Roar Guru
Joined April 2012
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Started writing in 2012. Founder of A-League: News and Match Updates Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ALeagueReviewsAndUpdates/ Written for fromthestandsal.com and ultimatealeague.com. Have blogged an extensive amount of A-League matches live. Enjoy thought provoking conversations. Love statistics and data analysis. Have changed plenty in the 12 years since I started my writing journey. Just picked it back up October 2024. Let's see what happens.
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You couldn't have scripted it any better! A top-of-the-table clash, first vs second, a battle for the north island of New Zealand, a battle…
The competition is off to the best start it has seen in many years, and with Auckland is now here, it's stories like this that make football a beautiful game.
The governance of Australian football, in particular the A-League, has long been a point of contention. Whether it be issues of fan engagement, development…
“You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.” – Lionel MessiAs this man continues the…
Yesterday, Roar Expert Mike Tuckerman, wrote that "It's time to ditch the A-League's top six finals series." The point of rewarding mediocrity was the…
As Round 8 approached, fans were looking forward to the return of the regularly scheduled five matches per round. With it, we would see…
Prior to Round 7 commencing, we were hit with the unfortunate news that New Zealand had once again been subjected to another disastrous earthquake.…
With talk of expansion enough to keep us pre-occupied throughout the week, as well as ongoing TV negotiations, let's not fumble around. Let's jump…
Without fail, each round serves up a platter of talking points. Whether it be the action of field or action off it, we're given…
With the season now in full swing, each contest is proving vital in the race for the premiership. With Sydney having got off to…
With three rounds having already come and gone, let's continue enjoying the A-League as we take a look at the Top five A-League talking…
As the dust settled on an outstanding opening round to the season, attention quickly shifted to Round 2's line-up of matches that included a…
Flares, they've been a constant thorn in the side of the FFA, and no matter how much they try, there are those that just…
The passion and vibrancy of derbies. The stoppage-time equalisers. The phenomenal comebacks and the raw emotion of 90 minutes. People, the A-League is back…
Ever since the Bakrie Group acquired the Brisbane Roar in October 2011, fans have been asking crucial questions. Who are our owners? What are…
As it stands A-League broadcast arrangements with Fox Sports and SBS are to continue until the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. Though it is…
Season 2015-16 of the A-League kicked off on Thursday night with the Wanderers falling 3-1 to Brisbane Roar at Pirtek Stadium. Going off from…
Each season we predict and wait. Who will be the first coach to go? No sane person would have predicted it to be Mike…
"People have been bagging us a lot, but after that performance Australia should be right behind us." Those were the words Socceroos centre back…
Brisbane Roar started the season with four straight losses and left many wondering where they were headed. In Round 6 they faced a Newcastle…
Why isn’t promotion/relegation a theoretical solution?
If Roar were to be relegated, you don’t get the Strikers. You get whoever finished 1st in the 2nd division and better yet, they can face Roar in a home and away match. Whoever wins over two legged play off gets the place in the A-League.
To me, that’s exciting and would draw EYES from all other clubs and fans alike! I can picture it now.
Roar fans come out in force in the hopes they can save their team from the drop and whoever we face (Tasmania for all I care), has whatever supporter base they have, turn out, if not more, and cheer on what would be one of the most historic moments in Australian Sport.
The stories write themselves. Imagine every year this happening.
By the way, I’m a Roar supporter.
The clock is ticking: Can Brisbane Roar salvage their season?
Listened to his post match press conference and he wasn’t wrong. Really nice comments.
A-League glory days are long gone - but could they ever return?
It would be interesting to note the financial situation of channel 10, when they first acquired the big cash, in comparison to when they acquired the A-League.
Additionally, I wonder if Cricket Australia ever contributed to the marketing of the Big Bash originally, like how Football Australia did when A-League was started.
Unfortunately we’re comparing apples and oranges.
If more “could” be done, I actually think it would be.
A-League glory days are long gone - but could they ever return?
Even better on ultimatealeague.com
A-League glory days are long gone - but could they ever return?
Played in SA on boxing day between SA and PAK. 😛
A-League glory days are long gone - but could they ever return?
I can argue from both sides of the fence, but until the season is complete, you can paint it however you like.
To provide as objective and transparent a view on the statistical front, as possible (in comparison to last season), you just simply can’t until the season is complete.
And to provide example, I could tell you that if you only took into account Brisbane Roar HOME games (Suncorp Stadium) for this season in comparison to last, Roar are doing worse, but only just.
7,001 last season avg in comparison to 6,667 this season.
Though the season isn’t complete and Roar’s form could improve. But then I could argue for last season in that it was terrible for weather conditions.
Really hard to analyse.
If you simply look at the numbers in comparison from last season to this season, we’re ahead. Why? Many reasons.
If you want to discount Auckland FC, and I understand why someone would do this, and derbies are your gripe, then simply compare derbies this season to last season.
Again, many factors will come into play, but ultimately, the numbers are ahead.
I find if we discuss/argue about this topic, it’s actually rather pointless as a whole.
We would need to do an individual analysis of each club at the end of the year and then discuss.
In fact, I wouldn’t mind doing this. Anyways, I digress. We shall see.
A-League glory days are long gone - but could they ever return?
Promotion/relegation Roar fans?
I think it would be the best thing for the club.
The clock is ticking: Can Brisbane Roar salvage their season?
I terms of success, Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City, all achieved majority of their recent success post 2016. For those clubs and their supporters, the glory days have been rather recent.
I tell you who wish for the glory days of old, Brisbane Roar fans.
They appear to be the one club who haven’t sufferer as a result of fans but instead club management which in turn has impacted fan engagement.
It seems to be rather coincidental that the time people refer to most as being nostalgic is that period in which Brisbane Roar were the best.
Whats important to remember though is that it wasn’t just the fact Brisbane Roar were the best, it was the way they went about their business.
They to this day, played the most entertaining style of football that was focused on attack.
Now I know teams have bettered some of their records like most goals scored in a season, but what made Brisbane so fantastic to watch, was their relentless pursuit of a win no matter what and the belief of being able to do a such.
The amount of times they made a fantastic comeback was to many to count.
So Briabane Roar fans, what little they have left, do want this period back.
Now, the competition has increased and subjectively improved, youth has become a refreshing focus and sale of players has increased a lot.
But we’ve also had a lot of bad stuff happen since 2016, A LOT! So it’s no wonder people want even more so to go back to the way things were.
However, at some point, we must learn and grow from these experiences, otherwise we’ll struggle to ever grow and in fact, be better than the 2012-16 period.
We’ve still got a long way to go and are in way worse shape than that period, but there are still plenty of positives.
Only time will tell. I’ll keep watching where and when I can and enjoy the match ups we’ve even witnessed like this round just passed or the rise of Auckland FC for example, but I would also like us to eventually mature to a point where A-League fans just watch for the enjoyment but also a respectful dislike of all opposition and don’t need to think “oh Mariners are at at home, I hope they win cause their attendances have been poor.”
The sooner we have the feeling of “I couldn’t care less what you’re doing, I care what we’re doing. ” the better off everyone will be.
So if you’re a Victory fan and you’re unhappy, talk to your club, Roar fans you talk to your club and so on.
Cause I guarantee you all fans in rugby league aren’t sitting back going “I’m so happy for the Broncos always getting 35k and Friday night matches etc.”
Bet you no Collingwood fans feel this way in the AFL about other teams. No, let’s focus on our own teams.
All part of the maturing process.
A-League glory days are long gone - but could they ever return?
TSS, maybe the question is, can the Auckland owner actually be the type of owner that will change the way owners view and run their own club?
A-League Tipping: Round 9 - In-form Reds hunt Sydney, can undermanned City pull derby surprise?
Auckland FC have announced something rather unique.
They’ll be creating New Zealand’s largest inland beach at Go Media Stadium for their next 3 home games.
They are trucking in more than 100 tonnes of sand into The Family Fun Zone in order to transform it into a massive beach that’s decked out with all the summer’s day essentials.
If you look at their ticket sales for Western United, they’re tracking very well.
I also read that for $42 and no additional fees, you get a ticket to Western United and Melbourne Victory in the south stand near The Port for Auckland.
The billionaire owner is changing the game and showing other clubs how it is done!
A-League Tipping: Round 9 - In-form Reds hunt Sydney, can undermanned City pull derby surprise?
Melbourne derby will definitely get more than 10k. Current ticket sales are indicating about 20-22k.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Adelaide vs Sydney gets 12k.
A-League Tipping: Round 9 - In-form Reds hunt Sydney, can undermanned City pull derby surprise?
Ridiculous survey.
Kisnorbo has left Melbourne Victory in the lurch and good luck to him. There's just no place for loyalty in football any more
What fans? The 13k 😂
Kisnorbo has left Melbourne Victory in the lurch and good luck to him. There's just no place for loyalty in football any more
Modest 😂
At what point do we admit the City Football Group offer the A-Leagues very little?
I like articles like this. I would like to think important people read these things and changes may be made.
At what point do we admit the City Football Group offer the A-Leagues very little?
What difference have those two marquees made that is subjectively positive to first, their respective clubs and two, the A-League?
At what point do we admit the City Football Group offer the A-Leagues very little?
Doubt it now.
At what point do we admit the City Football Group offer the A-Leagues very little?
There was so much more that occurred before the Grand Final decision that left fans feeling no longer connected for many clubs, for many different reasons, with many influential factors.
The Grand Final decision has been reversed and Central Coast showed what it meant to them. I am sure we will see the same once again at the end of the season.
Until then, there are still so many more issues that need addressing.
The best game in Australian football right now is played in New Zealand
Brisbane 5k
Auckland 26.5k
Newcastle 7k
Western 3.6k
Victory 12k
Mariners 8k
A-League Tipping: Round 7 - All eyes on Kiwi Derby, crunch time for Roar, Jets and Perth
Just in general.
If anyone were to objectively view the attendance statistics, they would identify many football clubs are not in a good position at all.
A-League Tipping: Round 7 - All eyes on Kiwi Derby, crunch time for Roar, Jets and Perth
The averages are misleading and are not as good as thought to be, but you can do anything with statistics to paint a pretty picture.
A-League Tipping: Round 7 - All eyes on Kiwi Derby, crunch time for Roar, Jets and Perth
Staj is not the man to lead Wanderers back to the promised land.
After this season, we should ditch the marquee idea and continue to youth development.
Brisbane Roar aren’t a bad side. They just don’t have the defence.
Zdrillic needs to go.
Auckland are very well structured.
Wellington appear to clicking together, Central Coast too.
Wanderers can attack, but can’t defend.
The speed of the game between Sydney and Wanderers was fantastic. At times the pace of the game legitimately reminded me of an EPL game.
Auckland ticket sales for Jets are going well and the game against Wellington is all but a sellout.
Patrick Kisnorbo is not Melbourne Victorys saviour.
The story is about Wellington and Auckland this season.
A-League Talking Points: Staj rant stokes fire, Auckland make history, Zdrilic in huge trouble
UNITE ROUND
2024/25
Perth Glory vs Western United – 2,425
Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast – 5,156
Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United – 15,249
Sydney FC vs Western Sydney – 30,777
Wellington vs Melbourne Victory – 3,478
Macarthur vs Auckland FC – 4,826.
Total attendance – 61,911
Avg – 10,318
2023/24
Macarthur vs Western United – 3,441
Western Sydney vs Melbourne City – 7,117
Central Coast vs Melbourne Victory – 8,147
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United – 11,918
Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets – 3,948
Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix – 1,632
Total attendance – 36,203
Avg – 6,033
In the wake of Unite Round, has the APL learned anything?
Anything less would and this concept would wholeheartedly prove an abject failure.
Looking at ticket sales and we’ll struggle to get more than 50k for 6 games for the men’s game.
Unite Round fixtures are the best the APL could do – but is it enough to save the concept?
I swear the A-League has needed more shots in the arm this season than the mandates during 2020-21.
Adelaide United have got what every A-League club wants - home advantage