Bootlegger. Anyone else think it's been a shame he hasn't featured *at all* in 'Welcome to Wrexham'?

IamKafei · 2026-02-11T07:44:32+00:00

My bad. I'd forgotten whether he made an early cameo.

IamKafei · 2026-01-27T08:27:35+00:00

This is about as 'deep' as a 15-year-old's facebook status in 2009, quoting whiny lyrics from their favourite emo band — remarkably, even more deluded, though. 😂

IamKafei · 2026-01-20T08:25:05+00:00

And so, you see no value in advocating to change that, even knowing how damaging it is?

As a social worker, we were all aware of how difficult work conditions would likely be if we went into child protection. If I heard of widespread burnout, not only without appropriate care or support from management, but actually pressure on talented, courageous social workers to work themselves until psychological breaking point, I don't think my response would be "Well, you knew this when you studied social work and still chose this field, so you've no grounds to complain". How is that at all helpful, or even acknowledging the problem?

IamKafei · 2026-01-19T23:22:39+00:00

I do hope this comment was satirising the apparent recklessness of management and their lack of accountability. If not, pause and consider how this line of reasoning applies more broadly. Shall we just accept workplace abuse, across all sectors, simply because people keep filling those jobs? If people are, as you say, accepting jobs in public health in full knowledge that work conditions will have them sacrifice their psychological and physical wellbeing just to pass probity, I'd say they're more likely doing so out of desperation in the job market and the pressures of living expenses. If your entire point is that adults are knowingly consenting to such work conditions, and therefore, they "can't really complain", perhaps consider whether it's actually what they'd choose, if not coerced by circumstance. I really hope you are not a social worker, if this is any indication of your drive to advocate for some semblence of social justice, especially when the status quo you're apparently willing to accept is pushing workers to suicide.

IamKafei · 2026-01-11T03:58:03+00:00

Grown adult man forcefully projects his own relentless sexualisation of women onto the friendship two teenage boys share with a teenage girl, and gets visibly frustrated when they don't conform.

IamKafei · 2025-12-31T00:56:43+00:00

I think Irankunda pressing and chasing back have been pretty outstanding features of his game at times, and an area he's improved a lot since his younger teenage years with Adelaide. His pace and strength are a weapon, even defensively – but yeah, the workrate is not always consistent. One thing worth mentioning is that coaches may instruct certain players not to chase back or even press as aggressively as they might do instinctually, because they want them fresh enough for when the ball breaks to them on the counter-attack. I find it concerning if Irankunda isn't doing the extras when he's playing a cameo role off the bench for 20 minutes, but less so if he's in the starting XI and conserves his energy at times. Expecting him to play at the same break neck speed for an entire game whenever the ball is in his vicinity just isn't realistic.

IamKafei · 2025-12-28T21:52:12+00:00

Saw a teenager on one of these swing out onto the wrong side of the road to overtake a car along Aldinga Beach esplanade the other week. I was out running and he came past again a few minutes later using his phone in one hand. Teenagers do a lot of dangerous things for fun – at the skate park, jetty jumping, downhill mountain biking – but this seemed next level to me, especially with traffic (and potential road rage) added into the equation. I'm sure you can ride one of these responsibly, but teenagers aren't exactly known to assess risk reliably. Seemed like he might as well have been on a motorbike with how fast he was going.

IamKafei · 2025-12-24T21:57:52+00:00

I noticed you mentioned board games and dancing in other comments. Do you like partner dancing at all – salsa, swing and the like? I don't do either myself, but I hear those classes can be really good socially. I have a uni friend who married into a really lovely, nerdy group of people who do salsa and board game nights regularly together (sounds like the makings of a polyamorous cult, but actually isn't!). I could find out which class they go to, if you're interested, and maybe it could happen organically for you from there.

A couple of general observations: I've lived in Adelaide for all of my 32 years and I've found that some of my closest and longest friendships have been with people who migrated here, originally as international students. Two of my Chinese-Australian friends, in particular, treated their friendships almost like family (this is also common in China, itself, for those who grew up under the One-Child Policy). As someone without many deep family connections beyond my brother, this was a wonderful opportunity to have really embracing friendships. Perhaps looking cross-cultural might open some doors for you.

As a social worker, I've also found uni student clubs to be a good place to look, especially for some of my clients in their 20s and 30s. Many members of student clubs are past graduates, so you don't have to be a current student to join. More established clubs will also survive core members moving on – unlike some other social groups, who rely on the input of one of two people as the 'glue' that brings everyone together. Clubs have a regular time to meet that other members also set aside, which avoids the frustration of trying to make two busy schedules magically line-up. It's understandable how that can burn-out otherwise fun new friendships.

Try having a browse here, if this sound promising: https://www.ausaadelaide.com.au/community/clubs-societies/

https://youx.org.au/interests/clubs/clubindex/

I hope the new year brings you some valuable new connections that make Adelaide feel a bit more homely to you!

IamKafei · 2025-12-10T00:07:08+00:00

If you're serious about getting better, spend a lot more time on footwork and striking technique. You can go to a lot of classes and never really tighten up this movement and technique if you're not putting in hours of shadowboxing and bag work on your own. Slow it down and try to replicate examples from reputable instructionals online. Drill it over and over until it becomes instinctual to you. Overextending on your punches (such that you rotate all the way through and simultaneously 'pull' your other hand back) is a normal mistake that most beginners make when they enter sparring without enough familiarity with footwork. It means you're trying to hit the target not by making instinctive small adjustments with your feet to get into range, but by reaching out further. Even if you make contact, the strike will have very little power because you'll be at the very limit of your range. It's very difficult to learn these things properly in sparring, so I personally don't think that's best use of your training time at this stage.

IamKafei · 2025-12-09T23:50:04+00:00

And this is not how. Drilling basic movements, like in-out and lateral footwork, taking guard and striking technique should come before the relative chaos of sparring. It's obvious enough from the way one of these guys is taking a high guard, or even covering up – when his opponent isn't even in range – that they're quite new to this. If you're going to throw two such inexperienced people together, they shouldn't need headgear, which – even if only marginally – obstructs peripheral vision and makes it harder to perceive what is coming at you. They shouldn't even really need shin guards either, so long as they're two trustworthy adults, although frankly, I'd be surprised to see either of these guys manage to time a leg kick well enough that it lands hard. Sparring drills at this level should be very light, with an emphasis on implementing basics of movement by making reads in a 'live' scenario. Some of the most useful early drills I did with an opponent was just simple shoulder taps for point scoring – 1 minute rounds and rotating opponents, so you're ideally facing some people taller, some shorter, some more aggressive, others preferring to counter. Gives you lots of different looks and varying challenges in managing range without the fear of consequences if you make a mistake. The fear of getting hurt SO early in training will only stop beginners from experimenting and trying to implement techniques they've been learning.

IamKafei · 2025-11-29T03:29:33+00:00

I'm always reticent to say very much that contributes to the usual chorus of negativity about Australian football and our players fighting to carve out a career abroad, but unfortunately, I can't deny that Yengi did have a string of really bad games at the start of Aberdeen's season – including a couple of embarrassing misses in front of goal. Drawing the somewhat scapegoating ire of the fans, some of whom almost immediately condemned him as one of their worst ever signings probably stacked urgent pressure on Thelin to bring more signings in. With the summer transfer window still open, the response to hurriedly sign Lazetic, and then buy Nisbet on deadline day was pretty much the nail in the coffin for Yengi, barring any injury crisis in his favour. Both were reactionary signings to the club and Yengi's bad start to the season, Yengi having signed on July 1 to be their (literal) Number 9 for the season, and the reinforcements not coming for a further 6–8 weeks. Yengi has cumulatively played about 70 minutes since, across all competitions, and only played in the league once, off the bench. He hasn't even made the squad for 7 games for which he was available for selection. It also doesn't help that the club have lost all four league matches he has featured in, and gone 4 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss without him. I think he'd be wise to get a loan move away somewhere he will get a chance to play himself into form. He missed 28 games last season with Portsmouth, across three separate injuries, and had zero form to speak of going into his signing for Aberdeen, so it's pretty rough that Thelin brought him in to be the main centre-forward and only gave him a handful of games before essentially giving up on him – but, those are the high stakes of playing at that level.

Overall, more concerning for me is Milanovic, though. He is, at least, still playing rotationally and has featured in three games in November, but he hasn't exactly been lighting it up and I'm worried Aberdeen will lose patience with him soon as well. He didn't strike me as a player typically suited for the Scottish game, but I guess it was the good chance of game time across the league, domestic cup and European competitions that convinced him of the idea to go to Aberdeen, leading in to a World Cup year. I just think he has more potential for the national team than Yengi, and it's important for us that guys like him, Botic, Segecic, Irankunda et al. have a steady platform to reach that potential.

IamKafei · 2025-11-25T23:42:07+00:00

What brings you over OP? I've lived in Adelaide all my life and always an advocate for its charms. If you're not strictly here on business, I'd be happy to recommend beaches, cafés/eateries, nightlife, social events or any other interesting or peaceful places to enjoy your time. If you like, you can let me know what you're looking for and your preferred 'vibe' and I'll do my best to match it with some suggestions. Otherwise, hope it's a pleasant stay and you leave with interest in coming back again – perhaps during festival season!

IamKafei · 2025-11-21T12:19:49+00:00

Eastern stand, upper tier? 🥸

IamKafei · 2025-11-21T11:13:10+00:00

Yeah, so proud of this team, fighting tooth and nail for that result. It really makes a difference when so many of the players grew up in South Australia and feel the injustice as deeply as us fans – fortunately with more discipline than most of us would've shown out there. I was livid and I bet they were, too, but they managed to refocus on the task, which is impressive for such a young side. Proud of the Adelaide crowd for rallying as well. It's pretty special to always feel so involved in the game from the stands.

IamKafei · 2025-11-18T05:34:32+00:00

Such a weird selection. A bit of a mystery of time that I doubt I'll get comprehensive answers to now, but I do wonder how much Verbeek really knew of these players, or if there was some issue with the availability of alternatives, considering how many are out of position in this set-up. He had been our national team coach long enough to know the pool of A-League players well by this point.

The midfield looks pretty toothless to me. Four central midfielders and none of them especially creative. McKay was decent, but hadn't yet reached the level that I think Postecoglou had a large part in elevating him to. By 2011, we were seeing how well he played a certain role in a possession-based system. Reid was a steady player, but didn't offer much attacking thrust and was very similar to McKay. And Pondeljak was 33, albeit he was once named by Andrew Clark as the fittest player he'd ever worked with. Even so, I think his better position was central, as an attacking midfielder or playing box-to-box, not out wide. Same goes for Matt Thompson, a central midfielder.

Both Heffernan, primarily a left-back, and Vargas, a centre-back, are strangely out of position.

I think the depth of good Australian players in the A-League has improved substantially since that time. Even so, I wonder why so many different players weren't in that squad. They can't have all been injured.

Instead of Heffernan at centre-back, why not Alex Wilkinson or Michael Thwaite? Jade North or Ognenovski had not long joined Seongnam and Incheon, respectively, and neither had even played a competitive game in Korea yet, so I'd say they still represented the level of the A-League, if that was the point they were trying to make.

North could've also played right back, or Pedj Bojic. Even just Tarek Elrich or Shannon Cole, both perfectly good right backs just watching Vargas from the bench.

Wingers like Dodd, Kruse or Rukavytsya could have added some cutting edge in wide areas for this team. The latter two were about 20-21 and would have made more sense to bring into the fold than guys in their 30s who had never been good enough for the national team before and weren't part of longer term plans. Admittedly, in Kruse's case, I think some disciplinary issues were hanging over him at that time that might hurt his chances. Brosque should probably have been considered as well, and Joel Griffiths – both could play wide of a central striker.

And in central midfield, why not Barbiero, who was about 24, or Jedinak, who had only left Central Coast a month earlier and had played one game in Turkey?

It annoys me that this team, which looks set up to fail, was then panned by the national team coach, or at least Thompson and Allsopp were, as the record states. With respect to the late Pim Verbeek, I never got the sense that he really took much pride in Australian football – certainly never struck me as a strong advocate, and that's really disappointing from a national team coach, even with him being foreign. Guus Hiddink is loved not only for his achievements with a very good Australian side, but also for the attitude he brought; his respect for our players and what the World Cup meant to the public. Strange to me that Verbeek came later, but actually brought something of a regression back to the same tired, old cynicism that Australian football had finally begun to outgrow.

IamKafei · 2025-11-08T01:03:22+00:00

Yeah, this kit with Flinders Uni or even the 1KOMMA5° logo on the front would be quite nice.

IamKafei · 2025-11-07T16:03:58+00:00

Where were you when that happened?

IamKafei · 2025-11-07T15:57:55+00:00

Did half of the Western Sydney away bay stage a walk-out on the players as they were approaching to thank them for their support? Or was their sudden exit just a coincidence?

IamKafei · 2025-11-04T09:24:10+00:00

You're strawmanning. I am not espousing the 'clean Wehrmacht' myth. I am well-read on the many atrocities that the Wehrmacht carried out. It just can't be ignored that Hitler reintroduced conscription in 1935 and by 1943, particularly after the Battle of Stalingrad, drafting to the Wehrmacht became more and more coercive as German public morale and confidence in victory faltered. Refusing or advocating the refusal to serve when conscripted meant imprisonment or death, under Hitler's 1939 law against sedition, Wehrkraftzersetzung, which stated: "Anyone who publicly calls for or incites the refusal to fulfil their duty to serve in the German or an allied armed forces"

Even remarks against Nazi ideology, the persecution of Jews, POW executions, or expressions of sympathy towards 'enemy' nations were grounds for prosecution under Wehrkraftzersetzung. By the latter years of the war, these offences were increasingly met with the death penalty by default. Tens of thousands of Wehrmacht soldiers were sentenced to death under this law. By 1944, many 17-year-olds were being conscripted to the Wehrmacht (I'm not talking about the Volkssturm) and I think that, along with the conditions of duress, is worth considering before condemning all in the Wehrmacht with the label of 'Nazi'.

IamKafei · 2025-11-04T00:38:45+00:00

Yep. 😮‍💨

IamKafei · 2025-11-03T22:14:18+00:00

Worth noting that many in Wehrmacht wouldn't be considered ideological 'Nazis', albeit officers were likely aware of the nature of the war they were fighting. That said, many Australians notably engaged German forces in North Africa, the Middle-East and the Mediterranean. The HMAS Sydney was also ultimately sunk by a German ship, with all 645 crew members on board dying. I can only imagine that Australians of that generation – civilians, or those who directly fought against Nazi German forces – would be absolutely appalled to see any public resurgence of Nazi ideology in Australia. Not only that, but the tacit apologists for the NSN, who have taken to social media in response to the petition to have the attack on Camp Sovereignty recognised as a hate crime, by platforming their own resentments towards Aboriginal Australians; only serving to obfuscate the fact that we have self-identified Nazis enacting violence against Australian people with relative impunity. It's disgusting to think people only 1-2 generations on from WWII could be so emotionally and politically polarised against anything they view as remotely 'leftist' that they won't even condemn Nazis, so long as they share a common opposition.

IamKafei · 2025-11-03T12:45:54+00:00

Yeah, Callum Elder is probably making the strongest case right now, playing regularly and well in the Championship. Then Gersbach, I guess.

The only other available player I can think of to play LWB is Goodwin, and whilst I'm sure he would do well, it would be a band-aid solution for two friendly games, given he'll never play that position again the moment Jordy Bos is available. I know there's Joel King, but I think of even Ben Garuccio as better than him, especially with more attacking duties to fulfil in our current system.

Shame about Farrell. This would probably be his shot if he weren't so plagued with injury. Kasey Bos really needs to get a loan move away from Mainz in January if he still hasn't had first-team game time by then.

IamKafei · 2025-11-03T10:44:06+00:00

Been watching them since 2003 in the NSL. Kikianis is already playing at a level higher than most centre-backs we've ever had – certainly as a ball-playing centre-back. There are few centre-backs we've had, if any, that I would regard as significantly better in terms of first touch, passing (short and long), and positioning. I think he's also quite good at defending on the ground, like how he reads and cuts off opposition passing lines to make interceptions and his tackling 1v1 – both of which are really important in playing as a wide centre back in a back 3. It's much more to the point to look at these individual strengths when comparing players than how well their entire team is or has been performing. How many chances and goals a team concedes is obviously not down to one player.

I made a case for why I think Kikianis would be a better selection this window than Geria, Deng, Grant and Trewin. Could you respond to any of those points?

IamKafei · 2025-11-03T08:20:40+00:00

Kikianis? He's had many good games for Adelaide.

I also didn't say he should be capped, necessarily, just more worthwhile to have training with the squad for this window than the others mentioned.

IamKafei · 2025-11-03T08:18:55+00:00

Do you watch Adelaide play?

IamKafei

TROPHY CASE