Broad Shoulders

I sort of agree with you to a degree. I think another good performance in this WC will do wonders again. However, I'm not sure it will be enough. For Aus to really get the football bug it will need a high quality domestic league and due to the country's distance from anywhere else I am doubtful it can ever achieve that. Even if the grass roots players start to come through and play well you can guarantee that the European teams will snap them up quick smart. For football to become an Aussie culture then I think football needs to become the national and number one sport. For that, they would need to knock cricket, NRL, AFL and Union off their perches and given that both cricket and NRL are considered to be the best domestic leagues in the world for their sports and the cult style following that AFL gets I can't see that happening.

ozzieeagle

The Asian Champions league is the Key, the other codes dont have international competition to that extent. It will be a long haul, I'm guesstimating it will take between 10 and 15 years and then only if Aus qualify for every world Cup. Gold Coast have spent a lot of money on enticing players here by Aussie Standards so the money will slowly seep through.

Aus is now 29th in the World on Fifa Rankings. The Change in perception of real football in this country since I arrived 30 years ago is already unbelievable.

One other point, Melbourne Victory are already bigger in terms of support than any NRL team and closing the gap on the AFL teams. On a Par with North Melbourne at present.

copa

I find the A-League too low quality to grab my attention ... and anyway I'm really starting to enjoy the more relaxed family friendly atmosphere at NRL and AFL games compared to football.

Also ... as a sports lover ... I'm also starting to like the fact that in global terms Australia has unique minority sporting cultures with its major sports. The wider sporting world would lose something unique if football became king and knocked the established NRL and AFL of their perches.

coolerkingcooler

We'll do our best to see some of Adelaide United when we move. When visiting friends in other states, I'll certainly try and see a few other teams.

Maybe not the premiership but not all of us support a premiership team anyway - well it's been a fair while for us.

Cooler

Broad Shoulders

Same here. But the problem is, the quality is like Div 2 football (if that) at Championship prices

coolerkingcooler

As my team are in the Championship, I'd see that as poor value.

But I still see as an occasional outing but I'm sure that the kids will often be doing something anyway

Cooler

ozzieeagle

Hmmm not sure about that one... It's 25 quid minimum to get into Palace if your not a season ticket holder. It's 25 bucks to walk up and get into Melbourne Victory... (or 50 bucks for 2 adults and 2 kids). Although I do agree with your views on the standard. The ultimate peak performance would be bottom of the Championship. So far this season I would be pushing it to say MV have managed a very average league one performance. They do have their moments though.



All 4 of us are members at MV for 330 bucks.... 14 home games.... and first option for finals including Australian national games.

dodge26

I think that is good value, like you say the price to go to Selhurst Park, which is a sub standard ground and the price you pay for a ticket is expensive but that might reflect in the London prices thing. Where I pay £30 a game which is alot but I'm a United fan so you do get real quality some of the time..

Hebe

the company my husband works for are one of the main sponsors for Melbourne Victory and so we go to a few matches - we went up to see the first match against North Queensland Fury a couple of weekends ago in Townsville and it was a wonderful weekend and we really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the stadium and match.

wednesfield wolf

As a Gold Coaster I have yet to go to the "Temple of Boom" to watch Gold Cosst United, I will however be there for the TItans in the home semi final leg before going back to blighty to watch the mighty (ahem) Wolverhampton Wanderers.

If want to watch good soccer, get Austar.

Or pay $40 for an adult and junior, with free public transport (bus or train) mingle with the away fans, especially the Kiwis when the Warriors come to town, and enjoy a trouble free, game. Where no-one falls over (unless they're punched) anfd the cheer leaders are more entertaining than the championship.

Go Titans.

sr71

As an aside, I think it will be a lot more popular next year in Melbourne with the new stadium opening (should see a big increase in supporter for Melbourne Storm games too). Apparently it should be very good for spectators and a true rectangular field rather than catering for athletics or AFL.

I also heard there was another Melbourne team planned for the A-League.

ozzieeagle

Yes Melbourne Heart start up next year with Veduka rumoured to be the marquee player.

Extremely bad news for MVictory last night with their most solid and loyal player allegedly refusing to play. Danny Allsop is reported to have a 7 figure deal on the Table from a Qatar club. Hope its bullsheet.

Just heard on the radio that Veduka is supposedly signing for West Ham... so who knows re next year.

Lord_Farquar

Danny Allsop got homesick in the UK and moved back to Aus. So I doubt he will go to Qatar.

stevenglish

I don't mind watching the 'A' league cos it reminds me of watching Ashford Town FC on a sunday afternoon, the salary cap will keep the A league at its current level as any star performers head straight for the big money.

One thing that does wind me up though is listening to Mark Bosnich commentating on the quality and standard of the premiership, all his contributions went up his nose the twat

Lord_Farquar

Mark Bosnich is away with the fairies most of the time.

His commentating is terrible and he seems to know bugger all about the game.