Daily Australian News 2012 [Archive] - Page 5

Jetmaster

20-09-2012, 11:36 AM

Todays Heskey news from the Herald...

Deal set to make Heskey Jets' highest-paid player

By JAMES GARDINER Sept. 19, 2012, 11:33 p.m.

EMILE Heskey is set to pocket $100,000 a month at the Newcastle Jets in a deal that will make the former England striker the highest-paid player in the club's history.
Heskey has agreed to terms and, pending a successful medical, will earn $700,000 for the seven-month duration of the 2012-13 A-League season. His salary equates to $26,000 a game if he plays all 27 rounds.
The Herald revealed yesterday that Hunter Sports Group chief executive Troy Palmer and Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby had travelled to England to hold negotiations with the Premier League journeyman.
Job done, they were on their way back to Australia last night.
Heskey is expected to join them in Newcastle next week to officially put pen to paper.
A free agent since he was released by English Premier League club Aston Villa in May, Heskey had been linked to a return to his former club Liverpool.
The Herald understands he knocked back a more lucrative deal, believed to be worth $1.2million a year, in the Middle East to move to Australia.
The 34-year-old target man replaces Jason Culina as the Jets marquee player. He is the club’s seventh marquee after inaugural captain Ned Zelic, Ante Covic, Edmundo Zura, Fabio Vignaroli, Joel Griffiths and Michael Bridges. Former Brazilian superstar Mario Jardel and former English international Francis Jeffers played guest stints. Jeffers was later added to the roster.
Culina signed a three-year deal worth $2.65million in February last year but broke down in the pre-season after aggravating his surgically repaired knee and did not play a game.
After a drawn-out dispute, Culina and the Jets reached a settlement in June by mutual agreement, the commercial terms of which remain confidential.
The former Socceroo is now training with Sydney FC.
Culina was to have collected $850,000 a year, but per month Heskey will earn more.
At the height of his career, Heskey made an £11million move in 2000 from Leicester to Liverpool, where he scored 60 goals in 223 games in all competitions.
He went on to play with Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and finally with Aston Villa, with whom he played 28 games last season.
Though often maligned, he played for England at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups and the European Championships in 2000 and 2004.
In 62 appearances for his country he scored seven goals.
Coach Gary van Egmond said last month that the Jets were unlikely to fill the final place on their roster with a high-profile marquee player.
But the success of Sydney FC in recruiting Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero and the overwhelming response to his arrival caused a rethink.
Heskey is likely to go head-to-head with Del Piero in round two at Allianz Stadium, which doubles as the former Juventus captain’s first home game.
The Jets open their A-League campaign against Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium on October 7.

Jetmaster

20-09-2012, 11:39 AM

And since GVE can't talk to the Herald anymore, Dillon is asking Arnold for input !

Import could be just what the Jets need: Arnold

By ROBERT DILLON Sept. 19, 2012, 11:33 p.m.

CENTRAL Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold believes Emile Heskey could be the man who transforms the Newcastle Jets from also-rans into top-four contenders.
The Jets are reported to be on the verge of announcing the signing of Heskey, the 34-year-old striker who has played more than 500 games in the English Premier League and 62 times for England.
Speaking after the Jets beat his team 2-1 in a trial match at Tuggerah yesterday, Arnold said a player of Heskey's pedigree would be an asset for Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond and one of the competition's biggest drawcards.
"He'd be a wonderful signing for them but also for the A-League," Arnold said. "From all accounts, Newcastle have already made some good signings, but the one missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle was a No.9.
"If it's true that they've signed Emile Heskey, you'd have to say they'd be very, very strong. I'd guess that Gary would be looking at top four, minimum."
Newcastle have been finals spectators for the past two seasons and hope a wholesale turnover of players will change their fortunes.
Some fans have queried whether Heskey will be a good fit, given his age and the fact he has never been a prolific goal scorer, but Arnold had no such qualms.
"He's played in World Cups and two Euro championships," Arnold said. "And he's played in the Premiership.
"It's fantastic for a regional club like Newcastle to draw somebody like that. It's unbelievable.
"It goes on top of [Alessandro] Del Piero down in Sydney, and we played Melbourne Victory on the weekend and they've brought in some good visa players as well.
"It's entertaining and it's exciting for the league.
"On paper, it looks like it's going to be a tough season for all clubs and a very, very even competition."
Arnold said van Egmond would benefit this season from having a squad he assembled, rather than the one he inherited last season when Branko Culina was sacked.
"I think they [Newcastle] will be fine," he said.
"Gary obviously knows what he wants and last season he pretty much had to coach a group of players that he didn't bring in.
"They were Branko's.
"He now has what he wants and he's had a 14- or 15-week pre-season, so he's had plenty of time to settle on the pattern of play they want."
Heskey was the name on everyone's lips yesterday, but it was another English import of similar vintage who starred in the trial at the Mariners' Centre of Excellence.
Jets veteran Michael Bridges created both Newcastle's goals, scored by bandy-legged Brazilian midfielder Bernardo Ribeiro (10th minute) and teenager Mitch Cooper (38th minute), the second of which was set up by a classy Bridges backheel.
The Mariners made a game of it in the 72nd minute when Michael Neil scored, but by then both coaches had made a host of substitutions.
The Jets played without first-team regulars Ryan Griffiths, Jobe Wheelhouse, Ruben Zadkovich, Ben Kantarovski, Tiago and James Brown, and the Mariners had a similar number of high-profile absentees.
"It was a good hit-out," Arnold said.
"Some of the guys who haven't had much game time had a run, combined with the youth team.
See your ad here"The purpose was to get the guys who have had less minutes in our trial games up to speed with the rest."
Central Coast's major off-season signing, former Sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery, arrived from England yesterday and watched his new teammates from the sidelines.
Van Egmond and his players were unavailable for comment yesterday.
● The Jets are expected to play an intra-club trial match at Weston on Saturday.
Print StorySaveLocal Sport+more local sport newsDeal set to make Heskey Jets' highest-paid player

pv4

20-09-2012, 12:54 PM

Reports now that WSW are after Michael Ballack - source, Les Twitter !

The floodgates are opening !

the interesting one about this is wsw have filled their foreign quota, but the ffa are now allowing guest stints to not be included in the foreign player limit.

sh10

20-09-2012, 01:02 PM

FFA bends the rules to favour a Sydney team? No way. Next you'll be telling me that Manchester United occasionally get the benefit of incorrect refereeing decisions

sh10

20-09-2012, 01:03 PM

But that does actually make some sense, as Ballack won't be playing ACL if he's here for a guest stint only, so no issue. Just wanted to throw in a swipe at Manure about this morning's farce

snake

20-09-2012, 01:04 PM

sydney signed stu musialik and bridge to massive deals about a week before the under 23 marquee was announced. purely coincidental.

Pico

20-09-2012, 01:14 PM

Wanderers reject Ballack

http://images.smh.com.au/2012/09/19/3648422/dan-20120919211706781744-300x0.jpg
Michael Ballack in action for Germany. Photo: Getty Images

SYDNEY FC might be basking in the glory of Alessandro Del Piero's signing, but Western Sydney Wanderers have turned down an offer for former Germany captain Michael Ballack's services.

It is believed the Wanderers rejected the approach from Ballack's Australian-based representatives because they were not convinced of Ballack's condition and commitment.

The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder would not have been eligible for a marquee contract with the Wanderers as all five foreign player spots were already filled, but Football Federation Australia confirmed yesterday he would have been able to join as a guest player for up to 10 games.

Ballack has been a free agent since leaving Bayer Leverkusen in June and has been heavily linked with moves to the Middle East and the US.

Meanwhile, former England striker Emile Heskey has reportedly agreed to terms on a $1 million one-year deal with the Newcastle Jets. The contract is subject to Heskey passing a medical, which should be a formality, and the 34-year-old target man could be in Newcastle by next week.

www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/wanderers-reject-ballack-20120919-26726.html

A-League attracting players from all over now be interesting to see where the money is going to come from.

Pico

20-09-2012, 01:16 PM

Open season as FFA puts out mat for foreign talent

http://images.smh.com.au/2012/09/19/3648294/art-353-michael-20ballack-300x0.jpg
Looking around ... Michael Ballack in action for Leverkusen. Photo: AFP

AS FOOTBALL basks in the glory of Alessandro Del Piero's arrival at Sydney FC, the FFA has left the door open for more overseas stars to ply their trade in the A-League.

The game's powerbrokers confirmed yesterday that guest players will this season be exempted from the limit on the number of overseas players allowed at each club.

The news came as Western Sydney Wanderers turned down an offer to sign former Germany captain Michael Ballack's services and also as it was reported that former England striker Emile Heskey was on the verge of joining the Newcastle Jets.

The Herald understands the Wanderers turned down the approach from Ballack's Australian representatives because they were not convinced about his condition and commitment.
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The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder would not have been eligible for a marquee contract with the Wanderers as all five foreign player spots were already filled, but the FFA confirmed yesterday he would have been able to join as a guest player for up to 10 games.

The Wanderers signed their last two foreign players last week: Italian defender Iacopo La Rocca and Dutch midfielder Youssouf Hersi.

Ballack has been a free agent since leaving Bayer Leverkusen in June and has been linked with moves to the Middle East and the US.

Heskey is set to pocket $100,000 a month at the Jets in a deal that will make him the highest paid player in the club's history.

He has agreed terms and, pending a successful medical, will earn $700,000 for the season, which equates to $26,000 a game if he plays all 27 rounds.

Heskey is expected to join them in Newcastle next week, where he will officially put pen to paper.

A free agent since he was released by English Premier League club Aston Villa in May, Heskey had been linked to a return to his former club Liverpool. The Herald understands he knocked back a more lucrative deal, believed to be worth $1.2 million a year, in the Middle East to move to Australia.

The 34-year-old target man replaces Jason Culina as the Jets marquee player.

Culina signed a three-year deal worth $2.65 million in February last year but broke down in the pre-season after aggravating his surgically repaired knee and did not play a game.

Culina was to have collected $850,000 a year, but per month Heskey will earn more.

At the height of his career, Heskey made an £11 million move in 2000 from Leicester to Liverpool.

www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/open-season-as-ffa-puts-out-mat-for-foreign-talent-20120919-26744.html

Makes much more sense to have the guest players outside the squad limits, be it salary or visa spots.

timmy_v

20-09-2012, 01:21 PM

No - the football advisory board made the decision. All the members are no longer with the Jets except for Baartzy

thats incorrect, The board had nothing to do with player signing. The Herald only printed what they were told.

Pico

20-09-2012, 01:32 PM

Ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack in A-League talks with Western Sydney Wanderers

Tom Smithies
The Daily Telegraph
September 19, 2012 7:40PM

GERMAN star Michael Ballack is the latest European superstar to be lined up for the A-League, with Western Sydney Wanderers approached to bring the veteran of two World Cups to Australia .

The former Chelsea midfielder would complete a stunning trio of signings for Australian soccer after Emile Heskey yesterday agreed to sign for Newcastle Jets, just two days after Sydney FC unveiled Alessandro Del Piero.

It's understood that no contract has been offered to Ballack but that the 35-year-old has expressed his interest in coming to Australia, having already had offers from Dubai and Qatar.

Ballack played 98 times for Germany, including the 2002 and 2006 World Cups with only injury depriving him of a third tournament two years ago.

He has just left Bayer Leverkusen after a two year stint in the Bundesliga, following on from four years with Chelsea.

A number of impediments lie in the path of a deal, but the fact that the Wanderers have their full complement of five visa players is not one of them.

The Daily Telegraph understands that the other A-League clubs made a remarkable offer in July to allow the Wanderers short-term dispensation to sign a small number of extra overseas players, given the tightness of the market in Australia.

Ballack's signing would give the Wanderers' profile an almighty boost, but it would also require a remarkable change of course for a club so far built on community engagement and eschewing the marquee model.

There is also the question of funding the deal - though senior sources said it would come from the club's operating budget, realistically it would have to be supported by extra sponsor or commercial income on the back of the deal, or risk the wrath of the other A-League clubs.

Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman last night cooled talk of any deal, saying: "A-League clubs talk to lots of player agents about lots of different players.

"We don't provide a running commentary on these talks and we won't offer confirmations or denials every time a rumour surfaces.''

The developing story came after Heskey's one-year deal was agreed subject to a medical, the results of which may be known as soon as today, and the former England international will arrive in Newcastle within days.

It emerged yesterday that new A-League boss Damien de Bohun played a key role in laying the groundwork for Heskey's signing, with Football Federation Australia rewriting the rules around marquee players to allow more flexibiltiy with sponsors and in contracts.

Meanwhile the Mariners have unveiled their own big signing of the off-season, with 30-year-old English midfielder Nick Montgomery arriving to begin a three-year stint in Gosford.

Montgomery had spent the whole of his career previously at Sheffield United, making 349 appearances in 12 years and earning a standing ovation from the Blades supporters at the end of his last game at Bramall Lane last weekend.

Twenty six of those games came in the EPL, and Mariners coach Graham Arnold hopes Montgomery can fill the gap in midfield left since Rostyn Griffiths moved to Chinese club Guangzhou R&F last season.

De Bohun off to a good start, not affraid to make changes where he thinks it will help, hopefully the large range of exclusive partners can be trimmed a little as well, will probably be subject to what sort of TV deal can be done.

Also sign Griff & one of his buddies from china on guest stints in January, nothing like a paid Australian holiday.

hauss

20-09-2012, 01:32 PM

Memberships now at 9,231.

There has been a nice jump in the last couple of days and this is probably before any Heskey effect.

I thought that the Jets would only get around 9,000 after the Jets license issue, so I've already been proven wrong. It would be great if the Jets could get their 11,000 target and beyond now that our striker is sorted.

Congratulations to the Newcastle community. It proves that last year was not a one off. Lots and lots of people in our city want the club to be a success.

furns

20-09-2012, 01:53 PM

thats incorrect, The board had nothing to do with player signing. The Herald only printed what they were told.
if thats the case, then was the hell did they actually do?

pv4

20-09-2012, 02:01 PM

they were a sign that the jets were honoring the past players & the community - but effectively they were fall guys, plus the only way they could help in making a decision was by saying yes.

BodyNovo

20-09-2012, 03:39 PM

thats incorrect, The board had nothing to do with player signing. The Herald only printed what they were told.

bloody deans

Pico

21-09-2012, 08:53 AM

Former Socceroo Stan Lazaridis says Emile Heskey is a perfect signing for Newcastle Jets
Tom Smithies
The Daily Telegraph
September 21, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/09/20/1226478/454682-emile-heskey.jpg
Newcastle Jets signing Emile Heskey puts himself about for England v USA at the 2010 World Cup. Source: AFP

FORMER Socceroo Stan Lazaridis has hailed the imminent arrival of Emile Heskey at Newcastle as a "fantastic coup" for the A-League, and warned defenders that his former EPL teammate will offer the most potent aerial threat in Australia.

As the Jets waited for confirmation of Heskey's medical clearance to seal the deal, Novocastrian icon Ray Baartz also weighed in, saying that Heskey would be "the final piece in the jigsaw" for Gary van Egmond's squad.

It's believed Heskey will be confirmed by the Jets by the end of the week, having agreed personal terms earlier in the week in England, and Lazaridis reflected on two years as a teammate of the striker at Birmingham City.

"Emile's a great signing, the right person going to the right club," Lazaridis said yesterday. "He's a big name but more importantly he'll be a great target man for Newcastle.

"I think he'll be the best guy in the air in the entire competition, he's just got so much power and a ferocious shot on him. I really can't say a bad word about him. He's also a good all-round lad, he's no show-off on or off the pitch and I had a lot of good times with him at Birmingham. He'll fit in well and be a good guy around the club."

Lazaridis pointed to the work Heskey had contributed to various striking partnerships, particularly with England, and said the Jets' youthful squad would have an anchor to play around.

The 34-year-old was released by Aston Villa at the end of last season and has played in three World Cups, linking with the likes of Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

"I take my hat off to Newcastle, it's a massive coup for Nathan Tinkler and the people who've made this happen," Lazaridis said.

"I've no doubt he'll bring the other players into the game, it's how he operates.

"In the great England days Michael Owen fed off him, and that was a powerful partnership.

"He'll also take a bit of pressure off the younger guys at Newcastle, and they've got a few in their squad - his experience and his strength will give them something to work around.

"When you add in Del Piero and all the other rumours, I think there's something special about this season."

Meanwhile Baartz, chairman of the club's advisory board, said that Heskey would be an "outstanding acquisition" for both the first team and the club's development plans.

"It's like putting a jigsaw puzzle together and this would be the final piece," Baartz said. "To have a player of that stature come here, straight from the EPL, would be unbelievable.

"We've needed that strength up front, a No.9 to complement our younger players, and Heskey would fit that bill perfectly. His presence alone would offer us a new weapon.

"But having launched the emerging Jets program (to develop the region's best young players up to A-League), it's fantastic to think that our talented kids will get exposure to someone like that."

One of the few who actually seems positive about the signing & is not peddling the Heskey hate.

Pico

21-09-2012, 09:04 AM

Michael Ballack wage demands mean he is unlikely to join A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers
Tom Smithies
The Daily Telegraph
September 21, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2012/09/20/1226478/468857-michael-ballack.jpg
Michael Ballack's wage demands mean he is unlikely to be joining Western Sydney Wanderers. Source: AP

THE prospects of Western Sydney Wanderers luring German star Michael Ballack to the A-League are diminishing, as soccer chiefs balk at the prospect of paying $2.5 million to secure him for next season.

Though the figure required for Ballack was reported to be $1.7 million, it's understood that is the "net figure", after tax and superannuation.

Talks continue with his agent but Football Federation Australia, which is bankrolling the Wanderers, faces a backlash from other clubs if it attempts to raise those funds.

A-League boss Damien De Bohun, while reluctant to comment on individuals until officially anounced, said the competition stood to benefit hugely from the entrance of "world class athletes".

"The signing of Del Piero has got the attention of people around the world, and what's interesting is that it's not necessarily the clubs or FFA who are going to them, but players contacting the clubs here."

Ouch can't see FFA or even a personal sponsor handing out $2.5m.

Pico

21-09-2012, 09:12 AM

Del Piero has Wanderers eyeing deal

http://images.smh.com.au/2012/09/20/3651517/art-353-Heskey12-300x0.jpg
Emile Heskey ... a potential marquee signing for the Newcastle Jets. Photo: Reuters

THE overwhelming response to Alessandro Del Piero's arrival at Sydney FC is expected to prompt Football Federation Australia to let Western Sydney Wanderers chase their own marquee player - but only if they can find one capable of a similar impact.

So far the FFA, which owns the Wanderers, has run the club frugally but with Del Piero sparking unprecedented interest in the A-League, heightened by Emile Heskey's budding move to Newcastle, Whitlam Square is ready to change its stance.

Wanderers executive chairman Lyall Gorman, the former A-League chief, has consistently suggested the new club will avoid a marquee in an effort to create more of a community feel but it is no secret that money has led to the club staying within the salary cap.

However, the Wanderers haven't been as passive as publicly suggested. The Herald revealed last week that the club keenly registered its interest in signing Del Piero if the deal with Sydney FC fell through.
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Inquiries have also been made on several international players who would be considered genuine marquee signings, with one South American midfielder - arguably in Del Piero's class - recently in the club's sights.

Given the Wanderers' playing stocks remain a concern, with few tipping them to make the finals, a marquee player might provide not only a spark in interest but also lift the competitiveness of the team.

Surprisingly, German legend Michael Ballack - like Del Piero, a member of FIFA's top 125 players of all time - was passed over by the club.

Ballack, 35, was released by Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season but still showed enough during his 25 appearances, scoring three goals, to suggest he could have an impact.

The FFA is delighted with the effect Del Piero has had on the A-League without even kicking a ball. The league's new boss, Damien de Bohun, said he'd ''never seen anything like it''.

''There's no doubt Del Piero's signing has opened the eyes of athletes all over the world,'' he said. ''There's all sorts of rumours flying around but the fact someone like Ballack would even contemplate coming … is huge.''

The A-League has officially dubbed today ''Del Piero Day'' - the celebration being that this is the first day tickets go on sale to the general public for the season's A-League matches.

Tickets for Sydney FC's first three matches are expected to be among the hottest items, starting with their first match, at Wellington Phoenix on October 6, Del Piero's A-League debut.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata, who formerly held the same role at the Phoenix, said he was confident New Zealanders would turn out in force, predicting a crowd of up to 20,000 at Westpac Stadium - roughly double the Phoenix's average of recent years.

But it's the following two weeks that are expected to have the phones running even hotter today. The next Saturday, Sydney's first home game of the season - and Del Piero's first match in Australia - is against Newcastle.

Anticipation is already high for that game, but if the Jets can seal the deal with former England star Heskey as expected, Allianz Stadium will be almost certain to sell out in what is shaping as a promoter's dream.

''I'd love to see a sell-out, but if we could get over 30,000 that would be phenomenal,'' Pignata said. ''And if Heskey is confirmed with Newcastle, then you better get your tickets quick.''

After the Newcastle match, the Wanderers will host Sydney FC in round three, and the 21,487-seat Parramatta Stadium could easily sell out by the end of today, given the hype leading into the clash.

Pignata said he would be rapt if Western Sydney could end up doing a deal with Ballack, as it would only add spice to a rivalry that is sure to be among the A-League's most intense.

The World Game website reported last night that Ballack, who turns 36 next week, has agreed to join Wanderers on a one-year deal worth $1.6 million, and would be ready to play in round one. All could be revealed when the club unveils its foundation captain today.

www.smh.com.au/sport/football/del-piero-has-wanderers-eyeing-deal-20120920-269l9.html#ixzz273B6LNNA

So the headline says they are looking at a marquee, the first half of the article says they are not looking at Ballack, but by the end they say it could be announced today, I don't think anyone knows anything solid.

plague

21-09-2012, 09:54 AM

I don't think many of these journos have any idea what "in Del Piero's class" means.

Ballack is light years from Del Piero's class.

la bazzle

21-09-2012, 07:13 PM

Agreed ballack is several classes above

GazFish35

21-09-2012, 07:21 PM

I believe ballack teaches the class DelPiero is in.

parksey

21-09-2012, 07:28 PM

I don't think many of these journos have any idea what "in Del Piero's class" means.

Ballack is light years from Del Piero's class.

no he's not. the guy is a legend.

pistolpete

21-09-2012, 08:14 PM

Del Piero is quality but Ballack is the man. Time will tell anyway. Hopefully Heskey outplays both of them.

plague

21-09-2012, 08:33 PM

wow, interesting.
I would take Del Piero's career over Ballacks any day.
but anyway, opinions and all that.

Pico

22-09-2012, 09:22 AM

Marquee men have the power to please

September 22, 2012

Sebastian Hassett

http://images.smh.com.au/2012/09/21/3655857/art-353-Ballack-300x0.jpg
Michael Ballack ... thought to be a target for several A-League clubs. Photo: Getty Images

IT WAS the concept meant to revolutionise the A-League. Instead the marquee rule, enabling one club to purchase a player outside the salary cap, has produced a mixed bag.

Before Alessandro Del Piero signed with Sydney FC, so on the nose was the strategy that four of the 10 clubs didn't have a marquee player of any kind this season - and only half the clubs boasted foreign marquees.

But such has been the instant impact of Del Piero that clubs around the league have begun to wonder if they too could stir the imagination of fans with a marquee signing.

In truth, nothing out there is quite on the level of the Azzurri legend, for he is one of the world's truly great players. But that hasn't stopped other clubs from seeing what other talent is available to help build the buzz that's surrounded the competition in the past week.
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Even teams who have already signed foreign marquees have been looking to see if they could rearrange their signings to fit those players under the cap to accommodate one of the big names available on the open market.

Here's a selection of the best potential marquee options that might be tempted by a move to the A-League.

Could these be the A-League next marquees?

Emile Heskey, 34

As of yesterday morning, the deal to bring Heskey to Newcastle is done. He's a proven target man, and his style of play means he could play at the top level for another season or two. He's not a prolific striker but he'll take the attention of defenders away from Ryan Griffiths, and the pair could easily fire Newcastle into contention this season.

Shinji Ono, 32

In Japan, Ono is held in the kind of rarefied air set aside for Hidetoshi Nakata and ex-Sydney FC star ''Kazu'' Miura. While he's no longer in the Japanese team, he remains one of the country's most recognisable football figures. With revelations that he's close to agreeing terms with Western Sydney, expect the new club to welcome a flurry of Japanese supporters if the deal comes off.

Michael Ballack, 35

Has he signed or hasn't he? Is there interest or not? Will he be a Wanderer or something else entirely? The speculation about the former German international is at fever pitch although where he'll end up, nobody knows. However, it seems his $1.6 million asking price needs to be lowered to get an Australian club interested.

Juan Roman Riquelme, 34

An idol of the football cognoscenti worldwide. He wasn't quite Argentina's replacement for Diego Maradona but he provided the genius until Lionel Messi came along. His skill is on par with Del Piero - perhaps even exceeding it for raw ability - and he remains unplayable when in the right mood. At least one A-League club has sought to make contact in recent weeks.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, 34

A star for Chelsea and Barcelona, Gudjohnsen is keen to test himself in new markets, and recently was on trial with MLS club Seattle Sounders but they couldn't fit him into the salary cap. A proven striker with top pedigree, he's younger than some of the other options, and his record for club and country speaks for itself.

Guti, 35

For those who've come to obsess about Spanish football in recent times, the prospect of one of Real Madrid's former stars running around in Australia is salivating. He has been training with West Ham recently, and while he hasn't played in almost a year, his rare technical gifts surely haven't left him. He could provide a bargain buy if his fitness levels haven't dropped.

Thomas Hitzlsperger, 30

He's the right age, and with more than 50 international caps to his name, he's the type of signing that could silence those who think this is a ''retirement league''. Nicknamed ''The Hammer'' for his penchant for spectacular long-range strikes, he is being courted by Everton but would be a top signing for any A-League club. Having played for Aston Villa, Wolfsburg and Lazio, his pedigree isn't in question.

John Carew, 33

Once among the most coveted strikers in Spain when he was banging them in for Valencia, Carew's career has stalled in recent years since moving to the English Premier League. However, Australia is the kind of league where he could become a sensation. He is linked with Celtic but the Norwegian remains an intriguing prospect.

The next level down …

Fabio Grosso, 34 - Italian World Cup winner has shown interest in Australia.

Freddie Ljungberg, 35 - former Arsenal star is also interested after recently leaving the J-League.

Hernan Crespo, 37 - recent deal with the collapsed Indian league never eventuated.

David Carney, 28 - Socceroo set to be released by Uzbek club Bunyodkor.

Owen Hargreaves, 31 - former England international believes he can still play at the top level.

www.smh.com.au/sport/football/marquee-men-have-the-power-to-please-20120921-26c3n.html

How on earth did Carney make that list :lol:

Pico

22-09-2012, 09:25 AM

Japan's genius ponders taking wander out west

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Shinji Ono ... favoured over Michael Ballack by the Wanderers. Photo: AFP

ONE of the most famous players in Asian football is on the verge of becoming the inaugural marquee player for the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Japanese playmaker Shinji Ono is closing in on a switch from Shimizu S-Pulse to the A-League in the next fortnight in what would be a coup for the start-up club.

Terms between the 32-year-old and the Wanderers are still being thrashed out, but it is understood Ono is available at around $800,000 a season - roughly half the price of the other mooted marquee, former German international Michael Ballack.

However, with Ono retaining cult-like status in his native country and with Alessandro Del Piero boasting enormous popularity in the same country, Football Federation Australia, which owns the Wanderers, would quickly recoup his wages through the sale of television rights to Japan alone.
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Ono is ready to quit the J-League after a falling out with the management of his hometown club, ending his two-year stint with the Shizuoka team.

He is so highly rated by Tony Popovic that it is understood the Wanderers coach would prefer to sign Ono over Ballack. He is known as Tensai - ''Genius'' - in his homeland.

Popovic played in the J-League for Sanfrecce Hiroshima from 1997 to 2001, scoring 13 goals in 87 games, and knows first-hand the talent of Ono. During the same period, Popovic was just starting his career with Asia's biggest club, Urawa Red Diamonds.

In 1998, Ono was selected for Japan's World Cup squad aged just 18, and went to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, eventually making 56 appearances for his country.

After leaving Urawa in 2001, Ono was bought by Dutch giants Feyenoord, where he scored 19 goals in 112 games during a four-year spell where he became the first Japanese player to win a European trophy.

In an interview with the Herald in January, his club teammate, Socceroo Alex Brosque, said that Ono was a ''living legend of Japanese football''.

''He's just so loved everywhere you go, he's a massive star here,'' he said. ''He's still got that class factor about him and his skills are right up there.''

Meanwhile, the Wanderers are understood to have finalised their inaugural four-man board.

Wanderers executive chairman Lyall Gorman has been given permission by the FFA to take one of the four places, alongside former ALP president Warren Mundine- who until this season claimed to be a passionate Sydney FC fan.

Another position has been taken by one of Frank Lowy's associates, who was formerly involved in the Westfield Group, with the final place filled by a prominent Sydney-based Chinese-Australian businessman.

The Wanderers also announced their foundation captain yesterday, with Michael Beauchamp getting the nod to take the armband.

Beauchamp, 31, spent the first four years of his career in western Sydney at NSL clubs Marconi and Parramatta before making a name for himself with the Mariners.

He went to the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and returned from a stint in Germany to play solitary seasons with Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC before joining the Wanderers this season.

''It's a huge honour to be handed the armband to wear at any club, but it is certainly that little bit more special to receive it for a club in its foundation year that represents everything about my boyhood days and dreams,'' he said.

''I'm definitely a leader by my actions and I'm someone who will motivate on the pitch in the heat of the battle.''

www.smh.com.au/sport/football/japans-genius-ponders-taking-wander-out-west-20120921-26c3m.html

So much for Gormans no marquee suggestion they cant get enough now.

Pico

22-09-2012, 09:29 AM

Mark Bosnich says Western Sydney Wanderers should do everything in their power to sign Michael Ballack

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/09/21/1226479/131994-michael-ballack.jpg

Mark Bosnich says Western Sydney signing former Germany captain Michael Ballack would be a no-brainer for the club. Source: AFP

ONE of the many pieces of advice I received during my time in England went like this: start as you mean to go on. Simple but priceless.

After Sydney FC's amazing signing of Alessandro Del Piero and Newcastle's successful swoop for Emile Heskey, Western Sydney Wanderers have been left with some decisions to make.

Do they go out and match their rivals with a huge marquee player of their own? Or do they stick with their original position of no marquees?

After Del Piero's signature attracted front and back page headlines in the week of the AFL and NRL finals, the answer is simple. Who dares, wins.

Michael Ballack is ready and available. He has superb fitness levels to complement his mastery of the ball. As a commanding presence in midfield - and an ability to score goals - Ballack is as dynamic a player as any we have witnessed in the last decade.

We should remember a few points when considering the signing of a Ballack - or, for that matter, a Del Piero or a Heskey. For starters, the excitement created among traditional and non-traditional football watchers is immense, as we have seen over the past fortnight. And then there's the impact their arrival has on the players around them in the A-League.

Their experience at the elite level of our game is priceless, and their willingness to share those among this generation of Australian players is incredibly exciting. They will undoubtedly leave an indelible imprint on teammates and opponents alike.

We also shouldn't underestimate the impact these big names are having on the global reputation of the A-League. Doors are opening. Friendships are being forged. Contacts are forming.

All of this augurs well for the future.

Which leads me to this conclusion. Those who do not see the benefit that a Del Piero, Heskey and possibly Ballack bring to football in Australia are probably more interested in themselves than the game itself. Perhaps their own insecurity is a factor. Maybe they're just happy being unhappy.

We are - and have always been - a tribal game. History has shown that, with any tribe, strong leadership is needed. Frank Lowy has that in abundance, as well as the best interest of the game at heart.

So I ask on behalf of all true football lovers: Mr Lowy, if anyone can use their influence to convince the decision makers to allow the Ballack deal to happen, it's you.

Dare to dream and dare to believe. As Sydney FC showed with Del Piero, dreams can come true.

Can't see Lowy throwing money at WSW when he didn't really do it for SFC.

Pico

22-09-2012, 09:31 AM

Tickets selling fast for Alessandro Del Piero's home debut for Sydney FC

Jamie Pandaram
The Daily Telegraph
September 22, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/09/21/1226479/142051-alessandro-del-piero.jpg

Fans are rapidly snapping up tickets to see Alessandro Del Piero make his home debut for Sydney FC. Source: Getty Images

THE showdown between Alessandro Del Piero and English striker Emile Heskey sparked an unprecedented rush for tickets yesterday, with Sydney FC generating record results on the opening day of sales.

More than 5000 general admission tickets were purchased for the round two match between Sydney and Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium, compared to about 300 this time last year for their first home game.

Del Piero's signing has also seen Sydney FC memberships skyrocket, with the club already surpassing the 6800 mark they reached throughout all of last season. The Italian superstar has also generated a massive response from Wellington, where he will make his first A-League appearance in round one against the Phoenix.

Wellington boss David Dome said they had already sold 10 times the usual number of tickets for the season opener.

The clash between Sydney and the Jets could break the attendance record for a non-finals A-League game in Sydney, which stands at 33,458 when the Sky Blues hosted Melbourne Victory in 2007-08. Sydney FC's biggest ever crowd was at the 2005-06 A-League grand final when they beat Central Coast 1-0, watched by 41,689 fans.

Clearly the Heskey Factor!

Pico

22-09-2012, 09:35 AM

Former England striker Emile Heskey hinting he wants to extend stay at Newcastle Jets

EXCLUSIVE Barry Toohey
The Daily Telegraph
September 22, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/09/21/1226479/193923-emile-heskey.jpg
Emile Heskey could be keen to extend his stay at the Newcastle Jets. Source: AFP

HE won't get a first glimpse of his new home until he arrives in Newcastle next week but Emile Heskey is already making noises about extending his stay with the Jets beyond this season.

In a huge coup for the club, the veteran English striker was sold the idea of bringing his family to Newcastle to play in the A-League during a three-hour meeting over coffee at the Mayfair Hotel in London last Sunday morning.

In a rushed decision, Hunter Sports Group boss Troy Palmer and Jets CEO Robbie Middleby had flown to England the previous day in a bid to get the deal over the line.

The jet-lagged officials only had time for a quick shower and a change of clothes before meeting Heskey and his high-profile manager Struan Marshall.

"The meeting wasn't about money by that stage," Middleby revealed yesterday.

"We'd already agreed on that part of the deal over the phone before we went over.

"It was about Emile wanting to know more about us - more about Newcastle and what the club stands for.

"He was actually ready to jump on a plane and come to us to have a look around and to get a feel for the place before we said we'd come to him.

"We sent him links to look at on the net. We talked about the Emerging Jets program we've set up and we spoke a lot about Nathan (Jets owner Nathan Tinkler) and his commitment to the city's sporting franchises.

"He's a lovely bloke and it was a big decision for him because he has a partner and five kids.

"Troy and I couldn't get over how humble he was.

"Our fans in Newcastle and A-League fans right across Australia are going to love him."

While the chase for his signature was only really set in motion during the middle of last week, Middleby says Heskey's name was first brought up two years ago by his former Liverpool teammate Robbie Fowler during his time in the A-League.

"We used to talk about what players he thought would be good out here and Robbie said to me two years ago Emile would be ideal for the A-League," Middleby said.

"And it was actually through Robbie that we made the initial contact to see if he would be interested in coming here.

"Once the ball was rolling, we got Michael Bridges (Jets striker), who has played against Emile in the EPL, involved as well.

"He was messaging him and telling him how good a place Newcastle is.

"The night of the meeting we got the good news from his agent Struan Marshall that he'd agreed to come."

The Jets are not commenting on Heskey's financial package but reports suggest he will pocket around $700,000 for the season.

But a one-year stint could easily turn into two years or even three depending on how he performs.

"Emile was very strong on the point that he is not coming out here to retire," Middleby said.

"He's 34 but he is coming off a full season in the EPL with Aston Villa and he reckons he still has at least three seasons left in him.

"Extending his stay is certainly something we will seriously look at if all parties are happy with how things are going."

Sooo... Bridges comes through with his International Business Development Management position.

q-money

22-09-2012, 09:57 AM

:lulz:

furns

22-09-2012, 12:34 PM

:lol:

halo se7en

22-09-2012, 01:44 PM

Heskey has 5 kids? So he doesn't miss as often as people think...

furns

22-09-2012, 09:32 PM

Bravo

Pico

24-09-2012, 11:44 AM

New TV deal for FFA may be worth $175m
Val Migliaccio
The Advertiser
September 24, 2012 12:00AM

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SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT: Football Federation of Australia is believed to have signed a $175 million five-year television deal. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

THE Football Federation of Australia is believed to have signed a $175 million five-year television deal.

Fox Sports is believed to have paid a reported $125 million leaving SBS to shell out $50 million in the landmark agreement.

The $35-million-a-year has not been publicly announced but it's expected to be departing FFA boss Ben Buckley's final deal.

Buckley has not set a date to end his six-year tenure.

The deal will give incoming chief executive David Gallop and new A-League head Damien de Bohun a position of fiscal strength.

The new contract will start immediately, according to TV sources.

Fox Sports will continue to show all A-League matches and Socceroos matches - apart from the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which is on the Federal Government's television anti-siphoning list.

SBS will show one live A-League clash per week on Sundays alongside Fox Sports' normal five-match domestic weekend coverage during the season.

SBS also will host Socceroos matches on an hour delay after breaking new ground this month when it showed Australia's 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Jordan away.

The TV cash injection is destined to make A-League clubs force FFA to hand out a bigger dividend than the proposed $1.9 million the 10 clubs were expecting to receive this season.

Club chiefs are expecting the FFA to cover the entire $2.62 million salary cap, which also includes third-party agreements to release some financial burden.

FFA officials refused to comment yesterday.

Fox Sports and SBS representatives did not return calls last night.

FOOTBALL FEDERATION AUSTRALIA'S NEW FIVE-YEAR TV DEAL

- Total revenue for TV rights = $175 million for five years

- $35 million each year until 2017

- Fox Sports paid for most of the deal with the Federal Government tipping in for SBS TV's share of the rights

- Deal starts when new 2012/13 A-League season kicks off on October 5

- Fox Sports will show all A-League and Socceroos matches live (outside the FIFA 2014 World Cup tournament due to the Federal Government's anti siphoning law)

- SBS will host one live Sunday A-League fixture per week. The station will also host Socceroos matches on a slight delay

- A-League clubs will currently receive $1.9 million in revenue from the FFA which is to be used for salary caps - about $700,000 short of the total allowed salary cap.

Not sure what happened to the $60m deal that was rumoured earlier, will be nice to see some live FTA HAL this season, really thought it would be the other way around, Live socceroo's on simulcast with a delayed HAL game.

Hopefully that means that the clubs can start asking for more $$ from sponsors as they will have greater exposure by FTA.

Also a very real possibility in seeing the Jets & Heskey's debut in newcastle kicking off the First SBS FTA broadcast against Adelaide, sound familiar :yay:

hauss

24-09-2012, 11:56 AM

A deal like that would certainly be good progress but I'd still be a little disappointed.

Live HAL game makes sense to me. Playing a delayed HAL fixture on Free to air would kill off a lot of casual interest in the match, simply because the game is not live. People would still maintain interest in a delayed Socceroos broadcast as they are special one-off matches of national importance and half would not be prime time viewing.

Hopefully Veart doesn't score for Adelaide this time.

OmeletteDuFromage

24-09-2012, 01:05 PM

Hmm, not sure if im going to watch it on Fox or SBS now :lulz:

hauss

24-09-2012, 01:52 PM

Head of Sports at SBS on twitter saying the article is a load of crap.

Pico

25-09-2012, 08:38 AM

Wanderers poised to snare Japanese ace Shinji Ono as Michael Ballack talks terminated
Jamie Pandaram
The Daily Telegraph
September 25, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/09/24/1226480/613604-shinji-ono.jpg
Shinji Ono wins a header playing for Urawa Reds against Sydney FC in an AFC Champions League match in 2007. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph

JAPANESE star Shinji Ono could sign with Western Sydney Wanderers within days after their limited discussions with Germany's Michael Ballack were terminated.

Ono's recruitment would be a significant coup for the A-League's newest side, given he is one of Asia's most popular players.

The 32-year-old midfielder has been a target for a few weeks but it's understood final negotiations are well under way.

While there had been significant speculation surrounding the possible recruitment of former Chelsea star Ballack, it was always an unlikely signing. Ballack's asking price was steep and a short-term stint would have attracted great publicity but not stability.

In Ono, the Wanderers would get a classy international who remains a potent attacking threat and can commit for two years.

It's believed Ono's asking price is about $800,000, roughly half of what 35-year-old Ballack was seeking.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic previously played in the J-League against Ono.

Ono is commonly known as Tensai - Japanese for genius - and has played 56 games for Japan.

He currently plays for Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse but is seeking a new direction. He has also had stints in Holland and Germany.

Ono would join the likes of international marquees Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey in a remarkable string of signings for the domestic competition.

Ono should be a good signing for WSW, wonder if anyone else will take the plunge on Ballack

Pico

25-09-2012, 08:52 AM

Newcastle Jets on cloud nine with new signing Emile Heskey
Jamie Pandaram
The Daily Telegraph
September 25, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/09/24/1226480/610946-emile-heskey.jpg
Newcastle Jets signing Emile Heskey poses in his new jersey for the upcoming A-League season. Picture: Group Hunter Sports Source: Sunday Herald Sun

HERE'S an exclusive sneak peek at the imposing figure of former England striker Emile Heskey pictured in his Newcastle Jets playing strip for the first time.

It's an image Jets coach Gary van Egmond will be hoping rival A-League defenders see plenty of when the season kicks off in just over a week and a half.

But excited fans may have to be patient before catching their first glimpse of their new marquee star in action.

With Heskey only set to arrive in Australia on Friday with his wife Tagoe and two of his five children, Van Egmond would not speculate yesterday on what role the striker will play in the side's opening-round clash against Adelaide on Sunday week at Hunter Stadium.

"I haven't spoken to Emile and will wait until he arrives and go from there," Van Egmond said yesterday.

"We are obviously all hoping he is going to be ready to go. From my understanding, he's been training at Wigan and has kept himself in really good nick.

"He's been ensuring that he prepared himself properly for whichever club he decided to play with. But until he gets here, we won't know for sure.

"We'll need to assess him and make sure he is A-okay and just sit down and have a chat to him to get a real good understanding of where he is at from a playing perspective. The last thing we want is for him to pull up sore and to get injured as soon as he gets here."

Van Egmond admitted he can't give any guarantees about Heskey and the Adelaide game.

"Everyone's hopeful it's all OK and he's in decent shape but as I say, we can't do anymore at this stage except wait until we see him in the flesh and then go from there," he said.

Van Egmond admits he is as excited as all the players and fans about Heskey's arrival and the impact he will have on the club and the A-League.

"It's fantastic,"he said.

"He ticks all the boxes in a footballing sense with his ability and the amount of experience he's gained for the young players to learn off. There is excitement there about just being able to work with him.

"And from a commercial and marketing point of view, he is going to be a great fit."

Jets' Swiss defender Dominik Ritter did not attempt to hide his excitement about Heskey's arrival yesterday.

"When I came here, I didn't know much about Australian football,"he said.

"Then a couple of weeks ago, Del Piero signed (with Sydney FC) and everyone from Switzerland, my family and friends, all texted me saying how great it was. Now Emile Heskey is coming to play with me and my team. It's very, very exciting."

In less than a week since Heskey's signing was confirmed, more than 1000 new members have been signed by the club.

The club has already sold out of the Heskey No.9 strip and has ordered 5000 more, and it expects to have an 11,000-strong membership base by season kick-off.

I'll be honest if these figures are correct Heskey's going really good better then I would have thought, especially without having even played a game or even arrived in the country.

russjaybee

25-09-2012, 10:46 AM

Agreed Pico, I really didn't think he would have a massive impact on membership and thought the biggest impact he could have was by actually scoring goals and performing. Off to a good start!

hauss

25-09-2012, 11:08 AM

It's not exactly 1,000 new members. It's up to 9,528 according to twitter which is maybe 300 or 400 since the official announcement. Still early days to make 11,000 seeing as he hasn't even arrived yet.

plague

25-09-2012, 11:12 AM

Just some context for those who didn't see it in the Terrorgraph. That photo takes up abt 2/3 of the page. It looks great.
Awesome coverage not just for football but for our club especially in GF week for other codes.
Onya Bazza Toohey, Newy legend.

BodyNovo

25-09-2012, 11:23 AM

i think we didn't reach 10,000 members last year until after the round 3 derby against the gypos. if we could get to 10,000 by game 1 than win a couple of early games & Heskey scores a goal or 2, signs autographs etc, i think you will find we should get to 11k fairly easily.

Jetmaster

25-09-2012, 01:34 PM

The good thing about the Heskey signing is that it shows HSG commitment after the off season goings on. No doubt in my mind that some members would have second thoughts about getting back on board.

In other news The Cawk has a new gig...

Michael Cockerill appointed Associate Editor of footballaustralia.com.au

Tuesday, 25 September 2012 10:39 AM

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced that former Sydney Morning Herald chief football writer and current Fox Sports commentator Michael Cockerill has been appointed as Associate Editor of footballaustralia.com.au.

Cockerill has spent 27 years reporting on Australian football, including six FIFA World Cup finals, seven FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns by the Qantas Socceroos, three Olympic Games football tournaments, the National Soccer League, the Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League, and grassroots and community football.

Mike has been a contributor to the official FIFA magazine for 15 years and was inducted into FFA’s Hall of Fame last year.

The FFA digital network footballaustralia.com.au consists of 15 websites covering the elite tier of Australian football, from the national teams the Qantas Socceroos and Westfield Matildas to the domestic competitions the Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and National Youth League.

Since re-launching the platform in partnership with Optus in October 2011, the digital network’s audience has viewed over 1 million video streams, website traffic has increased by 14% and there have been more than 250,000 downloads of the Official Hyundai A-League app and Qantas Socceroos app.

FFA’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Kyle Patterson, said the appointment of such a highly-respected senior journalist to FFA’s digital network was a major step in the FFA’s strategy to run sophisticated digital media channels as the core of its fan engagement effort.

“When FFA launched our digital partnership with Optus a year ago, our vision was to make footballaustralia.com.au the no.1 portal for football fans across Australia,” said Patterson.

“We have been producing compelling news, images and video content on our websites and we’ve achieved significant growth in traffic, video streams and app downloads. That shows we are on the right track.

“The appointment of Mike Cockerill will add significant editorial credibility to our websites. Mike will add more quality writing, sharper news analysis, vast editorial experience and historical insights to our coverage of Australian football.

“The FFA websites have a natural advantage in providing ‘first run’ news on our national teams and Hyundai A-League clubs, but we want to be the best as well as the first.

“In this regard, I’m delighted to secure Mike’s services. It signals our commitment to producing quality, compelling content and making it available where the fans want it; on mobile, tablet and fixed digital platforms.”

Mike Cockerill will commence with footballaustralia.com.au on 2 October with his first column to go live on that day.

belchardo

25-09-2012, 03:38 PM

surely he can't be a commentator for a fox at the same time as working for the FFA.

conflict of interest much? oh, wait... lowy/sydney FC

belchardo

25-09-2012, 08:13 PM

COAL explorer Blackwood Corporation has turned up the heat on Nathan Tinkler, seeking to appoint liquidators to one of the former billionaire’s companies in a bid to recover $28.4 million.

Speculation has been mounting for weeks over a failed share placement, with Blackwood announcing today it had applied to a court to wind up Mr Tinkler’s Mulsanne Resources.

In July Blackwood granted Mulsanne more than 94 million of its shares, or about a one-third stake in the group, worth $28.4 million.

Mr Tinkler, who pulled his ambitious $5.3 billion bid for Whitehaven Coal because of financing issues, has failed to make the payment.

Blackwood was raising funds for drilling its coal tenements in Queensland.

‘‘The Blackwood board continues to investigate and consider its options regarding the recovery of the amounts outstanding,’’ the group said in a statement.

Developer Mirvac is also pursuing legal action against two of Mr Tinkler’s private companies, Ocean Street Holdings and Buildev Group, to recover $17 million from a failed property deal.

The dispute is set down for hearing on October 23 and 24.

Mr Tinkler’s business empire has come under increasing pressure since the failure of the Whitehaven privatisation bid last month.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/357311/bold-move-to-liquidate-tinkler-company/?cs=303

let's hope tinks paid emile up front.

Pico

26-09-2012, 09:14 AM

Wanderers close to deal with Japanese midfielder Shinji Ono
Val Migliaccio
The Daily Telegraph
September 26, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/09/25/1226481/398164-shinji-ono.jpg
Western Sydney Wanderers new recruit Shinji Ono clashes with Socceroos' Brett Emerton during the Australia v Japan group game at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Wanderers to snare Japanese ace

JAPAN midfielder Shinji Ono's manager's meeting with Western Sydney Wanderers last week has all but secured his signature.

Ono's FIFA agent Akiyama Yusuke was content with the offer on the table for his client, according to Japanese sources, after moves for German legend Michael Ballack became complicated.

Ono is on the outer at his J-League club Shimzu S-Pulse due to Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi's younger player policy.

Ono - 33 tomorrow - will receive $800,000 for a season in a salary equal to Shimizu's package.

The UEFA Cup winner with Holland's Feyenoord in 2002 and three-time Japan FIFA World Cup representative has a good command of English.

He is reportedly in first-class condition to start the Wanderers' A-League debut against Central Coast at Parramatta Stadium on October 6.

Akiyama did not respond to emails, while a Wanderers spokesperson last night said Ono talks were continuing.

Meanwhile Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley will help launch the A-League's eighth season at Parramatta Stadium in a first for the competition.

FFA has decided to host two launches on Tuesday - one at Parramatta and the other in Melbourne.

Fox Sports' presenter Adam Peacock will host the Melbourne party before Heart and Victory kick the season off with a blockbuster match at Etihad Stadium on October 5.

The launch is looming to be one of Buckley's last public appearances for the A-League.

He is expected to sign off with a fresh lucrative TV rights deal involving Fox Sports and SBS.

It might just be me, but this season News Limited seem to be cranking up the volume of HAL news, at first I was thinking it was just ADP hype, but it seems every club is getting articles written about them, it looks like the HAL coverage has tripled.

Meanwhile over at Fairfax, it looks like Hassett is the only one reporting on any HAL news, usually only one article a day.

GazFish35

26-09-2012, 09:19 AM

Val migliaccio isn't known for his accuracy though.

Pico

26-09-2012, 09:27 AM

Heskey impact can be bigger than Del Piero

Barry Toohey
The Daily Telegraph
September 26, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/09/25/1226481/399168-england-vs-algeria.jpg

Newcastle Jets' new striker Emile Heskey - pictured in action for England - can have a big impact on the A-League, says teammate Michael Bridges. Picture: Philippe

NEWCASTLE Jets star Michael Bridges boldly predicts Emile Heskey will make a greater on-field impact in the A-League than Sydney FC's Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero.

Bridges, who played with Heskey at junior international level in England and against him in the English Premier League, says Heskey will "scare the hell out of defenders" and attract a cult following in Newcastle.

"Emile is a superstar who is going to have a huge impact out here," Bridges said yesterday.

"Del Piero off the field is a priceless marketing commodity - the David Beckham of Italy. It's fantastic.

"But actually on the field for what he is going to give - he'll play a lot of games but I can see Emile giving the Jets a whole new dimension we haven't got and really take the A-League by storm.

"People say he hasn't got a good goalscoring record but if you look at the statistics of every striker who has played alongside of him, guys like Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen - they have gone on to become the top goalscorers in the league.

"He's very unselfish and does a lot of the dog work.

"He actually makes other players because he attracts so much attention from defenders."

It was Bridges who helped the Jets management seal the deal with Heskey, selling Newcastle, the lifestyle and the club to him during several phone conversations and text messages.

"It took some doing but we got there with him in the end," the former Leeds United striker said.

"I just told him I came out here on a six-month deal, fell in love with the place and three years later at this point in time, have no interest in going back."

"It's a growing league and I just said to him he could leave a lasting legacy out here.

"But the real credit for getting someone of his calibre to come has to go to Nathan (owner Nathan Tinkler).

"The way he has backed this is fantastic. Nathan's getting some negative publicity with people saying he is not committed to the club and to Newcastle.

"Well, if this is not commitment, I don't know what is."

Heskey will arrive in Australia with his wife Tagoe and two children on Friday before a planned meet and greet with Jets players that afternoon.

Seems the Herald has well and truly been replaced, no news in the herald for the last couple of days but the terror has been getting the low down each day.

For the benefit of the club's continued success this entire HSG vs The herald shit needs to end.

q-money

26-09-2012, 09:50 AM

good to see the rest of us shelling out for the FFA to buy ono

De-Champ

26-09-2012, 10:25 AM

They have not goven up on Ballack for next year either.

Jetmaster

26-09-2012, 11:38 AM

Agree with Bridgey here - ADP off the field will be a goldmine. On it he will just need one or two hardmen to nail him and then he will sook and complain that the refs don't protect playmakers etc etc, the league is too physical etc. Then he'll get an injury and the fair weather bling fans will start to demand their money back. Truth is refs are not tough on the hardmen here - wonder if that will change ?

Heskey is physical to begin with and as long as he doesn't get sent off, will cause alot of pain in the the area - wish Musky was still around, that meeting would be titanic.

GazFish35

26-09-2012, 11:57 AM

refs clamping down on hard hitting defensive tackles might actually help our "big guys" learn to takle cleanly..... soemthing that might help in Asian CL and Socceroos games where we are continually out foxed by clever attacks who know how to hit the ground.

we might end up with a better passing game across the league gtoo.

q-money

26-09-2012, 12:01 PM

the a-league is soft, Argentina is ten times the place when it comes to on pitch violence

belchardo

28-09-2012, 08:16 AM

Wanderers get green light to increase quota of foreign stars

SHINJI ONO and another foreign marquee player could be on their way to Parramatta Stadium after the FFA and rival club owners announced that Western Sydney Wanderers are free to sign two foreign players outside of the regular quota.

The Joint A-League Strategic Committee has given the green light for the Wanderers to have seven foreign players in their squad throughout their first two seasons. The concession has been brought in only days before the new season kicks off to help ensure the Wanderers will be competitive during their infancy.

''The Joint A-League Strategic Committee adopted a position which was put to the FFA board and subsequently ratified that Western Sydney Wanderers FC could receive concessions to their foreign player quota for the club to recruit up to seven foreign players for their first two seasons,'' a FFA spokesman said.

''All Hyundai A-League stakeholders including FFA, the clubs, our broadcast partner, sponsors and fans would agree that the success of Western Sydney Wanderers FC is strategically important to the growth of the game.''

The newcomers fulfilled the standard quota of five visa players earlier this month and are still one player short of the required minimum of 20 players. But, with two marquee positions still available and now granted the additional foreign player spots, they will be free to secure deals with Japanese star Ono and another overseas player.

The 33-year-old former Japanese international is set to leave J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse after falling out with coach Afshin Ghotbi and is attracted by a move to Western Sydney. Former German captain Michael Ballack, who has been linked with the club, is opting for a move abroad after leaving Bayer Leverkusen and is keen on joining the Wanderers but must first overcome hurdles such as wage demands, third-party payments and fitness concerns.

Meanwhile, Wanderers executive chairman Lyall Gorman has hinted that the club is also in pursuit of former Socceroos. The Wanderers will be looking to add depth to their slim midfield stocks and could snap up free agents Vince Grella and Jason Culina, who is training with Sydney FC. ''We've always said that there's room for the right player, if the right player comes along,'' Gorman said. ''Don't think that has to be a foreign player, there are plenty of local options. At some stage there are [Australian] players who will want to come back to the A-League.''

The Wanderers also must add one more player under the age of 21 to fulfil the minimum squad requirements ahead of the A-League season and will sign one of their youth triallists within the coming days.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/wanderers-get-green-light-to-increase-quota-of-foreign-stars-20120927-26o9g.html#ixzz27hu6MCGW

i'm not really too upset about this, but why two years?

Pico

28-09-2012, 08:27 AM

Western Sydney Wanderers all set to sign Japanese star Shinji Ono
Jamie Pandaram
The Daily Telegraph
September 28, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/09/27/1226482/893667-shinji-ono.jpg
Japanese star Shinji Ono, pictured here tussling with Socceroo Brett Emerton at the 2006 World Cup, has been all but signed by the Western Sydney Wanderers. Source: AP

A FORMAL release from Japanese club Shimizu is all that is now required for star Shinji Ono to make a shock round one appearance for A-League newcomers Western Sydney Wanderers.

In a dramatic escalation, agents in Japan last night agreed to a $1.6 million, two-year deal that will see Ono become the third major international recruit for the A-League in an astonishing past fortnight that includes the signings of Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey.

All that remains to seal the deal is for Shimizu to grant his release, which is expected given the player has been at odds with the team and openly explored other options.

It has come about extremely quickly and to have Ono running out in the Wanderers' shirt for their maiden match against Central Coast at Parramatta on Saturday week will be a huge boost to an already compelling opening round of the season.

Ono, who turned 33 yesterday, played against the Socceroos in the 2006 World Cup and has represented Japan 56 times. The attacking midfielder will add significant spark to the Wanderers and his experience, which includes the 1998, 2002 and 06 World Cups, will be invaluable to the new franchise.

A source close to the deal told News Limited last night that as well as the on-field impact Ono would have, his signing will help the Wanderers attract a new group of supporters.

"European football has been part of our heritage, but Asia is a big part of our future, and there is a large Asian contingent in western Sydney that needs someone to cheer for," the source said.

The signing of Ono will tap into the previously ignored Asian community of western Sydney, where Mandarin is the most common language spoken behind English.

Ono would be the Wanderers' sixth foreign signing on their roster. They are allowed seven.

Ono's arrival could also increase the value of the A-League's television rights in Japan, with a large number of fans sure to be following his transition to the new league.

Known as Tensai, the Japanese for "genius", Ono played a key role in the 2002 World Cup.

He has had stints at Feyenoord and Germany's Bochum, and played against Wanderers coach Tony Popovic in the J-League with his first professional club, Urawa Red Diamonds.

Ono's vision and famed through balls have made him one of Japan's most popular players. The recruitment of Ono will put an end to speculation that Germany's Michael Ballack was headed to the Wanderers.

While the Wanderers held initial talks with Ballack's representatives, no formal discussions progressed despite Ballack's camp claiming it was placing a deadline on the club.

Ono is seen as a better signing for the club because he will fit into their style of play and have a presence in the dressing room.

looks like Popa got his man, interesting about Ballack seems he was never that seriously looked at.

Pico

28-09-2012, 08:31 AM

Wanderers get green light to increase quota of foreign stars

SHINJI ONO and another foreign marquee player could be on their way to Parramatta Stadium after the FFA and rival club owners announced that Western Sydney Wanderers are free to sign two foreign players outside of the regular quota.

The Joint A-League Strategic Committee has given the green light for the Wanderers to have seven foreign players in their squad throughout their first two seasons. The concession has been brought in only days before the new season kicks off to help ensure the Wanderers will be competitive during their infancy.

''The Joint A-League Strategic Committee adopted a position which was put to the FFA board and subsequently ratified that Western Sydney Wanderers FC could receive concessions to their foreign player quota for the club to recruit up to seven foreign players for their first two seasons,'' a FFA spokesman said.

''All Hyundai A-League stakeholders including FFA, the clubs, our broadcast partner, sponsors and fans would agree that the success of Western Sydney Wanderers FC is strategically important to the growth of the game.''
Advertisement

The newcomers fulfilled the standard quota of five visa players earlier this month and are still one player short of the required minimum of 20 players. But, with two marquee positions still available and now granted the additional foreign player spots, they will be free to secure deals with Japanese star Ono and another overseas player.

The 33-year-old former Japanese international is set to leave J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse after falling out with coach Afshin Ghotbi and is attracted by a move to Western Sydney. Former German captain Michael Ballack, who has been linked with the club, is opting for a move abroad after leaving Bayer Leverkusen and is keen on joining the Wanderers but must first overcome hurdles such as wage demands, third-party payments and fitness concerns.

Meanwhile, Wanderers executive chairman Lyall Gorman has hinted that the club is also in pursuit of former Socceroos. The Wanderers will be looking to add depth to their slim midfield stocks and could snap up free agents Vince Grella and Jason Culina, who is training with Sydney FC. ''We've always said that there's room for the right player, if the right player comes along,'' Gorman said. ''Don't think that has to be a foreign player, there are plenty of local options. At some stage there are [Australian] players who will want to come back to the A-League.''

The Wanderers also must add one more player under the age of 21 to fulfil the minimum squad requirements ahead of the A-League season and will sign one of their youth triallists within the coming days.

www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/wanderers-get-green-light-to-increase-quota-of-foreign-stars-20120927-26o9g.html#ixzz27hxTJzL7

Can see them going for culina, he's free, an ex jet, former socceroo, ws boy & SFC just signed Reid.

Jeterpool

28-09-2012, 08:34 AM

Can see them going for culina, he's free, an ex jet, former socceroo, ws boy & SFC just signed Reid.

A player of his experience and calibre even being around the squad can only be a good thing for a young team and new club.

Pico

28-09-2012, 08:42 AM

Newcastle Jets signing Emile Heskey a good chance to play in club's A-League season opener

Jamie Pandaram
The Daily Telegraph
September 28, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/09/27/1226482/893946-emile-heskey.jpg

Newcastle Jets signing Emile Heskey could play in the club's A-League opener against Adelaide. Source: AP

EMILE Heskey could be launched from the bench in Newcastle's A-League opener against Adelaide United.

The English star, who arrives this morning to begin his much-hyped stint in Australian soccer, will meet with the Jets' footballing staff including coach Gary van Egmond before a plan is devised to get Heskey fit for the first match on October 7.

"One hundred per cent I would love him to play in round one, whether he is starting or coming off the bench, whichever way it might turn out, we will know a lot more by Saturday," van Egmond said.

"We will work from there.

"We all can't wait to be learning from him, and to be contributing to him also.

"First and foremost, we need to sit down and have a chat with him and start to work out what he needs.

"He knows his body better than anybody else."

It will take delicate treatment to ensure the 34-year-old does not overburden his body just nine days after a 24-hour flight from England, although the anticipation in Newcastle of seeing Heskey in action will be immense.Already the first lot of Jets jerseys with Heskey's name imprinted on the back have sold out, leading the club to order a further 5000.

Van Egmond is expecting some breathtaking moments of magic this season from Heskey, one of only 23 players to have scored over 100 goals in the Premier League.

"There are times as a coach when you're on the sideline, certain players do something that stops time," van Egmond said.

"A couple of times Joel Griffiths did something a little bit extraordinary, I remember Nicky Carle scoring a goal early on, hopefully there are a few moments like that from Emile.

"The fans will be dying to see him out there in the red and blue."

Heskey joins the Jets after playing 28 Premier League games for Aston Villa last season.

"Having played in England all my career something just popped up and I liked the look of it," Heskey said.

"I had promised myself if as long as I could play in the Premier League I would; if I couldn't I'd try myself abroad and this came up - which was brilliant."

Meanwhile, Socceroos striker Alex Brosque has joined United Arab Emirates club Al Ain from Japan's Shimizu.

A spokesman for Al Ain said: "We are delighted to announce the signing of Alex Brosque.

"He fits the bill of exactly what we have been looking for. "He is a quality player and has a proven track record in Asian football.

"He creates as well as scores goals and we firmly believe he will be a big asset for the club.

"He gives the coach greater tactical flexibility and allow him to come up with difference game plans for different opposition."

Brosque scored 17 goals in 90 appearances in the J-League for Shimizu, who he joined after a successful six-year stint with Sydney FC, which included winning the premiership in 2010.

Here's hoping he'll be ready for kick off against Adelaide.

Tommyjet

28-09-2012, 09:20 AM

Can't wait to watch him boss some of the central defenders in this comp who think they are above everyone ( zwansdick, sigmund etc)

And yet another shite move by a socceroo to the petro- dollars. Only one I'd pick out of that area would be king bresc

Jetmaster

28-09-2012, 09:58 AM

This guy seems to have his finger on the pulse.....

De Bohun not worried about Tinkler

New A-League head Damien de Bohun has no fear Nathan Tinkler's reported financial issues will impact on the Newcastle Jets.

Mining magnate Tinkler, who owns the Jets, the NRL's Newcastle Knights and horseracing operation Patinack Farm, has lost approximately $730 million in the past 12 months according to the latest edition of the BRW Young Rich List.

If Tinkler's losses are as severe as reported he'll still have a hefty personal fortune of around $400 million but the news is likely to make some fans nervous going into the new season, which kicks off next week.

But De Bohun believes the Jets are on an upward trajectory and has only got positive things to say about the club, highlighted by the ambitious signing of former England striker Emile Heskey as their marquee player for the 2012-2013 campaign.

"I'm very confident in what they're doing," De Bohun told AAP.

"There's a lot of speculation about a lot of things in football and in public life.

"From our perspective we've spent a lot of time with Newcastle and what they're doing to build a strong football club is fantastic.

"If you have a look at what they're doing behind the scenes, they've established an emerging Jets programme this year and at the other end of the extreme they've gone out and secured Emile Heskey as a marquee player.

"As far as we're concerned we're looking forward to them being a vibrant part of the A-League.

"From our perspective we're confident they're heading in the right direction."

belchardo

28-09-2012, 10:54 AM

hawk

28-09-2012, 12:03 PM

soemthing that might help in Asian CL and Socceroos games where we are continually out foxed by clever attacks who know how to hit the ground.

100%

seldom

28-09-2012, 01:37 PM

Heskey to play 1st round...Boogs to be sent trying to contain him

GazFish35

28-09-2012, 09:18 PM

Heskey to play 1st round...Boogs to be sent trying to contain him

Tiago to get sent for lashing out at boogs as he walks to the sheds.

furns

29-09-2012, 01:00 AM

soooooo....this tv deal, was supposed to be signed 'this week' a few weeks ago.

we now have 7 days till the season kicks off.

if the FTA part is true, surely they would have to announce it soon so SBS (or whoever) can get advertising.

anybody seen anything further?

HAL component according to most reports takes effect next season. With the exception of a single report that was generally rubbished as bullshit by the head of SBS.

Jetmaster

29-09-2012, 09:33 AM

Gallery in Herald this morning....

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/365956/gallery-emile-heskey-arrives-for-jets/?cs=391

Look at slide 4 - Jobe looks in total awe !!!!

Thomas477

29-09-2012, 12:02 PM

Hutcho has been named captain of the central coast.

FFS, surely after the incident with Bridgey no one can take him seriously?

Grimario

29-09-2012, 12:29 PM

Hutcho has been named captain of the central coast.

FFS, surely after the incident with Bridgey no one can take him seriously?

Seems a perfect choice for scum captain, especially with his vast international experience.

Pico

29-09-2012, 02:03 PM

Signing of Emile Heskey a huge boost for Newcastle Jets after turmoil earlier in year

Jamie Pandaram
The Daily Telegraph
September 29, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/09/28/1226483/771326-emile-heskey.jpg

Emile Heskey meets teammates at Jets training yesterday. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph

ON April 10, Newcastle Jets players were called to a team room above the dressing sheds at their training facility.

The club's chairman, Ray Baartz, chief executive Robbie Middleby, and Troy Palmer, head of the company that owns the Jets, stood in front of the anxious group.

"We are handing back the team's licence, you guys are better off looking for other clubs," Palmer said.

Baartz solemnly added: "This is it, we're finished".

It was the first day after Easter, and the end of the Jets.

Today, those players will sit in that same room alongside new teammate and global star Emile Heskey, about to embark on the most exciting period in the club's history.

How this resurrection has occurred in just six months stems from one meeting between the Jets' multimillionaire owner Nathan Tinkler and FFA boss Frank Lowy, along with astonishing faith in Tinkler from the club's playing group.

Soon after the meeting in the team room, Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group sent out a strongly-worded press release confirming they were handing back the Jets' operating licence to the FFA.

Former Newcastle skipper Andy Roberts, a legend in the area, led a public rally to save the team and 2000 locals joined him.

"It would have been an absolute travesty not to have representation from Newcastle in a national competition," Roberts said.

"Look at the history, so many internationals have come from this area."

The rally reinforced to the FFA and wider football community the passion within Newcastle for the Jets, but the financial disputes between club and competition owners seemed insurmountable.

Then two important things happened. First, salaries arrived in players' accounts.

Striker Michael Bridges and skipper Jobe Wheelhouse held a meeting with the team.

"As long as we're getting paid boys, we've got to stick tight," Bridges told them.

Bridges now says: "We were never once out of pocket or didn't get paid. That's how we knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

"It was really difficult because some of the boys had been told to look elsewhere if they wanted. I had Jobe's support, and we decided to stick tight."Second, Lowy met with Tinkler. History will judge this to be one of the most important meetings in the Jets' existence.

Details of the discussion remain confidential, but it nevertheless achieved a favourable outcome for the Jets and the game. Newcastle was to field a team in 2012-13.

"Ever since then, everything has been so positive," Baartz said. "We have laid the foundation of the best youth development academy of any A-League club. Nathan laid that pathway with a fair injection of cash.

"The only way to sustain the long-term financial stability of this club was to maintain a relationship with the Hunter Sports Group."

Middleby added: "It was difficult to see the hurt in the players' eyes that there might not be a club there.

"The players that were there all saw the potential we had under Nathan Tinkler, the facilities, the culture that was being built. I look back now and think, that has all made us stronger, and want to work harder."

The Jets now have 10,000 members - second only to Melbourne Victory. Middleby, Baartz and Bridges all speak of a bright future, predicting several champions will pop out of their Emerging Jets program.

Heskey said: "They spoke to me about it, the new owner (Tinkler) came in and apparently they are doing well with it. It's nice that he has come in and taken over and is taking it to that next level."

Now it is Heskey's turn.

With 9.9k members already I'm starting to think we might actually make the 11k members, with a solid boost either because of Heskey, good for the signing, or even just because the season is about to start which is fantastic either way.

Pico

29-09-2012, 02:08 PM

FFA needs to be an open book

September 29, 2012

MIchael Lynch

FOOTBALL Federation Australia bosses are feeling pretty optimistic about the new A-League season, due to kick off in six days' time with a blockbuster clash in Melbourne between the city's two clubs, Heart and Victory, which will surely pull a crowd of over 35,000 to Etihad Stadium.

The Del Piero effect, the Heskey signing, the move to Sydney of major Japanese star Shinji Ono and the rumours about the pursuit of former Germany captain Michael Ballack are all stories that have put a smile on the face of executives who have, all too often, been used to putting out fires.

The soon-to-be announced television rights deal - a partnership with Fox Sports and SBS, which will, for the first time in A-League history, bring the game to a free-to-air network - is something else to celebrate as the money on offer, reported to be between $35 million and $40 million a year, will at least allow the game's governing body to pay each club enough to cover the salary cap.

That will take care of one of the more onerous fixed costs and at least create the semblance of a level playing field. After that it is up to each individual club to generate revenues from sponsorship and corporate backing, or from attendances, which will provide the extra finance to make a difference.
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That's how it should be. A welfare state should provide sustenance and a sporting subsistence level for all, with progress and achievement then based on how each individual club adds value.

But sometimes, as George Orwell pointed out in his satire of communism, Animal Farm, while all animals are equal, some are more equal than others. Especially when it comes to marquee signings and top-up payments to entice big names to sign on the dotted line.

There is probably nothing terribly wrong with FFA underwriting star names into the sport if they are a) of sufficient star quality to make a genuine difference and b) the opportunity is open to all to avail themselves of a top-up fund.

Personally, I'm not a great fan of the process. I believe that a sporting competition is just that, not a beauty contest, and the best marquee player of all is in fact not one individual but a marquee team that wins matches, even if that team is made up of relative no-names.

But I am also au fait with the contemporary view that marketing and image trumps almost all, so can at least pay lip service to the idea that bankrolling big names, to a degree, is defensible.

But please, FFA, can we have a little more transparency and explanation.

Apparently Sydney FC is receiving around $250,000 to help pay for Alessandro Del Piero, while Newcastle is said to be getting some assistance to pay for Emile Heskey.

Sydney also received a cash injection to assist with wages for Brett Emerton last year, it is understood, and perhaps also this year.

Of course, the FFA controlled and financed West Sydney is being given extra capacity to bring in foreign players over and above the five-man maximum that clubs must abide by.

I would have no problem with that. As a developing franchise it is entitled to some extra assistance, although I don't remember the same privilege being extended to Melbourne Heart, Gold Coast United or North Queensland Fury.

What I do have problems with is the way FFA has not advertised its exceptions.

At worst it makes the game's governing body look like it is picking and playing favourites, at best as if it is making policy on the hoof.

Now I am reliably informed that the extra provision for West Sydney was revealed to the joint A-League steering committee members some weeks ago. Good. But why wasn't it made public. Can you imagine the AFL granting extra concessions to Gold Coast or GWS and not thoroughly explaining the rationale behind it to the game's supporters?

Ditto for the extra payments made - out of the game's economy - to already well-paid players.

Fine if it is a strategic initiative. Do it.

But make it public, make it open to all, and let the world know you are doing it.

In today's saturated media environment we are all going to find out anyway. Better to be upfront.

www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/ffa-needs-to-be-an-open-book-20120928-26qwc.html

Interesting to see the FFA now kicking in funds for Heskey, probably linked to some sort of promotion for the league deal similar to Emerton and the one Kewell knocked back, hardly seems like it needs to be publicised though, its the FFA's business who they pick to pay to use in league promotions, same as foxsports promo's.

GazFish35

29-09-2012, 04:49 PM

Interesting to see the FFA now kicking in funds for Heskey, probably linked to some sort of promotion for the league deal similar to Emerton and the one Kewell knocked back, hardly seems like it needs to be publicised though, its the FFA's business who they pick to pay to use in league promotions, same as foxsports promo's.

But not if they only do it for some clubs nd not for others.
People have been complaining about Sydneyfc apparent benefits from FFA decisions since the league started, we can't then expect questions not to be asked when our marquee is getting money from the governing body.
It's the same for Wanderers, Ono is reportedly on 500,000 for the season... Yet the FFA would help save nth qld. And Rego fees are still high.

I'm to questioning the decisions, in fact I support most of hats happened at ff in he past 6-9 months, but transparency is key.

Pico

29-09-2012, 06:05 PM

The problem is that clubs don't use the marquee rule to get genuine stars, they instead use it as a salary cap dodge, you cant expect to have the FFA forced to cough up the same amount in promo fees for a del peiro and a heskey for a Jade North or a 4 year older fred.

As for the usual claims of rego's its been shown that the average junior is only contributing $10ish from their rego, granted I would expect that to be completely removed with the new TV deal before any additional grants to either the socceroo's, after all they continue to get greater slices of the pie, or the HAL clubs. Really though who's to say that money is not going to the junior national teams or socceroo's wages.

Its one of the reasons i still believe an independent HAL under license from the FFA is the way the league should be run it splits the revenues and losses, the FFA could still cross subsidise but then they could ensure they get something out of it and keep it nice and transparent, why frank continues to say no when its what he wanted all those years ago I still don't understand.

GazFish35

29-09-2012, 07:33 PM

Fair points.
Perhaps the fairer way to do it then is to be stricter in their definition of marquee.

militiamon

29-09-2012, 09:39 PM

tbh, this shit has been going on since the league started. SFC having Lowy as their chairman, the Mariners funding and Gorman's conflict of interest, FFA choosing only certain clubs to host marquee matches (Beckham games), funding of WSW over GCU, and so on.

The league has never had a claim to absolute transparency or equality. It will continue this way until the league becomes self-sustainable (or close to it), which is a long way off. I see good reason for the FFA to act in this way in the meantime. The reality is that we would not be able to attract Del Piero or Heskey without this inequality. I personally don't have much of a problem with it as long as the owners are happy, which I think they are at the moment.

belchardo

29-09-2012, 09:52 PM

a football reporter busting out george orwell references. wonders will never cease...

militia, didn't the beckham games relate to how much each team could pay? the jets hosted one after all.

seldom

30-09-2012, 02:04 AM

FFA seem to have unlimited funds...RIP Gold Coast.....FFS

Pico

02-10-2012, 10:04 AM

A-League rings true in Italy but not Oz TV
Val Migliaccio
The Advertiser
October 02, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/10/01/1226486/136284-alessandro-del-piero.jpg
Sydney FC games featuring Alessandro Del Piero could be broadcast into Italy in another boost for the A-League. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

LESSANDRO Del Piero has helped shatter a myth that the A-League can't be sold to cultured Italian markets.

His Sydney FC presence has presented new opportunities in Italy, but Del Piero must contend with a Serie A blackout as the competition is shunned by Australian TV.

Headlining today's A-League season two-city launch at Parramatta Stadium, while Melbourne also hosts the new soccer festival simultaneously at AAMI Park, Del Piero has sparked an Italian media frenzy that will earn more cash for Football Federation Australia.

FFA officials yesterday confirmed talks were ongoing with Italy's MediaSet to secure TV rights for Sydney FC matches.

The Juventus legend has been in demand for an Italian pay-TV audience that has never shown interest in A-League soccer until Del Piero walked into a two-year Sky Blues contract.

But Del Piero can't watch Juve matches this season unless he bypasses Australian TV for Italy's government-owned Rai International TV.

Andrea Radrizzani - chief executive of MP and Silva, the company selling the rights to Serie A in Asia - said it's a pity Del Piero fans can't watch the Italian league.

"It would be fantastic for the Australian audience to watch the Italian Serie A live especially with Del Piero playing for Sydney FC," Radrizzani said from Milan.

"Alessandro is one of the best representatives of Italian football, and Australia could see how important the Serie A is for his career with Juventus and Italy."

For about $30 a month, Italian subscribers can watch Del Piero, although his A-League debut against Wellington on Saturday is still not listed on MediaSet's Calcio channel website.

MediaSet - a company with 41 per cent ownership by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi - will pay FFA royalties for broadcasting Sydney matches.

FFA is also expected to earn more royalties as ex-England international Emile Heskey and Japan mega star Shinjo Ono are also paraded alongside Del Piero at Parramatta.

In an unprecedented first for Australian sport Ono has also become a key component in selling the A-League to Japan, while England already has packages of A-League football broadcast on their networks.

As I understand it the problem for overseas leagues coverage in Australia was the price they wanted for it, take the la liga, espn has had the coverage years gone by but then they wanted to jack the price up and espn didn't want any of it. The OS leagues need to be realistic with their pricing.

Pico

02-10-2012, 10:17 AM

Stars align for football in Sydney
http://static.ffa.sportalhosting.com/site/_content/advertising/00001278-image.png

Sydney is where it's at. Again. It's taken seven seasons, much angst, and at least a couple of false starts, but in the countdown to the new Hyundai A-League season, Australia's largest city is finally poised to re-emerge as the nation's most important football city.

The other state capitals may wish it otherwise, but at last the stars have aligned for Sydney to steer the agenda and define the narrative. Only the most parochial supporter would have a problem with that.

Alessandro Del Piero, of course, is the man who has changed everything. Like those wonderful slide-rule passes, or those off-the-ball movements that create space when there seems to be none, the timing of his move to Australia has been impeccable.

Arriving off the back off a championship-winning season with his beloved Juventus, when his currency remains high, into a competition which, right at this moment, needs exactly the sort of spark only someone of his stature can provide, proves Del Piero is just as smart off the field as on it.

Choosing Sydney FC, a club that needs “bling” even if it pretends it can do without it, simply underlines il Pinturrichio's uncanny sixth-sense.

The astounding response to the deal - both home and abroad - has made this the most-eagerly awaited season in the competition's short history. Yes, even more exciting than the inaugural campaign, in 2005 when Dwight Yorke was in Del Piero's shoes as Sydney FC's marquee star, and assumed the mantle of pin-up boy of the league. No disrespect to Yorke, but “ADP” is on another register as a player, and an ambassador. He gets it - all of it - in a way Yorke never did.

With Del Piero front and centre, the Sky Blues are set to be transformed. Word is, he returned $330,000 to the club on the first day of his employment. Almost single-handedly, he's ignited Sydney's notoriously-fickle football community - especially those of an Italian persuasion.

Tickets have flown out the door, corporates have jostled for boxes at Allianz Stadium, replica shirts have been are sold by the thousands, and newspapers have devoted acres of prime real estate to the A-League during the midst of the NRL and AFL finals series. But I say almost single-handedly - for there's another show in town.

Western Sydney Wanderers are the Hyundai A-League new boys and as fate would have it their entry has coincided with ADP mania. Their reaction shows they understand the dynamics of football, and how they, too, need to adjust. And that gives us even more reason to hope that, for the next eight months at least, Sydney is going to be a genuine football town.

On the same day Del Piero signed for Sydney FC in a five-star media event above the skyline of Turin, the Wanderers signed journeyman Iacopo la Rocca in an office at Blacktown Sportspark, without a camera, or a reporter, in sight.

The tale of two Italians, seemingly, was a reflection of two vastly differing philosophies. Sydney FC - big and brash - and Western Sydney Wanderers - careful and unassuming. Wanderers boss Lyall Gorman kept assuring us that big-name, big-earning, marquee were not really what the new club was about.

Fair enough and worthy enough. And even as Del Piero arrived to cast a shadow that stretched all the way to the Blue Mountains, the Wanderers steadfastly maintained their stance. Publicly, at least.

Privately, however, the club knew it might be swamped in terms of publicity - and relevance - if it didn't re-consider the options. And then the news broke that those options included Michael Ballack and Shinji Ono. All of a sudden, the Wanderers were being viewed in a different, more respectful, light.

The subsequent signing of Ono, who has the ability to draw in Sydney's substantial Japanese community, gives the Wanderers some crucial bargaining power as they steel themselves for the Hyundai's A-League's newest - and perhaps most significant - rivalry.

So now we'll have two superstars in Sydney (and a decent foil in Emile Heskey at Newcastle Jets) to drive the competition's profile and key metrics at a speed which would otherwise have been impossible.

That's what the right marquee players do. It's why they're so important at this stage of the competition's evolution. It's why Western Sydney have had to re-evaluate their priorities. The purists may not like it, but football is part showbiz. And in Sydney, where there are now 20 sporting franchises, the competition for the entertainment dollar has never been more intense.

At the end of last season, with aggregate losses of around $25 million, the owners were only talking about tightening their belts. Instead, David Traktovenko and Nathan Tinkler - and perhaps the FFA - have somehow found the money to hopefully give us the most impressive collection of marquee stars we've ever had. It's been a stunning transformation.

What we want, what we need, is the right reaction. In the old NSL, Sydney was the dominant force on the field. More clubs (13) and more titles (12) than anywhere else. But success on the scoreboard rarely equated to something far more important: sustainability. That's what Sydney FC are hoping to see from their substantial investment in Del Piero, and Western Sydney Wanderers hope to achieve by signing Ono.

It's not up to them, however. It's up to Sydney's 240,000 registered players and all those around them to reward the clubs that represent them by being interested and engaged.

In the NSL era, only Nothern Spirit - briefly - threatened to truly connect with the nation's biggest football community.

For seven seasons in the Hyundai A-League, it's been Melbourne Victory who have set the benchmark in that regard. If Sydney aspires to be a football city, there's never going to be a better time to prove it. Get out there are do your bit.

The views expressed in this article are purely those of the author and do not reflect those of FFA or the Hyundai A-League.

www.footballaustralia.com.au/cockerill-opinion-display/Stars-align-for-football-in-Sydney/49492

Cockerill now drinking the kool aid. No great surprise to see that Ono and ADP are superstars, whilst heskey is decent.

Pico

02-10-2012, 10:20 AM

Newcastle Jets buzzing with belief that Emile Heskey can propel them to playoffs

Jamie Pandaram
The Daily Telegraph
October 02, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2012/10/01/1226486/169673-emile-heskey.jpg
Former England international Emile Heskey with his Newcastle Jets teammates ahead of his A-League debut his weekend. Source: Getty Images

HAVING missed out on the finals by one win last season, the Newcastle Jets believe star signing Emile Heskey can lead the young squad into the playoffs this season.

But the benefits of his recruitment are already paying dividends for the club with memberships soaring and fan interest at an all-time high ahead of Sunday's season-opener against Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium.

With Heskey's signing confirmed last week, more than 1000 extra members joined the club, putting them second only to Melbourne Victory in membership numbers for A-League clubs.

Now Newcastle must deliver on the field.

The Jets have finished seventh in the past two seasons, but chief executive Robbie Middleby said such an outcome had to end.

"We want to make the top six," Middleby said. "We haven't made the top six in the last two seasons. We've got a lot of young players, so on the field it would be great to give these young players some game time and experience playing.

"We also want to play an exciting brand of football."

Heskey said earning silverware with his new club was his major aim. comhis his primary goal was to win the title with his new club.

"I just want to do well and hopefully win some trophies," the former England international said.

"I've managed to do that throughout my career, from the beginning until now, so hopefully we can keep that going."

Jets coach Gary van Egmond is confident that Heskey will thrill the supporters.

"I think all and sundry in regards to the club and the football community in Newcastle should be over the moon," Van Egmond said.

"It's not every day that you get a player of this ilk who arrives on our shores and plays for our club. The members and supporters are going to be able to see him in the flesh 12 or 13 games this year, so, from that point of view, the fans are very, very fortunate.

"The younger players will be able to draw from the experience Emile has and develop as well. Not only the younger players, but even the coaching staff and the whole club.

"From a holistic view, what Emile brings to the club is invaluable."

Would have been nice to see gold keeper kits this year, oh well, hopefully they at least burnt the yellow kit.

Thomas477

02-10-2012, 11:01 AM

Cockerill now drinking the kool aid. No great surprise to see that Ono and ADP are superstars, whilst heskey is decent.

Agreed. Heskey has been playing in that footballing backwater of the English Premier League with those half-baked wannabe clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. Whereas Ono has been playing in the dazzling heights of the J-League, playing alongside superstars like Alex Brosque and Jade North.

FFS, are we going to have to put up with more of his Sydney-bias now? Makes sense the FFA went for him, given that.

steve136

02-10-2012, 02:23 PM

Jets aim to bed down near-new squad

Date
September 30, 2012

Alex Rowe

AFTER acquiring 11 new players this season, Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond is aware it is crucial his key players gel quickly if they are to make an impression on the A-League this season.

''We've concentrated on ensuring we have two formations that we can rely on and getting used to all the tactics we need for those two formations, he said.

While van Egmond is confident his back line has settled adequately, his forward line has not, with the signing of Emile Heskey confirmed only last week.

''Our front three is my major concern. With big pieces of the jigsaw like Heskey only joining recently and [James] Brown still not here, there is still a little bit of work to be done in that front third, but I'm sure they won't take too long to settle. We'll look to those two to combine, with Brownie feeding off Heskey.''
Advertisement

Van Egmond's confidence in his other combinations is plain. ''The back three of Josh Mitchell, [Scott] Neville and [Dominik] Ritter have combined really well with Jobe Wheelhouse in front of them, they look solid which is exactly what we need from our back line.

Van Egmond will attempt to start the season as he finished the last, with possession football key.

''We are really looking to work on pressing up the field … Our possession game is the key to our play and once we instituted it last season, we saw the benefits, so it's a matter of everyone that has joined the club understanding our style of play and following it.

Newcastle Junior Greg Bird capped off an outstanding season to claim the Gold Country Origin player of the year for 2012. Bird received the award for his efforts as captain both on and off the field in Country's defeat at the hands of City in Mudgee in April.

Don't think this has been posted yet, but wow! Classic Sydney Morning Herald journalism.

Thomas477

02-10-2012, 03:35 PM

Ignoring that last bit, I am very interested to see how this back 3 goes. As far as I can remember, I don't remember an aleague team being successful with three in defence. As well as that, I've never seen Neville as a CB, so he'll be good to watch.

Plus it seems like Tiago won't be starting now.

lil_masi

02-10-2012, 04:04 PM

Thomas477

02-10-2012, 05:03 PM

Neville would be RB, Mitchell CB, Ritter LB

Probably, but every formation with 3 in the back I've seen has the central 3 a lot more central than tradition LB and RB, given the large gap that would appear between them.

Either way its semantics and will be good to see how it goes against teams like Roarcelona with their front 3 and the coasties with their 2 strikers.

furns

02-10-2012, 09:12 PM

best way of having Ritter and Goodwin playing at the same time imo

parksey

02-10-2012, 09:15 PM

I don't think it will be a weekly thing, maybe more of a system suited to playing against Adelaide. it was interesting to watch the train with that system today.

GazFish35

02-10-2012, 09:27 PM

What has happened at NewsLimited?

They suddenly seem to have noticed this whole new code.

Hamma12

02-10-2012, 09:29 PM

What has happened at NewsLimited?

They suddenly seem to have noticed this whole new code.

Finally realised there's more then one sport in this country

belchardo

02-10-2012, 09:54 PM

tinks gave them an opportunity to stick it up fairfax.

belchardo

02-10-2012, 09:59 PM

A-League's marquee trio ready to go

Liam Fitzgibbon

The A-League's star marquee signings have declared themselves ready for action and are confident of figuring in the opening round of matches this weekend.

Sydney FC's Alessandro Del Piero, Newcastle's Emile Heskey and Western Sydney's Shinji Ono came together for the first time at the league's official season launch in Sydney today.

And while questions remain over their match fitness having all arrived in the past two weeks, the players were talking up their chances of making their debuts this weekend.

Italian great Del Piero is upbeat about Saturday's match away to Wellington after playing 70 minutes in an intra-club training match last week.

"I have to take time with the team but at the moment it (my fitness) is good," Del Piero said.

"I'm OK for the first match and I want to improve day by day.

"The 70 minutes I played last week is good news for me and for the team.

"We will have to see what happens with the flight to Wellington but I'm OK, I feel good, and this is the most important thing."

Sydney coach Ian Crook said he would wait until later in the week to decide on Del Piero's involvement against the Phoenix but warned he would not take any risks with the 37 year-old.

Former England international Heskey only arrived in Australia last Friday and appears most likely to come off the bench in Sunday's home clash with Adelaide.

The former Liverpool striker admitted his fitness was not at the level of his Jets teammates but said it would not take long to get up to speed and was ready to go.

Japan star Ono arrived on Monday but has already had two sessions with his Wanderers teammates and said he'd be up to playing in Saturday's match against Central Coast at Parramatta Stadium.

"I want to start. I'm ready," Ono said.

Football Federation Australia held simultaneous season launches in Sydney and Melbourne on Tuesday.

Outgoing FFA chief executive Ben Buckley declared the hype around season eight of the competition was unprecedented while it was announced Korean motor company Hyundai had extended their sponsorship of the league until 2016.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/aleagues-marquee-trio-ready-to-go-20121002-26wme.html#ixzz288dszYiq

speaking of fairfax

GazFish35

02-10-2012, 10:03 PM

tinks gave them an opportunity to stick it up fairfax.

It's not just Newcastle stuff though.
The telegraph has been running heaps of Sydney and Wanderers stuff too.
And not the usual effnik sokkah hooligan riots rubbish.

Maybe cranky franky threatened to withdraw Westfield advertising worldwide.
Or David gallop has started work early.

The turn around is stark.

Thomas477

02-10-2012, 10:06 PM

It's not just Newcastle stuff though.
The telegraph has been running heaps of Sydney and Wanderers stuff too.
And not the usual effnik sokkah hooligan riots rubbish.

Maybe cranky franky threatened to withdraw Westfield advertising worldwide.
Or David gallop has started work early.

The turn around is stark.

And extremely unnerving. I'm not used to this much positive crap coming from them. This is the same mob that ran with the Cahill incident FFS.

furns

02-10-2012, 10:08 PM

I wouldnt go that far, they have been running a lot of positive stuff but lets not forget it was only a few months ago that Tom Smithies was mainly responsible for the sokkah riotz headlines.

sammydog

02-10-2012, 10:17 PM

Can't remember who it was, but there was a twitter post a few weeks back from one journo having a bit of a dig at Sydney FC during the height of the Del Piero signing, telling them to not forget the journalists who have covered them from the start.

I wonder if the FFA is going out of the way to over service the Daily Telegraph to turn it around. As long as they don't burn bridges with other media outlets I think it is a great strategy. I seem to be getting more out of the Telegraph than other papers at the moment.

GazFish35

02-10-2012, 10:22 PM

That's what I mean Furns, the turn around in only the last few weeks is amazing.
And it genuinely looks like its all happened since adp landed.

Do they have a new editorial team?
Is buzz rothfield a closet Juve supporter?

militiamon

02-10-2012, 11:45 PM

It's definitely been a huge change, interesting to see how long it lasts.

The decline in SMH/Fairfax football coverage has somewhat coincided with Cockerill being made redundant. Say what you will about him, but he was the lead football writer for them, and I don't think they've replaced him. From what I can tell the only regular dedicated football journalist they have now is Seb Hassett (and Foz with his weekly opinion pieces).

As sammydog said, it's probably a situation that the FFA are quite happy with given the coverage by News Limited in the past.

Retro Jet

03-10-2012, 12:32 AM

militiamon

03-10-2012, 12:53 AM

He was part of the recent redundancies in Fairfax, this was his last column:

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/fields-of-dreams-20120831-255m1.html

Got a new job with the FFA this week for A-League coverage.

scarfy96

03-10-2012, 01:21 PM

Thoughts from Griffiths on the finals.

The talk of rebuilding and the club going through a transition phase simply doesn't wash with Newcastle Jets striker Ryan Griffiths.

While the Jets have had the most change of any A-League club when it comes to playing personnel for this season, Griffiths isn't one for excuses when it comes to getting results.

Gary van Egmond's side missed the finals last season and a repeat won't be tolerated.

"Last year we under-achieved so we have to make the finals this time," Griffiths declared to Sportal ahead of the club's season opener against Adelaide on Sunday.

"We could say we were starting our transition last year but we don't have any excuses any more.

"It's been a long pre-season so everyone should have their team together the way they want it to be.

"I'm happy with where we're at as a team.

"We're flying, we're fit and it's a matter of being able to bring that into the A-League.

"Hopefully that pressure doesn't get to the players but I don't think it will because they all seem to be winners and they're all competitive."

Much of the 30-year-old's confidence comes from the addition of their international stars including Emile Heskey, Bernardo Ribeiro and Dominik Ritter as well as the wealth of young Australian talent in the squad.

"And we've still got Jobe Wheelhouse, (Ruben) Zadkovich, myself and Tiago there so the core is the same," Griffiths said.

"That's so important when you've got a lot of new signings.

"We're able to keep that continuity going which should help us right from the start."

Asked about the new imports, Griffiths said: "Ribiero just needs to get used to our system and the way that we play.

"I think being a Brazilian and a star player he's probably not used to the work ethic in Australian football and that everyone needs to chip in.

"He's getting there and I think he'll be great.

"Ritter has impressed me a lot. He's a really strong player and has a great cross on him and I'm sure you'll see him putting a few assists in this year."

Meanwhile Heskey is adamant his game won't change despite coming from the higher standard of the English Premier League to Australia.

The former England international has made his name more as a provider than goal-scorer over his 17-year career and foresees a similar pattern in the A-League with the Jets.

"That's the way I've grown up playing so I don't fancy changing anything," Heskey said.

"I've managed to win cups and managed to go to two World Cups, two European championships doing that same thing, so why change now?

"Everyone wants to be a goal scorer but not everyone can be. Everyone thinks they're a goal scorer as well.

"I'll carry on doing that, being a provider."
http://www.sportal.com.au/football-news-display/finals-the-only-goal-for-jets-201623

Pico

03-10-2012, 03:46 PM

It's Over To You!

This season, for the first time, Melbourne Victory will deliver a supporter-owned pre-match entertainment experience.

In the lead up to the 2012/13 campaign, Melbourne Victory has gone through a thorough process to identify key areas of the match day experience. A match day committee, involving members selected across different segments of the membership base, was formed and helped to build a program aimed at creating a more authentic pre-game atmosphere that members could take ownership of, as seen around the world.

As a result of this, the Club is excited to announce, that with the support of the FFA , the 15 minutes prior to kick-off will be owned by Melbourne Victory supporters.

During this period, there will be no advertisements, no standardised scripts and no ‘player walk-out’ song. Instead, the club will play songs selected from a collection submitted by the members and voted on by our match day committee. The big screen vision will include footage from Melbourne Victory milestone events. Our ground announcer will also be on pitch to present the playing list and most importantly, when the players walk out, they will walk out to the sounds of Melbourne Victory supporters chanting.

From the 2012 Member’s Forum and 2011/12 Member’s Survey, it was clear that members wanted to improve the match day experience and there was a general consensus among members “wanting to generate their own atmosphere”.

Last season, substantial steps were made by way of the Supporter Charter, which enabled the North Terrace to return in full voice.

So, make sure you arrive at the stadium no later than 30 minutes prior to kick-off, assume your rightful place in the stands and take ownership of the pre-match experience. You can take part in welcoming our team onto the pitch and stand united with Melbourne Victory supporters to build a formidable atmosphere that will unsettle the opponent and give our players a home-ground advantage and extra ‘edge’.

www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/news-display/Its-Over-To-You/49523

Does this mean we might be able to drop the FFA shitfest that is the walkout song for NTUA?

russjaybee

03-10-2012, 04:06 PM

This is awesome. If we don't follow suit it will be a disc race.

Thomas477

03-10-2012, 04:09 PM

Does this mean we might be able to drop the FFA shitfest that is the walkout song for NTUA?

Thank **** for that.

Beeen

03-10-2012, 05:31 PM

Does this mean we might be able to drop the FFA shitfest that is the walkout song for NTUA?

I have my doubts. I think Melbourne are an exception as they can do a good job of creating an atmosphere.

Happy to be proven wrong though.

zorse

03-10-2012, 05:35 PM

Any news on whether our video can get some airtime pre-game? I see no reason why we shouldn't be able to do the same thing as Melbourne, we have NTUA and the vid and a lot of passionate active supporters to contribute

furns

03-10-2012, 07:03 PM

They made the video to play before the players walk out.
This development with Victory is new, I will email the Jets and chase it up.

Swifts

03-10-2012, 07:42 PM

Official A-League twitter account has just posted this:

FAN UPDATE | We have listened to your feedback and have given the choice of the team walkout music to Hyundai @ALeague clubs. Meaning your club can decide which track your heroes will walk out to at every home game of the 2012/13 season.

GazFish35

03-10-2012, 07:44 PM

Soft.
Make a decision and stick with it.

Lolololololololol

Hamma12

03-10-2012, 07:51 PM

Unfazed Heskey ready to rumble

FORMER England international Emile Heskey expects to be a marked man when he lines up for the Newcastle Jets – it has been happening all his career.

Heskey is on course to make his much anticipated debut against Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
The A-League is renowned for its physicality. A hustle and bustle league, featuring big strong defenders.
The striker was one of the star attractions alongside Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC) and Shinji Ono (Western Sydney) on hand to help launch the 2012-13 A-League season at Parramatta Stadium yesterday.
Fellow big names Robbie Fowler, Juninho and Harry Kewell all took time to adjust to the robust nature of the A-League.
But Heskey said dealing with defenders trying to assert their authority was nothing new for him.
"I have managed to get through that throughout my career," he said.
"I don't see why I can't do that now."
Heskey made his debut for Leicester City at age 17 and went on to play more than 500 games in the Premier League for the Foxes, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and Aston Villa.
The 34-year-old, who has 64 caps for England and played at two World Cups, is renowned more as a provider than a scorer of goals.
He is yet to discuss his role with Jets coach Gary van Egmond but doubted if that would change.
"That's the way I've grown up playing," he said.
"I've managed to win cups and managed to go to two World Cups, two European championships doing that same thing, so why change now?
"Everyone wants to be a goal scorer but not everyone can be. Everyone thinks they're a goal scorer as well.
"I'll carry on doing that, being a provider.
"Obviously we will sit down and talk about that.
"We have some good young players, plenty of legs around me - it's good."
Heskey, who was joined at the launch by strike partner Ryan Griffiths and coach Gary van Egmond, rushed back to Newcastle for training yesterday afternoon.
It was his third session since arriving on Friday, which included 30 minutes in an intraclub hit-out on Saturday.
"I felt OK," he said.
"Obviously looking at the fitness of the other players, I am a little bit behind.
"It won't take long to get back up to speed."
The striker is still getting used to his teammates and working on combinations but the initial impressions have been good.
"I didn't know much about the actual team players going into the training, but most of them have impressed me," he said.
When asked what he knew about Sunday's opponents, the Reds, he replied: "Nothing," quickly adding, "I know the manager will put on a video soon, that is what I am used to anyway, watching videos of opponents."

q-money

03-10-2012, 07:52 PM

status quo
george harrison

parksey

03-10-2012, 08:18 PM

grimes

belchardo

04-10-2012, 06:47 PM

Football Federation Australia and ABC Radio have announced a partnership which will give the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 Season a significant national radio presence.

Under the new agreement, ABC Radio will cover matches across its many platforms, including ABC Local Radio, ABC Grandstand Digital Radio, the ABC Radio App and online simulcast with the FFA digital platforms.

The partnership will also see greater sharing of content and regular appearances of players and coaches on ABC Radio Grandstand’s football focused programs, including Francis Leach’s Top of the League and the A-League Lounge hosted by Ned Hall and Steve Pearce.

FFA Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Kyle Patterson has hailed ABC Radio’s commitment to carry Hyundai A-League broadcasts to more fans on more platforms this season

“Over the seven years of the Hyundai A-League, ABC Radio has brought the game alive with great commentary in broadcasts all over Australia,” Patterson said.

“Covering Australian sport is in the DNA of the national broadcaster and it’s natural that football has a strong presence.

“We now have a formal partnership that will bring a nationally co-ordinated approach and open the way to digital simulcasts on ABC and FFA platforms. This is will allow more fans to be part of the exciting A-League season coming up.”

ABC Radio Grandstand Sport Manager Craig Norenbergs is excited to see ABC Radio continue to build its national football footprint.

ABC Grandstand Manager Craig Norenbergs is excited to build closer ties with the A-League and grow ABC Radio’s national football footprint.

“While ABC Radio have been committed to the A-League since day one, the new partnership will, for the first, give listeners great games of football on the radio each week,” Norenbergs said.

“This weekend is a great example with all five games broadcast live somewhere in Australia, kicking off with coverage of the Melbourne derby on Friday night - which will be broadcast nationally on Grandstand digital radio and on the ABC Radio app.”

The agreement will see all Hyundai A-League Clubs covered during the course of the season.

Football Federation Australia and ABC will release weekly schedules throughout the season detailing which matches will be broadcast for each Hyundai A-League Round.

All five matches in this weekend’s opening round will be broadcast by ABC and will be streamed via the Hyundai A-League match centre at www.a-league.com.au (http://www.a-league.com.au).

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/ABC-Radio-signs-up-for-Hyundai-ALeague/49574

great news. although i suspect most of this will be on digital stations, as cricket will likely get first preference.

digital is fine when i'm home, but sucks when i'm travelling.

still, great news.

Thomas477

04-10-2012, 07:31 PM

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/ABC-Radio-signs-up-for-Hyundai-ALeague/49574

great news. although i suspect most of this will be on digital stations, as cricket will likely get first preference.

digital is fine when i'm home, but sucks when i'm travelling.

still, great news.

It is great news but this is someone that should have been happening since the start. But we'll done FFA.

furns

04-10-2012, 08:43 PM

ABC Local radio means that hopefully (like NRL and AFL) we can just tune into whatever ABC station is around and still catch the games. Great news for the MDR especially as it gives us live football to listen to on the way home.

belchardo

04-10-2012, 09:26 PM

cricket will be the killer though, especially big bash, which basically plays at the same time as our summer matches.

and then we clash with AFL/league during the latter stages of our season.

furns

04-10-2012, 09:36 PM

It will still be available on digital platforms, via the HAL app/website, and ABC apps through iOS and Android

MFKS

04-10-2012, 09:38 PM

I am not really concerned about the effects other codes may have on our sport. Have a look at what we have done recently.

Announced Gallop on the day NRL announced their TV Deal
Stolen ALF and NRL finals coverage with the ADP Heskey Ono Signings.

You could be forgiven for thinking these things are coincidence but is it possible the FFA and HAL Clubs have organised the timing of these events to have maximum impact for us?? IF ADP Heskey and co had of signed in June/July sure it would have got column inches but signing them when we did has taken exposure from our rivals. Thumbs up for that

It is looking to me that we are starting to take significant shots at our rivals. We aren't necessarily playing or choosing to play second fiddle to our sporting rivals. The gloves are off and we appear to be standing up for ourselves and looking to claim our share of coverage. Long may it continue the front foot approach putting our code in the news at the expense of our rival sports

Pico

05-10-2012, 08:07 AM

Stars have aligned, so let the good times roll

Sebastian Hassett

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/stars-have-aligned-so-let-the-good-times-roll-20121004-272aa.html#ixzz28Mnvwcvd

http://images.smh.com.au/2012/10/04/3688969/art-HeskeyLW-620x349.jpg
Jets' new star ... Emile Heskey. Photo: Simone De Peak

IN TRUTH, last A-League season was meant to be the most eagerly awaited of all. Harry Kewell had landed at Melbourne Victory, Brett Emerton had signed with Sydney FC and domestic football hadn't seemed this alive since, well, ever.

Twelve months on and that hype seems a little misplaced. If only we'd known what was coming, perhaps we'd have kept the lid on a little tighter.

At the same time, Alessandro Del Piero was at Juventus, Emile Heskey was at Aston Villa and Shinji Ono was at Shimizu S-Pulse. To be fair, it's hard to imagine they thought they knew what was coming, either.

But football is a fluid landscape, one ever-changing, and changing in some places quicker than others. Yet for all the troubles over its short history, the A-League has managed to keep going and - almost from nowhere - develop some serious momentum.
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For a league that threatened to be sucked into a hole of indifference a few years ago, evolution has been swift. No, marquee players will not sustain the A-League forever but they have provided a shot of something the game has craved but never possessed: credibility.

In a single month, the A-League has gone from being a secondary thought to being a major discussion in pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars around the country. Even the doubters don't mock any more. Instead, they ponder. Is Del Piero really capable at 37? Is it true Ono has dodgy knees? Will Heskey score enough goals?

All are legitimate questions. But it's better for them to be asked than ignored. Finally - and perhaps for the first time - attention has focused on what's happening on the field, not off it. A crucial but subtle transition being made.

It shows that a sports-mad country is willing to take a chance on football. Give Australia serious talent - Del Piero, Heskey and Ono qualify - and they'll have a look. Football hasn't fed this beast nearly enough, either through a lack of imagination or bargain-basement policies.

Mistakes of judgment were made and penny-pinching became a byword for boring. Yet when you're still in your infancy and trying to win over the market, flirting with the stale is disastrous. This is entertainment after all, and the A-League is competing not just against AFL, rugby league and cricket but the English Premier League and the Champions League, too.

This season, the A-League will be beamed into more homes than ever before, both here and around the globe. Sydney FC matches will be screened live in Italy.

We already know such short-term fixes are exactly that but this should not be cause for concern. These marquees should serve as a vision of what we can do with home-grown players should we collectively commit to proper development programs and a legitimate pursuit of excellence.

Tactically, the A-League has never looked better - yet all of the league's coaches are locals, or at least began their coaching career in Australia and have lived here for over a decade.

One of those mentors, Ange Postecoglou has left a potential dynasty at Brisbane in the hope of creating another at Melbourne Victory. It is a massive story, yet even that narrative has struggled for traction in recent months - because somehow the league produced bigger, better and bolder tales.

What can Graham Arnold conjure at Central Coast after successive disappointments? Same for Perth, too. Can they find the energy to bounce back? Can Brisbane make it a hat-trick? Was John Kosmina's face-saving at Adelaide only temporary? Is John Aloisi as capable in the dugout as he was from the penalty spot?

We've even got a new club to dissect, too. Western Sydney are a work in progress; only announced on April 4 this year, they will officially spring to life at 7.45pm tomorrow. How will they go first up? Or will Wanderers fans still be talking at kick-off about Del Piero's debut in Wellington?

The Melbourne derby comes tonight. Sydney's turn is in round three. Before that, however, is the round two match between the Sky Blues and Newcastle at Allianz Stadium, Il Pinturicchio's first Australian start. Will records be broken when the fans pack the stands?

Talk about a salivating set of discussion points. Mercifully, the questions are starting to surround players and coaches, not owners and directors. The answers? Well, you'll just have to watch.

www.smh.com.au/sport/football/stars-have-aligned-so-let-the-good-times-roll-20121004-272aa.html#ixzz28MnC4odU

The goodwill leading into this season is huge, the media seems to have a lot more interest.

Pico

05-10-2012, 08:30 AM

Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond is back and all the wiser after a stint at the AIS
Tom Smithies
The Daily Telegraph
October 05, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/10/04/1226488/455110-gary-van-egmond.jpg
Newcastle Jets coach Gary Van Egmond has plenty to prove in 2012/2013. Picture: Sam

A TITLE-WINNING coach wouldn't normally have a lot to prove, but there's a unique set of circumstances about Gary van Egmond on the brink of another season.

At 47, van Egmond is the fourth-youngest coach in the league, but already there has been the title win at the Jets in 2008, the acrimonious exit, the 18 months running the AIS program and then the return to Newcastle and a major subsequent clear-out of personnel.

Add to that the sudden, eve-of-season need to find a fast-track integration of Emile Heskey, and even the coach himself can see that there are really interesting questions to answer.

In his favour is the fact that the self-awareness extends to why he is well placed to answer those questions.

"I've changed dramatically in the years we're talking about," said van Egmond. "I won the league in my first stint here but as a comparison between me then and now it's chalk and cheese, completely different.

"I was lucky to go the AIS and work with Jan Versleijen to do things that most coaches don't have time for - the physical side, football conditioning, how different systems work tactically.

"We studied different teams, what works and why, and I did my pro-licence recently. Over the past two or three years I've got a better confidence about what I'm trying to do and how to explain it in ways that are appropriate for the players."

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/10/04/1226488/454854-marquee-man.jpg

Newcastle's big signing for the 2012/2013 season - Emile Heskey. Picture: Getty Images Source: The Daily Telegraph

Van Egmond knew he would stand or fall by his choice of players, the accent on youth and mobility, after such a wholesale revamp of the squad, and he knew even before the signing of Heskey that "finals is the minimum aim".

"But there's a long-term project about the club on and off the field, and we've chosen the younger players carefully," he said.

"If we can keep this squad together for two or three years, we'll really reap some benefits."

He's not the only one to think so. Michael Bridges was once a golden child himself, in the English Premier League, so when he says "this is the best set of young kids I've seen come through a system" it's worth noting.

Season preview: Robbie Slater casts his eye over every club in the A-League

"They're a breath of fresh air," added the Jets striker.

"Gary was able to know who the best kids were thanks to his time at the AIS and it shows."

Not, it should also be noted, that he'll give them an inch on the training ground. "I've always been fit as a fiddle but I'm in as good a shape as I ever have been," he said, with evidence for the claim.

"When I came back from England for pre-season I went straight into the (endurance-measuring) Cooper Test, and this 34-year-old beat all the young boys.

"I've shed 5kg, and the whole pre-season has been ball work. We know our game plan, we'll stick together, we won't get bullied off the park."

We'll surprise people, you know. It's exciting."

A combo of Heskey / Bridges looks promising with Taggart pushing both.

GazFish35

05-10-2012, 08:46 AM

The goodwill leading into this season is huge, the media seems to have a lot more interest.

NewsLimited are protecting their investment in paytv, and Fairfax simply need content.... That and their pissed that NewsLimited are now being afforded politeness from the FFA.... Politeness that they don't really deserve.

Disinterested Bystander

05-10-2012, 11:25 AM

NewsLimited are protecting their investment in paytv, and Fairfax simply need content.... That and their pissed that NewsLimited are now being afforded politeness from the FFA.... Politeness that they don't really deserve.

Gotta love soccer fans - whinge when the sport gets ignored, then when the media finally starts giving the sport the attention it 'deserves' whinge because the media outlets don't deserve the access/info that they're using?!?!

MFKS

05-10-2012, 11:32 AM

I wouldn't class that as Soccer fans whinging. The News Limited journalism is a ****ing disgrace across the board and that isn't in reference to how they have/do cover our sport. Journalism with an agenda shoved down peoples throats. Daily Terrograph ain't worth being used as Toilet paper

Pico

05-10-2012, 11:44 AM

Its a bit narrow minded to look at News limited as being only the daily terror. People might not like it but the fact is without news support we wouldn't be where we are today. That $120m tv deal was the backbone of ensuring the HAL had time to bed in and it was a leap of faith to go to full live coverage for every game, when ultimately the initial value was only in the socceroo's.

The fact people need to understand is news want something that will sell paper's and create interest because ultimately that makes them money, as they have restructured they appear to be focusing more on their paytv, but the fact remains that they still share all their resources across their newspaper divisions and foxsports.

It also can't be ignored that they actually have something that is attracting interest and selling newspapers in Ono, ADP & Heskey. If I was a content company I'd much rather cover those three then North, Milligan & Thompson.

GazFish35

05-10-2012, 02:53 PM

Gotta love soccer fans - whinge when the sport gets ignored, then when the media finally starts giving the sport the attention it 'deserves' whinge because the media outlets don't deserve the access/info that they're using?!?!

Where's the whinge?

Disinterested Bystander

05-10-2012, 03:06 PM

Where's the whinge?

News Limited don't 'deserve' politeness? Sounds whingey in a petulant 'you said mean things about us in the past' kind of way to me

GazFish35

05-10-2012, 03:17 PM

It was meant in the way that some Fairfax journos have reacted, in that they have been working hard to cover the league fairly for 7 seasons, then with a change of focus from NewsLimited hierarchy some journos who wouldn't know a 6 yrd box from a centre circle are being given access ahead of them. Some might read it a whinge, others a plea for a little respect to those already in the game.

I'm not whining about the extra coverage at all, have a look at some of my earlier posts, I'm enjoying the extra coverage. I'm just surprised at the sudden turn around from the telegraph, and am cynical as to the reasons why.

If its simply about money and protecting their investment then it only really serves to show that NewsLimited as we all know have very little journalistic integrity and all the rags they produce are cover to cover editorial. That's not what I want from a news source. I like to be told how it is, not how the board of a profit driven machine want me to think it is.

Grunta

05-10-2012, 04:22 PM

Any story about football is good for the game. Check Alan Jones stats on Tuesday morning after his "died of shame comments. (Lost some sponsors but in this capatalist world new sponsors will come knocking on his door in a couple of months/weeks etc). Look at the other big story "Dog bites man"

q-money

06-10-2012, 02:00 AM

doesn't news limited own fox which owns the rights to the a-league and pays the money anyway? wtf are u blokes smoking get with the program

belchardo

06-10-2012, 09:05 AM

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/379912/court-application-to-wind-up-tinkler-companies/?cs=305

tinkler getting more wind up notices.

just pay them ffs. stop being a tool.

Thomas477

06-10-2012, 11:23 AM

Boogaard handed contract on Heskey
By JAMES GARDINER Oct. 6, 2012, 4:08 am

THE intimidating task of shutting down Jets marquee man Emile Heskey has been given to a Novocastrian.

Newcastle-born Adelaide United defender Nigel Boogaard is expected to mark Heskey’s every move when the former England striker makes his A-League debut against the Reds at Hunter Stadium tomorrow.

The arrival of the imposing Jets No.9, along with that of Italian maestro Alessandro Del Piero at Sydney FC and Shinji Ono at new club Western Sydney Wanderers, has created unprecedented hype about the season.

‘‘It is great having these types of players come to our country, and to have the ability to put yourself up against them and try to compete with these guys,’’ Boogaard told the Herald.

‘‘It should be a great challenge.’’

Boogaard, a Dudley Redhead junior who came through the youth system at Newcastle United, is no stranger to marking big names, having previously lined up opposite Heskey contemporaries Dwight Yorke and Robbie Fowler.

‘‘It is always good to say you have played against them, especially the ones who have been around awhile and been at the top,’’ Boogaard said.

‘‘It’s pretty cool.’’

Although boasting equally impressive resumes, Yorke and Fowler had not come off a near- full season in the English Premier League and do not share

Heskey’s physical attributes.

‘‘He is going to be a handful,’’ Boogaard said.

‘‘Physically it is going to be a challenge. From all reports he is looking well.

‘‘My approach doesn’t really change.

‘‘It depends on the way the game is being played, and if they are going short to feet or looking for the ball high.

‘‘Guys of that strength, you don’t want to get in a physical contest with them when you are wrestling for the ball.

‘‘If he doesn’t know where I am, and I can come and steal the ball from either side of him, that is more realistic.

‘‘I know he will definitely be a handful in the box and crosses are going to come in. We will have to be on our toes.’’

Boogaard was suspended for the Reds’ 3-2 loss in extra time to Bunyodkor in the quarter-final of the Asian Champions League in Tashkent on Wednesday night.

He stayed in Adelaide and will be one of only a few with fresh legs tomorrow.

But who he partners in the heart of defence remains unclear.

Fellow centre-back Iain Fyfe was sent off in extra time against Bunyodkor and under Asian Football Confederation regulations he and striker Fabian Barbiero, who was also issued a red card, will serve their one game suspension tomorrow.

At 188 centimetres and nearly 90 kilograms, Boogaard has a similar frame to Heskey.

‘‘The only one, if anyone, you could compare him to is Sergio van Dijk,’’ Boogaard said of the current A-League strikers. ‘‘Obviously he [Heskey] has been in the game a long time and played at the highest level, but in terms of style they are similar.’’

Jon McKain, who came in for Boogaard, missed a large chunk of the preseason and had been in doubt for the ACL match with a leg injury, and is unlikely to back-up. Osama Malik is the likely cover.

Tarek Elrich scored the winner in a 1-0 victory for the Jets over Adelaide in their last encounter in round 21 of the 2011-12 campaign at Hunter Stadium.

Ryan Griffiths, Ben Kantarovski and Ruben Zadkovich are the only Jets from that match expected to start tomorrow.

It will be a more familiar looking Reds outfit. Adelaide were one of the major disappointments of last season, finishing only in front of the now-defunct Gold Coast United.

‘‘Last season wasn’t great and the [Asian] Champions League gave us a chance to prove we were a better team than we showed,’’ Boogaard said.

‘‘We have had a good pre-season, and with a couple of Champions League games under our belt, no-one is looking back on last season now.’’

‘‘The biggest thing for us this year is that Kossie [coach John Kosmina] is going to have a headache to pick his strongest 11 each week.

‘‘We have healthy competition across the whole squad now, which maybe we didn’t have last year.’’

The Jets trained behind closed doors yesterday and were not available to speak to the Herald.

Sauce: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/380669/boogaard-handed-contract-on-heskey/?cs=306

2 things, I can see Booooogard getting sent off in this game and good to see the Jets are still playing nice with The Herald.

Also Boogard handed in his Novocastrian status when he signed for the coasties.

furns

06-10-2012, 12:30 PM

Also Boogard handed in his Novocastrian status when he signed for the coasties.

This

MFKS

06-10-2012, 12:43 PM

.

Also Boogard handed in his Novocastrian status when he signed for the coasties.

Traitor of the highest order. Not good enough to play for Newy sign for any other HAL side. Sign for Gypos and be scum for life. McBreen Stuey M take note!!

selassie

06-10-2012, 01:55 PM

stuey is alright by me. he inseminated your mum.

plague

06-10-2012, 04:32 PM

Remember, McBreen white anted the Gypos GF all by himself.
Still doing it for Newy that kid.

Thomas477

08-10-2012, 03:39 PM

Jets not appealing Birghitti's red.

FFS a joke of a decision, it took a deflection off his chest how is that "intentional"?

The Dunster

08-10-2012, 03:48 PM

Jets not appealing Birghitti's red.

FFS a joke of a decision, it took a deflection off his chest how is that "intentional"?

As soon as I saw it happen I thought red card. Any keeper stupid enough to wave their arms around in a star jump fashion outside the box - gives the ref little if any option other than to hand out a red card.

The ref got it right regardless of what the replay demonstrated.

the_butcher

08-10-2012, 04:15 PM

The ref got it right regardless of what the replay demonstrated.

Huh? So the replay demonstrated the ref got it wrong but he's still right? :confused:

Thomas477

08-10-2012, 04:26 PM

And apparantly if one of the MRC agrees with the decision he gets another week!

Thats bullshit.

The Dunster

08-10-2012, 04:28 PM

Huh? So the replay demonstrated the ref got it wrong but he's still right? :confused:

There is no video replay as far as the ref is concerned. Hence, the decision has to be made without the use of a replay.

If someone can prove that the ball did not hit the players arm without resorting to a replay then I would be most interested.

Edit: Until I saw the replay I thought he touched the ball. After seeing the replay I knew he didn't.

Thomas477

08-10-2012, 04:30 PM

And apparantly if one of the MRC agrees with the decision he gets another week!

Thats bullshit.

Thats only if he appealed.

Jeterpool

08-10-2012, 04:36 PM

How many weeks did Birighitti get? is straight red 1 week or 3 for violent conduct?

plague

08-10-2012, 05:10 PM

I'm sure ref got the tip from the touchy and consulted him before producing the red.
Anyone seen a replay of game to confirm?

WolfMan

08-10-2012, 07:18 PM

sammydog

08-10-2012, 08:33 PM

http://youtu.be/MdgGfqX874Q?t=46s

I agree with above, i.e first reaction - Red Card. Even the way it comes off his body makes it look as though it has come off his hand.
Referee got it spot on as far as the evidence presented to him in that split-second.

I will never support the call for "video-evidence". Tough call to take, but it's part of the game. Honestly, this wasn't the turning point of the match, the Opening whistle and 3 at the back was our Death Knell IMHO

I don't want video refs during the game, but post game it should be used to review decisions. The Jets and Birighitti have been punished enough with the red. Regardless of the way the ref saw it on the day (and without replay I agree with the decision) if the replay suggests otherwise the sentence should be cut.

Muswellbrookian

08-10-2012, 10:27 PM

That's the first footage I've been able to watch from the game, and I've only got this to say: as much as I think it's unacceptable that Adelaide managed to get in behind the back line so easily, the two central defenders need to put their hands up and take much greater responsibility in situations like that. F*ck me, how hard is it for a pair of professionals to mark runners in a tight space and prevent two f*cking soft tap-ins? What a joke. Wenger's pansies can defend better than that.

Dead set, we will never go anywhere until we sign some decent players. It's as simple as that.

WolfMan

08-10-2012, 10:30 PM

Thomas477

08-10-2012, 10:49 PM

There's the issue in a nutshell. Back 3 requires 1 central man to do a 2-man job. Impossible with a high line and midfielders slow to track back

Not impossible if the 2 wide men dropped back ala GF 2008. But the way GvE played with having Ritter and Neville as fullbacks was always doomed to fail.

Hamma12

09-10-2012, 08:35 AM

How many weeks did Birighitti get? is straight red 1 week or 3 for violent conduct?

he got a 1 wk ban

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/birighitti-to-miss-sydney-clash/49848

Jeterpool

09-10-2012, 08:54 AM

he got a 1 wk ban

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/birighitti-to-miss-sydney-clash/49848

Cheers Hamma

MFKS

09-10-2012, 01:09 PM

The first ever trials for the newly established Emerging Jets junior development program took place at Wallarah Oval in New Lambton over the weekend.

Junior players in the under 10s and under 11s age groups trialled for the program which aims to provide identified players with access to the coaching, support services and competition required to play in the future for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League and W-League.

“To have worked so hard with Northern NSW and the FFA to put this program together, it was great to finally see it get underway with the trials on the weekend,” Jets CEO Robbie Middleby said.

“For these young boys and girls in our region to have the chance to get quality coaching and have a clear pathway to one day play for the Jets in the A-League and the W-League is fantastic.

“It was great to see so many young and talented local footballers take part in the trials. We were very happy with the response as well as the interest and excitement surrounding the Emerging Jets program.”

Jets head coach Gary van Egmond, assistant coach Craig Deans and NNSW technical direction David Smith were oversaw the trials on both Saturday and Sunday.

“It was really pleasing to see Gary and Craig attend both days of the trials, especially on Sunday, just hours before the first game of the A-League season for the Jets against Adelaide,” Middleby said.

“Gary and Craig are both very excited about the program and the young players coming through to potentially play for the Jets.”

While van Egmond, Deans and Smith were looking at the football skills of the talented youngsters trialling, there were also keeping a close eye on the coaches overseeing the training drills.

“One of the biggest steps is identifying the right coaches in each age group, to make sure they’ve got the right mentality and fit the culture we’re looking to build,” Middleby said.

The poor kids are ****ed before they started. Deans should be keeping out of this shit.

Deans Out

Zico

09-10-2012, 01:29 PM

MFKS

09-10-2012, 01:36 PM

Bit harsh MFKS.

Regardless if he should have input or not, just the fact the he was there (after all he is 2IC to GVE) would have given the kids a huge boost and made them feel on top of the world that 2 blokes who coach at the top level in this country would make the effort to observe them playing.

Bit Harsh??? This is Deans we are talking about. The bloke single handledly cost us the game on Sunday. Dean's influence permeates the club far too much.

Deans Out

Dogshot99

09-10-2012, 01:37 PM

Forget deans, d smith couldn't pick his nose with any success let alone a decent kid. Maybe I'm just bitter but its not all its cracked up to be when it involves nnsw. It's at the start when it's all happy days and great opportunity, but when you need them to support you with injury management and a return to play that they let the kids down. I applaud the concept but keep smith away!!

plague

09-10-2012, 02:03 PM

I'm with the Member on this.
Next gen of Jets has already had the stink put on it.
Hope is dying,
Won't someone please think of the children.

Jetmaster

09-10-2012, 02:56 PM

From NJ Twit....

We also have some exciting MEMBER news coming your way... #staytuned #Jets11k

Would say that the 11,000 has been passed today - well done all.

q-money

09-10-2012, 03:03 PM

griff

belchardo

09-10-2012, 03:28 PM

From NJ Twit....

Would say that the 11,000 has been passed today - well done all.

nah, pretty sure it is an announcement about MemberforKotaraSouth. :D

or as q says, griff's member.

Pico

09-10-2012, 05:04 PM

Brother v Brother In F3 Derby

Sportal Australia
Oct 9 2012 14:23

http://i.haymarket.net.au/Utils/ImageResizer.ashx?n=http%3a%2f%2fi.haymarket.net.a u%2fNews%2f20121009022540_brovbro.jpg&w=653
BRO v BRO...Adam and Ryan Griffiths set for weekend showdown

BROTHERS but club rivals Adam and Ryan Griffiths grew up sharing some fierce battles in the family backyard - and will now resume hostilities on a far bigger stage this weekend.

Saturday night's Sydney FC-Newcastle Jets match has been hyped for the clash between marquee signings Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey.

But there's another head-to-head battle that will be just as intriguing when the Griffiths brothers face off for the first time in a professional match.

With Adam at the heart of the Sydney's defence and Ryan part of Newcastle's attack, the pair are almost certain to come together at some stage throughout the 90 minutes.

Asked about the rivalry with his younger brother and those physical matches in the backyard as kids, Adam recalled: "It used to be me and (twin brother) Joel versus Ryan.

"But it's just me now and I'm looking forward to the challenge against Ryan again. Obviously there's a few boys I know from the time I was (at Newcastle).

"The town's a really great town and the people and fans really get behind the team. I had good times there.

"I'm just looking forward to playing against them now."

Ryan knows how hard it will be for the Jets to breach the Sydney defence and isn't relishing the challenge of re-igniting the old family rivalry.

"I find it hard to play against my brother," the Jets striker said. "It's a lot different to just playing against anyone else.

"I hope he does kick me because it gives me that bit of extra incentive to do well and get over him. It's tough but the most important thing is we win.

"It's going to be a great game, especially with the crowd they are expecting to get there."

Ryan isn't the only concern for the Sky Blues defence though, with former England international Heskey sure to be a handful after a solid debut in round one.

"He's a big man, we'll have to play well against him and work together as a team," Adam said of Heskey.

"But he's not the only player. They've got some great players as well. They have some good young players and a lot of attacking ability.

"We can't just focus on one player but he's someone I'll definitely be keeping my eye out on anyway."

Adam, who was part of the Jets side that won the championship in 2008, was a firm favourite of the Newcastle fans in his two years at the club but isn't likely to get too much support from those same supporters this weekend.

Not that he's too concerned.

"I don't really care much for the Squadron," he said. "I'm looking forward to playing in front of the Cove and getting a good victory at home.

"We're looking to pushing forward and move on and take some positives from the first game (against Wellington).

"We need to focus on what we can do better because we've got a lot of improvement."

Both sides are coming off disappointing opening-round defeats and will be desperate to register a win in front of what should be a crowd of over 30,000 in Sydney.

www.au.fourfourtwo.com/news/252982,brother-v-brother-in-f3-derby.aspx

It must be hard being a brother to Griff & Ryu, always being reminded your the underachiever.

Pico

09-10-2012, 05:11 PM

Newy boy makes it on to the FFA board.....

Ron Walker departs FFA board as ex-Socceroo Tredinnick and Ramsay Health CEO Rex get call ups

Football Federation Australia has announced the appointment of two new directors to the FFA Board following the retirement of Ron Walker (pictured) after nine years.

Peter Tredinnick, a partner in corporate law firm Moray & Agnew and a former Socceroo international, and Chris Rex, managing director and CEO of Ramsay Health Care and a former Sydney FC director, join the board under chairman Frank Lowy.

Tredinnick, who played six times for Australia from 1979-1983, was appointed to a casual vacancy to replace Walker. Rex fills the third appointed director position provided for under the FFA’s Constitution.

“Peter and Chris are part of the renewal process that’s an essential element in any governance model, whether it’s business or sport,” said Lowy in a statement.

“They bring fresh thinking, vast experience in commercial life and particular insights to football from their personal involvement. Their addition will give FFA a new impetus as we implement our Strategic Plan towards 2015.”

Lowy praised the contribution of Walker.

“Ron came onto the board in 2003 following the Crawford Report and has been with us through the major transformation of the game since then. With his wealth of experience he made his mark in Board deliberations and brought valuable counsel to the table,” said Lowy. “He will remain a firm friend of football in the years ahead.”

www.sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/category/hr-and-appointments/ron-walker-departs-ffa-board-as-ex-socceroo-tredinnick-and-ramsay-health-ceo-rex-get-call-ups/

hauss

09-10-2012, 05:55 PM

Well they did it. Twitter say we now have 11,007 members.

Awesome show of commitment by the people of our region. It is such a healthy number, hopefully the club can grow bigger and better on the back of this. Hopefully our club never faces extinction again.

Now we just need the players to start performing and the bandwagoners to fill the empty seats and it will be a season to remember.

scarfy96

09-10-2012, 06:12 PM

Awesome effort. Surprised that did that today after the loss on the weekend, would have expected it with a win but that is great news.

As hauss said, all we need now is to get some bandwagoners on board and regularly top 15,000 home gate. To do that we need results, results, results (and Hesky knocking a few in!)

Jetmaster

09-10-2012, 07:05 PM

I don't really care much for the Squadron," he said

:arse:

sh10

09-10-2012, 07:12 PM

the feeling's pretty mutual, hey

toad

09-10-2012, 07:25 PM

i don't care much for his t-shirts tbh

GazFish35

09-10-2012, 07:29 PM

Oh 3rd brother
You know our name, but we routinely forget yours.

And not caring too much for the squadron makes him just as much Newcastle as probably about 9000 of our club members.

q-money

09-10-2012, 07:37 PM

haha good on the bloke, still bitter about his horrible shirts

massive DC

parksey

09-10-2012, 08:43 PM

i guess adam read/s the forum

plague

09-10-2012, 09:47 PM

Don't know if anyone else agrees but I thought he was pretty awful for Sydney last weekend.
Prob still score against us though.

hawk

09-10-2012, 10:43 PM

Don't know if anyone else agrees but I thought he was pretty awful for Sydney last weekend.
Planted the cell to do just this. Exxxcellent.

hawk

09-10-2012, 10:49 PM

The first ever trials for the newly established Emerging Jets junior development program took place at Wallarah Oval in New Lambton over the weekend.

Nice. I'm sure the sponsors kid will get in, along with the high profile dad and the underdeveloped gems will get thrown out.

Should just train as many juniors as possible from 10's up at the highest standard available and for a fair fee. Then, after the show ponys leave to concentrate on hairstyles the genuine boys will shine and will also have the skills.

Pico

10-10-2012, 09:20 AM

Tredinnick takes up position on FFA board

By JAMES GARDINER
Oct. 10, 2012

http://cdn.fairfaxregional.com.au/preview/c1200x678/silverstone-feed-data/c4d46b53-90e0-4be0-9fc2-a726acf49f51.jpg
NEW BLOOD: Peter Tredinnick

HE grew up playing alongside Craig Johnston, was a founding member of KB United, represented the Socceroos before and becoming a high flyer in the legal world.

Now Peter Tredinnick has been appointed to the board of Football Federation Australia.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy yesterday announced Tredinnick and Chris Rex as the board's new directors.

Tredinnick, 52, replaces Ron Walker, who has stood down after nine years. Rex fills the third appointed director position provided for under the FFA's Constitution.

"Peter and Chris are part of the renewal process that's an essential element in any governance model, whether it's business or sport," Lowy said.

"They bring fresh thinking, vast experience in commercial life and particular insights to football from their personal involvement. Their addition will give FFA a new impetus as we implement our strategic plan towards 2015."

A partner at one of Sydney's biggest law firms, Moray and Agnew, Tredinnick brings business acumen as well as football pedigree.

He came through the football nursery at Lake Macquarie alongside good friend and Liverpool legend Johnston.

A midfielder, Tredinnick started his national soccer career at KB United and went on to represent the Socceroos on six occasion, earning three caps, from 1979-83.

His brother, Howard, a left winger, also played for the national team. After leaving KB United, Peter Tredinnick had stints at Wollongong Wolves, APIA Leichhardt, Marconi and Heidelberg.

He joined Melbourne law firm DLA Phillips Fox while at Heidelberg. Since retiring, Tredinnick has stayed heavily involved in the game.

He was one of the key players behind the West Sydney Rovers which failed in its bid to join the A-League, and also served on the A-League judiciary.

www.theherald.com.au/story/387427/tredinnick-takes-up-position-on-ffa-board/?cs=306

Does this mean we can start getting SFC-like concessions now.

Pico

10-10-2012, 09:34 AM

Rolled ankle may keep Ritter out of running against Sky Blues

By JAMES GARDINER
Oct. 10, 2012

http://cdn.fairfaxregional.com.au/preview/c1200x678/storypad-5kfsp4NEeEvSvAN3kC8tUn/07096762-70ca-4a62-9f66-bbd39e96342f.jpg
Domink Ritter.

DOMINIK Ritter looked as though he had ‘‘cankles’’ two days ago.

The Jets’ Swiss defender posted a photo of his swollen right ankle on Twitter on Monday.

The 23-year-old received a knock and rolled his ankle in the 2-0 loss to Adelaide the day before.

The joint had blown up to the point where it looked as though his calf stretched all the way down his leg.

The swelling had reduced significantly yesterday, but Ritter remains in doubt for Saturday’s blockbuster against an Alessandro Del Piero-led Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.

Ritter had physiotherapy then worked alongside James Brown (ankle) and Mitch Cooper (foot) in the rehabilitation group at training yesterday.

He could walk freely, but there was severe bruising around the ankle joint.

Playing on the left of a back three, the former Swiss under-20 international had a mixed A-League debut on Sunday.

Indecision over whether he or Jobe Wheelhouse should have moved to close down Reds attacker Jeronimo Neumann gave the Argentine time to pick out Dario Vidosic for the opening goal.

The Reds’ second goal also came down Ritter’s flank, when Iain Ramsay ghosted in at the back post to tap in a Vidosic cross to seal the win in the second half, although the defender was not directly at fault for either goal.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond devoted most of yesterday’s session to positioning.

They played a short-sided game on a reduced pitch with the coach regularly pulling up play to bark instructions.

Van Egmond has made no secret of his desire to play a high-tempo, entertaining style of football.

Ritter’s availability will be a key in determining whether the coach stays with a back three or uses a back four against the Sky Blues.

Van Egmond will make at least one change in the front third.

James Virgili created a spark off the bench against the Reds and is likely to get the nod for Adam Taggart, one of four Jets alongside Connor Chapman, Mitch Oxborrow and Josh Brillante in Portugal with the Young Socceroos.

Chapman’s absence is expected to open the way for Brazilian defender Tiago or last season’s inaugural Ray Baartz Medal winner, Taylor Regan, to at least come onto the bench.

www.theherald.com.au/story/387729/rolled-ankle-may-keep-ritter-out-of-running-against-sky-blues/?cs=306

These call-ups are going to become a real pain in the arse, at least it will give GVE a few new excuses.

The Destroyers ankle for those who haven't seen it yet

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A4qPd36CEAAmtQU.jpg

furns

10-10-2012, 10:23 AM

Said he will be right to play when I tweeted him after posting that picture

oh and **** orf Snifflet - he is just bitter we were all singing about his brother when he was playing for us.

plague

10-10-2012, 10:39 AM

oh and **** orf Snifflet - he is just bitter we were all singing about his brother when he was playing for us.

He is the Tito Jackson of football.

GazFish35

10-10-2012, 11:17 AM

Cheap carpet

Pico

10-10-2012, 12:12 PM

Cheap carpet

Careful, Destroyer and Goodwin live together renting Elrichs pad if I'm not mistaken, with comments like that you'll get headlines like "Squadron Attack Elrich" in tomorrows herald :grin:

Bon

10-10-2012, 12:13 PM

Careful, Destroyer and Goodwin live together renting Elrichs pad if I'm not mistaken, with comments like that you'll get headlines like "Squadron Attack Elrich" in tomorrows herald :grin:

Snifflet won't "care much" for it..

leftrightout

10-10-2012, 12:28 PM

He is the Tito Jackson of football.

Brilliant!

q-money

10-10-2012, 12:29 PM

probably still pissed at the day of infamy where he and the rest of the peahearts sulked in the chairmans box after that honking year

every man and his dog giving it to him for being a sook from the terrace, legendary

Jetmaster

10-10-2012, 05:42 PM

Love it - talk about chalk and cheese !

This guy came from the same sperm and womb that Griff came from - how can the genes vary so much ?

vikingjet

10-10-2012, 07:05 PM

Despite his comment and t-shirts, still goes better than Ryu. Dangerous from corners, good headbands.

pistolpete

10-10-2012, 07:09 PM

Despite his comment and t-shirts, still goes better than Ryu. Dangerous from corners, good headbands.

May be proven wrong but strongly disagree

vikingjet

10-10-2012, 07:10 PM

May be proven wrong but strongly disagree

You're right...his headbands are f##king terrible!

pistolpete

10-10-2012, 07:12 PM

You're right...his headbands are f##king terrible!
Well played sir
http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/nonickbrand/gifs/Clap-2.gif?t=1269542727

Dogshot99

10-10-2012, 10:43 PM

Nice. I'm sure the sponsors kid will get in, along with the high profile dad and the underdeveloped gems will get thrown out.

Should just train as many juniors as possible from 10's up at the highest standard available and for a fair fee. Then, after the show ponys leave to concentrate on hairstyles the genuine boys will shine and will also have the skills.

I'm hearing you. Sounds like the same snake bit both of us, ya hear!!

MFKS

10-10-2012, 10:45 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=08Qf15Fz8Ek

Anyone seen this before???

Need one at Ray Watt Oval Tinks

GazFish35

10-10-2012, 10:50 PM

Yeah, there's a link in the bundesliga thread to a clip with amini using it.
Looks like fun.

MFKS

10-10-2012, 11:48 PM

It was the most-anticipated weekend in A-League history, and the so-called "Del Piero effect" helped crowds and TV ratings hit the jackpot for Football Federation Australia.
With average TV viewing figures hitting six figures across the five games last weekend, and the cumulative crowd a record for any regular season weekend, FFA CEO Ben Buckley claimed Sydney FC may set another record this weekend.

The 93,500 fans who watched last weekend's five matches in person beat the previous single-round aggregate from round three last season (87,508).
"We're delighted with the way the season has started, there's a lot of positivity and a lot of momentum," Buckley said.
"There was a lot of work went into planning the fixtures and the Melbourne derby worked particularly well.
"We're thrilled with the way Western Sydney Wanderers came to life on Saturday night, a testament to the fan base in Western Sydney.

"This weekend, the crowd record for a regular game for Sydney FC is 33,000, and we anticipate they may go beyond 35,000 with Del Piero playing and a huge amount of anticipation.
"The huge audience growth in attendances, TV and digital is an early dividend for the hard work by our clubs and the league management."

There was further joy for the FFA in the record average TV viewership of the A-League in the first round - up an astounding 38 per cent from the corresponding fixtures last year.

The league averaged 108,000 viewers per game last weekend, the first time in history the competition has hit an average of six figures.
Fox Sports executives are hoping that the record will be broken again this weekend with two massive fixtures: Alessandro Del Piero vs Emile Heskey in Saturday afternoon's Sydney-Newcastle game, and Saturday night's Brisbane vs Victory match when Melbourne's Ange Postecoglou coaches against the side he guided to the past two championships.
The viewership last weekend also proved the demand for a second Sydney team, with the Wanderers out-rating Sydney FC.
The Western Sydney vs Central Coast Mariners match played at prime-time on Saturday night averaged 123,000 viewers, while Sydney's match in Wellington averaged 109,000.
The competition's biggest drawcard, Melbourne Victory, had the highest average in their derby against Heart with an average viewership of 129,000. The most watched A-League game ever was the 2007 grand final between Victory and Adelaide which yielded 282,000 viewers.

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a- ... z28lJXjVQ5

Good news

MFKS

11-10-2012, 01:46 PM

Newcastle football icon Ray Baartz has seen his share of footballers come and go, so when he says oft-maligned striker Emile Heskey is the best player to ever represent the Hunter region you better believe him.

In his day Baartz was one of Australia’s most prolific strikers and even signed on with Manchester United for a brief period, before returning to Australia. A member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, he knows his strikers and believes the signing of Emile Heskey will equal success for the Jets.

“It’s massive for the Jets to have a player who has played over 500 games in the Premier League and represented England on over 60 occasions,” Baartz told footballaustralia.com.au.

“He is definitely the biggest name the Hunter region has ever had and he lifts the profile of the club immeasurably. Once he was signed it made our push for members much easier and we exceeded expectations in reaching well over 10,000, Emile played a big part in that and will play a huge part on the field.

“We certainly believe Emile will score goals but a big part of his role is being that big target man up front to lay off the ball for some of the other guys to score, we haven’t had the sort of presence Emile brings in the front third since Joel Griffiths was with the club.”

Believing is one thing; results, however, are another and the Jets didn’t get the one they wanted in the opening round against Adelaide, the supposedly weary Reds were expected to have their collective tails between their legs after seeing their Asian aspirations shattered in Tashkent at the hands of Bunyodkor.

Instead it was the Jets that misfired and numerous commentators pointed to Heskey’s lack of impact on the game, with only his ungainly collision with Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic receiving the most replays.

In truth though, anyone who expected a Heskey hat-trick was probably being unrealistic. With just one week to get used to his teammates and Gary van Egmond’s instructions, he looked a little out of place and suffered from a lack of decent service from his new teammates.

It’s an assertion Baartz agrees with wholeheartedly.

“He didn’t do as much as he would have liked but at the same time the boys didn’t make it easy for him,” Baartz said.

“The balls sent to Emile weren’t the type he needed, they were either hit in too hard or the balls in the air were not the right type of delivery and that’s something the whole team needs to improve upon, their service to him.”

If the Jets can get their deliveries right this weekend they can reap the benefits when two of the biggest signings the league has ever seen go head-to-head.

Baartz, like all football lovers, is looking forward to the clash of two sides featuring Heskey and Sydney’s own marquee Alessandro Del Piero, revealing the Sky Blues’ signing of the Italian star stung Nathan Tinkler into stepping up the search for his own marquee.

“The anticipation of the match is huge. It’s been a while since the league had two players of their calibre going head-to-head and it’s a huge game for both clubs,” he said.

“Our performance will be much improved and so will Emile’s; he has had a week longer at the club and will have settled in to a rhythm with the boys and the style of play a bit better.

“We have always been on the lookout for quality players and when Sydney signed Alessandro Del Piero it spurred Nathan on a little bit to make sure the Jets were on an equal footing.”

While the match should be a great spectacle for football fans, it is Baartz’s hope that Heskey’s signing will help to further enhance football in the Hunter, a region known for producing some fine footballing talent. At Tinkler’s behest, the Jets, like the Tinkler-backed Newcastle Knights of the NRL, continue to develop local youngsters through their “Emerging Jets” program.

“It was also upon Nathan’s insistence that we got the ‘Emerging Jets’ program going in conjunction with Northern NSW Football and the FFA, where the talented kids from 10-years-old and up get to be a part of emerging Jets teams, but each team gets their own A-League mentor and Emile will be a big part of that, hopefully the youth of the region can not only enjoy watching him but benefit by learning from his experience.”

Glad to see our 1 man advisory board thinks the big man is up to it.

MFKS

11-10-2012, 04:03 PM

While Round 1 of the Hyundai A-League saw a number of single-round records set for crowd attendances, TV ratings and digital audiences, referees also created their own record with an all-time low for referee error rates.

Each week, the performance of every referee is assessed based on their ability to make correct decisions. In Round 1 the error rate was less than one per cent.

This is significantly below the Round 1 rate of 11.5 per cent last season. Furthermore, there were no incorrect decisions for critical incidents on any of the five matches.

So what has driven this dramatic improvement?

It is our aim to have Australian referees regarded as world-class officials and to achieve this, there must be a culture of continuous improvement amongst our referees.

At the conclusion of last season, the National Referees Technical Committee reviewed the performance of all match officials on the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League.

The review found that the error rate for HAL referees early in the season was relatively high, before improving as the season progressed. The Committee concluded that referees need to be better prepared to perform at their optimal level from the opening whistle.

As part of our drive for continuous improvement, the NRTC oversaw three key changes.

Firstly, for the 2012/13 season, the FFA Referees Department undertook an extensive selection process. A “Possibles and Probables” program was introduced. This program classed the best performing officials from last season as “probables”.

The remaining officials from 2011/12 competed against referees selected from the National Talent Pool as well as referees nominated from the Member Federations.

FFA Referee Technical Instructors were appointed to view all of these candidates on State League games around Australia and to report back to FFA. There was strong competition for places and this process ensured the HAL and WWL panels for this season are made up of the best available officials in the country.

In preparation for the start of the season, all match officials attended seminars where the key focus areas for the season were communicated.

The areas where referees will be paying particular attention for 2012/13 are protecting players’ safety, dealing strongly with obvious and ongoing dissent and ensuring appropriate behaviour of players and officials in the Technical Area.

This message has also been communicated to the clubs and we will continue to maintain clear lines of communication with the clubs on refereeing matters.

The final stage of the referee’s preparation was an intensive nine-week training program, conducted under the supervision of FFA Referee Fitness Instructors. Fitness test results from the pre-season were extremely pleasing and this is due to the professionalism and commitment of the referees.

With increasing crowds, television audiences and public exposure, the HAL and WWL referees this season will be under more scrutiny than ever.

The steps taken during the pre-season has ensured that the referees are best prepared to keep up with the game’s professional development in Australia and New Zealand. I am looking forward to a successful season for the referees.

This piece written by Ben Wilson, Director of Referees.

Obviously didn't watch much of the Jets game on the weekend!!!

Thomas477

11-10-2012, 04:34 PM

Obviously didn't watch much of the Jets game on the weekend!!!

Actually, given the stats it is possible to assume that the other refs got 0 errors and our bloke got 57.5% wrong.

That seems a lot more realistic to me and backs up why the bloke isnt reffing this weekend.

sh10

11-10-2012, 05:09 PM

there were no incorrect decisions for critical incidents on any of the five matches.

So none of the rubbish decisions whatshisname made were critical? I suppose not, since they don't involve sydney or melbourne

GazFish35

11-10-2012, 06:41 PM

So none of the rubbish decisions whatshisname made were critical? I suppose not, since they don't involve sydney or melbourne

Lol.

A "critical incident" in my work is when someone dies, or threatens life.
No one threatened to kill anyone during any games this weekend, no decisions to make regarding critical incidents, therefore no errors!

Stats are great!

weston

12-10-2012, 08:34 PM

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/aussies-abroad/news/1123841/Cahill-s-condolences-for-slain-coach

anyone see this??? Holly shit

NewcastleForLife

15-10-2012, 09:39 PM

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/news-display/First-Sydney-Derby-Officially-a-SellOut/50383

First ever Sydney derby is already a sell-out. Wish the scum would travel, I mean, I know this is just across the city, but seriously...

belchardo

15-10-2012, 09:44 PM

that's great news.

well done sydney.

front2

16-10-2012, 12:30 AM

I heard this was a sellout.

pv4

16-10-2012, 07:33 AM

Fullback spot on the cards for Zadkovich Save
By JAMES GARDINER Oct. 15, 2012, 10:03 p.m.

NEWCASTLE Jets' Mr Fix it, Ruben Zadkovich, is likely to slot in at right fullback if Scott Neville fails to recover from a groin strain in time for the F3 derby against the Central Coast Mariners at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.

Neville was put in cotton wool yesterday after being replaced midway through the second half of the Jets' pulsating 3-2 win over Sydney FC on Saturday night.

He joined fringe players Jacob Pepper and Jack Duncan for a pool session while the rest of the squad were put through an intense hit-out at Ray Watt Oval.

Neville will again be on light duties today but the Jets remain hopeful that the 23-year-old will be OK for the Mariners.

Zadkovich played the second half of last season at right fullback, but the off-season arrival of Neville from Perth and Gold Coast utility Josh Brillante allowed him to shift to his preferred role in midfield.

He and captain Jobe Wheelhouse dominated the centre of the park against Sydney before Zadkovich dropped back to cover for Neville in the final 20 minutes.

The athletic 26-year-old was used in defence during a small-sided game at training yesterday.

Brillante scored a wonder goal from midfield for the Young Socceroos in their 4-1 loss to Portugal in a friendly in Lisbon on Sunday but is also comfortable at right back.

He, Connor Chapman, Adam Taggart and Mitch Oxborrow are due back from Portugal on Thursday.

Coach Gary van Egmond put the squad through a gruelling session yesterday. They worked on pressing in defence and playing out of tight spaces with the ball.

Van Egmond changed to a back four against Sydney FC, but the Jets have had success with a back three against the Mariners, most notably in their 1-0 victory over the arch rivals in the 2007-08 grand final.

The Mariners, who are yet to concede a goal this season, are fresh from a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at home on Sunday. They sit in equal second place on four points, a point ahead of the Jets.

This is the fifth season since the Jets trumped their bitter rivals to claim the club's only championship.

James Brown won't get his first taste of a derby on Saturday but the excitement machine is not far from a return after foot surgery to remove a bone spur.

He was put through a cardio session yesterday by physiotherapist Rob Dingle and appeared to be running freely.

rubez possibly back at rb, again. midfield will struggle without him, again.

the comment about gve working on playing the ball out of tight spaces, i thought we were exceptionally good at on the weekend. especially in low & wide positions, we nearly always got it out by playing the man on the line to a neat flick to the mid guy ready for it. so it's noticeable that work is paying off.

&1gest

16-10-2012, 10:28 AM

Grella to Heart
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/grella-joins-heart-20121016-27nq2.html

Matty's Mowing

16-10-2012, 10:45 AM

I hope Reagan is considered again. Not sure what he has done wrong???

pv4

16-10-2012, 10:54 AM

Grella to Heart
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/grella-joins-heart-20121016-27nq2.html

midfield of fred, grella & garcia - wow. heart's attack, consisting of a new-look d-mac, dugandzic, williams, tadic & mebrahtu seems to have the pedigree to score goals, plus the midfield of awesomeness, makes them such a tough team to beat. if between colosimo, gerhardt, vrankovic, gray & m.thompson they can find a solid, staying centreback pairing, i see no reason why heart can't be pushing for a championship.

belchardo

16-10-2012, 10:58 AM

that's great. wonder why he changed his mind about playing in australia.

belchardo

16-10-2012, 11:02 AM

Melbourne Heart this morning confirmed that celebrated Socceroo veteran Vince Grella will join the club on a one-year contract.

Grella is due to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday, as his new teammates fly west for a clash with Perth Glory. The 33-year-old defensive midfielder was a mainstay of the national during team during its glory years when Australia made the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals under Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek. He played for Australia 46 times between 2003 and 2010.

Grella has spent the bluk of his career in Italy where he played for Parma, Torino and Empoli. Grella then endured an injury-plagued four years in England, where he managed only 38 games for Blackburn Rovers before the club released him at the expiry of his contract earlier this year.

Earlier this year, Grella trained with Heart whilst on holidays in Australia, but he had been living in Italy and had been expected to resume his playing career there. Grella had previously resisted coming home to the A-League, believing Australian fans were not fair in the way they judged returning internationals. He had been upset by the criticism meted out to his friend, former teammate, and now coach John Aloisi during the striker's first season in Sydney.

The signing is a further boost for Heart, third with four points after two games, and for the A-League, which has been boosted this season by the tremendous response to marquee signings Alessandro del Piero (Sydney) and Emile Heskey (Newcastle).

Over 40,000 watched the season-opener between heart and Melbourne Victory, and over 30,000 turned out for the pulsating Newcastle win over Sydney last weekend. This weekend's first-ever Sydney derby, between Wester Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC, is a sellout.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-league/grella-joins-heart-20121016-27nq2.html#ixzz29PbFL3yc

thought about including this in the proof reading thread.

Rocknerd

16-10-2012, 11:09 AM

Grella to Heart
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/grella-joins-heart-20121016-27nq2.html

Whole ****bags! I never thought he'd come back! love Vinnie! can't wait to see him smash ADP!

q-money

16-10-2012, 11:10 AM

that's great. wonder why he changed his mind about playing in australia.

probably couldn't get a gig anywhere else

BodyNovo

16-10-2012, 11:12 AM

midfield of fred, grella & garcia - wow. heart's attack, consisting of a new-look d-mac, dugandzic, williams, tadic & mebrahtu seems to have the pedigree to score goals, plus the midfield of awesomeness, makes them such a tough team to beat. if between colosimo, gerhardt, vrankovic, gray & m.thompson they can find a solid, staying centreback pairing, i see no reason why heart can't be pushing for a championship.

i actually think grella will be deployed as a cb. in his odd appearances in the last couple of years at rovers they played him at CB. i reckon its a perfect fit tbh for him at CB, good ball playing, technical centre half would do well with colosimo, fits hearts style of play.

heart are really impressing me generally in the work they are doing on and off the field. 10k on the weekend for a non MV game is awesome in melbourne, and they have broken even this year.

they have also employed a pizza delivery guy as their assistant

pv4

16-10-2012, 11:15 AM

along with ljubo & griff, mr cheeses (vinnie) is my favourite socceroo ever.

body - while he could play cb, i think grella would absolutely own an a-league midfield too much to not be used as the pivot point of the midfield.

russjaybee

16-10-2012, 11:28 AM

I agree about grella at CB. Keep m thompson in the mids with fred and garcia imo.

militiamon

16-10-2012, 12:00 PM

probably couldn't get a gig anywhere else

Has he even played a full season since 2006?

Don't like him, can't wait to boo him.

Grimario

16-10-2012, 12:07 PM

Has he even played a full season since 2006?

Don't like him, can't wait to boo him.

Yeah, 30 something games in 4 years, hasn't played back to back games for over a year.

Basically put him in the Culina position... bit of a risk signing but potential for a huge reward if he stays fit.

Pico

16-10-2012, 04:39 PM

Carlos Hernandez wants back in to the A-League after stint in India

David Davutovic
Herald Sun
October 16, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/10/25/1226176/608266-111026s-carlos-hernandez.jpg

Former Melbourne Victory star Carlos Hernandez says he wants to return to the A-League once he finishes in India. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
Related Coverage

EXCLUSIVE: FORMER Melbourne Victory star Carlos Hernandez wants to return to the A-League.

Hernandez, 30, is playing in India with Prayag United, where his contract expires in April, but he is determined to return for a second stint.

Adelaide United, which has been linked with Hernandez in the past, and Central Coast are the only clubs with visa spots available on their rosters.

The Costa Rican also revealed that compatriot Jean-Carlos Solorzano was also contemplating a return to Australia.

The Johnny Warren medallist, who scored 36 times in 122 outings, said his preference was for a Victory homecoming but was prepared to play for a rival club.

"Hopefully I can return, I did not want to leave and me and my family miss Australia," Hernandez told News Limited.

"I would love to go back to Victory but I think this is difficult.

"My agent is talking to some teams in Australia but nothing has happened.

"I will listen, the door is open for any team in Australia.

"We were there five years, it felt like home, we met many friends and my two kids always talk about Australia since we left."

Heart showed interest in Hernandez at the end of last season, but it amounted to nothing.

"There was some interest from Melbourne Heart but nothing concrete," he said.

"I haven't spoken to anyone at Victory. They have a good coach but it's a hard job, but slowly the team will play like the coach wants.

"It's different to the way Victory has played, but it's good for Victory to have this coach."

Hernandez said Solorzano, who is back at his old club Alajuense, was eyeing a return to Australia after stints with Brisbane and Victory.

"He is happy but his contract finishes in December. He liked Australia and his girlfriend is from Brisbane so maybe he will be back," Hernandez said.

Would be funny to see victory and Adelaide swap fan favourites, can't see him fitting in at CCM.

q-money

16-10-2012, 04:47 PM

sign him up!

russjaybee

16-10-2012, 05:16 PM

Sign him up, move zad back to CM with Jobe...

---- JOBE -- ZAD
RYU----KFC---GUDWIN
---- HESKDADDY

Smeezyy

16-10-2012, 07:11 PM

Sign him up, move zad back to CM with Jobe...

---- JOBE -- ZAD
RYU----KFC---GUDWIN
---- HESKDADDY

I'd be putting Bridgey in there...

seldom

16-10-2012, 08:06 PM

remember reading posts on the old foz by a guy who shot his load over Bridgey...think his name was Smeezy

coastiehater

17-10-2012, 08:41 AM

THE HUNTER Sports Group has dismissed fears of financial difficulties facing the Newcastle Jets following media claims of unpaid wages at the club’s stablemate, Newcastle Knights.

A HSG spokesperson said there were no financial problems facing either club and directed inquiries to a statement on the Knights’ website.

“We’ve not had to do a statement about the Jets because there’s been no story about the Jets,” the spokesperson said. “The information provided about the Knights is relevant to both.”

The report in Sydney's Daily Telegraph said players and staff at the rugby league outfit had not been paid this month’s salary, but the Knights denied the claims.

“Contrary to a report earlier today, the wages have been paid to Newcastle Knights staff and players on time and in the normal course of business,” a statement on the club's website said.

“As per normal business, wages are processed on the 15th of each month, and cleared on the 16th into individual accounts.”

The club’s CEO Matt Gidley described the newspaper report as “an absolute non-issue at the Knights.

“I have yet to field one phone call or enquiry from an employee or player in regards to this matter,” he said.

Last month Jets CEO Robbie Middleby assured fans that the A-League outfit was on a solid financial footing despite growing concerns about owner Nathan Tinkler’s unpaid debts.

Middleby told au.fourfourtwo.com: “We’ve just started the Emerging Jets program and a three-year commitment with Northern NSW (Football).

“We’ve just bought Emile Heskey to the club. Nathan’s commitment to the Jets is there to see. From my point of view and from the Jets point of view and the fans, we’re here for the long run.

“(We’re) here to make a difference for kids in the area, for the parents and for the game, and we’re excited about it.”

At the same time, A-League boss Damien de Bohun also hosed down speculation regarding the future of the Hunter club.

“I'm very confident in what they're doing,” de Bohun said at the time. “There's a lot of speculation about a lot of things in football and in public life.

“From our perspective we've spent a lot of time with Newcastle and what they're doing to build a strong football club is fantastic.”

Jeterpool

17-10-2012, 08:24 PM

On phone so can't link but BK looking like he needs knee surgery. Tear in his meniscus.

Birraz is back. See foxsports

Bon

17-10-2012, 08:34 PM

I didn't realize what was going on..
I watched Regan interviewing Tarago and Birra on the Jets page and the way Birra was being talked to, it was blatantly obvious that he would be playing on the weekend..

belchardo

17-10-2012, 08:59 PM

looks like he MIGHT have surgery, which would put him out for 4-6 weeks.

reading the foxsports summary on fox news, it looks like it may be kennedy's call what he does.

Thomas477

18-10-2012, 12:25 AM

looks like he MIGHT have surgery, which would put him out for 4-6 weeks.

reading the foxsports summary on fox news, it looks like it may be kennedy's call what he does.

:lulz:

Meniscus tears aren't fun. Can take a while for them to heal 100% and to feel confident on them, happened to me last year.

IMO, Kennedy should get it sorted ASAP. There is no point carrying a niggling injury all for the remaining 25+ weeks, when you can get it sorted in less than a quarter of that. And if it means Biraz is keeper for that time so be it, BK will have a better chance of usurping Biraz if he's 100% than if he has a niggling injury. We should have all of our players at 100%.

belchardo

18-10-2012, 10:19 AM

Meniscus tears aren't fun. Can take a while for them to heal 100% and to feel confident on them, happened to me last year.

same. did mine a few years ago, didn't really heal properly so i decided the best course of action was to snap my ACL in the same knee. :D

Bremsstrahlung

18-10-2012, 10:24 AM

Ditto.
Ended up missing 4-5 weeks.
By the time I saw a doctor, got an x-ray (routine), booked an MRI, had the MRI, got the results, it was about 4 weeks anyway.
At the time I was told I had 3 options:
1. Meniscectomy - cutting off the torn cartilage. Problem with this is cartilage doesn't really grow back, once its gone it's gone. So this could drove a problem in the future. (4-8 weeks)
2. Meniscus repair - much longer lay off period. I think it may have been 3-6 months. Preserves the cartilage, 95% fixes the cartilage and has the benefit of not losing any cartilage, though the long recovery time puts everyone off it.
3. Wait it out, hope it doesn't re-occur - the option i chose. by that time it was 80% normal again. Now, it still hurts when crouching, and locks a little. Nothing compared to the pain of it locking mid sleep though.

Grimario

18-10-2012, 10:47 AM

1. Meniscectomy - cutting off the torn cartilage. Problem with this is cartilage doesn't really grow back, once its gone it's gone. So this could drove a problem in the future. (4-8 weeks)
Had this done after a gridiron injury when I was 17. 15 years later, still regret it. Was left with about a third of the cartilage in my right knee and my active life has been completely f!@#$d since.

BK should have a meniscus repair, for sure.

MFKS

18-10-2012, 04:00 PM

Hatamoto & FFA Jeopardise Supporter Safety at Sydney Derby
Oct 16 2012 10:00 PM | mack in Supporter Articles

Hatamoto have gone against world best practice with their decision to hold back Western Sydney supporters at the conclusion of the first ever Sydney Derby.

The move has sparked anger among the supporter group the Red & Black Bloc. It is against world-wide practice and will lead to confusion and potential safety issues. With the Derby being considered a 'high risk' match in terms of security and police arrangements the FFA's security agency Hatamoto have made a decision to keep the entire Wanderers active support bay inside the stadium for 30 minutes after the match.

While the gates will not be locked, Hatamoto have advised the supporters that they will be labelled 'non-conformist' should they attempt to leave. The counter-terror security agency have threatened that supporters who leave the ground before Hatamoto desire them to will be targeted by their security. Hatamoto have indicated that even a minor 'offence' such as crossing a street without security approval could lead to being detained and/or being banned from A-League matches. There have also been threats made that jeopardise future supporter marches and other supporter group events. This is a grave insult to people who have put their hard earned money as well as their time and effort into this club, at such a vital time for the club.

The decision has said to have been made due to 'logistics' reasons. The FFA believe that when the Wanderers win the match, the supporters in the Red & Black Bloc will prefer to stay inside the bay to celebrate rather than making their way to their home pub. The FFA have planned some minor events to take place during this 30 minute dead zone. Hatamoto will be stationing security guards to discourage people from moving about. It is also important to note that the Red & Black Bloc are located in an end that is not exclusively for active support. Only three of the bays are active support. It will mean Hatamoto guards will be preventing families, many with young children, from leaving the stadium on time. The Wanderers club have sided with their supporters and pushed for the away fans to stay inside the stadium but as the Wanderers only rent the stadium their hands are tied by the FFA, Stadium, Police and Hatamoto.

Matt Adamson spent 4 years in a senior management position at one of Europe's leading crowd management companies. He has vast experience with contracts involving the largest clubs in the world and I asked for his thoughts on the issue of crowd control at football matches, "There are two common methods for safe egress of supporters at the conclusion of a football match that is deemed high risk. The first is to hold back away fans while the home fans disperse. This has been utilised previously at A-League fixtures in Newcastle, Melbourne & Gosford and is the standard procedure throughout Europe. The other method is to segregate fans via the use of designated entry/exit gates and temporary fencing to serve as a physical barrier.

"I believe that the current position of Hatamoto and their recommendations for the management of the crowd at the Sydney derby are reflective of a skill-set that is not compatible with football. They ignore the passions and expectations of fans. It is ignorant of accepted traditions and widely accepted practices in managing football crowds safely.

"Hatamoto is taking the opposite approach and attitude towards this fixture than what I observed during my time in European football. While I have no doubt that Hatamoto are experts in counter-terrorism, they have a lot to learn about football."

A listing of matches, countries and leagues which follow the home supporters first doctrine would be endless. The doctrine is accepted best practice and is commonplace worldwide. Throughout all levels of league football, cup matches, derby, non-derby, continental and international matches away supporters are kept behind. This method is in practice for the A-League as well. Sydney FC supporters would already be expecting to stay behind for a period of time and many would have operated under the condition in previous away matches such as those in Gosford, Newcastle and Melbourne. In general the vast majority of away supporters at a match will be in the away bays and they will stick together until they leave the stadium. Home supporters could be in many different stands even if they come to the stadium as a group, and locking in groups of home supporters will mean people hanging around the stadium waiting for the rest of their group. Keeping away fans in their bay enables security to spend more time preparing for the exit of the away supporters as well as enabling potentially aggressive supporters of the home team to be pushed away from the stadium.

Part 1 of 2

MFKS

18-10-2012, 04:01 PM

Part 2 of 2

Western Sydney Supporters spokesman Sean Herrett spoke to WestSydneyFootball.Com about the situation, "The Parramatta police are not sure what to expect. They are not football educated. The Chief Inspector of Parramatta LAC was unaware of the practice of away supporters being kept in their bays after the match. The officer who was in charge for the first round match is no longer involved and appears not to have passed on any knowledge and information to the replacement officer."

This turn of events is disappointing for supporters of football in Australia. Active support groups have spent years trying to educate the police and security forces in regards to the best way to enable safe active support and the safe exit of supporters regardless of what team they followed. While the A-League is being advertised by the slogan 'We Are Football' it is necessary to remind those who 'are not yet football' what the best practices are in situations that crop up dozens of times every year in world football. Over zealous security and police responses have a chilling effect on the active support culture that enables football to generate atmosphere unmatched by any other code of sport in Australia. It is up to the police and security to get educated and to listen to supporter groups and those with experience in football crowd management. With Melbourne Victory advising their fans not to travel to 'high risk' matches due to over zealous security treatment, as well as police brutality against Sydney United supporters in a Wanderers pre-season fixture, it is clear that security and police forces have yet to truly understand active support culture. NSW Police, and the Parramatta Local Area Command in particular have shown a desire to become educated and to understand the situation to enable safe conduct for all parties in regards to Western Sydney Wanderers matches. Hatamoto has not.

Hatamoto are still refusing to engage with football supporters and are failing to educate their own leadership about football culture. Such issues have been raised as long as Hatamoto have been involved with the A-League. In 2009 Hatamoto were exposed for attempting to infiltrate supporters groups with undercover security guards. In 2011 questions were raised as to why a counter-terrorism company would be involved with football as well what qualifications the leaders of Hatamoto had to dictate security procedures for football matches.

Sean Herrett talked about his dealings with Hatamoto, "I personally spoke with Peter Shepherd from Hatamoto. Mr Shepherd is aware of our anger over the situation, but has dismissed our concerns due to his experience over the past 5 years in dealing with A-League supporter groups. Mr Shepherd also refused to continue with direct dialogue and instead demanded all discussion to go through middlemen at the FFA."

When the security group are the only group unwilling to directly discuss the situation with the supporters group, can anyone blame the supporter groups for their distrust of Hatamoto? Hatamoto work to stereotype and exaggerate the 'threat' that supporters group have to the A-League brand and the safety of other patrons to A-League matches. Hatamoto are the only group who must continually justify their existence and input into the A-League. The police have a duty to the public. The FFA run the competition. The supporters want to support their team and watch the matches. The players play in these matches. The club participate in the competition. If Hatamoto cannot justify their existence in the A-League they will lose their lucrative contracts. In a way it makes sense that they would refuse to engage. By refusing to engage it enables them to suggest to the FFA that their job will never be complete and to avoid humanising their 'targets'. The problem is that refusal to engage puts the supporters at risk of over-zealous security guards.

In the first round match against the Central Coast Mariners the only piece of crowd trouble came from a group of people not from the Red & Black Bloc. They had tickets and/or memberships for the section of the ground next to the away bay. Should they desire to cause trouble again they could cause a major problem by attacking Sydney FC fans who are let out at the same time as they are, while the security is focused on keeping the Red & Black Bloc penned inside the home end.

The obvious solution is holding the Sydney FC fans in their bay as per standard worldwide practice so that all Western Sydney Wanderers supporters can disperse and leave the vicinity of the stadium. 30 minutes later this would be followed by police and security escorting the Sydney FC fans to Parramatta Station. Instead Hatamoto have decided on a patch-work solution that will only exacerbate the potential for trouble instead of reducing it.

Football Federation Australia must remember that it is not Peter Shepherd and Hatamoto who run football in Australia or the A-League. It is Frank Lowy, Ben Buckley and Damien de Bohun. They must remind themselves that the reason they run football is for the supporters of the game, not for the bank balance of a secretive counter-terrorist security company looking for their next contract.

The Western Sydney Wanderers, Football Federation Australia, Hatamoto, the Red & Black Bloc and NSW Police are still in negotiations to determine the final security arrangements and we hope to bring positive news on that front.

The Sydney Derby will be played at 7:45pm on Saturday the 20th of October at Parramatta Stadium. The match has sold out to the general public. Membership and Corporate tickets are still available but in limited numbers

Seems a bit harsh to keep the home teams fans in?? Also like the bit assuming WSW will win. Smurfs really have sunk to a new low when people assume/believe they will get beaten in this game

q-money

18-10-2012, 04:35 PM

makes sense to me, lets the sydney fans get out of dodge ricky tick, while those pre-disposed to a bit of knuckle on the WS side won't get the time to set up in the alleyways etc

but it's not the rbb you have to worry about, it's the blokes on the overpasses with the RPGs, tripwires, AKs etc

it is western sydney after all

i don't go past granville without my uzi

Pico

18-10-2012, 05:47 PM

Makes sense to hold the away fans back, usually its away as they are the smaller set of fans, in this case could it be that they believe SFC/cove will outnumber the RBB?

hawk

18-10-2012, 05:52 PM

OmeletteDuFromage

18-10-2012, 06:57 PM

Danny Allsopp has retired...

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/253929,victory-allsopp-quits-immediately.aspx

pv4

18-10-2012, 07:15 PM

wonder if they'll go back for hernandez now.

OmeletteDuFromage

18-10-2012, 08:15 PM

No foreign spots left.

MFKS

18-10-2012, 08:20 PM

Also don't think Ange was in favour of his KFC eating no running with out the ball ways

seldom

19-10-2012, 12:17 AM

Also don't think Ange was in favour of his KFC eating no running with out the ball ways

**** he can shoot though !

Jeterpool

19-10-2012, 08:08 AM

Also don't think Ange was in favour of his KFC eating no running with out the ball ways

Whether Ange wants him now or not

No foreign spots left.

I think this wins out!

pv4

19-10-2012, 08:15 AM

word is harry kewell is heading back. not a bad replacement imo.

and by word, i mean people are reading into sheree murphy's twitter hints.

Pico

19-10-2012, 09:15 AM

A-League: Admission of hatred fires up derby clash between the Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners

Barry Toohey
The Daily Telegraph
October 19, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/10/18/1226498/913958-jobe-wheelhouse.jpg

Jobe Wheelhouse is confident the Jets have the attacking power to beat the Mariners: Getty Image Source: The Daily Telegraph
Jets must learn to fly with Heskey

NEWCASTLE Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse has foreshadowed another potentially explosive F3 derby showdown against Central Coast tomorrow by admitting a certain amount of hatred exists between the two clubs.

Just like he is on the field, Wheelhouse was honest yesterday about one of the A-League's great rivalries.

"I think there is a little bit of hatred there for sure," Wheelhouse said.

"I definitely know both sets of supporters don't like each other. Most of the games are pretty fiery.

"It's the F3 derby, that sort of feeling among the players and fans always brings out the best in both teams.

"We have plenty of players in our team that like to give it out and so do they so I'd say there'll be a bit in it."

While he said hatred was a "very strong word", Jets coach Gary van Egmond didn't shy away from the intense rivalry that exists between the two sides.

It dates back to the first time the clubs squared off against each other in early 2005 prior to the A-League first kicking off, when Jets defender Andrew Durante had his leg broken after an ugly challenge by Mariners striker Nik Mrdja.

There has been no love lost between the sides ever since.

"It's a derby and the first game (this season) is at our stadium," van Egmond said.

"We have to make our home ground a fortress and we've already lost once. We don't want a repeat of that."

The Jets, who won the A-League title back in 2007-08 after a controversial 1-0 grand final win over the Mariners, won't finalise their squad for the Hunter Stadium game until after a final training session this afternoon.

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/10/18/1226498/914675-ben-kennedy-jets.jpg

Newcastle Jets goal keeper Ben Kennedy looks set to miss the derby. Picture: Liam Driver Source: The Daily Telegraph

Goalkeeper Ben Kennedy seems certain to miss the clash because of a knee injury that may require surgery while defender Scott Neville hasn't trained all week because of a groin problem.

Midfield attacking strike weapon Ruben Zadkovich is also an injury concern after failing to finish yesterday's session but is expected to be cleared to play.

Mark Birighitti, sent off in his side's opening-round loss to Adelaide, will be Kennedy's replacement in goal.

The Mariners are yet to concede a goal in a 0-0 draw against Western Sydney and a 1-0 win over Perth but Wheelhouse says the Jets have the strikepower to change that.

"We scored three really good goals last week (against Sydney FC) and could have had five or six more," he said.

"Our front third has copped a bit of criticism but I think we have found our touch in that area.

"I don't think it matters what defence we play against. If we are on our game, we'll score some goals."

Surprised the club has not banned News limited as well after the Knights pay rumour/leak/whatever the other day.

Pico

19-10-2012, 09:21 AM

Free Kicks | Dominik Ritter

http://static.ffa.sportalhosting.com/site/_content/article/00050619-leadimage.jpg
The Jets defender on M&Ms, hot cheese and Michael Bridges's bad pants.

Hi Dominik! How's life treating the Ritter today?
Good thanks. I just had training in the morning, went with the boys to have some lunch. I’m enjoying life in Newcastle, it’s beautiful.

Have you been surfing?
I haven’t been yet, I’m not sure if i’m going to try. I walk to the beach and a lot of people are always surfing but I don’t know if I’ll try it it.

Are you a beach person?
I like the pool more than swimming in the sea but I like getting a tan at the beach.

OK, down to the important stuff. What's your favourite biscuit?
Erm... do M&M’s count?

They'll do. Can you cook?
I like to cook meat. Maybe some pasta or veggies but mostly meat.

Any Swiss specialities?
I don’t cook Swiss food because a lot of it is with hot cheese and usually eaten in winter when it’s cold, so it’s not suitable for here.

Nothing like a hot summer fondue! Who’s greater - King Kong or Godzilla?
King Kong. A big monkey’s better than a big lizard.

Sound logic. What's your favourite TV show?
Entourage. I don’t know if it’s still going I just watch it on the internet - it’s a good series. Australian TV is pretty good otherwise.

If you were to set up a band for the Newcastle Jets, who’d be in it?
Browny (James Brown) would be in it for sure. He looks like a rock star. I don’t know who’s a good singer though.

Talking of singing, did you have to sing for your initiation into the club?
Oh yes, of course, I sang a German song at a training camp in Canberra. I sang it in German so no one could understand. It’s called Ich habe genug (“I have enough” - we think...). It’s just a love song. I don’t like it much but I knew it and it’s easy to sing in German.

We'll listen out for it. Who has got the worst dress sense at the Jets?
Maybe Bridgey (Michael Bridges). Sometimes he wears really strange clothes. He’s sponsored by Pele (sports brand), so mostly all Pele clothes. When I first came here and the weather was really cold he had some really strange pants and jacket on. That was funny.

We'll have to wait til we see these funny pants for ourselves. What three people – dead or alive – would you invite round for dinner?
Maybe Michael Jackson... He’s a legend! And some girls, for sure. The other two would be pretty girls – and Michael Jackson.

That's an odd selection but, hey, it's your party. What’s the first thing you’d do if you won the lotto?
I would save money and spend some of it. I’d buy a house, a good car. If it’s enough I would save and spend some.

Very sensible. Does anyone have a nickname at the club?
I do – Ruben calls me “The Destroyer” and also “Solid”. I don’t know why he called me The Destoyer, it was when I first came here. Then we went on a weekend trip for golfing and fishing and a couple of games of poker after dinner, and then he started calling me “Solid”.

Can you tell us a joke?
No. I’m really bad at telling jokes. I like them but I always forget them.

Ha ha ha, good one! OK, finish this sentence: my teammates would say I am...
Erm... honest? That’s a good question. That would be good to know, I don’t know what they would say.

We'll ask around for you. Thanks Solid. Good luck on the weekend.

www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Free-Kicks-|-Dominik-Ritter/50619

Poor Bridges always getting slammed for his dress sense :lol: