Australian Football Thread

[mattfb]

The league is much more competitive. Wellington and Perth made a rapid rise from previous years to make the finals, Gold Coast in their first season finished high up, and Central Coast who have made 2 Grand Final appearances over the 5 seasons didn't even make the finals.

 

[iridescentt]

Looks like Fowlers heading down to The Cove on a $750 000 marquee contract. I personally am not too sure about this whole thing though. Sure, financially Fowler will be a good attraction for us, but is it really necessary to have him as a marquee player - let alone as a striker when he could possibly end up second fiddle to Brosque/Bridge.

 

[mattfb]

I like, I like. I would of liked to get Carle down here to play that vacant AMC role, but I suppose Bridge/Brosque will slip back into that position so we can still play our diamond 4-1-2-1-2. Skrillex, just think of all the times we had the ball in and around the box this season but tried to walk the ball into the net and just didn't finish. Eg Adelaide away, Gold coast home, North Queensland home (first time). Now imagine all those chances with Fowler in our team and on the ball.

 

[mattfb]

So Fowler and the North Queensland coach had problems at North Queensland which resulted in Fowler sitting out games. The North Queensland coach moves to Perth to be an assistant there, then Fowler signs for Perth a few weeks later

In other news Sydney FC have a confirmed friendly with Everton. Everton will also play Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Heart. Sydney are also apparently close to sealing a friendly competition with big name teams - Rangers, Boca Juniors and Blackburn. Would be an epic competition and would raise a lot of money in gate receipts with it at the SFS compared to the Everton game being moved to ANZ stadium. I'd be so excited if that friendly competition went through, would be epic to see those 3 teams in action!

Also, the Australian preliminary 30 man squad for the WC has been named -

Goalkeepers -
Mark Schwarzer Fulham (ENG)
Brad Jones Middlesbrough (ENG)
Adam Federici Reading (ENG)
Eugene Galekovic Adelaide United

Defenders -
Lucas Neill Galatasaray (TUR)
David Carney FC Twente (NETH)
Michael Beauchamp Al Jazira (UAE)
Scott Chipperfield FC Basel (SWI)
Shane Lowry Aston Villa (ENG)
Mark Milligan JEF United(JAP)
Craig Moore no club
Jade North Tromso(NOR)
Luke Wilkshire Dinamo Moscow (RUS)
Rhys Williams Middlesbrough (ENG)

Midfielders -
Brett Emerton Blackburn Rovers (ENG)
Vince Grella Blackburn Rovers (ENG)
James Holman AZ Alkmaar (NETH)
Tim Cahill Everton (ENG)
Tommy Oar FC Utrecht (NETH)
Carl Valeri Sassuolo Calcio (ITA)
Dario Vidosic FC Nurnberg (GER)
Mile Jedinak Antalyaspor Kubulu (TUR)
Nicky Carle Crystal Palace (ENG)
Mark Bresciano Palermo (ITA)
Richard Garcia Hull City (ENG)
Jason Culina Gold Coast United
James Holland AZ Alkmaar(NETH)

Forwards -
Nikita Rukavytsya FC Twente (NETH)
Harry Kewell Galatasaray (TUR)
Josh Kennedy Nagoya Grampus (JAP)
Scott Mcdonald Middlesbrough (ENG)

Just 2 players from the A-League named, one being Eugene Galekovic who may not make the final 23 - but I'd rather him over Brad Jones. Good to see Tommy Oar is in Pims sights but I can't see him making the final 23. I'm gonna guess these players won't make the cut;

Brad Jones
Mark Milligan
Rhys Williams
Tommy Oar
Dario Vidosic
James Holland
Nikita Rukavytsya

Not overally sure on Moore though. He's got experience and all but he's getting very old and he doesn't even have a club. I'd probably rather take Rhys Williams to the World Cup over him. But who knows, he may be the kind of guy we need around the squad.

 

[Mad Snake]

Pim has said Eugene Galekovic wont make the 23, hes just in the 31 as injury cover for the other 3 keepers.

 

[mattfb]

Yeah. Damn, would of preferred him to go then Jones. Oh well.

 

[Cricketdude]

Jones is a wicked keeper.

 

[Mad Snake]

Jones >>>>> Eugene.

 

[mattfb]

Friendly
Sydney vs Everton

Friendly tournament
Sydney vs Rangers
Sydney vs AEK
Sydney vs Blackburn

(Played over 3 days with a double header on each game day)

First game of the season:
Sydney vs Melbourne

:banana2:banana2:banana2

SCREW THE WORLD CUP. EXCITED. That is a lot of quality football I am going to be watching from the cove in July/early August. I. Can't. Wait.

 

[Mad Snake]

I'd rather watch Bocca.

 

[mattfb]

I wish we had Boca over AEK but I watch Blackburn and Everton on tv almost every week so I'm excited to see them. And Rangers are a great club.

Might not be going to the Everton game though.

 

[blake]

I'd rather watch Bocca.

Jealous Victory fan much?

 

[Mad Snake]

No, as i clearly stated i would rather watch Bocca?

 

[mattfb]

Sydney lost to Everton 1-0. Not the worst effort, held our own. Boca beat Melbourne 1-0 in a aggressive match. A lot of little confrontations here and there.

 

[Chewie]

Adelaide bet Wellington We beat Brisbane though