Daily Australian News Thread

[belchardo]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/15/new-zealand-flagged-as-potential-location-for-a-league-grand-final

pay deal agreed. 16 July restart, 27 matches, 1 week of finals. All done by August 31.

Only problem is that Fox haven't agreed to it yet.

[Bremsstrahlung]

Getting ahead of myself I know, but I’m curious to see how our 20/21 season looks. This season started on October 11.

Do they then have a shortened off season? And kick off a shorter season in December?
Or just consider this period of time the players “annual leave”, have a month of transfer madness and kick off early November?

Interesting the ramifications this will have on the next season and perhaps the season after that.

[Frodo]

Getting ahead of myself I know, but I’m curious to see how our 20/21 season looks. This season started on October 11.

Do they then have a shortened off season? And kick off a shorter season in December?
Or just consider this period of time the players “annual leave”, have a month of transfer madness and kick off early November?

Interesting the ramifications this will have on the next season and perhaps the season after that.

Winter league! Yassss!!!!!

[Jetmaster]

Getting ahead of myself I know, but I’m curious to see how our 20/21 season looks. This season started on October 11.

Do they then have a shortened off season? And kick off a shorter season in December?
Or just consider this period of time the players “annual leave”, have a month of transfer madness and kick off early November?

Interesting the ramifications this will have on the next season and perhaps the season after that.

Why complicate things? Leave as is....most will get 6 weeks off. This is like players going to World Cup or Euro tournaments in an off season. They have already had 2 months off.


Winter league! Yassss!!!!!

Would love it apart from one important thing.....

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-39CypURmWxuTZQLFGXhcEyS/fb6b3c89-8961-47bd-a77c-b7db4d78b611.jpg/r0_250_4896_3014_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

[Bremsstrahlung]

Why complicate things? Leave as is....most will get 6 weeks off. This is like players going to World Cup or Euro tournaments in an off season. They have already had 2 months off.



Would love it apart from one important thing.....

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-39CypURmWxuTZQLFGXhcEyS/fb6b3c89-8961-47bd-a77c-b7db4d78b611.jpg/r0_250_4896_3014_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

So like, finish in the 31st August and begin the new Comp a week later?

[Frodo]

Would love it apart from one important thing.....


Meh, now is as good a time as any to get away from that place. McDonald Jones stadium, or whatever it's called this week, has never felt like a home ground to me. We lease it from the knights* each year and get 5th billing behind anyone else who wants to trash the thing during their off season without having any say. We really need to move to a much smaller stadium and only use the place when we really need to. We need to convince local government to approve a remodel of the Gardens, greyhound racing can be moved easily and the local area can justify having two large stadiums (a smaller 10k-15k Gardens and a 30k main one).

Now, we all know it won't happen but if Mr Lee wants to make us appealing to sell having an actual home stadium that we have autonomy over would make a huge difference to an overseas buyer. Plus, games would be so much better in front of a much tighter packed 10k fans. We'd have the one of the best grounds in the league instantly.


*of course we don't actually pay the knights, but you know what i mean.

[Jetmaster]

The old days at the Gardens were great but it was a prick of a joint to get to.

Would love our own boutique 15k stadium (I do think 10k would be a little small), but how and where? No2, Maitland, Speers Point, Gardens, Hexham Swamp?

[evolution]

I've always felt No.2 is the way to go if we could develop it to be an all-seater set up like Hindmarsh - Rugby would probably have something to say about it but f#@k 'em.

[belchardo]

Restart 16 july. Still talking with fox about broadcast arrangements.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/16/football-federation-australia-confirms-16-july-restart-date-for-a-league

[Frodo]

I've always felt No.2 is the way to go if we could develop it to be an all-seater set up like Hindmarsh - Rugby would probably have something to say about it but f#@k 'em.

It already has room for 3 more stands to be built, we could slowly increase capacity whilst already playing out of there. But, if getting out to the Gardens is rough imagine trying to sort out parking at No 2?

But, I really hope we are putting serious thoughts/efforts into eventually moving into our own stadium. The A league is a while away from needing 30k stadiums each week for anything other than the Sydney & Melbourne derbies and finals.

[mic22]

I personally like the current stadium. Good position, plenty of parking and access to transport.
I can't see NSW or any other government body investing in a new stadium in Newcastle, and it wouldn't make much sense to play in a structure out of town just to have a smaller stadium.

[mic22]

I would actually love to see it finished, like this
https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/TFWurqJd3WWgt5tunziPf4/508f1c79-13c4-4753-bffc-2f2e806dd3c5.jpg/r0_40_1061_679_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

Looks like there are 40000 inside, and just as many waiting outside :D

[Frodo]

I just read an article that shows that even the MLS, who's model we seem to be intending on following to a certain extent, only had 7 out of 24 teams turn a profit in 2018/19. That was the hugely supported Atlanta United with $7m, they get 72k crowds at some home games(average 52.5k per game). LA Galaxy managed a $1m profit and they are the most succesful team in the league and probably has the most overseas supporters of any club. The clubs are valued at almost $500 million in some cases but still can't turn a profit.

We really need to not worry about trying to fill these hugely expensive stadiums. Clubs need to get their costs down as low as possible and try to get broadcast deals in whatever countries will watch.

[Frodo]

I would actually love to see it finished, like this

Looks like there are 40000 inside, and just as many waiting outside :D

But that won't look as great with 9,000 people spread out all over the place like we will have for the next few years. The cost of renting the place won't be any cheaper as well. That stadium would be great if we could afford it, but i'm confident that it will be the death of the club if we are forced to stay there.

[evolution]

I would actually love to see it finished, like this
https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/TFWurqJd3WWgt5tunziPf4/508f1c79-13c4-4753-bffc-2f2e806dd3c5.jpg/r0_40_1061_679_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

Looks like there are 40000 inside, and just as many waiting outside :D

We don't even need to go that crazy with it, just seat the ends with a decent rake and call it a day.

[My2BobsWorth]

Boutique stadium at the Speers Point complex for me, Craig Johnston arena.

[mic22]

But that won't look as great with 9,000 people spread out all over the place like we will have for the next few years. The cost of renting the place won't be any cheaper as well. That stadium would be great if we could afford it, but i'm confident that it will be the death of the club if we are forced to stay there.

That's true - I was speaking from a merely aesthetical point of view. The areas behind the 2 ends are just horrific atm.
And IMO the attendance would be much higher if prices were a tad lower, and incentives were in place permanently (e.g. U16 free with a paying adult).
Create a habit, they will pay in the future...

[The Dunster]

I just read an article that shows that even the MLS, who's model we seem to be intending on following to a certain extent, only had 7 out of 24 teams turn a profit in 2018/19. That was the hugely supported Atlanta United with $7m, they get 72k crowds at some home games(average 52.5k per game). LA Galaxy managed a $1m profit and they are the most succesful team in the league and probably has the most overseas supporters of any club. The clubs are valued at almost $500 million in some cases but still can't turn a profit.

We really need to not worry about trying to fill these hugely expensive stadiums. Clubs need to get their costs down as low as possible and try to get broadcast deals in whatever countries will watch.

Hollywood Accounting. I wouldn't be taking the figures any of these organisations release very seriously.
They inflate them to snare new investors and they downplay them to lower tax obligations or to warrant increasing fees / memberships and so on.

The broadcast deals I agree though is where it's at.

[Tommyjet]

Apparently we might be getting sold again soon. Article on theworldgame

[My2BobsWorth]

Does SBS even do soccer anymore, I thought Tommo had spent all the money on bike races

[Tommyjet]

Does SBS even do soccer anymore, I thought Tommo had spent all the money on bike races

Quotes from lawrie about it

[belchardo]

Bit concerned about a "sydney consortium". Hope this isn't a way for one of the unsuccessful expansion clubs to get a licence.

[Couscous]

If Craig Foster is still involved, I will fully support Southern Expansion's takeover of the Jets.

[turbojetfireV8]

More on Jets EOFY sale:


JUNE 21 2020 - 12:45PM
A-League: Jets set for sale to Sydney businessman bringing end to Martin Lee's four years at the helm
James Gardiner
Football

THE Newcastle Jets are set to be sold to a Sydney businessman with a passion for football, but the multi-million dollar purchase comes with an ironclad condition - the A-League club must remain in the city.

Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna confirmed on Sunday that a "term sheet" had been exchanged between current owner Martin Lee and the prospective buyer.

"It has been finalised from Martin's side. Now it has been given to their lawyers to go through," said McKinna, who confirmed talks between the two parties had been ongoing since February.


Asked when he expected the sale to be finalised, McKinna said: "It's more likely to be weeks than months. It will be as long as it takes for the documents to go through.

"Then it goes to Football Federation Australia (FFA) for approval. All being well, I'm confident it would be done before the start of next season."

McKinna declined to divulge the sale price - or the identity of the businessman - but it's believed to be well in excess of the $5.5 million Lee paid for the club in 2015.

"He is a businessman and a football guy," McKinna said about the prospective owner.

"He believes in the region and he believes in what the city and the club can do.

"I can assure everybody the club will not be moving anywhere. It is the Newcastle Jets for a reason.

"I first spoke to him before the pandemic and he has hung in there all the way through it.

"He believes in the vision of the club, what we want to do in the area and what we want to do in the A-League."

McKinna, who has previously held talks with groups from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, the UK and the US, said the sale would involve an up-front payment followed by several installments over a set time frame.

Lee has poured $15 million into the Jets since taking ownership from the FFA.

The Jets made the grand final in the second year of his ownership and were on track to achieve a goal of qualifying for the Asian Champions League within three years.

However, Lee's wealth has taken a major hit in the past 18 months. Trade tariffs between the United States and China have impacted heavily on his LED lighting company.

The Chinese government has also put in place restrictions on money being transferred out of the country.

After shutting down his Chinese club Ledman Shenzen, Lee knocked back an offer of $12 million for the Jets in 2019 and has since significantly reduced his funding of the club.

"That was over a year ago," McKinna said. "He was looking for $15m and we had people interested and then the virus came along and changed things a bit."

McKinna said the announcement on Friday of a new broadcast deal with Foxtel to televise the A-League had been a positive.

"Talks were progressing well anyway, but there is definitely a lot more security with a new broadcast deal in place," McKinna said. "It was a real positive."

The Jets have around $2 million in operational debts to clear and McKinna said any shortfall would be taken into account as part of the sale.

"The club would come debt free," McKinna said. "Whatever the settlements is, that money would pay the debts.

"In the talks I have had with the prospective owner about moving forward with the club, he is wanting to invest. He is impressed with what the new coaching staff has done in the short time they have been in.

"He has spoken to Carl [Robinson] a couple of times on the phone. He wants to see a successful team. He will leave the football to the football people, but he will have a presence. He will be at the games. He has even been looking at houses in Newcastle."

[belchardo]

1 - "ironclad" guarantees are all well and good, but i'm yet to see one that actually gives the protections people think it does

2 - 'believes in the vision' is a strange term. surely the new owner will have their own vision.

anyway, this is probably a good thing. if lee wants out, then i'm glad he can get out. if the new guy wants to make a big splash and promises not to shift the licence, then i'll take them at their word at the moment.

can't help feeling like we've been here before though.

[Tommyjet]

Anyone have an idea of who it is? Surely its someone who has been mentioned in football circles when expansion was on the cards. Pretty sure there was a big name businessman who was funding one of the expansion wannabes that fell through.

[380]

Anyone have an idea of who it is? Surely its someone who has been mentioned in football circles when expansion was on the cards. Pretty sure there was a big name businessman who was funding one of the expansion wannabes that fell through.

Bruce Gordon was the individual behind the Wollongong Wolves bid. My understanding is he made it very clear to rich dads son and incompetent gallop he was keen on re-establishing the Wolves in to the National Comp. We now know that entire process was not above board apparently heavily influenced by Fox and the two successful bidders were chosen more so Fox could once again use the word derby to promote a fixture.

Gordon is a Wollongong person through and through and made no secret if his money was not good enough for the FFA it would be good enough for a stake in the St George Illawarra franchise in the NRL. He had for a very long time made it clear he wanted to fund the Wolves,Long before acquiring a stake in the NRL.

Given the new Western United lack of general interest, lack of a home base and now apparently there grand plan of building there own stadium ( the key point of there bid ) falling over Gordon has probably had the last lough.

Given the current broadcast circumstances of the game the FFA would have done well to have a bloke like Gordon in there corner assisting them, After all the bloke does have a bit to do with broadcasting, Just a bit LOL.

Here is a extract from a article when he threw his money in to St George Illawarra AFTER getting brushed by those geniuses Lowie and Gallop.

The St George Illawarra Dragons have undergone one of the club's biggest shakeups in 20 years with television network WIN Corporation taking on a 50 per cent stake.

"Support from head of WIN, media mogul Bruce Gordon sees the Illawarra region's longstanding ties to the Dragons kept alive."




Also i could have sworn at one stage Nick Politis from the chooks was an interested person along with some business acquaintances of his.

[Jetmaster]

We won't move.

Anyone with any nous about football in the last 20 years will know that there is no "magic" untapped market in Australia that will boom bigger than a fully funded and performing Newcastle Jets. Why move it elsewhere and where would you do better? Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough credit and ignore what we have actually achieved.

When we have money and when we have success we are in the top 3-4 franchises in the country. Managing money has been our curse.

[Tommyjet]

We won't move.

Anyone with any nous about football in the last 20 years will know that there is no "magic" untapped market in Australia that will boom bigger than a fully funded and performing Newcastle Jets. Why move it elsewhere and where would you do better? Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough credit and ignore what we have actually achieved.

When we have money and when we have success we are in the top 3-4 franchises in the country. Managing money has been our curse.

We were moving in the right direction under lee's ownership until the whole trade war shite.

[sapdad]

Its Con Constantine.

[ForeverRed]

Its Con Constantine.
I hope so, he deserves to hold the toilet seat up again

[Jetmaster]

Situation in Victoria may kill off plans to have games there - we might get the Western game here and have three at home to wrap up.

[Couscous]

Does this mean we'll no longer get an annual Chinese trialist? Preseason games over there?

The Jets will now be less attractive to players, given we're losing this exotic allure.

[pv4]

Does this mean we'll no longer get an annual Chinese trialist? Preseason games over there?

The Jets will now be less attractive to players, given we're losing this exotic allure.

All of these have slowly disappeared over the last 2 seasons anyway.

My memory of Lawrie being questioned about them all in the Jerkstream interviews were:
- overseas trials for senior team were not worth the effort and time, the coaching staff preferred local trials.
- overseas tournaments like the Weifang Cup (sp?) for youth squad the organisers forgot about us and they didn't have space for us. I personally have questions on how organised our club wasn't in making this happen though, but I'm sure we'll never hear more on that.
- Chinese triallists none that were remotely affordable were worth looking at anyway.
- Portugal loans for youth players the experience was bad in general and not worth the hassle.

[Alton]

Is Donachie our only pick up so far? Is Wessi coming back?

[Tommyjet]

Is Donachie our only pick up so far? Is Wessi coming back?

Wessi won't be back this season but we are lead to believe they are trying to sign him for next

[mic22]

I think it was mentioned in the Herald, Ledley is coming back for the last 4 games.
Or did I just dream that?

[turbojetfireV8]

Mentioned of possible Ledley return:

JUNE 16 2020 - 9:00PM
A-League: Newcastle Jets coaches cleared to return to Australia as players get to work
James Gardiner

JETS coach Carl Robinson and assistants Kenny Miller and Darren Bazeley have been given the green light to return to Australia as the playing squad prepares for their first training session together in three months at Ray Watt Oval on Tuesday.

Robinson traveled to Canada and Miller to Scotland to reunite with their families when the A-League was suspended on March 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recently appointed Bazeley is in New Zealand.

Football Federation Australia head of leagues Greg O'Rourke confirmed on Tuesday that the overseas contingent had received approval from the Border Force to travel to Australia, but on arrival must spend 14-days in quarantine under the direction of NSW Police.


"Carl and Kenny have been cleared and have requested that their families come out with them," McKinna said. "They are looking at flights, but we are waiting a couple of days to see if there is any changes with getting their families in. If not, they will have to come themselves. A couple of days won't make a great deal of difference. Darren Bazeley is looking at flying out of Auckland on the weekend."

McKinna has asked if the coaches can spend their time in isolation in Newcastle.

"Quest Newcastle offers that service here," McKinna said.

Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley, who joined the Jets in February on a short-tern deal, has also been cleared but his return from Cardiff could hinge on whether his family can join him.

"We have spoken to his agent and are waiting for a response," McKinna said. "Joe was interested in coming but he wanted his family to come. We don't know if it will be one week, two weeks a month before they get here. Then they will be in quarantine for two weeks."

The A-League resumes on July 18, with the remaining 27 matches of the regular season to be be packed into a 28-day period before launching into the finals series.

There were fears that Foxtel would pull out of broadcasting the remainder of the campaign and also renege on its deal to broadcast the code until the end of 2023.

But O'Rourke said negotiations were travelling "fairly well" and he was confident of a positive outcome.

"We feel positive about both - about the ability to have Fox broadcast the finish to the season, and also be a partner going forward," O'Rourke said.

"We are hoping those matters get brought to a head in the next couple of weeks."

The Jets, who sit in ninth place but are only three points outside the top six, have games remaining against Sydney, Central Coast, Western United and Wellington.

The battles against Western United and Phoenix, and possibly the Mariners, will be played at McDonald Jones Stadium and O'Rourke confirmed the likelihood of fans being at the stadium.

"At the moment we are working through whether we open grounds to the full 25 per cent capacity," O'Rourke said. "It obviously comes with extra costs but we would try to get as many people as we could to the grounds. We also have to work through how many of those fans will be members. I lot of this games are derbies and we would have not only home fans but opposition fans."

The reboot of the A-League will also include a temporary change to the laws. Like the English Premier League, A-League clubs will be allowed to make up to five substitutions each game.

The Jets went through strict COVID-19 protocols and procedures during a zoom conference on Tuesday afternoon ahead of training on Wednesday.

Jets academy coach and former A-League interim boss Craig Deans will conduct training until Robinson and his assistants are on deck.

"Training is scheduled for tomorrow morning, but it could be pushed back to the afternoon, depending on when we get the results from the COVID-19 test. They said it could take up to 48 hours to get the results back.

"Deansy has been speaking regularly with Carl and is ready to go."

[turbojetfireV8]

Herald - so I guess drugby ripping up a wet autumn/winter field so they can roll in the mud like pigs isn't an issue... anyway, Fuxsport will probably still demand crap schedules to fit around the sports they actually are interested in showing, so nothing will change till FFA grow a pair and walk away from Fux, not the other way round...



JUNE 24 2020 - 8:00PM
A-League: Jets boss confident switch to winter season can be winner
JAMES GARDINER

NEWCASTLE Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna has welcomed the A-League's switch to winter next season and believes it could be an opportunity to work alongside rather than against the Knights.

After a three-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the current campaign resumes on July 16 and culminates in the grand final on August 23.

The Jets have four games in the regular season to play.

The enforced hold-up was the catalyst for Football Federation Australia to negotiate a revised one-year broadcast deal with pay-TV operator Foxtel, which had threatened to walk away from the game.

Under the terms of the $32 million contract, the next A-League season will begin in December and finish in July 2021 - the first step in an anticipated shift towards a full alignment with the local football calendar and other winter codes.

"It's definitely a positive," McKinna said. "In the last couple of years, the popularity of the A-League has been down a little. This shows we are willing to try something different. It is up to the clubs to put on a good show. It is a good time to test it."

Domestic football in Australia has been played across the summer since 1989, a decision made in part to provide free air, away from the AFL and NRL.

The move to the warmer months hasn't produced the revenue streams hoped. The Jets will lose about $2 million this campaign, despite having just over 10,000 members.

The season will now overlap five months with the Knights, who boast 18,959 members, have a far bigger commercial footprint and posted a profit of about $800,000 in 2019.

"We have many members who are also members with the Knights," McKinna said. "If you are a member, you can go to both games anyway. You have already paid your money. I don't think we would be competing for that dollar. We would certainly be open to working with the Knights on promotions."

As well as potential members, the Jets and Knights would be competing for media exposure and sponsors.

The Jets have not had a permanent front-of-home-shirt sponsor in four years. Inspirations Paint has featured on the away strip for the past five seasons.

McKinna, while agreeing there "could be an impact" on the game's exposure nationally, believed it was outweighed by a greater opportunity to connect the professional game with grassroots.

"You are actually communicating with the players, who are playing at the same time," McKinna said. "You can communicate through their clubs and associations rather than communicating in October, November and December when nobody is playing.

"You would want to avoid scheduling A-League games in the traditional 3pm Sunday football time slot. We will see how things go. FFA and the clubs will monitor the connection and see if it transforms into people coming to games."

McKinna said the other major benefit was the cooler conditions in autumn and winter.

"Watch an A-League game on a Friday night with an 8pm kick-off compared to games at 5pm in summer," McKinna said. "The games are different because of the heat. The quality of football gets better in March, April, May and June when you are playing in 20-degree temperatures. You will will see a higher tempo game. Sure, there might be the odd cold night. That is what a jacket is for."

A move would also bring the A-League into line with Asia.

The pending change has divided opinion within football circles, with many worried the A-League would be drowned out by rival codes and that pitch quality could suffer at venues shared by multiple sports.

"I don't think the surface will be an issue," McKinna said. "They played played a Super Rugby game at McDonald Jones Stadium [in February] on a Saturday night and the rain was torrential. We played the Mariners the next day. Everybody thought the game would be off and the pitch destroyed but you wouldn't have known they had played a game there. The stadium do a fantastic job turning it around."

While in favour of the shift, McKinna believes it should be gradual.

"Next season finishes in July and if they went to straight to a full winter season starting the following March there is too long a lay-off. You want that connection by keeping playing.

"We will see how the crowds and everything goes. Then they can make the decision whether to move the league back another month the year after and slowly transition it to a full winter season."

[Bremsstrahlung]

Can’t wait to See the stadium turn into a high school with those hybrid posts/goals.
White lines for the coke sniffers and black lines for sokkah

[mic22]

Ledley coming back, confirmed on the Herald

[Jetmaster]

Don't usually bag Lozza but sounds pissweak here.

Work with the Knights? Like that hasn't been tried before and it is usually us suggesting it (or our owners) when we are in a position of weakness. All those old ideas of "double headers" and NRL "stars" coming out for kickoff. N(RL)BN television has already nearly forgotten we exist. Any logistic clash will result in the Jets being asked to be flexible. Bet there will be a home Knights clash on Coastie weekend.

Knights and the NRL don't care about us (Wests have already suggested as much). I still remember David Gallop in Newcastle when we won in 2008 and when asked about the growth of football in Newcastle said he didn't care as we were a competitor.

The Super Rugby was a one off. There will be much more drain on that surface with two teams and the odd union game on it. And do you really think many families will go to both Jets and Knights on the same weekend even if they are members? And how will we now fit around a women's World Cup in 2023 winter?

I cannot see any value in moving to winter, we were aligned with the overseas leagues, there is nothing else on Fux in summer apart from the cricket and basketball. We need to get away as they arrange the schedule, have no idea and then blame the A-League. One example last season was a Saturday where there was a game in Wello, then Sydney, then Perth - all kicked off 5pm local time when there was no reason they could not have all kicked off 7pm local time!

Hope our new overlords have substantial testicles.

[Alton]

Don't usually bag Lozza but sounds pissweak here.

Work with the Knights? Like that hasn't been tried before and it is usually us suggesting it (or our owners) when we are in a position of weakness. All those old ideas of "double headers" and NRL "stars" coming out for kickoff. N(RL)BN television has already nearly forgotten we exist. Any logistic clash will result in the Jets being asked to be flexible. Bet there will be a home Knights clash on Coastie weekend.

Knights and the NRL don't care about us (Wests have already suggested as much). I still remember David Gallop in Newcastle when we won in 2008 and when asked about the growth of football in Newcastle said he didn't care as we were a competitor.

The Super Rugby was a one off. There will be much more drain on that surface with two teams and the odd union game on it. And do you really think many families will go to both Jets and Knights on the same weekend even if they are members? And how will we now fit around a women's World Cup in 2023 winter?

I cannot see any value in moving to winter, we were aligned with the overseas leagues, there is nothing else on Fux in summer apart from the cricket and basketball. We need to get away as they arrange the schedule, have no idea and then blame the A-League. One example last season was a Saturday where there was a game in Wello, then Sydney, then Perth - all kicked off 5pm local time when there was no reason they could not have all kicked off 7pm local time!

Hope our new overlords have substantial testicles.

Someone needs to remind Knights who paid to rebuild the field

[My2BobsWorth]

Until we start playing Australian soccer we will treated as second rate. We have Aussie rules, Aussie rugby but the dickheads can't see that we need Aussie soccer, not European, not South American, fukn Aussie. Dickheads.

[Jetmaster]

Fowler leaves Roar...

https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/teams/brisbane-roar/fowler-wont-return-for-aleague-restart-with-roar-duo-set-to-take-over/news-story/09a521d0212816e8d19b8dfcf51745fb

[belchardo]

Draw is out

July 16: Melbourne Victory v Western United, TBC

July 17: Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix, Jubilee Stadium

July 18: Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners, Central Coast Stadium

July 19: Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United, CBUS Stadium

July 20: Western United v Melbourne City, TBC

July 21: Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets, Jubilee Stadium

July 22: Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory, Bankwest Stadium

July 23: Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix, Jubilee Stadium

July 24: Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets, Central Coast Stadium

July 25: Sydney FC v Western United, Bankwest Stadium

July 26: Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United, Bankwest Stadium

July 27: Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers, Central Coast Stadium

July 28: Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar, Bankwest Stadium

July 30: Adelaide United v Perth Glory, Bankwest Stadium

July 31: Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix, Bankwest Stadium

August 1: Melbourne City v Sydney FC, TBC

August 2: Newcastle Jets v Western United, McDonald Jones Stadium

August 3: Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners, TBC

August 4: Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory, Bankwest Stadium

August 5: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar, Bankwest Stadium

August 6: Adelaide United v Sydney FC, TBC

August 7: Western United v Western Sydney Wanderers, TBC

August 8: Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory, Bankwest Stadium

August 9: Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix, McDonald Jones Stadium

August 10: Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC, ANZ Stadium

August 11: Melbourne City v Adelaide United, TBC

August 12: Perth Glory v Western United, Bankwest Stadium

ELIMINATION FINALS

August 15: Team 4 v Team 5 or Team 3 v Team 6

August 16: Team 4 v Team 5 or Team 3 v Team 6

SEMI-FINALS

August 19: 1 v Lowest Ranked EF Winner or 2 v Highest Ranked EF Winner

August 20: 1 v Lowest Ranked EF Winner or 2 v Highest Ranked EF Winner

GRAND FINAL

August 23: Winners Semi-Final v Winner Semi-Final 2

[evolution]

For anyone wanting a nice long read this arvo, here is the FFA's "XI Principles" for the future of Australian football discussion paper released today:

https://www.ffa.com.au/sites/ffa/files/2020-07/FFA%20-%20XI%20Principles.pdf

[belchardo]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/football-federation-australia-wants-to-transform-the-game/12417268

a slightly shorter version.

The principles include:


Building a strong and consistent identity for Australian football
Developing a narrative for football, which distinguishes it from the other football codes
Establishing a domestic transfer system
Increasing opportunities for young players in terms of development and minutes on the field
Improving coaching
Improving governance
Reducing costs for players
Continuing the growth of the game for women and girls
Creating a better operating model for the professional leagues
Positioning the national teams, the Matildas and Socceroos as unifying symbols of the game


These guys are talking the talk. I hope they manage to walk the walk. Sincerely, i do. I don't care how we compare to AFL, league, union, tiddlywinks. I just want us to be able to stand on our own feet.

It will be interesting to see how some of these are managed - "increasing opportunities...and minutes on field" for younger players doesn't seem to sit too well with "creating a better operating model for the professional leagues"

[mic22]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/football-federation-australia-wants-to-transform-the-game/12417268


It will be interesting to see how some of these are managed - "increasing opportunities...and minutes on field" for younger players doesn't seem to sit too well with "creating a better operating model for the professional leagues"

I think both statements can translate into "more games played": more teams (an expansion to 16 is envisaged in the document for the A-league, or whatever they will rebrand it to), a longer season.
"Better operating model" is very vague btw...

[380]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/football-federation-australia-wants-to-transform-the-game/12417268

a slightly shorter version.

The principles include:


Building a strong and consistent identity for Australian football
Developing a narrative for football, which distinguishes it from the other football codes
Establishing a domestic transfer system
Increasing opportunities for young players in terms of development and minutes on the field
Improving coaching
Improving governance
Reducing costs for players
Continuing the growth of the game for women and girls
Creating a better operating model for the professional leagues
Positioning the national teams, the Matildas and Socceroos as unifying symbols of the game


These guys are talking the talk. I hope they manage to walk the walk. Sincerely, i do. I don't care how we compare to AFL, league, union, tiddlywinks. I just want us to be able to stand on our own feet.

It will be interesting to see how some of these are managed - "increasing opportunities...and minutes on field" for younger players doesn't seem to sit too well with "creating a better operating model for the professional leagues"

You are so on the money with this post and your reference to talking the talk. We have heard statements like this time and time again from FFA leadership.

Those bullet points are nothing more than fancy talk and the sort of thing any focus group would come up with at a round table in any conference. Any person with half an interest in Football could have compiled that list of marketing speak.

Any sod can plot a point on a map which is exactly what that list is, A final destination. The most important and missing part is the details on how they intend to arrive at that place and achieve those objectives. Bit like presenting a budget for your Sales Manager, Giving him your forecast is one thing showing him/her how you are going to reach that number is more important. Without it it just WOFTAM.

[Frodo]

Did everyone hear that all 3 Melbourne teams didn't get out of Victoria in time, since they moved the closure forward a day? The remaining games are currently not looking likely unless someone can pressure the premiers into allowing them through.

Classic A League.

[belchardo]

Fog in Canberra stopped the flights.

[mic22]

Borders close tonight.


NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has said he will contact the Football Federation of Australia later today about the three A-League teams stranded in Victoria ahead of tonight's border closure with NSW.

The FFA said they will seek exemptions to the NSW border closure after players from Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Western United were left trapped on the tarmac at Tullamarine Airport late on Monday night.

The players were due to fly to Canberra, and then travel to Sydney, but low visibility meant the flight could not depart.

"Let's bring them across the border, let's park them in the regions or here in the city and make sure they're part of the A-League," Mr Barilaro told reporters in Sydney today.

"We'll work with health officials like we did with other codes."

I don't get the flight to Canberra, then drive to Syd... really? What was wrong with a direct flight to Syd? What's the difference?

[Frodo]

Borders close tonight.



I don't get the flight to Canberra, then drive to Syd... really? What was wrong with a direct flight to Syd? What's the difference?

They closed a day earlier than planned, so I'm guessing that was the flight they had available to them so late in the day.

[boz-monaut]

also, Sydney has curfews on flights - and it's not that simple to just organise a flight into an airport as busy as Sydney at such late notice

[mic22]

I've read it was a charter flight, and I don't think Syd is that busy atm...
I've also read about the limit on incoming passengers at Syd: that would make sense.
Anyway FFA had about 10 days to think about it, and here they are!

[belchardo]

Are you saying the various governments gave FFA advance warning that they were closing the borders? So early in fact that even the governments themselves didn't know they were going to do it?

[Frodo]

Looks like they've been given the exemption green light to come in even with the borders closed. Now it just depends on how much the 14 day quarantine affects the schedule.

[mic22]

Are you saying the various governments gave FFA advance warning that they were closing the borders? So early in fact that even the governments themselves didn't know they were going to do it?

Of course they couldn't know, and there's been a fair bit of bad luck too with the cancelled flight, the early border closure etc.
What I'm saying is: there is a covid outbreak in Melbourne, we've seen a few of these by now and you know there's a good chance it's going to end up bad.
So maybe they could have planned things a bit earlier?
Hindsight I know...

[Jetmaster]

Didn't take Foz long to start preaching.

https://www.miragenews.com/former-so...ate-world-cup/

https://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/202...rts-diversity/

[belchardo]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/11/a-league-travel-fiasco-ends-as-players-arrive-in-nsw

The victorian teams have arrived in sydney

[turbojetfireV8]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/11/a-league-travel-fiasco-ends-as-players-arrive-in-nsw

The victorian teams have arrived in sydney

hope they scrubbed them when they got off the plane...

[turbojetfireV8]

Not sure what to make of this, is this about operational losses or does it go deeper, or is it a beat up?

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/ffa-threatens-to-strip-jets-owner-lee-of-a-league-licence

[belchardo]

everything old is new again.

[380]

FFA should get there own house in order first and foremost. They want too impose themselves and sort a circus out then they should look in the mirror.

Club is not last, Has good membership numbers and unless i have missed something the bills are being paid.

[Jetmaster]

Beat up.....headline and story based on one line from a "source" ffs.

Everything else Lawrie told us a month ago.

[Jeterpool]

Beat up.....headline and story based on one line from a "source" ffs.

Everything else Lawrie told us a month ago.

Exactly.

[My2BobsWorth]

You have to remember that there is no private ownership in China, the Chinese gov owns the Jets.

[belchardo]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/14/football-australia-doomed-marginal-sport-leaders-show-vision

good piece from Simon Hill

[Jetmaster]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/14/football-australia-doomed-marginal-sport-leaders-show-vision

good piece from Simon Hill

Interesting to see where he positions himself in the local media, with Fox giving him the flick.

[boz-monaut]

Interesting to see where he positions himself in the local media, with Fox giving him the flick.

hopefully he provides The Guardian with some quality local content to match their brilliant English coverage

[turbojetfireV8]

Herald story about Jade:


JULY 18 2020 - 5:30AM
Jade North on racism, depression, the Jets championship and his love for Newcastle
Damon Cronshaw
Editors Pick - List
Pride: Jade North displaying his Biripi tribe tattoo on his left arm while playing with the Newcastle Jets in 2008. Picture: Simone De Peak +21
Jade North wishes society was like sport.

"Sport teaches you to come together and be as one," the former Newcastle Jets captain said.

"Once we can recognise that, I think we can all move together peacefully."


North, 38, is an Indigenous man originally from Taree and the Biripi people.

He's followed the Black Lives Matter movement, including the protests in Newcastle.

"It was great to see people from all different backgrounds supporting Black Lives Matter [in Newcastle]," he said.

"I think we've all got to come together and unite as one because we're all Australian."

North said awareness of the past was important, along with moving towards a better place.

"We do live in today's society as well, which is something that I've learnt along the way and had to adapt to," he said.

"Everyone has to realise the history that did happen a long time ago. We have to take that in our stride and be better today."

He believes people should be "open minded and respect where you're from and who you are".

His personal experience of racism has been profound.

"Growing up being Indigenous, sometimes you didn't fit in. At times, people looked down on you. I used to hear racial remarks at school or sitting on buses, whatever it may be," he said.

"I don't blame those sorts of people. I just think it's a lack of education. No one is born in this world to be racist. I think it's a taught thing, unfortunately.

"It's just a matter of getting it out there and teaching people. We all bleed the same colour, we're all human."

When humanity figures this out, he believes we can go a long way towards "everyone coming together".

"I love my community, where I'm from and people in general. I have friends from all different backgrounds."

His advice on dealing with racism and prejudice is to "call it out in an educated way" where possible.

"The more times it can be said and dealt with in the right manner, I think people will respect that," he said.

He suggests approaching individuals and saying, "Hey, that's wrong" or "That's not right".

Some have an understandable fear about calling out racism in difficult circumstances.

"Sometimes it might not be the right place to call people out. You can't do it when you're under threat," he said.

North is against the use of anger to call out racism.

"Anger is like the enemy. Anger can turn into violence," he said.

"You've got to be proud of who you are inside and don't let those things from outside affect you. I guess that's what I've been able to do over the years.

"It might be harder for younger people. But the younger the better to learn to call it out at the right time. That's important."

Giving Back
A Good Cause: Jade North is an ambassador for the charity GIVIT's national Indigenous support program.
A Good Cause: Jade North is an ambassador for the charity GIVIT's national Indigenous support program.

North, who now lives in Brisbane with his wife and three kids, has a long and decorated list of achievements.

He became the first Indigenous captain of the Socceroos and played 41 times for the senior national team. He is a two-times Olympian and two-times A-League championship winner.

After playing for the Newcastle Jets from 2005 to 2008, he had stints in South Korea, Norway and Japan before finishing his top-level professional career with Brisbane Roar in 2018.

Having played professionally for 20 years, he uses his profile to help good causes for Indigenous people.

"It was always a platform for me to show where I'm from and how proud I am as an Indigenous person in the community, but as a sportsperson as well," he said.

He's continuing this role as an ambassador for the charity GIVIT and its national Indigenous support program.

The program helps improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from "Arnhem Land to Sydney".

He also founded Kickin' with a Cuz, a football program that aims to help disadvantaged Indigenous children make better life choices.

North still plays football. This season, he's with Eastern Suburbs FC in Queensland's Premier League.

Triumph and Despair

North considers Newcastle home.

"I love Newcastle. I'm a Taree boy, so it's pretty much my home anyway," he said.

"I was proud to be associated with Newcastle and to play for what was my home team growing up. I have great memories there."

He looks back fondly on the Jets' 2008 grand final victory, defeating arch rival Central Coast Mariners 1-0.

"It was an amazing achievement from everyone as a whole - from the kitman to the youngest player in the squad. It was a great experience," North said.

"We had fantastic players in that side, but it was also about team unity. We had a strong bond.

"All the boys were hanging out together and we shared one common thing - the drive for success."

North said people tended to "write off" the Jets, but the fans knew "exactly how good we were".

"When we got that momentum, the fans were just unbelievable - memories I'll never forget," he said.

There was, however, a darker side to North's life during the season that the Jets won the title.

He was living with depression and anxiety. He's open to speaking about his experience to raise awareness about mental health.

The illness came on with numerous changes in his life.

His wife Maree was pregnant with their first son, Zane. He was playing for the Socceroos in World Cup qualifiers with the likes of Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer.

He was putting a lot of pressure on himself and seeking a move overseas.

"You get knocked back and things don't work out, but you keep playing."

In a sense, it was a coming-of-age time for North.

"I was coming from being a young adult, still wanting to go out and enjoy myself and be with the lads. At the same time, you have responsibilities," he said.

"It was all those bits and pieces. I used to worry a lot about certain things. That saying 'worry yourself sick' is a true saying. That's what I used to do."

He bottled things up.

"I never used to talk about certain things," he said.

He often felt ill.

"I was doing every test under the sun because I had this sick feeling. I didn't know what it was," he said.

"There were times I'd sit in the shower of a morning just to wake myself up.

"I'd feel this sickening feeling for sometimes half an hour, 45 minutes or an hour at the start of the day. I didn't know what was going on with me."

Sometimes he felt sick all day from "the minute I woke up to when I went to sleep".

"It was the most horrible feeling I've ever felt - I wouldn't wish it upon anyone," he said.

Newcastle doctor Neil Halpin - "a fantastic guy and great person" - helped him through it.

"He diagnosed me with depression," he said.

Initially, he was in denial.

He was thinking: "That can't be me, I'm quite a happy person".

He was fighting himself, going around in circles in his mind.

"It's a vicious circle. You're worried and depressed."

Seeing a medical professional, he said, helped him understand "exactly what was going on".

Getting to a better place, though, took time.

Even after winning the grand final and lifting the trophy, he wasn't feeling right.

"We sat in the change room and everyone was celebrating. I was sitting in the corner because I felt that sick feeling."

Even when he was playing, he felt sick.

While playing in South Korea in 2009, he was on antidepressant medication but it wasn't working. His perception was affected.

"I remember playing in stadiums and looking at the pitch, worrying about everything that's happening in the stadium," he said.

"It was the most horrible feeling. It felt like the ball was so small. That if it was going to come to me, I wouldn't be able to control it. You're worrying about these stupid things."

The negative and repetitive thought patterns were disconcerting.

"When I was starting to feel better, my mind would think 'Why aren't you feeling sick?'

"You're playing these mind games with yourself. It's really weird."

The hardest part was not knowing what was happening.

"Once you find the way and get the right help and treatment, that's the way to come out of these things," he said.

"Sometimes it can happen quickly, but sometimes it's a bit of a process."

The experience, he said, made him more resilient and "stronger as a person".

"That's one thing I can take out of that," he said.

For more information on the charity that Jade North supports, visit givit.org.au/indigenous.

[belchardo]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/09/15/aafc-releases-plans-for-second-division-by-2022/

Second division story

[Bremsstrahlung]

New Socceroos and Matildas Jersey.
Don't mind it personally. I like the 2014 kit. Hopefully it's with Green shorts, not sold on the solid yellow kit (even if it is a FIFA directive), if other nations can mix it up, why cant we.


Bit of a silly move not making the away jersey available in womens sizing. Just asking for a public beating in this day and age.

[StannyCFCJET]

Looks like Donachie has gone on loan overseas

[The Dunster]

Looks like Donachie has gone on loan overseas

https://thebridge.in/football/isl-fc-goa-sign-former-australia-u-23-international-james-donachie/

ISL free riding Australia developing players for their league.
No wonder clubs are so reluctant to invest heavily in player development.

[380]

Probs come limping home with a stuffed knee and no good too us. Seems to be about our form.

[Couscous]

Hahaha

https://www.facebook.com/FCGoaOfficial/videos/856460378222198/

[The Dunster]

I'm guessing Donachie out on loan means we are keeping Boogs - which makes me happy.

[belchardo]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/10/12/wanderers-part-ways-with-coach-de-marigny/

wanderers have sacked de marigny. 3 months after signing him to the head coaching role.

[Jeterpool]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/10/12/wanderers-part-ways-with-coach-de-marigny/

wanderers have sacked de marigny. 3 months after signing him to the head coaching role.

Geez...so much turgidity in the whole league right now

Chris Harold has also retired at age 28. Bloke must be sick of scoring against us.

[The Dunster]

Several god coaches have been sacked by WSW - I have a feeling the coaches aren't the problem.

[Bremsstrahlung]

Geez...so much turgidity in the whole league right now

Chris Harold has also retired at age 28. Bloke must be sick of scoring against us.

Probably more secure work elsewhere.
Easy to forget a great portion of these players aren’t earning a huge amount of money, the recent pay cuts, the uncertainty of the league.....do we have a start date yet?!

I know of a netballer that plays in the national comp, and they were basically told at one point the clubs were going to “terminate all contracts” so they were eligible for job keeper/or whatever allowances as they were substantially more than the negotiated pay cuts would’ve been.
Don’t think it came to that. But just an example that just because you play elite sport, doesn’t mean you’re better off than John smith.


I’m curious why our season isn’t even announced yet.

[mic22]

How can they even think of a schedule with all the uncertainty about border closures?
A bubble is ok for an end of season scenario, but for the whole season?

[boz-monaut]

late December start of the season - that's as good as they can give us at the moment

Xmas day games should be a welcome distraction from the family

[Jetmaster]

Have heard December 27th but not confirmed.

[boz-monaut]

firming up for 27 December - https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/new-a-league-season-set-to-begin-during-christmas-holidays-20201013-p564m2.html

[mic22]

Yay.
2 months to find a coach and half a squad.

[Jeterpool]

https://www.westsydneyfootball.com/forums/topic/7989-jean-paul-de-marigny-departs-wanderers/page/5/#comments

Wanderers fan agreeing that going for Robinson would be a dick move.

We seem more upset compared to their potential excitement.

[Bremsstrahlung]

firming up for 27 December - https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/new-a-league-season-set-to-begin-during-christmas-holidays-20201013-p564m2.html

Interesting.
I suspected a post Christmas start date as players wouldn’t wanna be isolating for Christmas.
Cue the “all I want for Christmas is..... derbies, more derbies, more derbies, goals, action, a league” advertisements. Where can I trademark this?

Good on them for trying to make it all work.
Wonder if they will have a Victorian team round robin first up to try and get them playing a few games and worry about a potential bubble later in draw.

[Bremsstrahlung]

https://www.westsydneyfootball.com/forums/topic/7989-jean-paul-de-marigny-departs-wanderers/page/5/#comments

Wanderers fan agreeing that going for Robinson would be a dick move.

We seem more upset compared to their potential excitement.

Think it’s just confirmation bias that we always get screwed over.

We don’t really hear or care about the day to day runnings of other clubs or know what their players say in pressers when the leave etc. but we sure as hell remember every “promise” made or “contract” signed.
Poor Wanderers invented football and still can’t settle on a coach and the best supporters in the nation have forgotten who they sing for.

[ABCDEF]

So Nabbout screws us over first after we give him an opportunity when no one else does.

Champness then screws us over deciding to leave the club where he gets an opportunity for his shit rapping career that was never going to happen. He now does us over again by signing for Brisbane after the jets kept money for him when he came back instead of using it on another player instead.

Carl is then given an opportunity after being out of a job for a little while, stays for about 5 minutes and is now looking to get in bed with a rival club.

Maybe it’s the type of people that the jets are signing that is the issue. I understand there are egos in football but these guys are just plain scum with no sense of loyalty. I don’t care how we go next season, what would be nice is if we could build a football club of good people to start with, then go from there.

[Tommyjet]

Really feeling those familiar doom and gloom off-season vibes. Feel its only gonna get worse

[Ghost of Plague]

You might want to check and see if Robinson was receiving each and every dime he was entitled to under his employment contract. If the club was somehow shafting him then I'd be out the door too.
Maybe ask old word salad ceo and see what tripe he comes back with.
Richard Money over Zoom would be a top class coach. Sign him up Tinks.

[Grimario]

Really feeling those familiar doom and gloom off-season vibes. Feel its only gonna get worse

If anyone expects it to get better, they aren't really a Jets fan.

[Bon]

If anyone expects it to get better, they aren't really a Jets fan.

This.

[Bon]

The club have just confirmed that they have granted permission for Carl and Wanderers to enter discussions...
No other comments...
(Facey statement from the club. It's literally two lines)

I wish i could pretend to be surprised... Seriously..

[StannyCFCJET]

The club have just confirmed that they have granted permission for Carl and Wanderers to enter discussions...
No other comments...
(Facey statement from the club. It's literally two lines)

I wish i could pretend to be surprised... Seriously..

Club is finished

[Frodo]

Until Lawrie leaves, nothing will improve. The second the club agreed to the terms of sale to Martin Lee including the appointment of Lawrie, we have been on a slow winding spiral downwards.

Robbo has taken a look around the club, realised where it's headed and is hoping to jump ship as soon as an offer comes in. Jowic did the same. Nabbout did it as well. There hasn't been too many players wanting to come back here for a 2nd stint besides a very much out of favour Roy. That tells you a lot IMO.

[mic22]

Not Lawries fault if there's no money. When Lee came in and money was available, we "virtuallly" won the league. Quality was there.
Then ML started to pull out... very simple. It's just sad to witness, but a solid fan base is obviously not enough to make a club viable: it's probably just enough to guarantee survival and wooden spoons (or 7th places).

[Aegon]

https://www.newcastlejets.com.au/news/club-statement-carl-robinson?fbclid=IwAR1mx06qTwboJz4DM2BNlTt2U3H5qjhS qYFz6-6pN4hCcl3tN2CfmEMKIYw

WOW - The club is just rolling over yet again.

No ambition whatsoever. All the positive progress at the end of last season is gone.

I just logged into my member portal and there was no way to cancel my auto membership renewal. I just deleted my CC details instead.

[Jeterpool]

I really fear we've used all our 9 lives this time.

Like others on here and social media, I'm getting a sense that this could end badly.

Were we to need bailing out again, I don't see it happening. I would expect the licence to go to Canberra instead.

[q-money]

jets are back baby!

[Ghost of Plague]

jets are back baby!

im here to finish the job mother****ers!!!!!!

[boz-monaut]

let's face it - all of us on this godforsaken forum have wasted far too much of our lives on this bullshit club

we should all be looking forward to this shit finally ending and we can all get on with our lives

[Grimario]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/robinson-to-be-unveiled-as-wanderers-coach-as-newcastle-s-future-hangs-in-balance-20201014-p564zo.html

That escalated quickly.

[Jeterpool]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/robinson-to-be-unveiled-as-wanderers-coach-as-newcastle-s-future-hangs-in-balance-20201014-p564zo.html

That escalated quickly.

I suspect the media have known about this for a while and it might all be about to come to a head.

[Bon]

I'm so glad our management/leadership team are being open, honest and transparent with us - the paying fans.. :gent:

[380]

Just defies absolute logic that a club with such loyal support and always in the top half of the league for paid up membership to be the basket case it always is.

The League is on its death bed as it is, Screw the club screw the league. Game just was not strong enough to survive firstly Gallop and now Covid.

[Frodo]

So how long until Lawrie starts talks with Charlesworth about his inevitable merger masterplan? That was his plan all along in my head, so I'm not surprised it's going this way.


I'm fairly confident that none of us will want anything to do with them once it happens (hopefully the Facebook douches all stick around and waste their hard earned tho, A league needs chumps to keep it afloat), so I just want to put it out there now that we should just rename this place "WellingtonFootball.net" and start doing the shirtless Poznan at whatever time they do that thing that the NZ commentators seem to love so much.

Thoughts? Counter offers for other teams to jump ship to? WSW does have a gold strip and hates Sydney FC, but I don't think I can go to games where you get mugged by security on your way in each game.

[Jetmaster]

Been going through this crap since 1977 - dunno if I can go any further.

I doubt there will be a league in 12 months let alone a Jets.

[Grimario]

I really fear we've used all our 9 lives this time.

Like others on here and social media, I'm getting a sense that this could end badly.

Were we to need bailing out again, I don't see it happening. I would expect the licence to go to Canberra instead.

So our players can go from Newcastle Whodontexist to Canbera Whodontexistyet?


Remember when our biggest gripe was just that our team was shit?

[Alton]

If you are taking a sneek peak at this forum Lawrie, please tell us what is happening,anything,something.

[traffic light]

So Nabbout screws us over first after we give him an opportunity when no one else does.

Champness then screws us over deciding to leave the club where he gets an opportunity for his shit rapping career that was never going to happen. He now does us over again by signing for Brisbane after the jets kept money for him when he came back instead of using it on another player instead.

Carl is then given an opportunity after being out of a job for a little while, stays for about 5 minutes and is now looking to get in bed with a rival club.

Maybe it’s the type of people that the jets are signing that is the issue. I understand there are egos in football but these guys are just plain scum with no sense of loyalty. I don’t care how we go next season, what would be nice is if we could build a football club of good people to start with, then go from there.

Agree

[traffic light]

Until Lawrie leaves, nothing will improve. The second the club agreed to the terms of sale to Martin Lee including the appointment of Lawrie, we have been on a slow winding spiral downwards.

Robbo has taken a look around the club, realised where it's headed and is hoping to jump ship as soon as an offer comes in. Jowic did the same. Nabbout did it as well. There hasn't been too many players wanting to come back here for a 2nd stint besides a very much out of favour Roy. That tells you a lot IMO.

Was expecting you to feel sorry for other non Aleague towns so offer our licence to them

[Frodo]

Was expecting you to feel sorry for other non Aleague towns so offer our licence to them

Nah, but I do feel sorry for you tho. Must be tough with me living in your head so bad that you chase me around an internet forum making childish remarks. Lmao.

Can't believe we lost the member so that kids like this could run around without supervision. Mods, do better next time please.

......



Now, back to the shit-show unfolding in front of us. I wonder how many players who signed up for Robbo are talking to their agents right now about one of them loans to WSW next season?

[Ghost of Plague]

I wonder how many players who signed up for Robbo are talking to their agents right now about one of them loans to WSW next season?

Isnt it all the one agent anyway?
Isnt that what got him rissoled from his previous post?
Imagine being such a shitkhunt that Canadians get angry at you.
He, his agent and any associated players can go. Mt Druitt is lovely this time of year Carl hope you enjoy it.

[Grimario]

His Gyponess is going to be on Fox at 515.

[Ghost of Plague]

His Gyponess is going to be on Fox at 515.

Unless hes going to announce his resignation why bother.
Hell blame Trump, covid, bushfire and the cancellation of Magnum PI rather than admit he runs a shitshow.
The quicker we get Stu and Dapuzzo back in running the joint the better.
Easily win NewFM within our first 3 seasons with those blokes in charge.
I miss Con.

[Bremsstrahlung]

Just watched the replay on fox.

Wanderers asked, we said yes.
Wanderers and him are chatting.
He’s contracted, but we had agreements he could talk to other clubs.
Wanderers are a big club. Ffs.
Active buyer with FFA processes atm.
Carl leaves cause of uncertainty probably.

Any animosity towards Wanderers? No. No distrust. All been up front. Inquiry was made. He told Carl they were keen.

Contingency plan is to get a new owner.
Up to new owner what they do with coaching and recruitment.

Carl’s been a top coach. We have done right thing by him. Carl has aspirations to be a top coach, that’s why he’s leaving.

Can you give Jets fans hope?
I know there’s been some stories, way off mark, reasonable squad, Jets will be kicking off in new a league season.

[Bremsstrahlung]

I wonder if we are trying to run club into the ground so FFA have no choice but to take Lee’s license instead of allowing him to sell it.

[belchardo]

Just watched the replay on fox.

Wanderers asked, we said yes.
Wanderers and him are chatting.
He’s contracted, but we had agreements he could talk to other clubs.
Wanderers are a big club. Ffs.
Active buyer with FFA processes atm.
Carl leaves cause of uncertainty probably.

Any animosity towards Wanderers? No. No distrust. All been up front. Inquiry was made. He told Carl they were keen.

Contingency plan is to get a new owner.
Up to new owner what they do with coaching and recruitment.

Carl’s been a top coach. We have done right thing by him. Carl has aspirations to be a top coach, that’s why he’s leaving.

Can you give Jets fans hope?
I know there’s been some stories, way off mark, reasonable squad, Jets will be kicking off in new a league season.

thanks Brem. We are clearly in a terrible position yet Lee is still asking for too much cash. he needs to accept he ain't getting what he paid for it.

[StannyCFCJET]

No matter the reasons, Its gonna be hard not to hate Carl

[Jeterpool]

No matter the reasons, Its gonna be hard not to hate Carl

Oh he's public enemy number 1

[boz-monaut]

Agent McKinna is No.1

anyone think we should unban the Member now the end of times is upon us?

[Jeterpool]

Agent McKinna is No.1

anyone think we should unban the Member now the end of times is upon us?

Why not. Like a reunion episode

[Jetmaster]

They struggled to reach 8250 without any restriction before the interruption... members or not.
I don't really see a problem here, there won't be much demand for tickets imo.
But it makes sense to prioritise members, since they have already paid!
But then, watch the attendance of max 5000...


Agent McKinna is No.1

anyone think we should unban the Member now the end of times is upon us?

Please do....need some levity.

[Frodo]

Agent McKinna is No.1

anyone think we should unban the Member now the end of times is upon us?

Not sure if I've mentioned this on the Forum, and clearly it's just a conspiracy theory cause I dislike the bloke immensely.....

But, what are the chances that Lawrie is screwing some deals for the sale of the club by insisting that he keeps his job? There's no one else who'll give him a job so he needs to hang on to this one with both hands. He's also not gonna be sad if we do fold, especially if it's the reason his beloved Coasties Sauce Bottles stay afloat for another year or two.
Martin Lee probably can't afford to sack him either, so we could be absolutely screwed here.


Also, yeah I'm not sure how the Member could make this place any worse than it is now. The sky has already begun falling, why not go out laughing at his antics at the same time, lol.

[boz-monaut]

everyone should go online and remove credit card details from their memberships

https://am.ticketmaster.com/newcastlejets/#/

I'd do it tonight if I were you

[Frodo]

everyone should go online and remove credit card details from their memberships

https://am.ticketmaster.com/newcastlejets/#/

I'd do it tonight if I were you


100% agree with this.

[boz-monaut]

Member unbanned

now look what you made me do

someone go onto your darkweb forums and let him know

[Jetmaster]

They struggled to reach 8250 without any restriction before the interruption... members or not.
I don't really see a problem here, there won't be much demand for tickets imo.
But it makes sense to prioritise members, since they have already paid!
But then, watch the attendance of max 5000...

China is on a bit of an anti Australia mission at the moment.

We need to hear from Lee, not his mouthpiece.

[mic22]

No matter the reasons, Its gonna be hard not to hate Carl

If the Jets survive, it might be the only game I attend, only to boo him to death.

[Aegon]

everyone should go online and remove credit card details from their memberships

https://am.ticketmaster.com/newcastlejets/#/

I'd do it tonight if I were you

Done it right after the Jets Statement.

[turbojetfireV8]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/football/a-league/jets-boss-defends-chaos

I'm a bit worried that the contracts we're producing are being written by numpties with no idea how to write a binding contract, why are there so many out clauses, is that normal??

[StannyCFCJET]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/football/a-league/jets-boss-defends-chaos

I'm a bit worried that the contracts we're producing are being written by numpties with no idea how to write a binding contract, why are there so many out clauses, is that normal??

Id say players or managers won't sign without one

[Bremsstrahlung]

I was thinking the same thing.
Why is there a clause that your coach can negotiate terms with another club and leave you high and dry?
Why even bother with a contract in the first place.

[mic22]

There must be a trigger, e.g. not receiving salary?

[Grimario]

https://www.ffa.com.au/news/a-league-and-westfield-w-league-202021-calendar-announced

Second worst kept secret - season to start 27th December.

[redwah]

Jets will be lucky to survive this season, A league will be lucky to survive beyond this season. I ****ing hate all the other Nsw teams and I ain’t crossing a border so **** the a league.

Worst part in all this is the ****ing gypos will outlive us.

[skullboy]

James Johnson from FFA claims they are looking at four "live" bidders for the club. Maybe they have finally threatened to take the license back.

[boz-monaut]

so Laurie's email this afternoon puts things in perspective

no money from the owner since October last year

begs the question of why any of them are staying

[Thomas477]

so Laurie's email this afternoon puts things in perspective

no money from the owner since October last year

begs the question of why any of them are staying

No money, but still says that Carl was on a lot of money and it’ll free dollars up. How can you sign someone on a lot of $$$ but also say you don’t have any $$$?

[Frodo]

No money, but still says that Carl was on a lot of money and it’ll free dollars up. How can you sign someone on a lot of $$$ but also say you don’t have any $$$?

Classic Lawrie. Drilling holes into a sinking ship it looks like.

[belchardo]

so Laurie's email this afternoon puts things in perspective

no money from the owner since October last year

begs the question of why any of them are staying

pretty bloody amazing that we are even still solvent.

[Jetmaster]

so Laurie's email this afternoon puts things in perspective

no money from the owner since October last year

begs the question of why any of them are staying

Why does this come out now and not 9 months ago?

[belchardo]

Why does this come out now and not 9 months ago?

can't really imagine the following conversation going well - "yo, marty, i'm just going to nip out and tell the local rag you haven't coughed up a cent for the last 3 months. you ok with that?"

[mic22]

Just heard part of the Robbo interview: "It was too big an opportunity to say no..."

A big opportunity? The freaking wsw? LOL
A club with a culture of appointing a coach just to sack it after 3 months, before a ball has even been kicked, because they think they have found someone better.
I honestly hope the same happens to him.
Possibly after a defeat against the Jets (a man can dream...)

That's the hating part btw: realistically, there are things he can't reveal about the situation at the Jets and he's just lucky he found another club.

[Ghost of Plague]

You lot realise Carl just came in and coached the team the way we've all been on here talking about for months.
Bench Dimi, make Uga the fulcrum, play Johnny in a back 3 and get a proper striker.
Serious they could have just asked us and saved the embarrassment of Carl walking out.
Carl doesn't yet realise we actually have better players than the housos. His stint there will end in shame like all the rest.

[Ghost of Plague]

That gypo ceo is a ****ing embarrassment though.
Just leave you mong. hand the keys to a proper admin like Middleby.

[pv4]

so Laurie's email this afternoon puts things in perspective

no money from the owner since October last year

begs the question of why any of them are staying

Phernz will have to help me here, maybe others that listened to the Lawrie jerkstream preseason podcasts also. This also largely hinges on believing Lawrie's direct words, which as even some extremely loyal fans have pointed out is up to us all to choose if we actually believe what he says or not..

In at least one of the Jerkstream podcasts with Lawrie, he went into some detail about how hard it was for Martin Lee to get money to us, and Lawrie even said he was doing either 3-monthly or maybe even yearly blocks. Just a lump sum, budgeted, that we had to manage throughout the timeframe until the next block sum.

Hearing this recent news, if true, that we have had no money directly from the owner since October last year throws up many possible scenarios but with the above in context all I assume it means is our yearly lump sum is now due, being October one year later, and so we are waiting on that.

[Jetmaster]

Feel sorry for JP - got completely blindsided for what looks like no apparent reason on his part.

[mic22]

I think all the coaches sacked by wsw must be laughing when they see it happening again - and the team performance consistently deteriorating.

What I fear now is CR trying to poach our best players: I hope the players' contracts are written better than the coaches'

[Jeterpool]

I think all the coaches sacked by wsw must be laughing when they see it happening again - and the team performance consistently deteriorating.

What I fear now is CR trying to poach our best players: I hope the players' contracts are written better than the coaches'

Who says the players would want to go with him after he jumped ship on them?

[boz-monaut]

Who says the players would want to go with him after he jumped ship on them?one look at the Jets should answer that question

[The Dunster]

I think all the coaches sacked by wsw must be laughing when they see it happening again - and the team performance consistently deteriorating.

What I fear now is CR trying to poach our best players: I hope the players' contracts are written better than the coaches'

None of the contracts would be enforceable given the clubs financial situation and / or Job Keeper payments being used - unless the players received full wages and Job Keeper was only used to top them up.

[The Dunster]

one look at the Jets should answer that question

Players will be loyal to their Management Agency reps more so than their clubs. Robinson's with AVID as are many of our players including Ledley and Ugarkovich.
I'm expecting Uga to make an announcement very soon - and it won't be good news for Jets fans.

[furns]

Phernz will have to help me here, maybe others that listened to the Lawrie jerkstream preseason podcasts also. This also largely hinges on believing Lawrie's direct words, which as even some extremely loyal fans have pointed out is up to us all to choose if we actually believe what he says or not..

In at least one of the Jerkstream podcasts with Lawrie, he went into some detail about how hard it was for Martin Lee to get money to us, and Lawrie even said he was doing either 3-monthly or maybe even yearly blocks. Just a lump sum, budgeted, that we had to manage throughout the timeframe until the next block sum.

Hearing this recent news, if true, that we have had no money directly from the owner since October last year throws up many possible scenarios but with the above in context all I assume it means is our yearly lump sum is now due, being October one year later, and so we are waiting on that.


I dont remember anything specific regarding the regularity of money transfers from Ledman, other than it was difficult to make happen on a regular basis due to Chinese govt restrictions.
However one very interesting tidbit that came out in the presser posted on the Jets social media yesterday was that Lawrie specifically said Lee wont pay any further contributions. Thats to say that he has made a conscious decision to cease funding. Why havent the FFA taken back the licence and sold the club to another party if thats the case, as Martin Lee has clearly reneged on the conditions of ownership of the licence to fund the club? Why are we waiting for this mythical $15mil bidder to pay back Martin's supposed amount of investment into the club since he took over? Con and Tinkler were both removed as owners by the FFA when money problems became too difficult for the FFA to stomach, so why has Ledman been allowed to stop funding 12 months ago with no action being taken whatsoever?
I can only speculate that there are some specifics in the FFA/Ledman contract regarding removal of the licence by the FFA that have possibly come into play. Unfortunately we may never know.

[Frodo]

The FFA won't want to take us back with only a week or so until the club's takeover control of the league. (I think that time frame is right).

So we will have to wait until that change and then hope that the other clubs can all throw in and take us back. I wonder if there's any rules in place for this tho, maybe when the club's takeover they don't have an opportunity/right to "take back" licences at all? It might be sale or fold, no in between?

[Negative Police]

However one very interesting tidbit that came out in the presser posted on the Jets social media yesterday was that Lawrie specifically said Lee wont pay any further contributions. Thats to say that he has made a conscious decision to cease funding. Why havent the FFA taken back the licence and sold the club to another party if thats the case, as Martin Lee has clearly reneged on the conditions of ownership of the licence to fund the club?
Yes. Take it off him.

What's he going to do, come over? stop selling lights to Oz?

[belchardo]

More gutless action from our greatest ever national coach

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/10/20/reports-arnold-may-ditch-socceroos-to-coach-in-korea/

[Grimario]

More gutless action from our greatest ever national coach

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/10/20/reports-arnold-may-ditch-socceroos-to-coach-in-korea/

https://twitter.com/TheWorldGame/status/1318447117547966465?s=19

[belchardo]

https://twitter.com/TheWorldGame/status/1318447117547966465?s=19

Stop ruining my hatred with your facts.

[Jetmaster]

Topor being Topor in the Herald this morning (initial reaction "wasn't pleasant").

Small note that Fitz wants to go to India too.

[belchardo]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/22/ffa-scraps-plans-for-socceroos-game-against-england-at-wembley

Socceroos v england then US is off

[belchardo]

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-27/wellington-phoenix-to-relocate-to-sydney-for-a-league-season/12816704

Wellington to be based in wollongong for start of the season.

[mic22]

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-27/wellington-phoenix-to-relocate-to-sydney-for-a-league-season/12816704

Wellington to be based in wollongong for start of the season.

Seems appropriate.

[turbojetfireV8]

Wollongong Phoenix, I assume WIN stadium will be there home ground. LOLs at Perf, shame if McGowan doesn't let them out of the state, won't be missed...

[Bon]

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-27/wellington-phoenix-to-relocate-to-sydney-for-a-league-season/12816704

Wellington to be based in wollongong for start of the season.

So does that mean we will eventually be shipped off to Canberra, now that the 'Gong is taken? :gent:

[evolution]

Roar apparently playing all home games at Dolphins Stadium this coming season.

[belchardo]

Roar apparently playing all home games at Dolphins Stadium this coming season.

Good to hear. Anywhere other than Suncorpse (see what i did there?)

[baldrick]

Roar apparently playing all home games at Dolphins Stadium this coming season.

I hate to tell you, that new came from a fake twitter account..

[Grimario]

I hate to tell you, that new came from a fake twitter account..

I hate to tell you, they apparently also sent email to members.

[The Dunster]

Good to hear. Anywhere other than Suncorpse

https://media.tenor.com/images/b85413b368392ba78e647438f2366d46/tenor.gif

[belchardo]

https://ministryofsport.com.au/a-league-and-w-league-now-independent-of-ffa/

So it's sort of officially done - a-league and w-league clubs are now masters of their own destiny.

I truly hope they can back up their claims over the years about investment.

[Ghost of Plague]

https://ministryofsport.com.au/a-league-and-w-league-now-independent-of-ffa/

So it's sort of officially done - a-league and w-league clubs are now masters of their own destiny.

I truly hope they can back up their claims over the years about investment.

Joyous, 1st order of business **** the gypos off.
Then:
South Melbourne Hellas in.
Marconi Stallions in.

Create hall of fame.
Put Griff Jobe and Stu in it.
Lock the hall of fame and throw away the key.

[Bon]

So apparently we lost to the gypos today.. 2-0

[mic22]

So apparently we lost to the gypos today.. 2-0

That's never a good thing, but we had 4 players out to the u23, plus the stressed one

[Bon]

That's never a good thing, but we had 4 players out to the u23, plus the stressed one

Yeah mate..
Didn't mean to sound panicky.. I don't know any details of who played or what..
Just felt like another kick in the dick in the ongoing saga that is the Jets, that's all. haha

[Jetmaster]

Trial...wgaf.

Remember Smurfs losing alot of their trials a couple of seasons back.
Also remember once the sky falling on here when our first trial against Weston was underwhelming......we got to the grand final.

[My2BobsWorth]

Well I spose I'm not dead yet and we've still got a team, and the stadium beer is nectar of the gods, so let the fun begin

[belchardo]

Does anybody know when the draw comes out?

[mic22]

https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2020/11/22/newcastle-jets-five-nil-winners-against-edgeworth/

Edgeworth looked baaaad

[belchardo]

Latest rumour.

Melbourne consortium.
Announcement on 12 December.
Pappas as the new coach

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/11/24/jets-set-to-announce-new-owner-coach-and-hope/

[Tommyjet]

Latest rumour.

Melbourne consortium.
Announcement on 12 December.
Pappas as the new coach

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/11/24/jets-set-to-announce-new-owner-coach-and-hope/

My guess is Gerry Ryan is one of the prospective owners

[380]

My guess is Gerry Ryan is one of the prospective owners

So each membership will come with a Jayco ?

[Tommyjet]

So each membership will come with a Jayco ?
I won't say no to one

[380]

I won't say no to one

Cart it down to the scum on NYE and flog it to a Gypo looking to trade up with an advance payment from Centrelink.

[mic22]

Draw released ... nice start :)
Scum away on Dec 31, and on Jan 5 our good mate Carl comes to Newcastle.

[Tommyjet]

Cart it down to the scum on NYE and flog it to a Gypo looking to trade up with an advance payment from Centrelink.
I dont think jaycos come cheap enough for that lot to purchase

[380]

Draw released ... nice start :)
Scum away on Dec 31, and on Jan 5 our good mate Carl comes to Newcastle.

Hopefully everytime the welching p%^&k gets out of his chair he gets the reception he thoroughly deserves.

[belchardo]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/25/football-federation-australia-agm-financial-results

thank god, FFA have solved the biggest issue in the sport - the second F in FFA. Football Federation Australia is now Football Australia.

oh, and they'll lose about $7m next year.

[Bon]

Anyone know if the game today is televised/streamed in any way?

[turbojetfireV8]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/25/football-federation-australia-agm-financial-results

thank god, FFA have solved the biggest issue in the sport - the second F in FFA. Football Federation Australia is now Football Australia.

oh, and they'll lose about $7m next year.

FA? sweet...

[Frodo]

Roarsports are saying that we'll be announced as sold to a Melbourne consortium on December 12th.

Arthur's Papa's as head coach, with Jack Duncan and Valentino Yuel signed as well.


I don't have any proof or anyone else confirming. But it's a start with which we can all get our hopes up again ready to be crushed once more, lol.

[StannyCFCJET]

Roarsports are saying that we'll be announced as sold to a Melbourne consortium on December 12th.

Arthur's Papa's as head coach, with Jack Duncan and Valentino Yuel signed as well.


I don't have any proof or anyone else confirming. But it's a start with which we can all get our hopes up again ready to be crushed once more, lol.

Ive seen this reported alot past few days. I'd take Pappas with those signings

[pv4]

Haven't seen anything to hype Yuel in any way to date - wasn't exactly prolific in NPL and "only" managed on average 25 minutes per game over 9 games for WU last season.

Very stoked if we can get Duncan back, that is a huge signing. Relying on Italiano as number 1 is a major concern.

[StannyCFCJET]

Haven't seen anything to hype Yuel in any way to date - wasn't exactly prolific in NPL and "only" managed on average 25 minutes per game over 9 games for WU last season.

Very stoked if we can get Duncan back, that is a huge signing. Relying on Italiano as number 1 is a major concern.

From what ive read and been told, Been very good on trial and in the pre season games

[My2BobsWorth]

Roarsports are saying that we'll be announced as sold to a Melbourne consortium on December 12th.

Arthur's Papa's as head coach, with Jack Duncan and Valentino Yuel signed as well.


I don't have any proof or anyone else confirming. But it's a start with which we can all get our hopes up again ready to be crushed once more, lol.
On the previous page little fella

[anfield]

Haven't seen anything to hype Yuel in any way to date - wasn't exactly prolific in NPL and "only" managed on average 25 minutes per game over 9 games for WU last season.

Very stoked if we can get Duncan back, that is a huge signing. Relying on Italiano as number 1 is a major concern.

Italiano would have thought this was the year that he finally became a #1. Noah James appears to be a long term keeper, I just hope we manage him correctly. Don't want him eventually leaving for an opportunity

[Tommyjet]

So I suppose we just sit around waiting until December 12 to see if the rumours outlayed in that roar article last week are true

[Jeterpool]

Herald article says that Ibini hasn't been at training with the club for the last week and the PFA are continuing to act as a mediator in this situation.

Almost to me sounds like he's on strike. He's certainly trying to force the club's hand in this matter.

[StannyCFCJET]

Herald article says that Ibini hasn't been at training with the club for the last week and the PFA are continuing to act as a mediator in this situation.

Almost to me sounds like he's on strike. He's certainly trying to force the club's hand in this matter.

He can spend a season sitting at home then. Club can't afford to release him to a aleague club not after the Robinson nightmare

[Alton]

He can spend a season sitting at home then. Club can't afford to release him to a aleague club not after the Robinson nightmare

100% agree, let him sit at home sulking,don't give in Lawrie.

[380]

Season long Kasey laps, make it happen Cous.

[mic22]

Herald article says that Ibini hasn't been at training with the club for the last week and the PFA are continuing to act as a mediator in this situation.

Almost to me sounds like he's on strike. He's certainly trying to force the club's hand in this matter.

So childish... and btw the Jets still have a better team than WSW at the moment.

[Bon]

So childish... and btw the Jets still have a better team than WSW at the moment.

I'm trying to work out exactly when he realised he had made a mistake by re-signing for an extra year. (When did he agree, and when did Carl announce he was sodding off? I feel like there wasn't exactly a huge gap between)
Goes to show that Carl leaving must have been quite sudden, or at least kept pretty quiet??

[pv4]

I'm trying to work out exactly when he realised he had made a mistake by re-signing for an extra year. (When did he agree, and when did Carl announce he was sodding off? I feel like there wasn't exactly a huge gap between)
Goes to show that Carl leaving must have been quite sudden, or at least kept pretty quiet??

My prediction is there were empty promises from Carl and/or his agent that Bernie's exit would go a lot smoother.

[Grimario]

Good news, folks. Kevin Muscat has been fired so can we start hating our club in advance of him being appointed Jets boss?

[Alton]

Good news, folks. Kevin Muscat has been fired so can we start hating our club in advance of him being appointed Jets boss?

I'd be happy with Musky

[380]

Pretty sure any third officials will also be pleased to see him back

[Thomas477]

Pretty sure any third officials will also be pleased to see him back

Pretty sure you mean fourth officials...

[380]

I need better drugs

[My2BobsWorth]

See Frodo he's got the Gandalf Gold. Might send you a bit strange though.

[Bon]

See Frodo he's got the Gandalf Gold. Might send you a bit strange though.

Longbottom Leaf, isnt it??

[Bon]

Uh oh.. Word is that the Jets are at some sort of function - right this second - in town and that everyone's favourite Hobbit is at the same venue (tucking in to some pints of ale and preparing himself to have a chat)

[Frodo]

Uh oh.. Word is that the Jets are at some sort of function - right this second - in town and that everyone's favourite Hobbit is at the same venue (tucking in to some pints of ale and preparing himself to have a chat)


I've only had 2 beers so far. Let me get a couple more down and I'll start asking Lawrie the hard hitting questions.

[Frodo]

Bernie is definitely not here, absolutely every other player and coach that I can think of besides Griff is. So I take that as his strike is definitely in full effect.

[The Dunster]

I've only had 2 beers so far. Let me get a couple more down and I'll start asking Lawrie the hard hitting questions.


Ask about the Jet Shaped hats.

[Frodo]

Ask about the Jet Shaped hats.

That definitely needs to happen after a few more beers.

[380]

I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of it all but is there the opportunity for the Jets to piss the petulant 50 minute footballer ass wipe off and have an agreement in place where the FA will not allow him to be registered with any other A League club for the next season ?.

Or if the FA and Jets try going down this path is there the possibility the no show spit the dummy player seek to go down the legal path with the help of the players association citing some restriction of trade and be allowed to play for another A League club ?.

Besides the Ibini BS IMO we are really going to struggle without the recruitment of a significant # 10. I do hope this is one of the positions Griff was alluding to in his recent interview regarding a couple of imports if the coaching and ownership issues can be put to rest very shortly.

[mic22]

I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of it all but is there the opportunity for the Jets to piss the petulant 50 minute footballer ass wipe off and have an agreement in place where the FA will not allow him to be registered with any other A League club for the next season ?.

Or if the FA and Jets try going down this path is there the possibility the no show spit the dummy player seek to go down the legal path with the help of the players association citing some restriction of trade and be allowed to play for another A League club ?.

Besides the Ibini BS IMO we are really going to struggle without the recruitment of a significant # 10. I do hope this is one of the positions Griff was alluding to in his recent interview regarding a couple of imports if the coaching and ownership issues can be put to rest very shortly.

I would assume every contract has a clause stating that if the player refuses to train (or similar), he can be stood down without pay until he fulfills his duties.
This of course should not mean termination of the contract.
If he wants to waste a full season, that's up to him. If anyone is suggesting him to act so unprofessionally, he should seriously reconsider his relationship with these subjects.

I fully back the club for acting professionally (unlike what they did with the Jowic debacle).

[My2BobsWorth]

Has to be deregistered from the A league. Frees up a spot for us.

[Frodo]

Turns out I am a terrible terrible journalist.... And I don't get any better as I drink more.

Spoke with a couple of the boys and got absolutely nothing out of them regarding ownership, Uga's situation, Ibini's situation, etc.

Worst of all I didn't manage to round up Lawrie before he left to enquire about the hats. I'm disgusted with myself, I should have realised he was an early leaver. My apologies.


I will say that Ugarkovic looked happy and was obviously still well respected and loved by the rest of the team. That's a good sign if we want to convince him to stay. The new guys like Ramy and Yuel were all settled in and didn't look out of place amongst the group. It looks like they are on track to be a solid team unit, just need to hurry up and get a coach in to get the football part sorted.

[Jetmaster]

Or if the FA and Jets try going down this path is there the possibility the no show spit the dummy player seek to go down the legal path with the help of the players association citing some restriction of trade and be allowed to play for another A League club ?.

PFA have already told him he doesn't have a case.

[380]

PFA have already told him he doesn't have a case.

That was when we were paying him, I was more asking if we stopped paying him if that somehow changes things ?.

[StannyCFCJET]

Were still paying him, It was in the herald yesterday

[380]

Were still paying him, It was in the herald yesterday

Thats correct but the $ 64.00 dollar question is can we now stop paying him and maintain the high ground in regards to him pissing off and NOT signing for another A League club.

From my experience with workplace disputes the moment circumstances or the status quo changes then so does each sides rights and obligations, Everything up til now has been on the proviso Bernie had a quacks certificate or was showing up for training albeit in a limited capacity and we were paying him. Now that he is not showing and without a quacks certificate the situation has changed once again.

[StannyCFCJET]

Thats correct but the $ 64.00 dollar question is can we now stop paying him and maintain the high ground in regards to him pissing off and NOT signing for another A League club.

From my experience with workplace disputes the moment circumstances or the status quo changes then so does each sides rights and obligations, Everything up til now has been on the proviso Bernie had a quacks certificate or was showing up for training albeit in a limited capacity and we were paying him. Now that he is not showing and without a quacks certificate the situation has changed once again.

We follow the guidelines of the PFA im guessing, they are acting as a go between

[Frodo]

If it gets to a point where we can legally not pay him, the contract would have to be null and void. Which means he can sign for whomever he wants as he would be off contract. Best case scenario for all you slave owners is that we gave him a contract with penalties for missing training that are close to his weekly salary. Then we would be able to keep him on contract whilst not paying him much in wages.

Is that childish enough to keep you all happy? Cause I can almost unequovically guarantee you that any player with thoughts of moving elsewhere will be on the phone to their agents (Ugarkovic, ahem) finding out their contract details and planning a move elsewhere as soon as possible.


We are favourites for the spoon. Anyone who doesn't want to be here should have a member of the club helping them pack their bags and driving them to the airport. A small minded club gets offended by this and acts out like a scorned lover, a big club laughs it off and makes sure the player rues ever leaving.

[mic22]

Hmmm... and your solution would be: every time a player throws a tantrum (unheard of in professional sport, eh?), just let them go to the competition.
Way to get respect from the other players. And the other teams. And your members too.
The only childish thing here is signing a contract (no one forced him) and then whingeing after 2 months because your best mate has moved to a different school... i mean team...

[StannyCFCJET]

If it gets to a point where we can legally not pay him, the contract would have to be null and void. Which means he can sign for whomever he wants as he would be off contract. Best case scenario for all you slave owners is that we gave him a contract with penalties for missing training that are close to his weekly salary. Then we would be able to keep him on contract whilst not paying him much in wages.

Is that childish enough to keep you all happy? Cause I can almost unequovically guarantee you that any player with thoughts of moving elsewhere will be on the phone to their agents (Ugarkovic, ahem) finding out their contract details and planning a move elsewhere as soon as possible.


We are favourites for the spoon. Anyone who doesn't want to be here should have a member of the club helping them pack their bags and driving them to the airport. A small minded club gets offended by this and acts out like a scorned lover, a big club laughs it off and makes sure the player rues ever leaving.

You've got rocks in your head and would rather the club be a pathetic pushover then show some backbone.

[Frodo]

Hmmm... and your solution would be: every time a player throws a tantrum (unheard of in professional sport, eh?), just let them go to the competition.
Way to get respect from the other players. And the other teams. And your members too.
The only childish thing here is signing a contract (no one forced him) and then whingeing after 2 months because your best mate has moved to a different school... i mean team...

My plan is to not run a basket case of a club that players want to run away from as soon as they arrive and realise how bad things really are.

Take the blinkers off and look at what the actual problem is, how we got here and think about how much or little Ibini will affect our problems?

In my head, if a team mate throws a tantrum and wants to leave, I would want my coach to look him in the eyes, shake his hand and tell him "there's the door, we don't need you and you aren't welcome back", then tell the playing group to remember the next time you come up against him to make sure he regrets the way he acted and how little it affected us as a playing group. Don't kick him or insult him, go and win the game and afterwards look him in the eyes and remind how little his leaving impacted the playing group.

But, by all means, let's sit here and act tough to some ex-gypo blow-in who had like 1 decent game in the few months he was here and waste time and effort trying to coerce him to stay against his will so we look tough to all the other teams in the league. The Jets are the best at enforcing contracts, can't play football and are paying Ibini wages to put in half arse performances each week but jeez they enforce contracts well. LMAO.

[Frodo]

You've got rocks in your head and would rather the club be a pathetic pushover then show some backbone.

We all follow the jets, so we all clearly have rocks in our heads Stanny. I just care more about the club than your gypo mate wasting time and resources with his childish antics. Don't forget that blokes like you spent the end of last season talking up how good he was and how he was gonna such a great player for us this season. Sit down, enjoy your humble pie and let the adults talk for a minute.


I just hope that Bernie takes the rest of his Coastie mates, Lawrie included, down to Parramatta so they steal a living off of them for a while. Sign players who likely care more about our main rivals than us and look at what happens.

[StannyCFCJET]

We all follow the jets, so we all clearly have rocks in our heads Stanny. I just care more about the club than your gypo mate wasting time and resources with his childish antics. Don't forget that blokes like you spent the end of last season talking up how good he was and how he was gonna such a great player for us this season. Sit down, enjoy your humble pie and let the adults talk for a minute.


I just hope that Bernie takes the rest of his Coastie mates, Lawrie included, down to Parramatta so they steal a living off of them for a while. Sign players who likely care more about our main rivals than us and look at what happens.

Bernie being a **** doesn't change his football ability and my point doesn't change, If he was committed to seeing out his contract then he would be our best attacker hands down

[Bremsstrahlung]

I’m okay with what we have done so far.
I’d like to piss him off before the season starts because as Frodo says, why would you want somebody here that isn’t playing and doesn’t want to be here, we can’t get the best out of him. Just wasting salary and squad space.
But I also like that we are making this process very difficult for him and somewhat making a stand that we won’t be walked over.

We also don’t know if he will blatantly refuse to play this season, or if we get to season beginning and no deal, will he then “publicly commit to the Jets”.

The message we have sent if we let him go is, if you wanna leave you can, but we gonna make sure everyone knows your leaving this club despite signing a contract.
At least this shows the fans that the club cares, and I feel like the general fan base would see signing a contract as a big move.
When people familiar with overseas football realise that players agitate for moves all the time and clubs inevitably sell them. (Transfer fees being the different here).

[380]

If it gets to a point where we can legally not pay him, the contract would have to be null and void. Which means he can sign for whomever he wants as he would be off contract. Best case scenario for all you slave owners is that we gave him a contract with penalties for missing training that are close to his weekly salary. Then we would be able to keep him on contract whilst not paying him much in wages.

Is that childish enough to keep you all happy? Cause I can almost unequovically guarantee you that any player with thoughts of moving elsewhere will be on the phone to their agents (Ugarkovic, ahem) finding out their contract details and planning a move elsewhere as soon as possible.


We are favourites for the spoon. Anyone who doesn't want to be here should have a member of the club helping them pack their bags and driving them to the airport. A small minded club gets offended by this and acts out like a scorned lover, a big club laughs it off and makes sure the player rues ever leaving.

You cite the club being a basket case as some sort of justification for Bernie to be asking for the exit door.

Basket case or not Bernie put pen to paper and needs to mature up and honor that contract regardless. As long as he is being paid he needs to be like any other employee and perform any reasonable request made of him.

[Frodo]

I’m okay with what we have done so far.
I’d like to piss him off before the season starts because as Frodo says, why would you want somebody here that isn’t playing and doesn’t want to be here, we can’t get the best out of him. Just wasting salary and squad space.
But I also like that we are making this process very difficult for him and somewhat making a stand that we won’t be walked over.

We also don’t know if he will blatantly refuse to play this season, or if we get to season beginning and no deal, will he then “publicly commit to the Jets”.

The message we have sent if we let him go is, if you wanna leave you can, but we gonna make sure everyone knows your leaving this club despite signing a contract.
At least this shows the fans that the club cares, and I feel like the general fan base would see signing a contract as a big move.
When people familiar with overseas football realise that players agitate for moves all the time and clubs inevitably sell them. (Transfer fees being the different here).


I agree that they club has done no wrong as of writing because the season hasn't started yet. He hasn't likely caused any real harm since there is still an option for him to move on and there's also still an option for him to stay, so no one has truly harmed the other party badly. More importantly though we don't have a coach, so until that happens I don't see any real harm in keeping if the club wants to prove a point. Once a coach arrives and wants to start work, that's when Ibini MAY become a distraction. If he starts to become a distraction, given our position i'd rather the club focus on the more pertinant issues. Not try to take a stand when we have almost nothing to gain and plenty to lose by digging our heels in.

[Frodo]

You cite the club being a basket case as some sort of justification for Bernie to be asking for the exit door.

Basket case or not Bernie put pen to paper and needs to mature up and honor that contract regardless. As long as he is being paid he needs to be like any other employee and perform any reasonable request made of him.

I'm looking at the bigger picture. Ibini's nonsense means nothing to me and very little when compared to the overall issues at the club right now.

Would you rather Lawrie be chasing up Ibini's sick note or going over details for the potential sale that could protect our clubs future?

Would you rather him hold a meeting with Ibini's agent or with potential coaches?

All I care about this season is having a team to follow, I don't give a flying **** about Bernie Ibini wearing a jets shirt at the best of times let alone when we have an owner going broke and no safety net of the FFA who had a vetted interest in keeping us afloat to fall back on. If we go under now, why would the other clubs give Mr Lee money to buy us back when they can just take the licence and sell it to another club like Canberra or Wollongong? What makes more sense financially in the short term when Covid has affected everyone so much this year and we almost lost our entire broadcasting deal??

I could be wrong and they care too much about our market, which obviously is large and has huge potential if we ever got some decent owners, to let us fold but I don't want to risk it over some mediocre forward who acts like a baby when things don't go his way.

[My2BobsWorth]

Never once have you mentioned Griffiths

[380]

I'm looking at the bigger picture. Ibini's nonsense means nothing to me and very little when compared to the overall issues at the club right now.

Would you rather Lawrie be chasing up Ibini's sick note or going over details for the potential sale that could protect our clubs future?

Would you rather him hold a meeting with Ibini's agent or with potential coaches?

All I care about this season is having a team to follow, I don't give a flying **** about Bernie Ibini wearing a jets shirt at the best of times let alone when we have an owner going broke and no safety net of the FFA who had a vetted interest in keeping us afloat to fall back on. If we go under now, why would the other clubs give Mr Lee money to buy us back when they can just take the licence and sell it to another club like Canberra or Wollongong? What makes more sense financially in the short term when Covid has affected everyone so much this year and we almost lost our entire broadcasting deal??

I could be wrong and they care too much about our market, which obviously is large and has huge potential if we ever got some decent owners, to let us fold but I don't want to risk it over some mediocre forward who acts like a baby when things don't go his way.

The thing i don't get with you on this topic is you always seem to come from the angle " why do we want to keep him here when clearly he wants out ". The rest of us are supporting the clubs stance to enforce a binding contract.

And as for your questions re coaching apps or chasing quacks certificates or conversing will Bernie's people. That is just rubbish, If Lawrie can't multi task and deal with all these issues simultaneously then he has no right calling himself a CEO. Comes with the title and remuneration.

[Bremsstrahlung]

Just as Devils advocate here.
How do we feel about paying Ibini a salary to train/run laps and not play all season.
Would you prefer to use the money on somebody else?

[380]

Just as Devils advocate here.
How do we feel about paying Ibini a salary to train/run laps and not play all season.
Would you prefer to use the money on somebody else?

For me that is why i asked the question about him not showing at training. Whilst ever he had a Dr's chit or was showing at training we were obligated to pay the bloke but this latest news of him being absent could have changed that status quo to the point where we are now in a position to not have to pay him and still have the capacity to enforce him not being able to sign for another A League club.

So in answer to the question. I would like to see the monies spent on a proper #10, Without one we are screwed and Roy will be in for a very dry spell. Service to him will be so absent not even a thumbs up and a clap will we get from him. I have faith this is one of the key positions Griff was referring to recently when he said hopefully two imports can be brought in for the pointy end of the park.

I applaud the clubs stance and get a bit jack of seeing sportspeople play the misbehaving petulant card to remove themselves from legitimate contracts. All too often this shit happens whether it be Football, rugby league and AFL where players start misbehaving to get there own way like spoilt brats. They carry on like misbehaving children to force a clubs hand.

If Bernie did not have a exit clause based around a premature Robbo departure then he needs to take that up with his people and just harden the f%^k up and start doing what he is paid to do and where he signed that contract to do it.

Maybe we signed the wrong Ibini, The real Princess can play 90 mins

[Couscous]

He's not part of my plans for the season, regardless of whether he's paid.

[mic22]

For me that is why i asked the question about him not showing at training. Whilst ever he had a Dr's chit or was showing at training we were obligated to pay the bloke but this latest news of him being absent could have changed that status quo to the point where we are now in a position to not have to pay him and still have the capacity to enforce him not being able to sign for another A League club.

So in answer to the question. I would like to see the monies spent on a proper #10, Without one we are screwed and Roy will be in for a very dry spell. Service to him will be so absent not even a thumbs up and a clap will we get from him. I have faith this is one of the key positions Griff was referring to recently when he said hopefully two imports can be brought in for the pointy end of the park.

I applaud the clubs stance and get a bit jack of seeing sportspeople play the misbehaving petulant card to remove themselves from legitimate contracts. All too often this shit happens whether it be Football, rugby league and AFL where players start misbehaving to get there own way like spoilt brats. They carry on like misbehaving children to force a clubs hand.

If Bernie did not have a exit clause based around a premature Robbo departure then he needs to take that up with his people and just harden the f%^k up and start doing what he is paid to do and where he signed that contract to do it.

Maybe we signed the wrong Ibini, The real Princess can play 90 mins

This, 100%

[belchardo]

So, Saturday was reported a while back as the date new owners would be announced. Wonder if it will happen.

[Tommyjet]

So, Saturday was reported a while back as the date new owners would be announced. Wonder if it will happen.
Well according to an interview the wanderers chairman (who seems to be a spokesperson for the new clubs run a-league) there are multiple consortiums/owners vying for our licence. Maybe Saturdays date was set for announcement and a final decision made during this week on which one to sell to.

[Alton]

This, 100%

So who is available as a 10

[380]

So who is available as a 10

I don't see anybody in our squad at present who you would consider a walk up starting #10.

IMO plenty has been going on behind the scenes. Finer details of new investment and a couple of imports with the details of those imports being kept very close to managements chest. One of those being a genuine # 10 if you are to believe Griff just over a week ago when he spoke about needing two imports at the attacking end of the park

I'm hopeful or delusional.

[Grimario]

I'm hopeful or delusional.

Very fine line between the two as a Jets fan.