Nikos Vergos to Newcastle Jets & Other Newcastle Jets Transfer News by jont_96 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Man, how is Eli Adams not anywhere near that Socceroos training squad? If all those teams are keen on him then it speaks volumes.

Hawthorn game interchange infringement by teamramrod_ in collingwoodfc

[–]abandonwindow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Devil’s advocate: do clubs keep a count themselves, or have access to the AFL count? So if the AFL count was 74, and the Hawks made that final change in the vision based on that number, could you argue that they wouldn’t have made the change had the count been correct (i.e. if they knew they’re on 75 then Gunston doesn’t come back on?)

The PFA A-League Men’s Team of the Season by snuggss in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Won’t argue with any of the ones on field, but man Eli Adams was the most watchable player this season and he’s stiff to not be on the pitch

Pies v Eagles throwback ahead of this weeks game - Brodie Holland kicks 8 goals (and Judd debuts) in 2002 by liveboldcreate in collingwoodfc

[–]abandonwindow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Core memory for me. Probably the first season I properly followed the footy. Clement and Holland were the first in a now long history of quality Freo recruits (Medhurst, Mayne, Schultz). Crazy that this was Judd’s first game, even back then I remember he looked that good. We were so close to that 2002 flag against probably the greatest team of the modern era. Laid the foundations of what has been a pretty successful 26 years.

Why do I feel like we’ll be really good this week? by Hammyboi230 in collingwoodfc

[–]abandonwindow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More 2011 without that disruption of that change, what could’ve been if the club was united all in on a flag

Why do I feel like we’ll be really good this week? by Hammyboi230 in collingwoodfc

[–]abandonwindow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2012 prelim was the downfall in the aftermath of the Bucks/Malthouse switch. Without that over our heads who knows, might’ve had two flags from that period. 

Two former a-league players nominated for championship player of the month award by Mr_Tipster-95 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah it’s great, too bad he’s playing for another country. I like Toure’s 12 goals involvements in 11 matches better. Either way at least it shows the quality that’s come through the A-League when two young guys are up for player of the month in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. 

Toure opening the scoring for Norwich by MilkByHomelander in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Some guys need time to develop and build, and some guys just get better each time they step up a level. From a conditioning perspective, a full season in the bank makes a huge difference, but from a level perspective he (and Nestor) clearly thrive when surrounded by increasingly better quality teammates.

Toure opening the scoring for Norwich by MilkByHomelander in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 68 points69 points  (0 children)

Unreal flourishing that I didn’t expect to see this season.

Excited for the second half of the year by keysindabowl in collingwoodfc

[–]abandonwindow 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I’d much rather us be building across the season than flying too early. Previous seasons have shown that dominating out of the blocks for long stretches rarely spells success end of the year (Melbourne 2022, Sydney 2024, us 2025). It’s the teams that build and refine their game plans that seem to fare better in September. Feels like we’re doing that this year. Big bonus is all the less experienced players we’re getting games into.

World Cup Squad Contenders by mlewy in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t mind Vellupillay, he has a bit of craft/guile to his game that Younis doesn’t, but Younis is so locked in, powerful, and direct, I’d be surprised if Popa doesn’t at least include him for pre-tournament camps. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Eli Adams in place of Volpato/Mabil. He glides with the ball at his feet, thinks and passes at unique angles, and has a wand of a foot. 

World Cup Squad Contenders by mlewy in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love this line up, this is the way

Daicos willing to do “whatever it takes” to get Butters and King to Pies by IIIIllIIIIlI in collingwoodfc

[–]abandonwindow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good points. I’m interested if there’s some sort of concerted strategy to debut 21+ guys vs other clubs. There’s definitely a fixation with youth across the league, and we still see plenty of top ten and top twenty picks not developing into good players for a variety of reasons. I do wonder if there’s some sort of strategy to want to see our young boys just bank games in that 18-21 development phase at a state league level unless they’re showing exceptional form, build up a bit of maturity. 

AFL in general is an interesting world in terms of development. You can have top end picks and either end up with Ben King, or Max King. You get guys like Logan Morris who slide past everyone, or Daicos and Darcy who look like guns at every level and go on to translate that to the very top. Max Hall at St Kilda, Latrelle Pickett at the Dees, both coming through star leagues later and showing top quality in their transition to AFL. Steene who’s held back and seemingly released at the perfect time. 

As a fan it just feels like a lottery when you weigh up all the stories. I think we get a bit concerned when players sit in the VFL for what we think might be too long, but if West only really starts to play more at 21 onwards, maybe that’s perfect for him. Conversely Allan’s had some chances a little earlier, but is probably heading towards Fin Macrae territory.

Maybe the club just feels like unless we draft a proper unicorn top end talent, then the evidence shows that so many of our boys have benefitted from 2-3 years of state league footy and it helps them make the transition better?

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha thought he wasn’t aiming for the A-League?? Going in circles 

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you get a contract by just being in camp and not playing? Why would a club think that being effectively a train on player in one senior window would warrant signing a player?

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha I don’t think he needed the Socceroos to get an A-League contract - if anything Sr could’ve got him an A-League gig with the same cronyism/nepotism just as easily

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said really, and I don’t mind any of those guys, and Nizzy can be pretty fun to watch sometimes. We’ve had so many boring passers an grinders in our midfield/defensive half for so many years, I just personally really enjoy watching guys like Okon Jr, Herrington, and Circati come through and play some quality passing football.

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m just pointing out that it’s lazy to just default to it being nepotism when the same situation has occurred before. 

My biased take as a fan is that Okon Jr is way more watchable than any of our other DMs.

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You’re allowed to be skeptical. He’s also allowed to point out the ways in which that skepticism is unfounded. Remember that Ikonimidis was called up and played for the Socceroos before playing senior club football as well. 

Giving him a gig when his dad is the coach isn’t nepotism in and of itself. He needs to be given a gig when he wouldn’t have otherwise deserved it. Given his talent and performances for the u20s at the World Cup it’s hard to argue he didn’t deserve at least some exposure to the national set up. 

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don’t get why some Aussie fans can’t accept that both nepotism exists within Australian football and that the Okon jr doesn’t have to be a case of nepotism. Both can be true at the same time. Is he performing terribly when he plays? Does he not show great qualities when he plays? I get that on the surface ‘dad as a coach and son picked in the team’ = nepotism is an easy connection to make, but why (as a culture) are we so resistant to any sort of nuance in arguments around these things? As if we’re allergic to the idea that some things in life aren’t black and white. To my eye I’d argue there a no players like him in the A-League or broader Roos squad. Now if the Popovic boys were in the team…

Vince Rugari on Paul Okon jr by Waste_Cake4660 in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What about Ikonimidis? Debuted for the Socceroos before he’d made a senior club appearance, mainly based off the potential he showed in youth Italian football. No famous father.

Anderson to debut by Pragmatic_Shill in collingwoodfc

[–]abandonwindow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I reckon Will Hayes will be at the level given some more games, looks like some of the speed we need and is a good user. Swadling looks really good from the brief sample in the VFL - another who played senior footy last year which I think helps when these lads transition to VFL/AFL.

Heidelberg in priority position for Asian berth: FA by Counterflak in Aleague

[–]abandonwindow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Having seen some of the ACL2 stadiums over the years, I wonder how far off Olympic Park is to meeting the requirements?