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W-League Round 9 Wrap

W-League Round 9 Wrap

Five second-half goals by 16-year-old Newcastle Jets striker Tara Andrews helped the team to a comprehensive 7-1 win over the embattled Adelaide United, while Sydney slotted in five against Perth to consolidate their spot in second in round nine of the Westfield W-League. Andrews, whose name ... 9 Jan 2011

Professional Players Wanted

Professional Players Wanted

So what is the real difference between a professional and amateur footballer? Obviously the difference is the money, the professional footballer gets paid to do what he or she is doing out on the park. The amateurs are doing it for the love of it and the love of it only. This love is what ... 7 Jan 2011

Australia vs. UAE

Australia vs. UAE

Panic stations people! Australia only have until Monday evening/Tuesday morning local time to perfect their Asian Cup preparations and we've begun with, what, a dour draw against tournament outsiders United Arab Emirates, the 88th ranked team in the world? Not good enough, although it's not ... 7 Jan 2011

W-League Round 9 Preview

W-League Round 9 Preview

The top spot might be claimed temporarily—or if Roar Women have anything to do with it, permanently—but round nine is all about spots two to seven. Specifically a potential reshuffle of them. Roar Women are on a bye, but as they're four points ahead of their nearest rival, Sydney, ... 6 Jan 2011

Football and Facebook

Football and Facebook

A month ago I joined the Newcastle Jets Facebook page. Why does this site exist? It seems it exists only so Jets fans can abuse each other, arguing about whether Ben Kennedy is the reason for the complete collapse of the Jets over this season / last season / this slump / the last ... 6 Jan 2011

The team's the thing

The team's the thing

Wellington Phoenix fans have been treated in the past to some classic matches against Melbourne Victory. The 2-2 draw in Phoenix's opening A-League game. The 2-1 win a season later with Shane Smeltz scoring the club's most memorable goal. And now arguably the best team performance in ... 6 Jan 2011

Coastie State of Mind

Coastie State of Mind

If it's January it must be that time again, the time when football pundits start making predictions and wish-lists for the year ahead. As far as Australian football goes, 2011 is apparently going to be "The Year of the Fan". Simon Hill advocates the establishment of 'Ombudsfan' while ... 6 Jan 2011

The A-League Budget: Come Save with Dave!

The A-League Budget: Come Save with Dave!

Perth Glory FC have been pretty up-front with how badly their financial dealings have been going lately. In a somewhat rare honest admission from the current administration (“Yeah, of course we know how transfer and loan deals work...”) the club’s CEO Paul Kelly ... 5 Jan 2011

My Annual Review

My Annual Review

So with 2010 ending with a bang as Victory racked up their fourth consecutive win against the Mariners on New Year's Eve I thought it would be an opportune time to take a look back at the year that was in my now annual review. High point of the Year. Seeing Robbie Kruse get a call up for the ... 4 Jan 2011

The Difference!

The Difference!

As the race for finals football intensifies at an electrifying rate, one aspect of the table throws a dark shadow over our chances of qualifying for an inaugural appearance: our goal difference. There is no greater feeling when you're sitting comfortably up in the stands, watching on as your ... 4 Jan 2011

The ghost of early losses lurks

The ghost of early losses lurks

I recently returned from 8 days of sensory deprivation in the southern highlands of NSW where Mrs Mike owns a restored church with no Foxtel, indeed, no TV reception at all. So on return to the faithful home entertainment system and the HDD, I was able to watch the game against Melbourne Victory ... 4 Jan 2011

So… what next?

So… what next?

Our interest in finals football is officially over, yet NQ Fury are in the most important month of their existence to date. For those who have lived under a rock for the past few months, January is the final chance for the club to cobble together $1.5 million to ensure the club's survival ... 3 Jan 2011

What the HAL?

What the HAL?

First off let me say I'm as surprised as anyone to find inspiration in the comedic stylings of FIFA president, Sepp Blatter. His humorous confections - or Blatterisms as I like to call them - no doubt remind him of a more innocent age when a wife could be bought with a goat and two ripe ... 3 Jan 2011

Roar Women Extend W-League Lead

Roar Women Extend W-League Lead

Roar Women defeated a 10-woman Sydney FC 1-0 on New Year's Day to extend their W-League lead. A second-half strike by Jo Burgess put Brisbane ahead and Sydney, hampered by the loss of Danielle Brogan and Kylie Ledbrook with a straight red card for a late tackle and knee injury respectively, ... 2 Jan 2011

New Year Hangover Remedies

New Year Hangover Remedies

As we close 2010 Graham Arnold will face the next big challenge at the helm of the Mariners. All supporters are of course aware and dread the New Year hangover that the Mariners seem to suffer more than most clubs. So how will the manager try and not only avoid a slide down the A-League ladder ... 30 Dec 2010

W-League Round 8 Preview

W-League Round 8 Preview

Cracking, season-changing games are the order of the round, with the W-League's round eight kicking off the new year with grand final-worthy games. Second-placed Sydney FC will host first-placed Roar on the first day of the new year, in a game that will determine not only who sits atop the ... 30 Dec 2010

Shooting for sixth

Shooting for sixth

They say past behaviour is a good predictor of future behaviour. Phoenix fans will certainly be clinging to the hope this mantra provides as their side hangs on in the race for an A-League playoff place. Last Christmas Phoenix were eighth, but a New Year's Eve win over the Mariners was the ... 30 Dec 2010

Singin' In The Rain

Singin' In The Rain

I am no expert on the acoustic properties of rain. In fact, I'm no expert on acoustics at all. It's a none-too-surprising realisation that came to me on two separate occasions in the past week. The first was while I sat in a so-called ‘acoustic sweet spot' at the Queensland Performing ... 29 Dec 2010

Five Hundred and Five

Five Hundred and Five

Five hundred and five days had passed since the first M1 derby between Gold Coast United and Brisbane Raw. Those previous four games gave us 11 goals and one draw and through it all Gold Coast have emerged as the dominant team, undefeated in all meetings. With this in mind we made our way deep ... 29 Dec 2010

Dammit Santa, Enough is Enough!

Dammit Santa, Enough is Enough!

Recently, I had an all-too-brief conversation with Lawrie McKinna over Twitter concerning his fellow Scots David Mitchell and Ian Ferguson - and it went a little like this; “Lawrie, I’ve got some Celtic shirts for Mitch and Fergie this Christmas, do you fancy one ... 23 Dec 2010

My Thai Tribute

My Thai Tribute

For months now I have had the idea of trying to adapt Mary Wells' song "My Guy" to "My Thai" in homage to my favourite Melbourne Victory player of this season, Surat Sukha but being as musically challenged as I am it has all but come to nothing, so this will be my tribute instead. Whilst he may ... 22 Dec 2010

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