National Show:
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Dylan Macallister talks about his debut and the standard of the A-League.
Lawrie McKinna discusses Mark Bosnich's debut and Ahmed Elrich's season ending injury.
We talk A-League and Socceroos
Alen Stajic talks Young Matildas and W-League
Local show including Robbie Hooker interview Download
Nationally:
Dylan Macallister, Lawrie McKinna talk us through the Magnificent Mariners.
Young Matildas Coach Alen Stajic reviews the recent camp and looks ahead.
We review the A-League Round 3, talks Socceroos v Holland and have dedication and quiz questions and all the news.
Locally:
Extended interview with Canberra United W-League Coach Robbie Hooker talks about his new role.
And Chris and Russ review the Men and Women's Premier League Final series.
Chris goes Magic 8 Ball crazy!
Tonight from 6:30pm or on the podcast here tomorrow.
Shannon Cole scored a superb late free-kick to give Sydney FC an away win in Gosford, and Jade North found the net even later for the Jets in Perth.
Goals everywhere in the opening games.
Shannon Cole scored the winner, he almost did the same the week before against Melbourne. Last week his free kick bounced off the post, this week it went in to seal the win against the Mariners.
Not bad for a 24 year old just starting out in the A-League.
Central Coast Mariners up against ten men must have thought there was only one winner as the clock went down, but it wan't to be.
Stuart Musialik, sent-off, for a crude foul and then verbal abuse of the referee. Seems like Stuey has a few problems, still, to contend with. And it was his debut for Sydney and now he's out. Well done Stuey, top effort. All I can say is you are following in the proud tradition of Sydney FC players getting sent-off because of their lack of professionalism. Alex Brosque, Steve Corica and Ruben Zadkovich just three who come to mind.
The Mariners are missing Mile Jedinak. There is a huge hole in their midfield. The strength the enforcer brings is lacking and the points are falling away.
His replacement Brad Porter gave away two points last week against the Jets. Would Sydney have romped around for their first two if Mile was their? I think not.
Sydney for their part showed what a difference a forward makes. Last season Steve Corica had Alex Brosque in front of him and that was it. Now they have Mark Bridge and the passing between the three will allow more options...for one of the league's best..Corica. Should be interesting to watch as the three develop.
Sydney with a forward line...could be interesting:)
The Mariners worked like Mariners, Ahmed Elrich still no-where near his flamboyant best, and I guess with a pre-season under his belt he never will be.
Adrian Caceres is what eveyone knows, a wonderfully gifted player, but limited to influence games only occasionally. I think Lawrie McKinna bought a dud here. Especially in terms of Championship winning medals. Has Caceres ever had one, or even Ahmad?
The Mariners could struggle for points, for fans this year. They've never been outside the top four and for all their success the crowds could drift if the team aren't performing.
Travelling fans from Sydney and Newcastle inflate the Mariners crowds but last night the game drew only 11,000. How much for a game against Perth if the team are struggling?
And in Perth a raucous crowd saw the Glory win their seventh ever A-League game. Well that is if you don't count the 93rd minute plus 45 seconds. Jade North scored a dire goal to send both teams home with the points. A dire goal from Perth's point of view.
Is it possible to lose such a goal in the last ten seconds in professional football when the ball is in the other keeper's hands? Clearly it is.
I like Amaral Perth's newest and oldest Brazilian. Nice on the ball, a great passer, should be fun to watch.
Eugene Dadi scored and that's more than Brian Deane ever did and he looked able, well able to bring others into the game. Nikita Rukavystya slotted a beauty. A great finish, pity he couldn't do it against Argentina. And local lad Scott Bulloch is going to have a prescene this year. Good to see.
The Jets had James Holland impressing in midfield. Eduardo Zura needs more time and Kaz Patafta came on late.
But like in Melbourne Kaz must be jinxed. The other team always score, or so it seems, as soon as Kaz appears. It wasn't his fault, Tarek Elrich..well let's just say it was his! Anyway a goal always seems to come for the opposition as soon as Kaz enters the fray.
Both games were open affairs, poor tactically I guess and Ernie Merrick would have died for a 0-0. But let's have more, let the flair players do their stuff and the league to encourage 3-3 over 0-0 anyday.
It won't last, Mile Jedinak will return, and Gary Van Egmond may shift Adam Griffiths into centre midfield and bring young Ben Kantorovski in. Stuey Musialik has already gone from the Jets, Gary Van Egmond is missing him or any real defensive midfielder badly in the holding role and The Jets are struggling to win games as a result.
Interestingly Jobe Wheelhouse was dragged in Friday. Is that the end of him?
Perth will be very hard to beat at home, Sydney have shown they are perhaps along with Melbourne the team to beat.
Early days, The Roar and Adelaide have yet to play.
Goals galore and hats off to Shannon Cole. Brilliant stuff.
And you can check the accuracy or otherwise on this weeks podcast see earlier post.
On Gary Van Egmond's match winning tactics in the Grand Final: "Rubbish," says Lawrie. "If Tony Vidmar hadn't slipped and the ref had given a penalty when (James) Holland handled in the last minute we may have won. We didn't play well."
On Gosford born Jess Van Stratten: Juventus's Jess Van Stratten didn't train with us, he had coffee.
He's back in Italy now, and we'd like him to come and cover for Vukovic. We'll see.
Mile Jedinak played 4 long balls for the Socceroos (v China). I know I counted them. We tell him not to play long balls. Mile is great at breaking up the play and playing short balls. Maybe he hit one wrong and felt he had to show he could do it.
On his aspirations "I'd like to Coach at a higher level. I feel my accent is held against me."
On other matters of importance:
Tom Pondlejak didn't perform often enough.
Adam Kwasnik is gone.
Lee Hendrie, Sheff United, doesn't want to come to Australia.
We're lacking an attacking midfield player.
We've got three spots, four with Kwasnik leaving, left in our squad.
"I recommended Charlie Miller to Frank Farina." (Don't you like Frank, Lawrie? okay I'm a Celtic fan and Charlie is ex-Rangers!)
Canberra's Taylor Beaton is impressive and he's only 17 in't he, he'll play a half for us against Belconnen.
Watching Rangers lose the league to Celtic was worse than losing the UEFA Cup. (Well I had to ask how he felt, how he rated it. Wouldn't you?)
With the Mariners season extended due to the Asian Champions League next season "I don't want to hear any complaints of players being tired. And my wife is staying home looking after the dog and the grandchild.
On the Nearpost: Central Coast Mariners' Lawrie McKinna and Matildas Amy Chapman and Caitlin Munoz.
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National:
Central Coast Mariners Coach Lawrie McKinna joins us in the studio. We focus on the Mariners as they prepare for the fourth A-League season.
Fitsum and Michella talk Socceroos, we've quiz questions, A-League news, dedications and all the Matildas news.
Locally:
Chris and Russ talk to Matildas stars Amy Chapman and Caitlin Munoz. they join us in the studio about the Asia Cup, The Peace Cup and how they beat Brazil 1-0. Sarah Body talks Kanga Cup.
All mens and women's Premier League did not record. Apologies. We will fix it!
Central Coast Mariners Coach Lawrie McKinna is bringing his team to Canberra for two pre-season games in three weeks, and a coaching session open to any Junior/grassroots or Senior Coach. The Mariners will also be back to play against Kaz Patafta and Shaun Ontong's Newcastle Jets on July 11th at Canberra Stadium.
But who will play Belconnen and The Rockets?
According to McKinna, Nik Mrdja and Matthew Osman won't play games for four weeks, Paul O'Grady could be ready for the Canberra games in three weeks, Greg Owen starts running in six weeks, but Dean Heffernan is back in training next week. Clearly managing the squad getting them all fit for the first A-League game never mind tactics/training games etc, is a major management problem.
Big games in the A-League this weekend. Sydney take on Victory at Aussie Stadium and The Mariners clash with The Jets.
Coach Lawrie McKinna has enjoyed giving the Newcastle Jets fans a bit of a wind-up before the game.
Five days out from the match, Football Manager McKinna has called on Jets fans to break with tradition and travel to Bluetongue Stadium en masse to create a derby atmosphere fitting of such an occasion between the east coast table toppers.
"It’s well renowned that we go up there and we take probably 1,500 to 2,000 Members and supporters and they bring their mini bus down," said McKinna.
"It’d be nice to see them jumping on the F3 and getting behind their team – they had a great support at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night, I was very impressed and hopefully they bring that support, and more, down to the Central Coast on Sunday."
Great to see the away fans making the trip in the A-League. Will certainly ad atmosphere to the games this weekend.
I've been reading a few blogs recently on Australian football and here's one with a difference.
Cecilia is a research assistant in Melbourne with a passion for the game.
See her blog here. Girls Guide to A-League
Favourite bit of the blog for me is...Cecilia's top five A-League swoon list.(I'm joking) but here they are any way.
Allsopp, Danny (Melbourne)
Dilevski, Spase (Queensland)
Old, Steven (Wellington Phoenix)
Owens, Greg (Central Coast)
Willis, Thomas (Queensland)
Sources close to me would add Canberran Nikolai Topor-Stanley. We reckon Canberran guys are better looking but each to their own hey Claire.
Central Coast Mariners manager Lawrie McKinna reckons Dean Heffernan is swoon material (see Mckinna in archives)
Like to add to the A-League swoon list, let us know.
Coach Rob Baan had a tactical plan for the recent Olyroos game against Iran.
"We knew they wanted a draw, and they would sit and hit us on the break. So we practiced sending the ball wide, quick passes, quick switches and keeping the ball. The Iranian coach made a change early in the game because we were playing so well."
The Olyroos who had the exciting Mark Bridge sent off in the second half held on for a 3-1 win.
The Olyroos have one game left away to Jordan and providing they draw, which I reckon they will win, they then have more Olympic qualifiers to come later in the year.
Coach Baan steps down after the Olympic qualifiers with Baan hoping Graham Arnold will take over. John Kosmina, Lawrie McKinna and David Mitchell are all speculated to be in line for the Olyroos job.
Baan prefers a coach from Australia, "but if we have to go overseas we will, but I'd prefer a local coach.
Central Coast Manager Lawrie McKinna had a dream when he was a wee boy back in Scotland.
"I wanted to play for Glasgow Rangers. I wanted to earn $100 a week, give my mum $95 and buy a Hillman Avenger with the rest. I now know it was impossible, but that was my dream."
He never fulfilled his dream! He did play at Ibrox but only for Kilmarnock.
As a sixteen year old he would follow Rangers all over Europe. A true "Blue-nose" his words not mine, McKinna is still happiest when his beloved Gers are giving Old Firm rivals Celtic a good pasting.
As a bloke who followed Celtic all over Europe, my interview with Lawrie was an interesting little meeting! And it all ended peacefully as you'd expect.
McKinna telling me how Rangers manager Walter Smith and Assistant Ally McCoist are going to bringback the glory days to Ibrox. Me, walking away, asking "Who are the current Scottish Champions?"
I had an article in Canberra Times today(sat). Here it is in case you missed it
Canberra football players now have a route to the A-League.
Lawrie McKinna, manager of A-League Club the Central Coast Mariners says, young Canberrans can get an A-League spot through his club.
The Mariners are coming to town. They will play a pre-season friendly against Capital Football Premier League side Belconnen United at Mckellar Stadium on June 30th, and an A-League pre-season cup match against Sydney FC at Canberra Stadium in early August.
“I watched the Belconnen United Canberra FC game on the weekend and the standard was very good. We will be taking two Canberra boys up for a week’s trial with the Mariners after the Belconnen friendly, and we’ll take two every year from now on. We know the strength of the game down here and I have good scouting contacts like Chris Tanzey and others. We’re always looking for players,” said McKinna
The Canberra Premier League is part-time, with players training a couple of times a week.
“I know the guys can make the A-League. Even a twenty year old can step up. Many guys are late developers physically. We get them up to the Central Coast and put them in for a full week with the likes of Sasho Petrovski, and Tony Vidmar. We can see by the end of the week if they’ve got what it takes.”
“It’s very competitive but we want the best young players. I’ve always had an eye for a young player. Take Mile Jedinak (23). He was playing part-time football in Sydney last year. He came up and trained with us, now he’s part of our starting eleven for season three.”
Football is a tough business. Mariners club captain Noel Spencer and McKinna’s old friend, left midfielder Stewart Petrie were recently released by the club.
“It’s not easy getting rid of players. Stewart is great mate, but I’ve no problem doing it. It’s a professional business and very competitive. I wish the lads all the best with new clubs
Belconnen United Coach Steve Forshaw said linking with the Mariners, “It’s a great opportunity for the players of Belconnen. Players like Nauru Somi, James and Ben Barac, striker David Leet, and David and Stephen Kemp are just a few of our players who might get the chance.
“I’m excited about building closer links with the Mariners. The whole Mariners club have been fantastic and supportive. While we have no A-League club in Canberra yet, we still aim to develop our players to the highest possible level.”
Ex-Socceroo and Mariners Development Officer and Coach Alex Tobin said, “The game has changed. You really need to be physically fit, yes you need the skills, but a skilful player who hasn’t the fitness just won’t make it these days.”
“Players are becoming more specialised. Years ago players could interchange positions, today they play one position and that’s more or less it. Take Socceroo and Italian Serie A Parma player Vince Grella, one of Australia’s best, what he does he does well but he couldn’t play many other places on the park.”
“It’s a problem for A-League clubs. We have a small roster of 21 or 22 players and if players get injured, you need players to be able to switch positions. Specialised players just can’t do it.”
McKinna is upbeat about the A-League, “This A-League is really going places. I remember the dark, dark days in Australian football. At Northern Spirit in the old National Soccer League often players weren’t getting paid, or only occasionally. It was tough going. Now it’s fabulous. The atmosphere at the games is special. Which other code in Australia has people singing, dancing and jumping in unison. At the Central Coast we have a real family atmosphere. When we play in Melbourne we have camera crews chasing us down the street. Walking around Belconnen Mall just now, and people are coming up to me to talk football. Yeah the game has changed.”
Central Coast Mariners manager Lawrie McKinna spoke to Football in the Capital on Sunday.
He was delighted with Rangers win over Celtic. McKinna knows a thing or two about football passion having followed Rangers from the terraces all over Europe.
Having experienced the dark dark days ofhte old National Soccer League, McKinna is delighted with the success of the A-League.
"The fans are great, The Marinators have done a great job for the Central Coast. The Cove in Sydney, and the Melbourne fans are creating a spectacle that no other sport in Australia has. At one other code, Union. Leage or AFL, do you get a few thousand people, singing, waving scarves, jumping up and down. It creates an a great atmosphere."
Melbourne Victory's Kevin Muscat and Central Coast Manager Lawrie McKinna joined Rangers fans at the RSL club in Canberra last night to watch the Old Firm game live from Ibrox Park, Glasgow.
A big cheer went up when the ex-Rangers player Muscat and Gers fan McKinna entered the room.
"Where's Fergie, " said one fan, referring to McKinna's assistant coach ex-Rangers star Ian Ferguson.
Muscat and McKinnna were in town for a AFC accredited coaching course.
Rangers won 2-0, but Celtic won the league.
Okay, Okay, I'm a mad keen Celtic fan, but at least I reported the story!