2026 Australia Cup final rounds thread

[Beretta]

Would be nice if Marconi took the Australia Cup a bit more seriously, however considering their performances the past few years it's obvious they don't. APIA certainly do.

These cup competitions need a Marconi, Rockdale or even Sutherland.

not SD fucken Raiders

 

[Zelen Fc]

These cup competitions need a Marconi, Rockdale or even Sutherland.

not SD fucken Raiders

Pub team hopefully get relegated next year

 

[Glenardo]

These cup competitions need a Marconi, Rockdale or even Sutherland.

not SD fucken Raiders

Marconi deserved to lose fair and square this time. But it always seems like in nsw “big” clubs end up being drawn against each other and there’s always atleast one spot that goes to some random “minnow” who played only other “minnows” ….Make the draw live in future

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Not sure you can make that claim. Given what crowds you get for a npl game compared to a cup game. It seems to run opposite in the npl clubs case.

What is probably correct is that the diehards of either a club and “franchise” know how to support correctly (cup,league,CL/OFC etc) but the vast majority of those clubs/franchises suppporters support in a very odd way.

Yes and no, I would say we got the same/similar crowds for NPL finals as Aleague matches in Australia Cup, bigger boost was the Aus Championship though.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

100% this

All of us who follow our respective NPL clubs want to win everything, whether it is the state NPL competition, state cup competition, Australia Cup, Australian Championship, (OFC Pro League for South), etc. It is irrelevant what the competition is - we follow our club everywhere and we want to win at every opportunity.

I would love for South to win the Australia Cup (highly unlikely) and qualify for the AFC Champions League Two competition. There would be 50 of us at a drop of the hat that would travel to the first away match (hopefully in a sunny tourist spot in South East Asia).

NPL on planes baby.....

 

[southmelb]

I feel like the standard of players is quite similar. The ultimate differences comes down to fitness levels. Npl clubs are in season and fit but also part time, A league players are professional but in early pre season.

If you made both 100% part time or 100% pro i think the difference these days is minimal.

I also remember in the early years of the cup it would be the foreign/marquee players of the A league teams that would be hard to stop.

 

[Glenardo]

The professionalism of the strong npl clubs has improved a lot aswell

 

[Beretta]

 

[Beretta]

 

[erogenouszone]

Scotsman Noah McCann, age 37

He's a Scotland youth player, age 20.

 

[LFC]

As a side note, nice to see someone else posting some photos.

grazie amico - yes others should - I've been lazy and tech challenged unless I have the laptop.
Whatever pic I try to post whilst at the ground from mobile file always too big like the girl said ha.

 

[jimshady]

How good’s the magic of the cup

 

[LFC]

I would say Roux was the only other over 23. Then Steele off the bench. Not sure of Mauragis age he might be 24. The rest very young with gqite a few starters under 20 as well as the rest of the bench.

Thanks, and there in lies the issue at hand.
Thanks also HSF for his other ground work.
Besides the usual excuse's and differences, time to put up or shut up the APL clubs.
As far as I'm concerned its the next biggest and better trophy than the disgusting toilet seat.
Like I said - respect it.
Start getting more Snr's or regular starters - support your youth, leave them to the NPL wolves
Only in Australia do Pro teams throw in more bub's with all due respect - they try their arse off as CCM's did last night but in their boots I'd be so dam pissed having to go through that to lose as a Pro Club !
You'll never forget going down like that.

I made mention every single CCM pen take Redmayne as the daddy grabbing the ball walking up to your next young pen taker, I'm sure saying, breath, chill relax, keep head down pick your mark.
Now I reckon that should have been pulled up considering how nancy rules are becoming today - they are stopping GK's walking up to the opposing pen taker to reduce the banter etc that should apply as well.
Not once, not once did SU's GK walk up to any of the pen takers.

 

[LFC]

Marconi deserved to lose fair and square this time. But it always seems like in nsw “big” clubs end up being drawn against each other and there’s always atleast one spot that goes to some random “minnow” who played only other “minnows” ….Make the draw live in future

yer that true - were/the usual suspects always have a harder draw that others don't consider enough.
Middle of title contentions makes for hard choices on starting line ups plus injuries whereas the AL clubs have time and many Youth play.
I can't recall APIA having minnows much since its start.
Glenardo as you recall last year at Leichardt you sneaked through by pens skin of your teeth that’s the ball game but I agree with you, don't think Marconi take it lightly.

 

[patjennings]

Bit concerning for you guys moving forward for your respective A League season that Redmayne wasn't able to get near one penalty.

TBH he doesn't have great record for pens. The wiggles move for the Grand Final and Peru. A couple before that over the years for SFC and one for us on debut.

The Peru gambit was a bluff. Maty has played 10 shoot-outs in his career. Lost the first two for CCM then won the next 7 before Egypt.

 

[LFC]

Certainly I think SU58 looked the better, more likely to score for most of the match. A couple of coast boys with a point to prove against the Mariners as well. I thought for a very young team (minus Redmayne and Roux) CCM looked hard to break down. They do need more going forward though. Lavale tried hard but had little support up front

I was surprised this young Kuol was actually on the turps and before walking around with a SU bucket hat on most of the night.

 

[erogenouszone]

I was surprised this young Kuol was actually on the turps and before walking around with a SU bucket hat on most of the night.
View attachment 8412

If that's Alou Kuol I could have sworn he played for the Mariners.

 

[biggiemic]

hope to see you guys get through and send anotherAL team packing.

love the excuses from some of the AL fans whose club have been knocked out, "not taking it seriously, its only the Aus Cup"

A Preston or Sydney United in mid season beating an Aleague team one week in to pre season isn't really a surprise, and probably expected (Sydney United were betting favourites against CCM).

Its difficult to say the gap is closing when one team is half way through a season, and the other is one week in to pre season.

But this is why the cup has been set up this way, gives the state league teams geniune chance of winning against aleague opposition.

I do think they gap is closing though, not because the NPL is getting better, but because the level in the Aleague is dwindling, and is atrocious at the moment.

 

[LFC]

If that's Alou Kuol I could have sworn he played for the Mariners.

its him.
Thats what I found strange, CCM links and he was right amongst us all of us.
Son says he's playing for Blacktown ?

 

[erogenouszone]

its him.
Thats what I found strange, CCM links and he was right amongst us all of us.
Son says he's playing for Blacktown ?

That is correct. Just think it's funny walking around with a SU hat on.