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The Roar

The Roar

Stuart Thomas

Expert

Joined January 2015

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Stuart Thomas is a sports writer, freelance journalist and copywriter who made the jump from Roar Guru to Expert in 2017. A former trainee professional golfer, his sporting passions are broad with particular interests in football, AFL and rugby league. His love of sport is only matched by his passion for gardening and self-sustainability. Follow him on Twitter @stuartthomas72, connect with him on Facebook and LinkedIn and see his work at https://www.stuartthomas.com.au

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Ooooft, the time is nigh. I’m off to the stadium. What a night this will be. Roar Editor Tony Harper will call the game tonight.

Gustavsson's gamble: Hold 'em against England, or go all in on Sam Kerr?

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Football
 
Today

I’ll call you shortly!

After making Matildas history, is Gustavsson really a master tactician?

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Football
 
3d

No. He is a very naughty boy!

After making Matildas history, is Gustavsson really a master tactician?

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Football
 
3d

You need to read the comment to which I was responding. Merely indicating that there is a different type of tackling in the AFL, far different from the collision game that league has become. The bump is more akin to that danger and likely to cause severe head injuries.

King Wally's CTE diagnosis shows why league must make major rule changes to protect players from themselves

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League
 
5d

What I’ve suggested is that despite tweaks, after the fact protocols and efforts to improve safety, it is perhaps major changes to the rule book that are required. In that sense, the game remains unchanged. ie number of players in tackles, 10 metre rule (yes, extended from 5) and tackles above the waist. I was alluding more to the rules of the game and apologies if I did not make that clear.

King Wally's CTE diagnosis shows why league must make major rule changes to protect players from themselves

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League
 
5d

I really enjoyed reading that. A brilliantly measured sequence of thoughts. We simply cannot allow these wonderful young men to be exposed to the dangers that we now know all too well.

King Wally's CTE diagnosis shows why league must make major rule changes to protect players from themselves

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League
 
5d

They may not have tackling in the same sense, but the ‘bump’ is frightful when it goes wrong and still not being punished harshly enough.

King Wally's CTE diagnosis shows why league must make major rule changes to protect players from themselves

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League
 
5d

Fair point Tempo and yes, there have been a few union decisions that seem a little too conservative, but perhaps that is where league needs to head. The current approach does not appear to be making much of a difference.

King Wally's CTE diagnosis shows why league must make major rule changes to protect players from themselves

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League
 
5d

This is something I mentioned somewhere a week or so back. I agree. Would be a hell of a tournament, with groups based in the three countries for the group phase and then a little travel required for the knockout. Putting together the bid might well be the hardest part of the entire exercise. Three reasonable federations could do it though.

'I’ll be supporting whoever plays against Australia': Are people engaging with the Women’s World Cup, or just along for the ride?

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Football
 
1w

I heard a stunning stat on the Adam and Symon show podcast a few months back where one of the most significant factors that drove young female players from sport was the uniform they were forced to wear. It was something like 50 per cent from memory. It really got me thinking. Symon was attempting to outfit the women’s Lacrosse team at his local club and the uniforms he ordered were hated by the players. He had no idea about fit and what women really like and feel comfortable in. A company stepped in and helped out with a great result. Definitely an aspect football needs to address in addition to your list above.

'I’ll be supporting whoever plays against Australia': Are people engaging with the Women’s World Cup, or just along for the ride?

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Football
 
1w

That’s why I love going to watch the women’s youth NPL competition on Sundays. Excellent young players and some as young as 15 and 16 playing in the under 20’s. So many players, big squads, plenty of parental support, excellent crowds and all played with a fiery yet pleasant spirit. Truly enjoyable mornings.

'I’ll be supporting whoever plays against Australia': Are people engaging with the Women’s World Cup, or just along for the ride?

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Football
 
1w

That was a telling comment on Optus. Sad that the majority of the players will head back to Europe and won’t get a Craig Goodwin like welcome back in the A-League. Still, I really think something has happened here, not sure where we end up but there is certainly a new way to look at football in Australia after the events of the last two World Cups.

'I’ll be supporting whoever plays against Australia': Are people engaging with the Women’s World Cup, or just along for the ride?

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Football
 
1w

Yep, all good ideas and the guest stints in the A-League is something I’ve pushed previously. It is simply wonderfully that we are building a culture of celebrating the A-Leagues and not denigrating them. I’ve been waiting so long for this and predicted the current crop would do something special on the men’s side. Change is a coming!

'I’ll be supporting whoever plays against Australia': Are people engaging with the Women’s World Cup, or just along for the ride?

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Football
 
1w

I was listening to the Richmond coach Andrew McQualter on AFL 360 last night and he said, “We play the hardest sport in the world.” Hard to discuss anything with someone with such an insular view. Great game in my view, but what a ridiculous thing to say.

'I’ll be supporting whoever plays against Australia': Are people engaging with the Women’s World Cup, or just along for the ride?

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Football
 
1w

Yes, I totally agree. A disgrace when it comes to both. But that has little to do with the point that Wilson needs to pull her head in and stop pretending to care about something she does not. We both agree on that and that her comments were pointless really.

This is the Matildas' biggest game yet. Can they hold their nerve?

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Football
 
1w

Because no-one involved deeply in football dared make such an arrogant comment as Wilson did. It is the equivalent of an A-League commentator or FA representative making comments about the AFL and giving them advice on what to do, despite having no knowledge of the sport at all. That is precisely what she has done.

This is the Matildas' biggest game yet. Can they hold their nerve?

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Football
 
1w

FIFA could learn how to run a competition with a horribly compromised draw. They could learn how to ineffectively drive racism and bigotry from some of their loyal fans in Australia. Players could learn how to simulate during matches more effectively, with players ducking and diving, lowering their heads and seeking free kicks. They could learn how to fail to stand alongside indigenous legends of the game and effectively make them feel unwelcome. They could learn how to run a mickey mouse women’s competition. They could learn how to hand down inconsistent judicial decisions that reek of bias. They could learn how to resist adequately addressing concussions and head injuries by still listening to some archaic views of past players. All this they could learn from the AFL. Personally, I love the game, am a club member and write about it but these issues are real, regardless of sporting preferences. I don’t think FIFA needs to learn anything from the AFL, nor Ms Wilson.

This is the Matildas' biggest game yet. Can they hold their nerve?

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Football
 
1w

Not sure I’ve ever read a suggestion that football “should be adopted and recognized as the sole national sport at a professional level.” That would indicate insanity and stupidity if anyone said that. I think people passionate about football just want a level playing field, where participation numbers are matched with investment and the potential of football’s future is backed rather than attempting to suck blood from a stone in colonial sports.

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w

That was a gripping night of football. When was the last time Italy and Brazil were booted from their groups on the same day?

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w

I’d prefer a women, Heather Garriock.

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w

Pretty sure we are talking about punctuation actually. 😁

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w

Excuse me? I’m an AFL member and love the game. All I’ve done is crack a joke about buying Marvel. Yeesh.

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w

The Albanese government has pledged $5.5 million in support of Papua New Guinea’s bid for the next NRL license.

Federal Minister for International Development Pat Conroy made the announcement during his visit to PNG this week and said the funds would be used to develop pathways programs.

“Talent identification and player development are a critical part of developing a competitive and sustainable PNG NRL team,” Conroy said.

There is no dispute over PNG’s ability to drum up support for an 18th team.

The country drew strong crowds to the annual Prime Ministers XIII match hosted before the COVID-19 pandemic and is the only United Nations member state that officially recognises rugby league as its national sport.

But financial backing and infrastructure had been viewed as stumbling blocks for PNG, who are likely to be competing for an NRL license with bids from Perth and Brisbane.

The Brisbane Tigers, also aiming to become the competition’s 18th team, have an elite training base, a reported $25m in cash reserves and a history dating back 100 years. Perthnow.com.au

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w

And every single patron at the matches and watching on television should have been offered a special discount for 2023/24 A-League membership, one that crosses both the male and female competitions. Three-match deals, six-match packages and full memberships. Every young woman should have been offered a $50 club membership, and players’ registration cards should give them access at the lowest junior rate possible. Mums and Dads to be offered packages to tag along with the kids as drivers.

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w

I wonder how much Gill wants for Marvel?

As the Matildas match the Socceroos’ World Cup effort, pride in Australian football is at an all-time high

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Football
 
2w
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