2019
Mooy the Boy - Brighton suddenly realise what they have

Mooy the Boy - Brighton suddenly realise what they have

Aaron Mooy pulled all the strings as Brighton shocked Arsenal at home this week. And the Brighton fans are finally singing his praises. 8 Dec 2019
From Villain to Hero...

From Villain to Hero...

The journey from whipping post to pillar of strength... 25 Oct 2019
Were the Socceroos really that good?

Were the Socceroos really that good?

I seem to be constantly on my own these days – a lonely voice in the wilderness. 17 Oct 2019
Footballers Are Not River Dancers!

Footballers Are Not River Dancers!

I hate the new handball directives. 12 Oct 2019
Secret Mariner Stirs the RBB Pot Before Season Opener

Secret Mariner Stirs the RBB Pot Before Season Opener

Some years ago English football fans were delighted by a series of articles (and then books) penned by The Secret Footballer – a chap who claimed to have been a player and was lifting the lid on the murky, narcissistic and uber-indulgent world of professional football. 9 Oct 2019
Five FFA Cup injustices...!

Five FFA Cup injustices...!

So Adelaide will host Melbourne City in the FFA Cup Final this year. I will, as usual, watch avidly, but for a Mariners fan it could (and should) have been so much better. 3 Oct 2019
Analysis: Persian Gulf in Class for the Socceroos

Analysis: Persian Gulf in Class for the Socceroos

Is it four years already? Once again we’ve embarked on the long haul to the World Cup through Asia, and once again we’ve started with a win. But this effort was a lot more convincing than the plodding 2 -1 win over Kyrgyzstan that kicked off the last campaign. 11 Sep 2019
'Kerr decision a turning point in women's football'

'Kerr decision a turning point in women's football'

If Samantha Kerr leaves the NWSL for a European contract, it will be a paradigm shift in the power balance of women's football. 21 Aug 2019
The Secret Mariner

The Secret Mariner

Some years ago English football fans were delighted by a series of articles (and then books) penned by The Secret Footballer – a chap who claimed to have been a player and was lifting the lid on the murky, narcissistic and uber-indulgent world of professional football. 16 Aug 2019
Diego Maradona: Rebel, hero, cheat, god...

Diego Maradona: Rebel, hero, cheat, god...

Like George Best before him, it was Maradona’s flaws that took his legend to another level – and the new movie on the Argentinean revels in the dark side of Diego. 24 Jul 2019
Most Hated, And Perhaps Most Misunderstood

Most Hated, And Perhaps Most Misunderstood

Kevin Muscat, outside Melbourne, is the Most Hated Man in Football, but not by me. Some of my friends are going to hate me for this article… 23 May 2019
Why are football books a hard sell in Oz?

Why are football books a hard sell in Oz?

It seems that football books are very hard to sell in Australia. (Am I right Lawrie McKinna?) 22 May 2019
New Roos To Choose?

New Roos To Choose?

The dire manner in which we limped out of the Asian Cup in January is still raw in my soul, but Arnie’s recent statement that he will be testing new blood in next month’s friendly with South Korea once again got my optimistic juices flowing… 14 May 2019
When Is A Licence Not A Licence?

When Is A Licence Not A Licence?

Confusion continues to reign in the wake of Chris Nikou’s comments at the recent Football Writers’ Festival at Jamberoo. 27 Mar 2019
Community and controversy at the inaugural Football Writers' Festival

Community and controversy at the inaugural Football Writers' Festival

If the AFL or NRL were truly worried about the sleeping giant of football, they could have done worse than to blow up the Jamberoo Pub this weekend. It would have set the football narrative back 50 years. 24 Mar 2019

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