The Australian Championship 🇦🇺🏆

[Glenardo]

Both times on gold coast were good. You'll find all 4 away trips we've done in recent times have been good attendance. 2 in tasi 2 in Gold Coast. I went to all 4. Am heading to Olympic away but won't make Newcastle for the above reason. Still deciding on Brisbane

Will try to get to the Sydney Olympic v south Melb game, should be able to make it. Marconi v Heidelberg is the night before.

As a side note, it’s easy to forget how soon the return legs are because of the comp format, I keep thinking it’s Months away but it’s only a few weeks

 

[RIMB]

We dont beat anyone easily these days so im expecting a close game with lots of goals again. Hopefully between 3-4k

Watching Moreton play they looked like a side used to playing lesser opponents and being good at it.

Similar to watching youth players step up to senior competition, Moreton frequently had players trying to turn back inside and having their opponent just accept the ball and run on goal. It happened all game and would have been a big lesson that these teams are not what they are used to.

Quite frustrating to see players repeatedly doing what works against lesser opposition and it not working.

South on the other hand are used to this level of competition and their players know what they can get away with. It is no small thing.

Broadmeadows and/or Bayswater and one other team I can't remember showed the same weakness.

 

[Hellenic_blue&white]

Heidelberg never had any more than 6 or 7 hundred at that tiny little place.

Bergers are not a foundation club so matters little what they get, they lack the ambition to be one, and seem content as an NPL side at best with the odd run in cups etc and credit to them if thats their benchmark! If that changes along the way then they have shown they can draw bigger crowds even if not consistent.

This has nothing to do with the numbers all those outside if it keep harping on about in am effort to belittle it, none of which have stepped foot in any of these grounds or to an NPL ground in general to know what shape it is let alonenits size..if numbers were such an issue then AL probably shouldnt kick.off as a h&a and become a champ league comp with the top 6 teams in round robin and finals as they will be only games with crowds!

We have stated before that it matters little what half these smaller teams get, bc most wont be the sources to drive this forward, they were never going to be, these clubs just happened to be the ones that qualify due to the current system. Other clubs, some of which arent here currently are the ones that will get more momentum into this, they need to be preparing for a push to get there.

 

[Beretta]

Quality! Ah, the beautiful game.

and yet, the main center of attention are the crowds lol

 

[est47]

and yet, the main center of attention are the crowds lol

This

- more football
- more pathways for players to be found
- spotlight on historical clubs mostly run by volunteers.
- boutique stadiums looking full and vibrant on tele.
- affordable food, drinks
- families out and about, young and older generations sharing their love for their club and sport.

There's heaps more we can talk about.

If you are one of the people complaining about the crowds. Get up, get your mates together and head down and bump those numbers up

 

[Hellenic_blue&white]

and yet, the main center of attention are the crowds lol

Shhhhhh dont wreck the oppositions narrative, we getting lessons from all those who bypass the essence yet conveniently excuse or ignore that melb city in official Asian champions league matches couldnt get over 1500 (looked max 150 ppl but anyway) and macarther got 2k (mustve been over 2 matches that count, bc sure wasnt in either game!)...

Havnt been able to play the 'ruly effniks' cards so they trying the fudged crowds angle.. who? Those that claim WU had thousands with straight face, Hahahha

Whatever helps with the digestion there lads!

 

[Kevin Keegan71]

Just my take on the opening round

Crowds 7/10

Were ok some obviously better than others was quite taken by South Hobarts crowd looked great tbh but some visiting teams will just not be attractive enough for some to venture out to a game, I expect crowds to pick up the further into the comp though as the final stages approach. The kick off times are a big factor Im sure (night games just have a better feel to me)

Quality 7/10

All in all there were some decent performances, good goals and probably you can see that Victoria and NSW teams will dominate no shocks there. My concern regarding the Championship model as it is now is that we are not going to really see the best v the best as its just not possible however that’s not to take away from the concept of the format - it is what it is and we should get behind it but some teams did look a bit average in my opinion but at least there were no blowout scores so maybe Im just picky



Media Coverage 8/10

SBS obviously a welcome participant but if I had to pick bones I felt the crowd noise on most games sounded too quiet and they need to try and add a microphone nearer the crowd as I felt it sounded a bit distant. Crowd noise can sway your involvement in the game when watching on tv and adds to the concept of the game itself. The other thing was the little inserts of interviews shown on screen whilst the game was in play – wasn’t a big fan of that but I digress overall it’s just great to get SBS involved again.



Overall Impression 7/10

Have to say Im enjoying the games and I think it will raise the profile of the game in a big way and also next season NPL comps – Im pretty sure there will be a big push to be involved in this next season which in itself will make the NPL season a bit more exciting as teams strive to be involved in the comp.

 

[Sutherlandbear]

Bergers are not a foundation club so matters little what they get, they lack the ambition to be one, and seem content as an NPL side at best with the odd run in cups etc and credit to them if thats their benchmark! If that changes along the way then they have shown they can draw bigger crowds even if not consistent.

This has nothing to do with the numbers all those outside if it keep harping on about in am effort to belittle it, none of which have stepped foot in any of these grounds or to an NPL ground in general to know what shape it is let alonenits size..if numbers were such an issue then AL probably shouldnt kick.off as a h&a and become a champ league comp with the top 6 teams in round robin and finals as they will be only games with crowds!

We have stated before that it matters little what half these smaller teams get, bc most wont be the sources to drive this forward, they were never going to be, these clubs just happened to be the ones that qualify due to the current system. Other clubs, some of which arent here currently are the ones that will get more momentum into this, they need to be preparing for a push to get there.

What do mean by foundation club, played in the first PNSL .? I notice that they were also founded before your own team. Confused !

 

[Sutherlandbear]

and yet, the main center of attention are the crowds lol

TBF mate, you guys are always attacking A League crowds, despite them being unsurpassed in Australian national league history.

 

[grazorblade]

Me: watches the south melbourne game
Wife: Oh there's a greek flag. Is that one of those greek clubs in melbourne?
Me: No, no its not a greek club, its a local club started by greek migrants
Wife: Oh that's lovely they brought them back

Couple of days later
Wife: Oh look the abc interviewed on of the fans of one of those greek clubs
Me: No, no, no its a traditional club founded by greek migrants but open to everyone
Wife: Oh thats so fun, we should have a greek day this weekend. Can watch the traditional greek clubs, make souvlaki, pita and Tzaziki, ek mek, greek beer and watch 300 after
Me...thinks about correcting her on "greek club".....actually screw it that sounds pretty fun maybe I should just be glad she is offering to watch soccer with me

 

[Sutherlandbear]

Me: watches the south melbourne game
Wife: Oh there's a greek flag. Is that one of those greek clubs in melbourne?
Me: No, no its not a greek club, its a local club started by greek migrants
Wife: Oh that's lovely they brought them back

Couple of days later
Wife: Oh look the abc interviewed on of the fans of one of those greek clubs
Me: No, no, no its a traditional club founded by greek migrants but open to everyone
Wife: Oh thats so fun, we should have a greek day this weekend. Can watch the traditional greek clubs, make souvlaki, pita and Tzaziki, ek mek, greek beer and watch 300 after
Me...thinks about correcting her on "greek club".....actually screw it that sounds pretty fun maybe I should just be glad she is offering to watch soccer with me

All their fans on here refer to them as a " Greek club ".

 

[grazorblade]

All their fans on here refer to them as a " Greek club ".

in any case, fans are quite welcoming in my experience

 

[Hillbilly55]

What do mean by foundation club, played in the first PNSL .? I notice that they were also founded before your own team. Confused !

the 8 clubs who are Foundation members to the NST. Heidelberg are in the NST via being premiers of the Vic NPL, as they didn't (apparently) seek entry to the NST.

 

[Beretta]

TBF mate, you guys are always attacking A League crowds, despite them being unsurpassed in Australian national league history.

i've only attacked Macarthur and Western United as they are jokes of a franchise and should of never been granted a license.


carry on.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Yeah I understand what your saying, I had just assumed Sydney United was capable of getting a crowd similar to South Melbourne etc.

We just gotta be realistic and understand these clubs don't have the support they once did Are they capable of attracting new fans? I'm not so sure, but I certainly hope so!

Like you said, I view this tournament as a "one off", hence why I expencted a bigger crowd.

Why a "once off" and not a "soft launch"? What do you really lose if this league finds its feet?

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Watching Moreton play they looked like a side used to playing lesser opponents and being good at it.

Similar to watching youth players step up to senior competition, Moreton frequently had players trying to turn back inside and having their opponent just accept the ball and run on goal. It happened all game and would have been a big lesson that these teams are not what they are used to.

Quite frustrating to see players repeatedly doing what works against lesser opposition and it not working.

South on the other hand are used to this level of competition and their players know what they can get away with. It is no small thing.

Broadmeadows and/or Bayswater and one other team I can't remember showed the same weakness.

Yeah Moreton City was very shaky at the back but have a few goals in them.. will be an interesting clash against both us and Sydney Olympic for them... Broadmeadows was fairly poor though...

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

What do mean by foundation club, played in the first PNSL .? I notice that they were also founded before your own team. Confused !

No Hellenic is referring to the inaugural clubs, the 8 "foundation" club this new second tier is going to be built around... If its is ever to grow legs that is.... despite your attempts at being dismissive it seems there is a bit of an appetite and even clubs outside the sphere of these comp are sitting up and taking notice, hopefully getting their ducks in a row for next year, or the following or the following...

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Me: watches the south melbourne game
Wife: Oh there's a greek flag. Is that one of those greek clubs in melbourne?
Me: No, no its not a greek club, its a local club started by greek migrants
Wife: Oh that's lovely they brought them back

Couple of days later
Wife: Oh look the abc interviewed on of the fans of one of those greek clubs
Me: No, no, no its a traditional club founded by greek migrants but open to everyone
Wife: Oh thats so fun, we should have a greek day this weekend. Can watch the traditional greek clubs, make souvlaki, pita and Tzaziki, ek mek, greek beer and watch 300 after
Me...thinks about correcting her on "greek club".....actually screw it that sounds pretty fun maybe I should just be glad she is offering to watch soccer with me

Hold onto that one pretty tightly Grazor.... sounds like a keeper

 

[Hillbilly55]

No Hellenic is referring to the inaugural clubs, the 8 "foundation" club this new second tier is going to be built around... If its is ever to grow legs that is.... despite your attempts at being dismissive it seems there is a bit of an appetite and even clubs outside the sphere of these comp are sitting up and taking notice, hopefully getting their ducks in a row for next year, or the following or the following...

As the Banjo said, "There was movement at the station..." Good times

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

All their fans on here refer to them as a " Greek club ".

If you genuinely can't tell the difference between Grazor's wife calling us a "Greek club" and whatever point it is you are again trying to prove then I feel sorry for you.