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2026 Australia Cup final rounds thread

southmelb said:
I would still expect Victory or sydney to win it. Sydney the more likely, i think they just need to win the next round, the semis are in September so they should be a lot more fitter by then, but its certainly getting hairy.
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Yeah I agree, even if an NPL team makes the final I feel like the A-League clubs switch on more as the cup goes on. That’s the precedent with the two cup runs that’ve resulted in an NPL club making the final.
 
HonestSpursFan said:
Yeah I agree, even if an NPL team makes the final I feel like the A-League clubs switch on more as the cup goes on. That’s the precedent with the two cup runs that’ve resulted in an NPL club making the final.
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This is the sentiment I’ve heard from people I know who play in the a league. The deeper they get the more inclined they are to go on and win it
 
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If there was any doubt before, there shouldn't be now. The gap isn't closing, it HAS closed. I'm not saying NPL teams can win the A-League each year, maybe they can haha, but there are now plenty of NPL clubs capable of competing on the pitch in the top tier without issue. Of course, paying full time wages is a separate issue, but some are getting there. Exciting times.
 
HappyGuus said:
If there was any doubt before, there shouldn't be now. The gap isn't closing, it HAS closed. I'm not saying NPL teams can win the A-League each year, maybe they can haha, but there are now plenty of NPL clubs capable of competing on the pitch in the top tier without issue. Of course, paying full time wages is a separate issue, but some are getting there. Exciting times.
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Yep - I give those ALM sides that lose in the first week or two some leeway. But they have now been back for over a month. Where were SD Raiders last year - NSW League One I believe. ALM clubs losing now do not have the excuse of lack of fitness - back for a month probably doing double sessions for at least part of it.
 
You can't get good at football without playing serious competitive fixtures.

You can train all you like but if you are only training against your own team (or a lower local one) you are either better than them outright or you know how each part of the team will react to attacking and defending situations. You are not going to find defenders looking to break your leg or knock you out or even challenge with full force.

It is not until you play against real competition that you start to have questions asked and learn where you need to work better.

Individuals do not make great teams. We all know it. A team has to play in proper match conditions before they can learn to play well together.

NPL sides are primed and peak in terms of team dynamics. Aleague sides might be fit enough in general and have individual skill levels higher (broad generalisation I accept) but they have only been playing 'easy' games for the most part in pre-season.

Nothing at all against NPL sides doing well, but aleague teams are contributing significantly towards losing games by not being ready for good competition yet. Most are using the Cup as part of learning what they have to improve and as others have noted, as they progress through the Cup by dint of numbers they will get sharper and more focussed on winning.

We get the results we strive for - and most of us aleague clubs are not striving so we cop the beatings we deserve.

Doesn't mean the gap between tiers is gone.

From a Roar perspective, our drop in experience and proven senior quality is the reason we probably would have bowed out to most Cup teams this year even if we had not faced SFC then. The team we start on day 1 of the new season I would expect to flog the team we were this week.

I think it great that NPL clubs are playing quality football with passion and intensity. Love it in fact.

Conclusions drawn about NPL v aleague are not that relevant in my eyes beyond the comparative levels at this moment in time though.

@melbcityguy - you buy a season membership when your side is playing shite because they are your side. You said it yourself my friend.
 
RIMB
Put aside the off season in season debate.
Magic of the Cup.
The outlook of respect.
The English FACup.
The smaller lesser known clubs always go all out against the bigger clubs as we see.
We also see the bigger clubs always use their youth just as ALClubs here and at times get humiliated.
Heck I’ve watched LFC being knocked off by minnows over the years for eg.
Not long ago might I add and many other epl have got owned year on year.
I know it’s not comparing apples with apples but you get my drift.
IMO even though your clubs are in pre season you have theoretically plucked some of the best youth available in the country - you have better facilities physicians and let’s not forget professionals.
I do not buy it - on the day it’s which team wants it most but the AL youth with the odd Snr should have more control of these games as we see it’s the finish that is lacking and that’s common for any game no matter when it’s played.
 
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This is why quarter final scheduling for Australia Cup is now an absolute diabolical mess.

winner of Brunswick Juventus (Saturday August 15th & Friday August 21st) or Preston Lions (Sunday August 16th & Friday August 21st)*
South Melbourne (Saturday August 15th & Sunday August 23rd)
Lions FC (Friday August 14th & Saturday August 22nd)**
winner of North Sunshine Eagles (Monday August 17th & Saturday August 22nd) or Heidelberg United (Saturday August 15th & Sunday August 23rd)
SD Raiders (Saturday August 15th & Saturday August 22nd)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers or Sydney United (Saturday August 15th & Sunday August 23rd)

*NOTE: Preston Lions has a catch up game in NPL Victoria already booked for Wednesday August 26th against Melbourne City Youth at BT Connor Reserve.
**NOTE: Lions FC has Kappa Queensland Cup final already booked for Saturday August 22nd against Peninsula Power at Spencer Park.
 
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