Daily Australian News Thread 2015

[sammydog]

Milos was sitting near us last night, if the rumours of him being disgruntled are true, he certainly wasn't showing it. He was getting right into the game and didn't look at all disinterested or disenfranchised.

After seeing him last night, id believe he was injured.

[Jetmaster]

Milos was sitting near us last night, if the rumours of him being disgruntled are true, he certainly wasn't showing it. He was getting right into the game and didn't look at all disinterested or disenfranchised.

After seeing him last night, id believe he was injured.

Good to hear...hope he is back next week.

[lquiquer]

De bohun......

[belchardo]

Joe marston has died. Vale.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/spor...29-glaoc5.html

[Nou Camp]

weve all had a good enough look at the team now
considering we have the weakest squad in the league imo
wheres everyone expecting we will finish

[halo se7en]

Milos was sitting near us last night, if the rumours of him being disgruntled are true, he certainly wasn't showing it. He was getting right into the game and didn't look at all disinterested or disenfranchised.

After seeing him last night, id believe he was injured.

Not sure what he'd be disgruntled about anyway. There's been a few games where he could have been hooked after 60 minutes but hasn't been, and I don't think he's been dropped once?

[stopper2]

weve all had a good enough look at the team now
considering we have the weakest squad in the league imo
wheres everyone expecting we will finish

Seems that a little gap has opened up with the bottom 3 and the rest. Adelaide, Scum and Perth already a couple of wins off the pace. We are lear of them for now but the points I feel are going to get harder to come by as we have seen already in recent weeks. Still sticking by my preseason prediction of finishing between 6th and 8th. Leonardo for me is the key, Birraz has been outstanding and defensively we aren't shipping many goals but if Leonardo can start gelling with Carney and Enver and Milos we just might start banging in a few more goals

[hawk]

Not sure what he'd be disgruntled about anyway. There's been a few games where he could have been hooked after 60 minutes but hasn't been, and I don't think he's been dropped once?

Word has it he is injured and keen to get back on the park. He'll be back soon

[idontwannaplaywithhowey]

weve all had a good enough look at the team now
considering we have the weakest squad in the league imo
wheres everyone expecting we will finish

8th ( above Perth and the scum)

[belchardo]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-0...?section=sport

berisha has re-signed with victory until end of 17/18.

bugger, thought we were in with a real chance of signing him.

[MFKS]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-0...?section=sport

berisha has re-signed with victory until end of 17/18.

bugger, thought we were in with a real chance of signing him.

You were thinking a tinpot club like us was actually a serious proposition for him???

I am sure playing with the likes of Cameron Watson Jason Hoffman and co must have been really hard for him to knock back

[GazFish35]

[belchardo]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...coast-mariners

we should sign him up.

[belchardo]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...nd-casino-plan

Cairns A-League team could hinge on resort and casino plan
A-League football could yet return to Cairns on a permanent basis if the Queensland Government approves plans for an $8.15 billion integrated resort and casino in the city’s north.

Aquis, the Hong Kong company behind the proposal and the major sponsor of state league team Far North Queensland Heat, is expecting to hear back in February whether Australia’s largest tourism development will receive the green light.



If it does, Aquis is understood to be ready to help fund a purpose-built rectangular stadium in Cairns and an A-League bid.

It provides an interesting backdrop as Cairns prepares to host its first ever national league game on Saturday between Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix at Cazalys Stadium.

Money for the A-League bid and the stadium would come from a community benefit fund, bankrolled by Hong Kong billionaire Tony Fung and set up to help sweeten the deal for Aquis.

Aquis became the FNQ Heat’s major sponsor in March 2014, and at the time chief executive Justin Fung publicly declared their intention to help secure Cairns an A-League team.

That commitment has not waivered, despite the approval process for the project having stalled for the last 18 months and recent issues surrounding the junior structures of the FNQ Heat, who play in the Queensland National Premier Leagues and have twice qualified for the FFA Cup.

FNQ Heat chairman Colin Daly said the “context” of the Aquis sponsorship, which expires in February, will be defined by their development approval. “We’re still very much in touch with them,” Daly told AAP.


FFA’s receptiveness to a Cairns bid is another matter. While the governing body might prefer teams in higher-density urban areas, it would be hard for them to turn away from Aquis’ riches and the opportunity for football to benefit from what is seen as a game-changing development.

Asked if, despite FFA’s clear desire for new teams in major cities, Cairns could support its own A-League team one day, Daly said: “I think it could, certainly at the NPL level and we’d like to think in time at an A-League level - and this is excluding Aquis.”

“If Aquis comes in it’s a laydown misere, they promise it all. I believe this region will become strong and will have more and more ability to do that provided we get the game right here and promote it well collectively.”

Aquis has also purchased resort and casino properties in Canberra and on the Gold Coast and followed those investments by sponsoring Super Rugby’s Brumbies and the NRL’s Titans with rich front-of-shirt deals.

It is understood A-League chief Damien de Bohun met with Aquis representatives last year during a visit to Cairns. Cairns mayor Cr Bob Manning is also pushing for a new rectangular stadium and intends to have one built by the end of his next term if he is re-elected next year.

[Jetmaster]

Yes..was talking to some guys through business about this plan six months ago. Includes an international standard airport to cater to the Asian market and phenomenal infrastructure plans.

[hawk]

North Qld monganaughts hate football.

[belchardo]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/spor...20-glrzk4.html

Gypos looking to sell some games to canberra.

[scarfy96]

Mullen may be back for Wanderers if not should be back for Victory

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/35...aders/?cs=2439

....

And Boogaard could be reunited in the heart of the defence with Daniel Mullen.

Mullen completed his first full training session on Tuesday since arthroscopic surgery on his knee six weeks ago.

The clash against Melbourne Victory at Hunter Stadium on January 3 had been earmarked for the defender’s return. However, the 26-year-old is ahead of schedule, and with an already thin Jets defence further stretched, he could be fast-tracked.

...

Mullen’s return would allow Lachlan Jackson to move to left back and the right-sided Nick Cowburn to switch to his natural side.

[evolution]

Found this article on the FourFourTwo forums... highlighted the important parts!

Socceroo James Troisi being chased by Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC ahead of transfer window

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...eb57dc1eedc239
Australia's James Troisi celebrates one of his goals during the Asian Cup. Picture: Brett Costello
ASIAN Cup hero James Troisi looks set to return to the A-League in the upcoming transfer window, with a tug of war looming between three title-chasing clubs.

Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Troisi’s former club Melbourne Victory are vying for his signature with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad prepared to release the attacker from his lucrative deal.

It’s understood that a change of ownership has played a part in the status of the Socceroo, who scored the extra-time winner against South Korea last January.

The same three A-League clubs were interested in pre-season before Troisi, who has been an unused substitute in recent weeks, accepted the massive Arab deal.

Former Manchester City and Celtic striker Georgios Samaras is being made available to A-League clubs and though he won’t come cheap, his Australian passport makes him attractive.

Socceroos defender Alex Wilkinson and Olyroos midfielder Steven Ugarkovic are free agents and ready-made additions to any squad.


Wilkinson, who’s been a regular under Ange Postecoglou, is exploring Asian options but would consider signing a longer-term A-League deal after a stellar stint in Asia.

Ugarkovic, who was yesterday selected in Aurelio Vidmar’s Olyroos squad for the upcoming Rio 2016 qualifiers, quit Croatian club Osijek over unpaid wages.

“He’s got a good engine, a good passer, gives everything he can. He’s a smart footballer and technically very good,’’ Vidmar said.

Fulham striker Adam Taggart, who was also picked by the Olyroos, Germany-based Kwame Yeboah and Dutch-based Adam Sarota are also seeking regular game-time and would be open to an A-League return of nothing eventuates in Europe.


Nick Kalmar remains on the market.
Former Melbourne City and Western Sydney midfielder Nick Kalmar remains on the market after a lucrative Asian deal recently fell through, while former Newcastle Jets striker Joel Griffiths is nearing a return and has a point to prove.

Another knee victim Nick Carle is still on the mend, while the likes of Massimo Murdocca, Troy Hearfield and Jonatan Germano, who’s stayed in Melbourne, are working hard and waiting patiently.

Former Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan is ineligible to play for an A-League club this season as he’s already been contracted to three clubs, hence he can only utilise an emergency loan to a fellow English club.

Brattan, who signed a four-year deal with Manchester City, is now training at Rotherham after finishing his loan with fellow Championship club Bolton.

Aside from fitting a new signing inside the salary cap, A-League clubs can sign players on a: Loan deal; guest stint or injury-replacement contract.

THE A-LEAGUE’S CHRISTMAS SHOPPING LIST

Players available ahead of the upcoming transfer window

1. James Troisi

Club: Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabi)

Age: 27 Position: Attacker

Troisi’s club is prepared to release him and A-League clubs are queuing up to sign the electrifying attacker, who’s won 26 Socceroos caps.

2. Georgios Samaras

Club: Free agent

Age: 30 Position: Striker/Attacker

Uncontracted since leaving West Brom, the former Manchester City and Celtic striker has an Australian passport and hasn’t yet retired from Greece’s national team.

3. Alex Wilkinson

Club: Free agent

Age: 31 Position: Defender

Left Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after three successful years at the Korean giants. The Socceroo is exploring Asian options but would consider an A-League deal.


Alex Wilkinson during a Socceroos training session. Picture: George Salpigtidis
4. Adam Taggart

Club: Fulham

Age: 22 Position: Striker

The striker has returned to Fulham after finishing his loan deal with Dundee United but is looking for another loan deal as he seeks permanent game-time.

5. Kwame Yeboah

Club: Borussia Moenchengladbach

Age: 21 Position: Attacker

The exciting attacker is not on the radar of the German club’s first team and may need a loan move to reignite his career.

6. Steven Ugarkovic

Club: Uncontracted

Age: 21 Position: Midfielder

An elegant defensive midfielder who’s just come on the market with his Croatian club Osijek owing him wages. Just picked for the Olyroos.

7. Adam Sarota

Club: FC Utrecht

Age: 26 Position: Midfielder

Banished by his Dutch club FC Utrecht but Sarota has the creativity several clubs are lacking in midfield.

8. Nick Kalmar

Club: Free agent

Age: 28 Position: Midfielder

The former Melbourne City and Western Sydney midfielder has the ability to walk into most struggling A-League clubs and make an instant impact.

9. Reinaldo

Club: Free agent

Age: 31 Position: Striker

The Brazilian-born former Brisbane Roar striker has an Australian passport and is here looking for a club after finishing his stint with Malaysians Sime Darby.

10. Joel Griffiths

Club: Free agent

Age: 36 Position: Striker

On the verge of full fitness after a knee reconstruction and despite his age, Griffiths has an eye for goal that very few possess. Could he be Australia’s Kevin Phillips?

[Retro Jet]

Found this article on the FourFourTwo forums... highlighted the important parts!

My bet is from that lot? We'll go for AW...ex Coastie....realtively old...non attacking etc.
Useless....