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World Cup 2026 Australia thread

Son of Sam said:
Let me add another aspect to this drama from South Melbourne's perspective.

The Federation Cup decision was made by someone who must have ZERO interest in Soccer. If she had some inkling how big and politically sensitive this decision would be, there is no way she would have instituted this ban.

South Melbourne has to deal with similar types at the State Sports Centre Trust. They are in charge of operations there.

They treat us like rubbish .... Western United asked the Trust if they could use the stadium whilst they get their stadium 'built'. The Trust said YES, not even bothering to ask South Melbourne, who had the authority, and exercised it, to say NO!

The lights went out twice over the years, and our club could not find anyone to talk to! Had to abandon one of the games.

There are other stories which I cannot recall.

But these are the type of people who STILL have the keys to much of Melbourne's infrastructure (for want of a better word). Born and bred into an Australian Anglo-centric world where Australian Rules and Cricket are still the ONLY sports around.
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I have no doubt all of that is true. I also have no doubt soccer cops it far worse than the AFL. But it isn't unique to soccer and there are AFL clubs that struggle with similar issues.

For example Yarra City Council own Victoria Park, Collingwoods traditional home ground. I know the club would like to play more VFL games there, or have events like fan zones sites for big games like GFs, but they're blocked by Council. The local residents don't like it.

Council opens the land up as a dog park, dogs pissing and shitting everywhere, when this is a place for sport and a place a lot of people have had their ashes scattered. Their love of the club. I know some will find that funny but its pretty fucken disrespectful all the same.

It comes down to who owns the land and can provide access to it. What their interests are.
 
Quicky said:
I have no doubt all of that is true. I also have no doubt soccer cops it far worse than the AFL. But it isn't unique to soccer and there are AFL clubs that struggle with similar issues.

For example Yarra City Council own Victoria Park, Collingwoods traditional home ground. I know the club would like to play more VFL games there, or have events like fan zones sites for big games like GFs, but they're blocked by Council. The local residents don't like it.

Council opens the land up as a dog park, dogs pissing and shitting everywhere, when this is a place for sport and a place a lot of people have had their ashes scattered. Their love of the club. I know some will find that funny but its pretty fucken disrespectful all the same.

It comes down to who owns the land and can provide access to it. What their interests are.
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But Collingwood CHOSE to leave .... Lock, Stock, and Barrel? No? If they intended to keep their imprint there, then I sympathise.
 
Keeper66 said:
I don't know who this Tom Elliott is, presumably another AFL-loving football hater, but I thought it was a pretty pathetic when at the end he muttered (about Dan Birrell) "well at least he is against the flares".
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Years ago on a comedy show they parodied his dad John Elliot, I think as talking about himself as an intro as a contestant to a quiz show, detaling his hobbies

"I like a beer so I bought a brewery"
"I like my footy so I bought a club"
"I like my politics so I bought a party"

Fosters, Carlton and the Liberal Party.
 
Son of Sam said:
But Collingwood CHOSE to leave .... Lock, Stock, and Barrel? No? If they intended to keep their imprint there, then I sympathise.
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Collingwoods lease at Victoria Park ran out in the 1990's. Collingwood tried to upgrade the facilities but were always blocked by Council. It became unviable financially to stay for this reason and also due to AFL policies at the time. It was Collingwoods choice to leave but due to circumstances at that time, and difficult relations with Council which have never gotten better.
 
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erogenouszone said:
Borello in the Socceroos. LOL, is he going to be washing the bibs or something?
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Ha ha yeah it is exactly like that. I got the impression from Popa's press conference (maybe I was reading between the lines), and also from Grace Gill and Eric Paartalu discussing the squad on 10 soccer, that Popa needed numbers to have effective training and provide a competitive environment in Florida but he definitely won't be having 40 or 50 players in camp. When the still-playing regulars come in, and those with (hopefully) minor injuries are fit, the likes of Borrello and Agostino will be going home having made a good contribution to the team's preparation.
 
JS96 said:
I'm sure Duke is going to play his heart out but I wonder about guys like Sapsford or Tete Yengi hassling put opponent too.
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Popa is definitely risk averse. (OK understatement of the year!) .which is why he favours the old guard he knows and trusts.But as Eric Paartalu said on 10 soccer, Leckie was knocking Auckland players over left right and centre. He's spent a lot of his recovery time in the gym and is like a tank. Popa said he was the best player on the park. And he was doing this for 120 minutes at the age of 35, having come back on 12 April after 5 months out injured. There's prejudice at both ends "he's too young/he's too old". It will be interesting to see what the average age of our squad is after June1. I'd like it to be about 26
 
socceroosmad said:
Ha ha yeah it is exactly like that. I got the impression from Popa's press conference (maybe I was reading between the lines), and also from Grace Gill and Eric Paartalu discussing the squad on 10 soccer, that Popa needed numbers to have effective training and provide a competitive environment in Florida but he definitely won't be having 40 or 50 players in camp. When the still-playing regulars come in, and those with (hopefully) minor injuries are fit, the likes of Borrello and Agostino will be going home having made a good contribution to the team's preparation.
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This makes the most sense and is probably true. I still find it hard to trust Popovic's judgement and it makes me wonder.
 
socceroosmad said:
Popa is definitely risk averse. (OK understatement of the year!) .which is why he favours the old guard he knows and trusts.But as Eric Paartalu said on 10 soccer, Leckie was knocking Auckland players over left right and centre. He's spent a lot of his recovery time in the gym and is like a tank. Popa said he was the best player on the park. And he was doing this for 120 minutes at the age of 35, having come back on 12 April after 5 months out injured. There's prejudice at both ends "he's too young/he's too old". It will be interesting to see what the average age of our squad is after June1. I'd like it to be about 26
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Everyone should watch the press conference and listen to him talk about Leckie and Souttar. There is a preference with fans and definitely on this forum for young talented but untested players. I have this preference, right up until the moment when players are lining up on the field or in the tunnel. I am looking over the 11 and thinking about who is going to be able to cope with this level of pressure that I am feeling just watching a must win qualifier or WC match. This is where I realise talent is insufficient, they need the psychological make up to match it. This is what Popa talks about with these guys.

Leckie and Souttar's return, demonstrated they can still raise their physical performance to the high level they have managed in their careers in pressure situations. You also already know they have the right mental make up for the high pressure moments. A young kid could never be selected having missed this much football. Even though they don't have form because they haven't played all year, the small sample size is enough to think they will bring their previous level. So if you compare Souttar to Herrington or Matthews for a spot, they are up against Souttar's form throughout his career, not just the recent past.

Overall this is why we continue to see veterans get selected longer than we might like. I think as fans we overlook the importance of this experience because we are excited by the potential talent. Alex Ferguson brought through the class of 92 and moved on the old guys. But he only did this once. A cohort of generationally talented kids where they can come in, win and develop together is an absolute exception. This is why it is unlikely there will be a massive change to the squad post WC. Transition will continue slowly as it always has.
 
Cunningstunt said:
Overall this is why we continue to see veterans get selected longer than we might like. I think as fans we overlook the importance of this experience because we are excited by the potential talent.
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Agree with pretty much everything you've said. I think I'm slower to discard veteran experienced players because I'm a veteran myself and appreciate experience. Younger players with undoubted talent still make more mistakes than experienced players simply because they haven't had the experience of different situations. A balance between talented youngsters and experienced professionals is usually what you find in great teams.
 
yes every team needs a blend of both.
I don't have a prob with Souttar - he'll stand up and his height is so handy for set pieces either end of the park.
Leckie well, I haven't got confidence in him much now and he's been hit and miss so many times over the years but his experience may be of good influence to calm the younger ones down in prep and on the pitch.
 
erogenouszone said:
Sydney now doing the WC2026 live site in Tumbalong Park. Occasionally however local councils get in on the action and do their own thing.

football360.com.au

First Fed Square, now this! Sydney unveils World Cup live site plans after Victorian govt backflip

The NSW government has unveiled its own plans to allow football fans to come together to cheer on the Socceroos during the World Cup.
football360.com.au football360.com.au
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As the local councils should - imagine Norton St going off watching Italy ... oh wait
 
patjennings said:
As the local councils should - imagine Norton St going off watching Italy ... oh wait
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oh you guys and cheap shots hahaha
I remember well at Norton St winning '82 '06 and quali's to '14 hehe amazing times.
You got to take your medicines this is life.
Making 6 is great no doubt about it but those gold stars still shine and badges you wish for :)

I'll be at any close by place for our Roo games live and then also to Madeira Club or Hurlestone Park RSL for Portugal games with inlaws.
Cro games also another important watch considering Azzuri MIA cry cry ce la vie.
My isn't it great having so many blood lines its like having many each way bets lol :)
 
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