The Australian Championship 🇦🇺🏆

[HappyGuus]

Watching old on the ball episodes

Donyou have a link mate? Are these on YouTube?

 

[grazorblade]

Donyou have a link mate? Are these on YouTube?

Sorry not on the ball, "face the press" apparently

 

[HappyGuus]

Watching old on the ball episodes, there was a centrist position between the view that clubs formed by migrant communities should remove all references to their ethnic heritage and the view they should be left alone - the view that celebration of ethnicity was good but nationalism was bad

I wonder if anyone in the fa has that view today

I'm always reminded of the following quotes below, when Melbourne Knights didn't want any "ethnic" clubs in the new league, and Lowy wanted a second division but the PFA blocked it! To be a fly on the wall back then... I wasn't around the league at the time, but people these days seem to think in very black or white minds about the past, whereas the actual articles I read from the time suggest it was otherwise.

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[grazorblade]

I'm always reminded of the following quotes below, when Melbourne Knights didn't want any "ethnic" clubs in the new league, and Lowy wanted a second division but the PFA blocked it! To be a fly on the wall back then... I wasn't around the league at the time, but people these days seem to think in very black or white minds about the past, whereas the actual articles I read from the time suggest it was otherwise.

shakes fist

thwarted by the pfa again (replace tsa with pfa in the below)

 

[Hellenic_blue&white]

From the outside, but as someone who follows the sport at this level closely, Melb knights have been in decline for a while imo, they’ve barely made finals since the end of the nsl. It’s been a long time since they were genuinely strong on field. Sydney united on the other hand have consistently been one of the stronger clubs in Sydney right up until recently, so hopefully more of a rough patch for them

What didnt help knights in their demise was the rise of the other cro clubs in NPL and the dispersion of an otherwise centrally focused community that followed..

 

[Glenardo]

What didnt help knights in their demise was the rise of the other cro clubs in NPL and the dispersion of an otherwise centrally focused community that followed..

Hopefully they can stage a Preston style turn around. Sometimes it takes clubs hitting rock bottom to turn things around. And hopefully clubs like Sydney united and Sydney Olympic don’t need to go through that to get back on track and they’re just going through a rough patch as most clubs do. Marconi had its rough patch too and came back stronger than before, south narrowly avoided it. But yea for me, at knights it’s definitely been a more sustained thing than at the other bigger ex nsl clubs

 

[Hellenic_blue&white]

Sorry not on the ball, "face the press" apparently

In hindsight that bearded prick was right you tackle the effniks and the game would become the most popular in the country and open to all... as it did... what no?

 

[Hellenic_blue&white]

I'm always reminded of the following quotes below, when Melbourne Knights didn't want any "ethnic" clubs in the new league, and Lowy wanted a second division but the PFA blocked it! To be a fly on the wall back then... I wasn't around the league at the time, but people these days seem to think in very black or white minds about the past, whereas the actual articles I read from the time suggest it was otherwise.

That Lowy had the view of a second tier is credit to him, im still reserved that its true or just more fluff on his part but neither here nor there as he is no longer around.. that PFA fought it is no suprise.. same PFA that still puts hurdles and has a day is the issue.

 

[southmelb]

Knigts had a pretty good 2023, top 4 semi finalists in npl and Australia cup semi finalists the same year. Staggering drop.

 

[SMFC1959]

Apparently not true, just no plans beyond season 2 set. FA might also partially fund h and a

Good to hear

That's a relief, because it didn't make any sense to abandon funding. It's why you pay the licence in the first place, the money pools towards FA admin and travel expenses. You can't leave it up to every single club to organise their own flights and accommodation and transfers for a potentially changing schedule. That's what FA admin is for.

If clubs had to pay for their own travel it would disadvantage places like Perth, the most expensive travel by far and every weekend to and from. These expenses always need to be pooled and either paid by the league or spread evenly amongst the clubs (if they don't have to fork out for a licence fee).

You're spot on. That's the whole point of utilising the administrative function of Football Australia is to organise these arrangements out of the annual participation licence fee that clubs would pay. A major sponsor is required to offset these costs.

If we can get some big crowds for the finals, then Football Australia has something to promote to potential sponsors.

 

[SMFC1959]

Quite possibly, but there is no guarantee this will go past two seasons.

If that's the case to have it without us, so be it.

I think it’s important to have a club like Sydney United in this competition. Hopefully the off-field stuff can be sorted.

 

[SMFC1959]

I can definitely see someone celebrating Greek history both in oz and abroad, greek food, greek language and still think the greek anthem at a game is weird, pretty much all Croatian clubs seem to be nationalistic I've heard, so I can imagine people at the fa being uncomfortable with that

We are proud of our Greek roots and we’ve always chanted Hellas - that will never change. But South would not go down the path that Sydney Olympic has taken. On match days, it’s about the football.

DJ playing English dance tunes, plenty of food options (including souvlaki), coffees, ice cream, etc.

That opening match against Sydney Olympic was just a really fun night with great vibes.

 

[SMFC1959]

Man we've missed Emile so much. Makes such a difference to our midfield.

Haha yeah just that looming points loss over the shoulder

Peios is a good player. Was a little disappointed when he departed South.

If Markovski signs a few more ex-Avondale players for the 2026 NPL season, you guys will be one of the favourites.

 

[grazorblade]

We are proud of our Greek roots and we’ve always chanted Hellas - that will never change. But South would not go down the path that Sydney Olympic has taken. On match days, it’s about the football.

DJ playing English dance tunes, plenty of food options (including souvlaki), coffees, ice cream, etc.

That opening match against Sydney Olympic was just a really fun night with great vibes.

A nationalist approach is probably bad business. People will be proud of their heritage for many generations, but i dont think everyone will resonate with the greek anthem for many generations and you probably end up losing your kids interest in the club

 

[southmelb]

Heidelberg also have Greek music blasting pre game, with some odd tunes as well lol. Again im not sure what the point is. If i wanna listen to Greek music i'll just chuck on spotify, i dont find this remotely enticing at the football. We get it Alexander you're Greek..

 

[SMFC1959]

One of the interesting outcomes of this Australian Championship is whether some of the bigger clubs poach players who have shined in the Australian Championship from interstate clubs. For instance, I’d love to see Ali Auglah at South Melbourne in 2026.

 

[southmelb]

I think Auglah is going to Rockdale.

 

[SMFC1959]

I think Auglah is going to Rockdale.

That’s a pretty good pick up by Rockdale.

 

[Hellenic_blue&white]

A nationalist approach is probably bad business. People will be proud of their heritage for many generations, but i dont think everyone will resonate with the greek anthem for many generations and you probably end up losing your kids interest in the club

The Greek national anthem is reserved for national events, its not a party tune! At tghe football unless the Greek national team is playing it shows a lack of resepct! Plain and simple.

Heritage and pride can be subtle and more effective!

Lets not bundle it all 'nationalist'... some of these ppl wouldnt know actual nationalism as a concept if it bit them on the arse more than once!

 

[Hellenic_blue&white]

Heidelberg also have Greek music blasting pre game, with some odd tunes as well lol.

Haha they do at that, grk 80s dance vibes in some instances.. lol

Again im not sure what the point is. If i wanna listen to Greek music i'll just chuck on spotify, i dont find this remotely enticing at the football. We get it Alexander you're Greek..

Each to their own however. If thats what they like and works for them then so be it, Others also do it not just bergers, albeit a little more mixed with English in some occassions.