Yes, good evening, Welcome to yet another edition of the World Game. Great to have you here with us tonight, all thanks to Football Essay and the all new Cherry to Go for Pro. It's landed at Southern Cherry in time for kickoff and for Christmas and New Year twenty three to nine ninety drive away. I'm Sam Tugwell with me is the star of the show, Stephan Mark, our very own Adelaide United Superstar.

Yes, good evening, Welcome to yet another edition of the World Game. Great to have you here with us tonight, all thanks to Football Essay and the all new Cherry to Go for Pro. It's landed at Southern Cherry in time for kickoff and for Christmas and New Year twenty three to nine ninety drive away. I'm Sam Tugwell with me is the star of the show, Stephan Mark, our very own Adelaide United Superstar.

How are you, Steffan?

How are you, Steffan?

Yeah, I'm very very well.

Yeah, I'm very very well.

Nice and hot today, which is which is great if you're down at the beach. Maybe not so good if you're out there and play for training, but it's okay. We'll recover and our game's actually been pushed back in Newcastle, so we need to get used to the heat and humidity.

Nice and hot today, which is which is great if you're down at the beach. Maybe not so good if you're out there and play for training, but it's okay. We'll recover and our game's actually been pushed back in Newcastle, so we need to get used to the heat and humidity.

Oh mate, So.

Oh mate, So.

What you got told to train during the full heat today in the afternoon or what what was the go today?

What you got told to train during the full heat today in the afternoon or what what was the go today?

Yeah, we moved training thirty minutes forward at the start of this week. That was just going to happen anyway, but nothing extra for today's session, so I think they Yeah, they want us to train during the heat. Obviously there's going to be games and we're training in that, so it's yeah, it's never nice. And I guess that's the thing when you play in summer and you're in Australia, it seems to be it's only getting hotter as well.

Yeah, we moved training thirty minutes forward at the start of this week. That was just going to happen anyway, but nothing extra for today's session, so I think they Yeah, they want us to train during the heat. Obviously there's going to be games and we're training in that, so it's yeah, it's never nice. And I guess that's the thing when you play in summer and you're in Australia, it seems to be it's only getting hotter as well.

It's just part and past all of it.

It's just part and past all of it.

So it's it's terrible. But at the same time, I was actually thinking when we were doing our warm ups, imagine being the AFL doing their pre season runs time trials.

So it's it's terrible. But at the same time, I was actually thinking when we were doing our warm ups, imagine being the AFL doing their pre season runs time trials.

In the heat. Yeah, would be a disaster.

In the heat. Yeah, would be a disaster.

You just physically you can't do as well, and mentally, like you, you make so many more mistakes. You're fatigued quick obviously less oxygen going to the brain. You make silly mistakes and you think, why have I just done that? But you then keep making the same mistake because you're so fatigued. So definitely a much better day to be either inside with the ekon or at the beach.

You just physically you can't do as well, and mentally, like you, you make so many more mistakes. You're fatigued quick obviously less oxygen going to the brain. You make silly mistakes and you think, why have I just done that? But you then keep making the same mistake because you're so fatigued. So definitely a much better day to be either inside with the ekon or at the beach.

But it's part of the.

But it's part of the.

Job and hopefully we've yeah, we've benefited from that going over to Newcastle when we're used to these conditions and we'll.

Job and hopefully we've yeah, we've benefited from that going over to Newcastle when we're used to these conditions and we'll.

Get into that game. And I hope carlve had a few icy poles for you, like after training or something, at least for the Senate Viscentive. We've got a bit to talk about tonight's show, so of course the Matilda's last night.

Get into that game. And I hope carlve had a few icy poles for you, like after training or something, at least for the Senate Viscentive. We've got a bit to talk about tonight's show, so of course the Matilda's last night.

We'll get into a little bit later on.

We'll get into a little bit later on.

You might have watched that on Channel Team A good win for US three to one against Chinese Type A. Another friendly coming up on Saturday as well in this four game home stretch EPL in the morning as well, which will go through the Asian Champions League. A bit to talk about there, but as we always like to do, we want to start local. We want to start with our own and your very own reads and Adelaide United still not looking too shabby here in the start of the season. Five games in, three wins, two draws, so yet to be beaten at the stage. But taking a drawer against Perth Glory, I can only assume, Stefan, without you telling me your thoughts on the game, that you probably would have wanted to take some more points out.

You might have watched that on Channel Team A good win for US three to one against Chinese Type A. Another friendly coming up on Saturday as well in this four game home stretch EPL in the morning as well, which will go through the Asian Champions League. A bit to talk about there, but as we always like to do, we want to start local. We want to start with our own and your very own reads and Adelaide United still not looking too shabby here in the start of the season. Five games in, three wins, two draws, so yet to be beaten at the stage. But taking a drawer against Perth Glory, I can only assume, Stefan, without you telling me your thoughts on the game, that you probably would have wanted to take some more points out.

Of that one.

Of that one.

Yeah, I guess you look at the ladder and you're pretty happy. Well, five games into the season, three wins, two draws, most goals scored, Yeah, we've conceded a few, but.

Yeah, I guess you look at the ladder and you're pretty happy. Well, five games into the season, three wins, two draws, most goals scored, Yeah, we've conceded a few, but.

It's not too bad.

It's not too bad.

But then you know, Perth Glory at home who hadn't won yet, who struggling to score goals, and to come from one nil down to get two one up to then draw the game tour, I think was the most disappointing thing out of that first twenty twenty five minutes was probably our best performance. Obviously, you know, you can say Perth were poor, but I think the way we played, you know, we had the ball, we created a lot of chances that they didn't really even get into our half, but we didn't capitalize on it.

But then you know, Perth Glory at home who hadn't won yet, who struggling to score goals, and to come from one nil down to get two one up to then draw the game tour, I think was the most disappointing thing out of that first twenty twenty five minutes was probably our best performance. Obviously, you know, you can say Perth were poor, but I think the way we played, you know, we had the ball, we created a lot of chances that they didn't really even get into our half, but we didn't capitalize on it.

I had the shot from the edge of the box that just missed. Bart Ryan's had his goal that was disallowed.

I had the shot from the edge of the box that just missed. Bart Ryan's had his goal that was disallowed.

Ben Flami had a couple where he was kind of you know, there and there abouts, and you know, I think if we score one of those, and it's very easy to say now hypothetically, but I think if we scored early, that game could have been three, four, five nil, just with the momentum we had and obviously Perth being you know, low on confidence, but you know, when they did score that first one, tags popped up.

Ben Flami had a couple where he was kind of you know, there and there abouts, and you know, I think if we score one of those, and it's very easy to say now hypothetically, but I think if we scored early, that game could have been three, four, five nil, just with the momentum we had and obviously Perth being you know, low on confidence, but you know, when they did score that first one, tags popped up.

Probably a little bit of a mistake from us.

Probably a little bit of a mistake from us.

Just going into halftime and one nil disappointing, but we come out straight away, We go to one up with a quick fire goal from from Clough and then from Barveren's at the back. Finally got on the score sheet and you're thinking, all right, now we're going to run away with it, and then Tags pops up at a gall and you can say it was maybe poor defending. There was definitely elements we obviously looked at it, but Taggs his body, body positioning, his movement, his striker now, so just knowing where the bull's going to be. I think that's why I would call him the best striker in the league, because he is going to Whether he scores the chances, that's another story obviously, but he's going to create those chances for himself just with his movement, and he did that. He scores off the post, and then we probably struggled in the last twenty minutes just to create enough clear cut chances, which was probably the most disappointing thing. When you're at home, you want it to be going for it, and we probably didn't show enough urgency.

Just going into halftime and one nil disappointing, but we come out straight away, We go to one up with a quick fire goal from from Clough and then from Barveren's at the back. Finally got on the score sheet and you're thinking, all right, now we're going to run away with it, and then Tags pops up at a gall and you can say it was maybe poor defending. There was definitely elements we obviously looked at it, but Taggs his body, body positioning, his movement, his striker now, so just knowing where the bull's going to be. I think that's why I would call him the best striker in the league, because he is going to Whether he scores the chances, that's another story obviously, but he's going to create those chances for himself just with his movement, and he did that. He scores off the post, and then we probably struggled in the last twenty minutes just to create enough clear cut chances, which was probably the most disappointing thing. When you're at home, you want it to be going for it, and we probably didn't show enough urgency.

Perth were happy with the draw.

Perth were happy with the draw.

But you know, in saying that, I don't want to be too disappointed and sound too upset about it because we're still undefeated.

But you know, in saying that, I don't want to be too disappointed and sound too upset about it because we're still undefeated.

To start the season.

To start the season.

We got away to Newcastle this week with another big chance to take maximum points and we're sitting third. We've played a game less than victory and they're two points ahead of us, so if we win that game in hand, we got above them into inter second place. And Auckland are flying obviously with five wins and five clean sheets, so they're the benchmark at the moment. But I think overall we're sitting pretty good.

We got away to Newcastle this week with another big chance to take maximum points and we're sitting third. We've played a game less than victory and they're two points ahead of us, so if we win that game in hand, we got above them into inter second place. And Auckland are flying obviously with five wins and five clean sheets, so they're the benchmark at the moment. But I think overall we're sitting pretty good.

Yeah, it's not too bad.

Yeah, it's not too bad.

I've got to ask though, considering you have played all the bottom six teams to start the season, so at this point you've still got another couple of teams who are around that lower order of the ladder at the moment, before you really do hit a tough patch coming up in the probably next four or five weeks where you play a lot of the teams in the top half of the competition, do you feel like you're preparing yourself for those right challenges coming up in a few weeks time when you will face the beast in the comp.

I've got to ask though, considering you have played all the bottom six teams to start the season, so at this point you've still got another couple of teams who are around that lower order of the ladder at the moment, before you really do hit a tough patch coming up in the probably next four or five weeks where you play a lot of the teams in the top half of the competition, do you feel like you're preparing yourself for those right challenges coming up in a few weeks time when you will face the beast in the comp.

Yeah, I think you know, like we obviously at the start of the season, when you're looking at your fixtures, you know, we thought, all right, we've got central Coast first up, reigning champions, so you're expecting that to be a really big game. Western Sydney we're round two, who you know, just brought in one mutter. They're always one of the biggest spenders. Away from home is tough, you know, So we're thinking there's two very difficult games to start off with. Obviously, it's the way this season's panned out. Those teams we've played against are all kind of lower rank teams at the moment, but the table can change very quickly, and I think we just looked more so at our performances and on the flip side, when we play the teams that are better. We played Western Sydney again in the Cup. We played victory in the Cup. We lost obviously one Niel to victory, but we played that was probably one of our best games, even including the season game. So I think we lift when we play against better teams. When teams try and play football and press us high, it suits the way we want to play, rather than teams just dropping back and defending, which has happened against some of these lower rank sides. So I'm excited. It doesn't really matter who you play, and I think in the a league this season. Maybe there's going to be a few teams that are a little bit lower than the rest, but I reckon the top ten. I don't think there's going to be a whole lot in it, to be honest. Yeah, maybe there will be a few that always drop down and once you start losing, you lose that confidence, and they'll probably be closer obviously to the bottom than the rest of them.

Yeah, I think you know, like we obviously at the start of the season, when you're looking at your fixtures, you know, we thought, all right, we've got central Coast first up, reigning champions, so you're expecting that to be a really big game. Western Sydney we're round two, who you know, just brought in one mutter. They're always one of the biggest spenders. Away from home is tough, you know, So we're thinking there's two very difficult games to start off with. Obviously, it's the way this season's panned out. Those teams we've played against are all kind of lower rank teams at the moment, but the table can change very quickly, and I think we just looked more so at our performances and on the flip side, when we play the teams that are better. We played Western Sydney again in the Cup. We played victory in the Cup. We lost obviously one Niel to victory, but we played that was probably one of our best games, even including the season game. So I think we lift when we play against better teams. When teams try and play football and press us high, it suits the way we want to play, rather than teams just dropping back and defending, which has happened against some of these lower rank sides. So I'm excited. It doesn't really matter who you play, and I think in the a league this season. Maybe there's going to be a few teams that are a little bit lower than the rest, but I reckon the top ten. I don't think there's going to be a whole lot in it, to be honest. Yeah, maybe there will be a few that always drop down and once you start losing, you lose that confidence, and they'll probably be closer obviously to the bottom than the rest of them.

But I think first to tenth.

But I think first to tenth.

At least first to eight, I reckon they're going to be very close, and all eight teams will be fighting for first place, and if you make finals, I think it's going to be anyone's game. There's the long, long way to go before that point. But at the moment, I don't see one team being miles better than the rest.

At least first to eight, I reckon they're going to be very close, and all eight teams will be fighting for first place, and if you make finals, I think it's going to be anyone's game. There's the long, long way to go before that point. But at the moment, I don't see one team being miles better than the rest.

Yeah, that's a good assessment so far with the league's that so as you say, there's a challenge ahead of you in Newcastle this Saturday. So what are we expecting from this side who've just got the one win from their five games this year.

Yeah, that's a good assessment so far with the league's that so as you say, there's a challenge ahead of you in Newcastle this Saturday. So what are we expecting from this side who've just got the one win from their five games this year.

Yeah, Well, they've got a lot of young players. I think that's that's the model they've gone down. They've finally got new owners at the start of this season or in the offseason, so there hasn't been a massive amount of cash going into the club to say, oh, we're going to buy three or four players or bring in players on big contracts.

Yeah, Well, they've got a lot of young players. I think that's that's the model they've gone down. They've finally got new owners at the start of this season or in the offseason, so there hasn't been a massive amount of cash going into the club to say, oh, we're going to buy three or four players or bring in players on big contracts.

But they do have some dangerous players.

But they do have some dangerous players.

Eli Adams, who's come across from Melbourne Victory, scored a couple of goals and I think he's looked really strong. Costa Grozos in the midfield, he's someone that's gotten better and better each season and I think we just need to be careful of them with their I'm not saying direct players in there going long over the top and not trying to play out, but you know quick restarts, you know when they get the ball off us, they look to go very quickly up there and similar to Perth Glory, and we have to be wary of that. They do have a little bit of quality and that attacking third. But I think with the way we want to play, and we've obviously watched their videos, we know what we can do well. If if we can dominate the game similar to what we did against Perth Glory, we should be able to keep a lot of possession against them. The biggest thing is is we need to kill them like that's you know, I know it's easy to say, you know, but you need a score when you're on top, you need to score and the're not just one, but you need to score two and three and four because you know, you go one nil up or even if it's new, new and dominating, all it takes is one quick canter and your one niel down. It gives them energy, where if you go two nil three nil it kills their enthusiasm. And we as a team to take that next step in maturity, I think we need to.

Eli Adams, who's come across from Melbourne Victory, scored a couple of goals and I think he's looked really strong. Costa Grozos in the midfield, he's someone that's gotten better and better each season and I think we just need to be careful of them with their I'm not saying direct players in there going long over the top and not trying to play out, but you know quick restarts, you know when they get the ball off us, they look to go very quickly up there and similar to Perth Glory, and we have to be wary of that. They do have a little bit of quality and that attacking third. But I think with the way we want to play, and we've obviously watched their videos, we know what we can do well. If if we can dominate the game similar to what we did against Perth Glory, we should be able to keep a lot of possession against them. The biggest thing is is we need to kill them like that's you know, I know it's easy to say, you know, but you need a score when you're on top, you need to score and the're not just one, but you need to score two and three and four because you know, you go one nil up or even if it's new, new and dominating, all it takes is one quick canter and your one niel down. It gives them energy, where if you go two nil three nil it kills their enthusiasm. And we as a team to take that next step in maturity, I think we need to.

We need to do that.

We need to do that.

I think teams like Sydney FC and Victory in Auckland even you know, they've shown that they're really stern. They're hard to beat in a lot of games they've played, and we need to kind of get that resilience back and not concede too many soft goals.

I think teams like Sydney FC and Victory in Auckland even you know, they've shown that they're really stern. They're hard to beat in a lot of games they've played, and we need to kind of get that resilience back and not concede too many soft goals.

Yeah, good assessment again.

Yeah, good assessment again.

So that game Saturday, you can watch it from five point thirty pm. Of course away from home. The next two games are away from home in fact, so the next home game is December twenty against Sydney FC. So we wait for that game here in town. But all thanks to City Discount tis Port Adelaide if you want to get along to that nixt home game against Sydney FC, which is a few weeks out, a double two to three, double double five, a double pass. We love to get you into the grand stand, all thanks to the team with the very best advice and price on tires and mechanical City Discount tires Port Adelaide, great friends of the show and great supporters of Adelaide United. So calling now if you want that double. Let's quickly look around the grounds from the A League last weekend. Any results that popped out to your stepfan and any weekend games coming.

So that game Saturday, you can watch it from five point thirty pm. Of course away from home. The next two games are away from home in fact, so the next home game is December twenty against Sydney FC. So we wait for that game here in town. But all thanks to City Discount tis Port Adelaide if you want to get along to that nixt home game against Sydney FC, which is a few weeks out, a double two to three, double double five, a double pass. We love to get you into the grand stand, all thanks to the team with the very best advice and price on tires and mechanical City Discount tires Port Adelaide, great friends of the show and great supporters of Adelaide United. So calling now if you want that double. Let's quickly look around the grounds from the A League last weekend. Any results that popped out to your stepfan and any weekend games coming.

Up that we like to be watching.

Up that we like to be watching.

Yeah, well, I think probably from the weekend that just went by. The biggest result again was Auckland winning too. That's five games, five wins, five clean sheets and a lot of a lot of goals. I think it's after the seventy seventy fifth minutes. So normally a new team coming in they struggle a little bit at the start and as the season goes on they get better.

Yeah, well, I think probably from the weekend that just went by. The biggest result again was Auckland winning too. That's five games, five wins, five clean sheets and a lot of a lot of goals. I think it's after the seventy seventy fifth minutes. So normally a new team coming in they struggle a little bit at the start and as the season goes on they get better.

But I hope they.

But I hope they.

Don't get too much better because imagine they go the whole season by not conceding a goal and winning every game.

Don't get too much better because imagine they go the whole season by not conceding a goal and winning every game.

That would be quite you can't.

That would be quite you can't.

But they've got the New Zealand Derby again, which on a side topic, I think you know where maybe the derbies are coming too quick. I think we need a space them out a little bit more. Same with the Sydney one and the Melbourne ones, like they're the biggest games. Give them a bit of breathing time. But they've sold it out. They've actually increased the capacity for that game. Really, they've added an extra two hundred or three hundred odd tickets, which I believe takes the capacity to one extra person compared to what Wellington had at their home game against Auckland a couple of weeks back.

But they've got the New Zealand Derby again, which on a side topic, I think you know where maybe the derbies are coming too quick. I think we need a space them out a little bit more. Same with the Sydney one and the Melbourne ones, like they're the biggest games. Give them a bit of breathing time. But they've sold it out. They've actually increased the capacity for that game. Really, they've added an extra two hundred or three hundred odd tickets, which I believe takes the capacity to one extra person compared to what Wellington had at their home game against Auckland a couple of weeks back.

So they're winning on the tap.

So they're winning on the tap.

They've beat them in their first game and now they want to beat them with the biggest crowd.

They've beat them in their first game and now they want to beat them with the biggest crowd.

So great.

So great.

I think that rivalry is being unbelievable for the league, for the interest and it goes to show We've said it before, but if you are bringing in new teams and you get the right owner, you get the right infrastructure, you know it can bring a lot to the league and that's what Auckland FC have done. So I'm really excited for us to play against them. I think we played them here first before we go there, but that's going to be really interesting. And then the other result that was probably the craziest game of the weekend, which was the one on Channel ten that the primetime game MacArthur be Brisbane raw for four, an absolute thriller and Brisbane probably thought they were two nil up, you know, we've got this in the bag, ended up going to two two, then they were three two up, then four to three down and ended up equalizing it with an a goal, something that you know, I think again, if MacArthur were playing in a stadium that was better suited for him, you had a few more people there, the excitement level would be so much because the quality of that game was ridiculous. Some great goals, obviously a few own goals, which is always good to see, but eight goals.

I think that rivalry is being unbelievable for the league, for the interest and it goes to show We've said it before, but if you are bringing in new teams and you get the right owner, you get the right infrastructure, you know it can bring a lot to the league and that's what Auckland FC have done. So I'm really excited for us to play against them. I think we played them here first before we go there, but that's going to be really interesting. And then the other result that was probably the craziest game of the weekend, which was the one on Channel ten that the primetime game MacArthur be Brisbane raw for four, an absolute thriller and Brisbane probably thought they were two nil up, you know, we've got this in the bag, ended up going to two two, then they were three two up, then four to three down and ended up equalizing it with an a goal, something that you know, I think again, if MacArthur were playing in a stadium that was better suited for him, you had a few more people there, the excitement level would be so much because the quality of that game was ridiculous. Some great goals, obviously a few own goals, which is always good to see, but eight goals.

In a match is what you want.

In a match is what you want.

Yeah, So hopefully Brisbane can build on that because, yeah, they're yet to win a game, and as we've said, we do have a few ex Adelaide United players there, so we want them to do well, not too well, but we don't want them to go undefeated or not winning a game, sorry for the whole season. And they play Melbourne City this Friday night, so it's a good chance for them to bounce back. As I said that, the New Zealand Derby is the game I think of the round, so that's the matches that I would be tuning into. Obviously US against Newcastle Jets has been pushed back, but I think that's that's a that's a big game for us. You know, we win, hopefully Auckland lose and then we get within one point of.

Yeah, So hopefully Brisbane can build on that because, yeah, they're yet to win a game, and as we've said, we do have a few ex Adelaide United players there, so we want them to do well, not too well, but we don't want them to go undefeated or not winning a game, sorry for the whole season. And they play Melbourne City this Friday night, so it's a good chance for them to bounce back. As I said that, the New Zealand Derby is the game I think of the round, so that's the matches that I would be tuning into. Obviously US against Newcastle Jets has been pushed back, but I think that's that's a that's a big game for us. You know, we win, hopefully Auckland lose and then we get within one point of.

Them, that would be very handy. Indeed, let's get to a break here on the World Game. We have plenty more coming up on the other side of this. We're going to talk Matilda's from last night when they knocked off Chinese type A three to one. We're going to talk about it a bit about the state of the game in Australia as well, and we'll go through some of the results in the Asian Champions League and the English Premier League as well. This is the World Game with Stephen Mark. Welcome back to the World Game. All thanks to Football Say and the all new Cherry to Go for Pro. It's landed at Southern Cherry in time for kickoff twenty three to nine to ninety Drive away some great value there. Before we get onto any of the Premier League and of course the results from the Asian Champions League.

Them, that would be very handy. Indeed, let's get to a break here on the World Game. We have plenty more coming up on the other side of this. We're going to talk Matilda's from last night when they knocked off Chinese type A three to one. We're going to talk about it a bit about the state of the game in Australia as well, and we'll go through some of the results in the Asian Champions League and the English Premier League as well. This is the World Game with Stephen Mark. Welcome back to the World Game. All thanks to Football Say and the all new Cherry to Go for Pro. It's landed at Southern Cherry in time for kickoff twenty three to nine to ninety Drive away some great value there. Before we get onto any of the Premier League and of course the results from the Asian Champions League.

Let's talk about Amtilda's our.

Let's talk about Amtilda's our.

Australian side on the track here on Home Soul for the third time in a week, and this time winners. Because we went down to Brazil two times in a row, we weren't able to score more than a goal in each of those games. But last night three to one winners over at Chinese Taipei and great to see that result in Melbourne ashead of the second matchup in Geelong in only a couple of days on Saturday night, Stephan, did you get a watch of this one?

Australian side on the track here on Home Soul for the third time in a week, and this time winners. Because we went down to Brazil two times in a row, we weren't able to score more than a goal in each of those games. But last night three to one winners over at Chinese Taipei and great to see that result in Melbourne ashead of the second matchup in Geelong in only a couple of days on Saturday night, Stephan, did you get a watch of this one?

Yeah? I did.

Yeah? I did.

I saw.

I saw.

I saw bits and pieces of this one as I was putting my son to bed, and I think it's great that they've just won. I know, obviously the opposition probably was someone that you really would expect us to win against, but after going quite a few games without winning, I think we just did need to win a game. As basic as that as that sounds, you know, you you get confidence from winning games, and we had a lot of new players that were actually playing in this game. So the coach who's the interim coach, Tom Somani has has kind of said he wanted to give some younger players chances. This was the perfect game for it, so he's rested. You know, Steph Cutlee and Caitlin Ford and Kyra Koney Cross some of the real I guess players that have been the ones that were the stars. Sam Kurz obviously still injured Mary Fowler, so we were missing a lot. So it was great that we still were able to win and to see people like Natasha pryor Shan Fryer and Briley Henry to get on the score sheet was great. But overall, I think the it's an interesting one where the comments from the coach that were I think prior to this game around the lack of planning from the previous coach, Tony gustads And is quite interesting because he came out during his tenure and said that he wanted to create depth. He wanted to create a talent pool of multiple players in different positions, so you know, in the World Cup at home, they were able to handle if there was injuries or changing players and not just relying on the same ones. And then you've got obviously the interim coach coming in now and kind of having a swipe, And there's probably two elements to it. I find it really strange that the Matildas, who are probably I would say the biggest football definitely the biggest football team in Australia, but I would say the biggest sporting team in Australia right now, even with you know, some of their losses. You know, they've sold out multiple games. They keep selling out games, so the fans love them. Why haven't they got a permanent coach. Why has it taken so long? And even though they're only playing friendly games. I think you need to have someone in there that can start planning for the next World Cup, the next Asian Cup, because the more time you have, the better it is, and they can come in and say, okay, this is where we're really lacking. So to have an interim coaching for this amount of time I think is strange. And that then leads us to the second point of obviously not saying there's a big crisis. You know, everybody always says there's crisis in Australian football and.

I saw bits and pieces of this one as I was putting my son to bed, and I think it's great that they've just won. I know, obviously the opposition probably was someone that you really would expect us to win against, but after going quite a few games without winning, I think we just did need to win a game. As basic as that as that sounds, you know, you you get confidence from winning games, and we had a lot of new players that were actually playing in this game. So the coach who's the interim coach, Tom Somani has has kind of said he wanted to give some younger players chances. This was the perfect game for it, so he's rested. You know, Steph Cutlee and Caitlin Ford and Kyra Koney Cross some of the real I guess players that have been the ones that were the stars. Sam Kurz obviously still injured Mary Fowler, so we were missing a lot. So it was great that we still were able to win and to see people like Natasha pryor Shan Fryer and Briley Henry to get on the score sheet was great. But overall, I think the it's an interesting one where the comments from the coach that were I think prior to this game around the lack of planning from the previous coach, Tony gustads And is quite interesting because he came out during his tenure and said that he wanted to create depth. He wanted to create a talent pool of multiple players in different positions, so you know, in the World Cup at home, they were able to handle if there was injuries or changing players and not just relying on the same ones. And then you've got obviously the interim coach coming in now and kind of having a swipe, And there's probably two elements to it. I find it really strange that the Matildas, who are probably I would say the biggest football definitely the biggest football team in Australia, but I would say the biggest sporting team in Australia right now, even with you know, some of their losses. You know, they've sold out multiple games. They keep selling out games, so the fans love them. Why haven't they got a permanent coach. Why has it taken so long? And even though they're only playing friendly games. I think you need to have someone in there that can start planning for the next World Cup, the next Asian Cup, because the more time you have, the better it is, and they can come in and say, okay, this is where we're really lacking. So to have an interim coaching for this amount of time I think is strange. And that then leads us to the second point of obviously not saying there's a big crisis. You know, everybody always says there's crisis in Australian football and.

The state of the game is a disaster. I don't think it's a disaster.

The state of the game is a disaster. I don't think it's a disaster.

But I think we are at a point now where we're seeing similar to what we saw probably in the two thousand and six Golden Generation, which we you know, we talk about a lot for the male players.

But I think we are at a point now where we're seeing similar to what we saw probably in the two thousand and six Golden Generation, which we you know, we talk about a lot for the male players.

We've had this golden generation for the Matildas.

We've had this golden generation for the Matildas.

Are the other countries getting better because of the investment into football or are our players that are coming through not good enough? Yeah, and it probably could be a combination of both. But at the same time, if we want to still be competing for World Cups like with the men, it's very hard for us to do that. It's it's so difficult for the females. And what we saw with the Matilda's at this last one very close. We were there and thereabouts you know that we easily could have been in the final and you know, you win that game, you're in the final. Anything can happen. We want to keep getting better, not obviously getting worse. And I think this is where Football Australia needs to see, all right, who are the next ones coming through? Who is the next Samker? Obviously Mary Fowler young, great, she's coming through, but who are the players that are actually going to support her? And Kyra Cooney Cross and Charlie grant because there's going to come a time where these you know, polkinghorns are tired. You know, obviously Michelle Hayman, she's you know, getting on. She's actually come back in and been an unbelievable form. Is that Is that a good thing that we've got, you know, someone that old coming back into the setup or is it actually disappointing that we don't have a young striker better than her, because you know, I think we want a better player that's younger, that's pushing her. Yes, but you want to take the younger one because you've got more of a chance in her getting better, making a move overseas. But instead, you know, you're having to pick Michelle Hayman and Chloe Lagazo for example, a lot of inies.

Are the other countries getting better because of the investment into football or are our players that are coming through not good enough? Yeah, and it probably could be a combination of both. But at the same time, if we want to still be competing for World Cups like with the men, it's very hard for us to do that. It's it's so difficult for the females. And what we saw with the Matilda's at this last one very close. We were there and thereabouts you know that we easily could have been in the final and you know, you win that game, you're in the final. Anything can happen. We want to keep getting better, not obviously getting worse. And I think this is where Football Australia needs to see, all right, who are the next ones coming through? Who is the next Samker? Obviously Mary Fowler young, great, she's coming through, but who are the players that are actually going to support her? And Kyra Cooney Cross and Charlie grant because there's going to come a time where these you know, polkinghorns are tired. You know, obviously Michelle Hayman, she's you know, getting on. She's actually come back in and been an unbelievable form. Is that Is that a good thing that we've got, you know, someone that old coming back into the setup or is it actually disappointing that we don't have a young striker better than her, because you know, I think we want a better player that's younger, that's pushing her. Yes, but you want to take the younger one because you've got more of a chance in her getting better, making a move overseas. But instead, you know, you're having to pick Michelle Hayman and Chloe Lagazo for example, a lot of inies.

She's come back into the setup.

She's come back into the setup.

Not because she's not a good player, obviously, I'm not saying that at all, But you want a young player to say, no, no, I am the next Clohiler. Guys so, and I'm younger and I can run more and I want it more. But you know you're still bringing in these older players who are quality players. But is that because there's a lack of depth and that's the question.

Not because she's not a good player, obviously, I'm not saying that at all, But you want a young player to say, no, no, I am the next Clohiler. Guys so, and I'm younger and I can run more and I want it more. But you know you're still bringing in these older players who are quality players. But is that because there's a lack of depth and that's the question.

It's a great question you pose, and I'm sure the thoughts of our listeners out there are along similar lines. I can relate this very similarly to the Australian cricket team in the way they are currently set up, because you've got this team who are at least in the cricket since they're all world champions and a lot of areas in the common they've got the same personnel for years and years, almost a decade, where they just haven't been relinquishing their spots in the team because they've been that good. Now, the Matildas haven't been world champces, but they've been around the mark for a long time as a really.

It's a great question you pose, and I'm sure the thoughts of our listeners out there are along similar lines. I can relate this very similarly to the Australian cricket team in the way they are currently set up, because you've got this team who are at least in the cricket since they're all world champions and a lot of areas in the common they've got the same personnel for years and years, almost a decade, where they just haven't been relinquishing their spots in the team because they've been that good. Now, the Matildas haven't been world champces, but they've been around the mark for a long time as a really.

Top side in the world.

Top side in the world.

And for them, they've got a whole host of players here who have earned the right, as have the cricketers, and that's why I think they go on for so much longer, and it sort of stints the development of the group coming through. You don't actually sort of slowly with them into the team. You actually hold them out because these stars are so good and they deserve every crack at being able to win every game they possibly can in the big tournaments or any sort of matchup because they have the ability to win and this is a once in a generation like team, so you don't want to not put them on the park when you have the chance to play them. So I wonder if that's you take the good with the bad. You try to go for those big wins and results now while you've got this team together. But that just affects what comes next. And I wonder what you what do we want more?

And for them, they've got a whole host of players here who have earned the right, as have the cricketers, and that's why I think they go on for so much longer, and it sort of stints the development of the group coming through. You don't actually sort of slowly with them into the team. You actually hold them out because these stars are so good and they deserve every crack at being able to win every game they possibly can in the big tournaments or any sort of matchup because they have the ability to win and this is a once in a generation like team, so you don't want to not put them on the park when you have the chance to play them. So I wonder if that's you take the good with the bad. You try to go for those big wins and results now while you've got this team together. But that just affects what comes next. And I wonder what you what do we want more?

Yeah? And that's and I think, you know, you want to get to a point where you know, you look at the powerhouses let's say Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina.

Yeah? And that's and I think, you know, you want to get to a point where you know, you look at the powerhouses let's say Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina.

They never drop they never drop off.

They never drop they never drop off.

So that means, you know, looking at it from the far, I obviously don't work for Football Australia or even Football South Australia. I don't know exactly the pathway. I don't know the things that they've got set up. I'm sure there is a lot of planning that goes into it, and it's very hard in Australia to do a lot because the country is so big.

So that means, you know, looking at it from the far, I obviously don't work for Football Australia or even Football South Australia. I don't know exactly the pathway. I don't know the things that they've got set up. I'm sure there is a lot of planning that goes into it, and it's very hard in Australia to do a lot because the country is so big.

I get that.

I get that.

But if we've created, you know, these players that are so good, well why are they so good? And we need to then obviously look to replicate that for the next generation coming through, so it keeps on happening.

But if we've created, you know, these players that are so good, well why are they so good? And we need to then obviously look to replicate that for the next generation coming through, so it keeps on happening.

So you know, if someone does drop off in form.

So you know, if someone does drop off in form.

You don't have to keep picking the player because there miles ahead of anyone else. Or if you know someone gets to an agent, you think you know what they're slowing down. Let's just pick the next Sam Kerk coming through. Instead of rushing her to get back from her ACL. We can actually give her the time because we don't need her because we've got these.

You don't have to keep picking the player because there miles ahead of anyone else. Or if you know someone gets to an agent, you think you know what they're slowing down. Let's just pick the next Sam Kerk coming through. Instead of rushing her to get back from her ACL. We can actually give her the time because we don't need her because we've got these.

Other players coming through.

Other players coming through.

And on X I was vocal with the Champions League result with Central Coast, and I'm not saying Central Coast are a horrible team. If anything, I was saying the complete opposite. It was so good to see Yokohama Marinos, who was coached by John Hutchinson, an Ozzie X Mariner, which was great for him.

And on X I was vocal with the Champions League result with Central Coast, and I'm not saying Central Coast are a horrible team. If anything, I was saying the complete opposite. It was so good to see Yokohama Marinos, who was coached by John Hutchinson, an Ozzie X Mariner, which was great for him.

I'm sure to return to Gosford there.

I'm sure to return to Gosford there.

But the Japanese players are so good and those players aren't even in the national team, but I think any of those players would get called up to our national team. And the depth that they've got, what they've created in their pathway. They have this plan, this one hundred year plan, and I'm not saying we don't have a plan in Australia, but I don't really know exactly what it is. I don't know how we plan to actually get more kids, not just playing football. I think playing football that's never been an issue. The data came out recently of it's the most participated sport by a lot.

But the Japanese players are so good and those players aren't even in the national team, but I think any of those players would get called up to our national team. And the depth that they've got, what they've created in their pathway. They have this plan, this one hundred year plan, and I'm not saying we don't have a plan in Australia, but I don't really know exactly what it is. I don't know how we plan to actually get more kids, not just playing football. I think playing football that's never been an issue. The data came out recently of it's the most participated sport by a lot.

It's not even close.

It's not even close.

The other codes can't even come close to us with that. But how do we get the lowest player, how do we get their level higher so it actually improves that baseline because in Australia, I think we've got a big drop off from your best players in your junior NPL or local league clubs to your worst player.

The other codes can't even come close to us with that. But how do we get the lowest player, how do we get their level higher so it actually improves that baseline because in Australia, I think we've got a big drop off from your best players in your junior NPL or local league clubs to your worst player.

You could say, and to be honest, you need.

You could say, and to be honest, you need.

Your lowest player to be pushing the highest players. And that's what you get in these other nations where you've got world class academies. That's the secret thing. How do we improve all players, not just the best ones. We need to improve all players because it's something that I think is going to catch up to us.

Your lowest player to be pushing the highest players. And that's what you get in these other nations where you've got world class academies. That's the secret thing. How do we improve all players, not just the best ones. We need to improve all players because it's something that I think is going to catch up to us.

Obviously it's already caught up to us.

Obviously it's already caught up to us.

With the men's and how good the other Asian countries are, but world football in general, but Asian countries especially it's going to happen with the women's as well. They're going to want to invest money into that. The rest of the world is going to invest money, you know, France, Italy, Spain, England and Argentina, Brazil. Even once you get the African countries, who are powerhouses in the men's, once they start investing into.

With the men's and how good the other Asian countries are, but world football in general, but Asian countries especially it's going to happen with the women's as well. They're going to want to invest money into that. The rest of the world is going to invest money, you know, France, Italy, Spain, England and Argentina, Brazil. Even once you get the African countries, who are powerhouses in the men's, once they start investing into.

It as well, you know they're going to be unbelievable. And then where do we sit in the pecking order? Do we get happy with making World Cups again?

It as well, you know they're going to be unbelievable. And then where do we sit in the pecking order? Do we get happy with making World Cups again?

Like it's similar with the men's where just our aim is to make a World Cup. I don't think that's good enough for this current Matilda's team, and that's what we should be planning for for the future.

Like it's similar with the men's where just our aim is to make a World Cup. I don't think that's good enough for this current Matilda's team, and that's what we should be planning for for the future.

All Right, We are just about at a time in the show.

All Right, We are just about at a time in the show.

I wish we had time for this conversation to continue, but we are getting close to the news. Just want to quick mention for you because I know you're a big Gunners fan too. You win over at man you and the first time ever that they've won four games straight over Manchester United, you'd be pretty thrilled.

I wish we had time for this conversation to continue, but we are getting close to the news. Just want to quick mention for you because I know you're a big Gunners fan too. You win over at man you and the first time ever that they've won four games straight over Manchester United, you'd be pretty thrilled.

Yeah, I was very very happy this morning.

Yeah, I was very very happy this morning.

And it's funny because I don't even know if i'd classify as man you know, as a big team anymore. So it wasn't a massive game for us. They're sitting in eleventh, but we still had to get the job done. We had a few players out and I was just as happy to see Liverpool drop some points away to Newcastle, so the gap goes to seven points and the wills are falling off over there. They've got a Merseyside derby against Everton this Saturday, so it's going to be a very very exciting one and yeah, plenty to play out in the Premier League.

And it's funny because I don't even know if i'd classify as man you know, as a big team anymore. So it wasn't a massive game for us. They're sitting in eleventh, but we still had to get the job done. We had a few players out and I was just as happy to see Liverpool drop some points away to Newcastle, so the gap goes to seven points and the wills are falling off over there. They've got a Merseyside derby against Everton this Saturday, so it's going to be a very very exciting one and yeah, plenty to play out in the Premier League.

They're fourteen games in.

They're fourteen games in.

I think we're probably getting a little bit ahead of ourselves when there's what is it, twenty four games to go, but you know, you don't want that lead to go too much. And Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has finally won a game six games unbeaten. It was and he was in all sorts and I'm not sure if you saw, but it's a good thing to end on. But Pep Guardiola as he's walking over to the fans to clap his Manchester City fans, it rings out around the stadium. There at anfield that you're getting sacked in the morning, and he looks to the crowd and he just turns to them and puts up six fingers and is signaling the six titles of his one. So I think he's probably got one over them. But it was actually it was good to see good being on the outside. I'm sure when he got into the change rooms after that and on the bus ride home to Manchester, he was not happy. Probably hasn't slept in the last three or four weeks. But now he's got to win, he can relax a little bit and that's the standards that he sets and what Manchester City have done.

I think we're probably getting a little bit ahead of ourselves when there's what is it, twenty four games to go, but you know, you don't want that lead to go too much. And Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has finally won a game six games unbeaten. It was and he was in all sorts and I'm not sure if you saw, but it's a good thing to end on. But Pep Guardiola as he's walking over to the fans to clap his Manchester City fans, it rings out around the stadium. There at anfield that you're getting sacked in the morning, and he looks to the crowd and he just turns to them and puts up six fingers and is signaling the six titles of his one. So I think he's probably got one over them. But it was actually it was good to see good being on the outside. I'm sure when he got into the change rooms after that and on the bus ride home to Manchester, he was not happy. Probably hasn't slept in the last three or four weeks. But now he's got to win, he can relax a little bit and that's the standards that he sets and what Manchester City have done.

So great show tonight, and I'll see you all next week.

So great show tonight, and I'll see you all next week.

We're back next Thursday night. Thanks once again, Steff and another great comprehensive edition of the show.

We're back next Thursday night. Thanks once again, Steff and another great comprehensive edition of the show.