The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

David Thompson

Roar Guru

Joined September 2021

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There’s 3, including Ajdin Hrustic (Verona, Serie A) and Awer Mabil (Cádiz, La Liga).

'Highway robbery': Schwarzer grills Sports Minister & FA boss on price of football after Socceroos disaster

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Football
 
Today

No, I know, but it was a recurring theme, and for a very long time.

'Highway robbery': Schwarzer grills Sports Minister & FA boss on price of football after Socceroos disaster

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Football
 
Today

Serie A and La Liga aren’t top European leagues these days?

Garang Kuol, from Shepparton, is about to join a Premier League club? Is that elite enough?

'Highway robbery': Schwarzer grills Sports Minister & FA boss on price of football after Socceroos disaster

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Football
 
Today

I was thinking about this, among other things, not long ago. Until recently, football’s rarely had two sheckles to rub together and a recurring theme through history is some issue relating to players having to pay their own way and/or the CFA/ASF/SA/FA just being broke.

The original Socceroos weren’t the best available team, they were the best of those who could afford to pay their way around NZ for 3 weeks. Ditto with the ’56 Olympics. The ’69 team were paid something ridiculous ($11?) after slogging their war around Asia and Africa in qualifiers. As late as ’97 there were reports of players paying their own way to the Confederations Cup amid an industrial dispute.

Fast forward 25 years and we’ve fixed a few issues – we have a full-time professional league and well-remunerated national team, the governing body isn’t flat broke – but Garang Kuol was very nearly missed because his family couldn’t afford to pay for him to go away with rep teams.

How many super talented kids can’t even play for their local clubs?

Government support would be nice, but, as the Minister suggests, they can’t fund everything, and you can’t rely on it across election cycles.

There’s a big decision to made about the NSD – interesting piece opn ESPN today, BTW – they simply can’t afford for it to be a money pit. But, mostly, football has to generate more revenue and part of that is getting to people who like the game but wouldn’t know their local A-League or NPL club if they fell over it.

'Highway robbery': Schwarzer grills Sports Minister & FA boss on price of football after Socceroos disaster

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Football
 
Today

“the former mentor joining the Seven Network’s commentary team this summer, making for the likelihood of the story being a running theme through the season.”

Self-fulfilling prophecy I suspect.

Interesting comments from Langer – he’s burnt a few bridges there, assuming there were any left to burn, and seems a bit desperate to me.

I can’t see the embittered ex-coach turned truth-telling commentator angle being of interest for more much longer than five minutes (at least outside of WA). He doesn’t strike me as having the wit or self-awareness to be an engaging commentator in the longer-term. What next?

Langer unloads on Cummins: 'What is brutal is I’m hearing it behind my back through the media'

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Cricket
 
1d

I don’t have any time for the theocracy that runs Qatar, and don’t have any objection to Foster and others voicing their objections, but I struggle to get angry about this aspect of it.

I do get angry about FIFA and the parade of companies that have profited and are profiting from this bloated charade and the misery it’s caused.

As others have pointed out, this is possibly the most out-sourced sporting event we’ve seen. It seems likely the contracts were drafted well before hosting rights were awarded. Qatar was just willing to pay full price.

And it’ll happen again. Turkmenistan 2042?

Craig Foster is about to annoy millions with his World Cup commentary

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Football
 
2d

Nice article, Tony, and a few other things you could’ve have mentioned, but I note you were pressed for space.

I enjoyed PNG again and I’ve written most of an article about their seemingly inevitable ascension to the NRL. Also writing about how Australia and England might facilitate new nations into future world cups (the horror), assuming the world hasn’t ended 30-years from now. I really should just do one draft at a time.

I also note you and others weren’t fans of the tiny in-goals at Manchester, but possibly only because somebody could’ve been seriously hurt slipping down that sharp slope into the hoardings. I quite like the idea of a small in-goal (with appropriate safety) in terms of incentivising passing and creativity at the expense of tactical kicking and the preposterous seven-tackle set rule. I dunno – it should at least be considered.

Who were the big winners at the World Cup?

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League
 
3d

If you have a point, it’s lost on me.

RLWC Daily: Mal warns Suaalii of rough reception as Kangaroos name unchanged team, Radley to escape ban

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League
 
1w

Thoroughly professional performance from the Kangaroos, with the exception of the dropsies that plagued them just after half-time. Great defence, and it took a special play from Luai to finally crack them.

There’s a lot for Samoa to be proud of, especially bouncing back from the pasting they copped in the opening game. Kangas just a bit too good and having Grant and Ben Hunt is bloody luxury.

Reading through the comments, I see RLWC derangement syndrome is alive and well. Sad.

Bow down to the Kings: Three the magic number as Latrell and Tedesco fire Kangaroos to third straight World Cup

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League
 
4d

I was referring to your comment a few weeks back comparing gay people to killers and pedophiles.

I won’t engage with you other than to point out that you’re an extremist wackjob.

RLWC Daily: The Rock revs up Samoa, Crichton rejects 'divisive' Indigenous idea, Kangaroos eye off top ranking

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League
 
6d

Oh, hello Brett.

I’ve been expecting you to drop around and stone me to death. Where have you been?

RLWC Daily: The Rock revs up Samoa, Crichton rejects 'divisive' Indigenous idea, Kangaroos eye off top ranking

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League
 
6d

Finally, an idea I can get behind.

Kill Origin!

RLWC Daily: The Rock revs up Samoa, Crichton rejects 'divisive' Indigenous idea, Kangaroos eye off top ranking

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League
 
6d

He’s just after attention. Doesn’t really believe much of the stuff he posts. Best to ignore him. I suspect he’s lonely – poor guy.

RLWC Daily: Mal warns Suaalii of rough reception as Kangaroos name unchanged team, Radley to escape ban

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League
 
1w

Very good – thanks Tony. Interesting insights into a few finals before my time.

’95 was the first one I watched. I remember seeing highlights of ’92 on the news, but I don’t think I could’ve watched the whole game at that point.

We lived in the middle of nowhere and didn’t have a proper antenna until sometime in ’93 if memory serves. Many a Friday night was spent constructing elaborate platforms for the old curly antenna to try and pick-up a signal from channel 9. Incredible to think how far we’ve come in 30 years.

Marvellous highs and devastating lows: looking back at the best Rugby League World Cup finals

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League
 
1w

So, by your own admission, you’re just trolling.
__
I thought you decried such things – attacking other people’s values for no purpose other than your own prejudice. Hypocrite!

Crichton repeats Grand Final magic as Samoa complete insane 55-point turnaround to reach first World Cup Final

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League
 
2w

Beats me, Jeannine.

Klemmer’s still good, but for how much longer (and how many people around the game has he alienated now?).

The Tiges need Hastings’ direction, badly. I don’t understand this one at all.

NRL Transfer Centre: Knights, Tigers seal Hastings, Klemmer swap deal, Tevaga re-signs

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League
 
2d

I’m curious, what do you think I and others aren’t aware of regarding the RLWC?

I know exactly what the eligibility criteria are, who’s involved, where they’re from and who they’re playing for. And I’m fine with it. So, what am I missing?

It’s sad to see someone so consumed by spite and some antediluvian world view. I’d suggest that if you’re so repelled by the RLWC, just ignore it, but you obviously don’t have anything better to do.

Crichton repeats Grand Final magic as Samoa complete insane 55-point turnaround to reach first World Cup Final

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League
 
2w

Given you don’t know one way or the other (and neither do I), perhaps you should refrain from asserting that they’re definitely not.

Crichton repeats Grand Final magic as Samoa complete insane 55-point turnaround to reach first World Cup Final

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League
 
2w

How do you know they’re not Australian citizens?

Crichton repeats Grand Final magic as Samoa complete insane 55-point turnaround to reach first World Cup Final

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League
 
2w

I had a sneaky this might happen. Samoa’s been improving and I figured they’d be up for it after the pasting they copped at Newcastle.

Solid tournament by England but I had my doubts about their forward pack holding up – too old, too slow – oh well.

A big thanks to the boys who learned their game in Australia and who’re now representing Samoa (and Tonga, Fiji, Lebanon and the Cook Islands) – I’ve always loved international league, while longing for a little more diversity and unpredictability. Samoa in a world cup final, eh. Never thought I’d see that.

Your parents and grandparents have made an invaluable contribution to Australian society, and you’ve made an invaluable contribution to Australian and international rugby league.

Crichton repeats Grand Final magic as Samoa complete insane 55-point turnaround to reach first World Cup Final

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League
 
2w

Maybe, maybe. It’s definitely on the shortlist. 😊

REACTION: Bans loom for Kangaroos duo after shoulder charges tarnish one of the best Tests of all time

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League
 
2w

One of the best tests of all-time? Dunno – that’s a big call.

One of the best of the last 20-25 years? Definitely – it was a classic. Could’ve gone either way and NZ will rue the Murray try and some missed opportunities.

Australia should win it from here, but it’s not like they’re streets ahead of England and Samoa, and it’s not like they’re a high-functioning unit at the moment.

REACTION: Bans loom for Kangaroos duo after shoulder charges tarnish one of the best Tests of all time

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League
 
2w

Interesting piece – thanks, TSS.

Monza's Australian on the fast track to success

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Football
 
2w

“There is little incentive at the moment for teams to build their junior base”

Yes, there is. Junior development, supplemented by targeted recruitment, is the most efficient way of building a contender. US sports teams have known this for decades – Australia’s still catching-up it seems. Where’s the revenue going to come from to pay the outside the cap salaries? How will it not end up entrenching inequality and subverting the objectives of the salary cap?

And there’s no need for a transfer window. What’s the problem we’re trying to fix? A few serial moaners in the Murdoch press? Like we’re ever going to fix that.

Transfer window a must-have despite players wanting open-door policy but beefed-up loyalty discounts needed

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League
 
2w

You don’t have even the faintest idea of what you’re talking about.

Bye.

Samoa vs Tonga showed what the future of rugby league could be - if the NRL would actually believe in it

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League
 
2w
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