If the adage "the bigger they are, the harder the fall" rings true, then no side in #ALeague history has had as spectacular a fall as Melbourne Victory. In their words, how Tony Popovic and John Didulica want to re-establish the league "benchmark". Full story published for ESPN: https://www.espn.com.au/football/melbourne-victory/story/4447345/the-quest-to-re-establish-melbourne-victory-as-a-league-benchmark https://twitter.com/joeylynchy/status/1425002536503701506?s=20 https://twitter.com/joeylynchy/status/1425015796053331969?s=20
A-Leagues
W-League set to feature Western United, Wellington Phoenix in expanded competition next season
Seeking to capitalise on the "halo effect" of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, ESPN can reveal that Western United and Wellington Phoenix loom as favourites for inclusion in a potential 11-team W-League for the 2021-22 season. Full story published for ESPN: https://www.espn.com.au/football/australian-w-league/story/4427431/w-league-set-to-feature-western-unitedwellington-phoenix-in-expanded-competition-next-season
Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou era begins, A-League and W-League reach true independence
Matildas recall just reward for Chidiac ahead of Japan move
Full story originally published for SBS' The World Game: https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/matildas-recall-just-reward-for-chidiac-ahead-of-japan-move Soon to be playing with the “technical wizards” of the newly launched WE League, Alex Chidiac has overcome the imposter syndrome that accompanied previous national team call-ups after being forced to take the long road back to the Matildas. Recently arriving into camp as part … Continue reading Matildas recall just reward for Chidiac ahead of Japan move
First of its kind FIFA report benchmarks W-League against world’s best leagues
Full story first published for SBS' The World Game: https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/first-of-its-kind-fifa-report-benchmarks-w-league-against-world-s-best-leagues Declared to be the first of its kind by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a new benchmarking report - christened ‘Setting The Pace’ by the global governing body - has provided an overview of the elite level of the women’s game at a club and league … Continue reading First of its kind FIFA report benchmarks W-League against world’s best leagues
Josh Cavallo proof that ‘recycling’ A-League players works, Australia’s issue with referees
The unheralded yet serious threat to the Australian game, a youngster finding a home at Adelaide United, contextualising Sam Kerr's achievements and much more. It's all here in ESPN's Australian Football Wrap! Full story published for ESPN Australia and New Zealand: https://www.espn.com.au/football/australian-a-league/story/4387783/josh-cavallo-proof-that-recycling-a-league-players-worksaustralias-issue-with-referees
Melbourne Victory CEO Trent Jacobs set to depart
CEO Trent Jacobs is the latest figure to depart Melbourne Victory, with the club announcing on Friday that the long-time servant and current chief executive would exit in the coming weeks. In an afternoon statement, the four-time A-League champions said that Jacobs, who has been at the club in some capacity for 13 years, had … Continue reading Melbourne Victory CEO Trent Jacobs set to depart
W-League stars convene with eyes on Tokyo Olympics and beyond
Full story first published for SBS' The World Game: https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/w-league-stars-convene-with-eyes-on-tokyo-olympics-and-beyond Matildas’ assistant coach Melissa Andreatta and her fellow national team coaches are looking to build an arsenal that can not only challenge for a medal in Tokyo, but also fire in the years ahead. 26 of the 2020-21 W-League season’s best performers assembled in Sydney … Continue reading W-League stars convene with eyes on Tokyo Olympics and beyond
ESPN Australia and New Zealand Football Wrap: Sydney Derby brilliance needs to be the A-League norm, not the exception
Adam Le Fondre's potential impact, Sam Kerr's adjustment to life in Europe, Riku Danzaki finding his feet at Brisbane Roar, progress on a National Second Tier, and a word of temperance after a big week for A-League crowds. It's all here, and more, in the ESPN Australia and New Zealand Football Wrap! Full story published for ESPN Australia and New Zealand: … Continue reading ESPN Australia and New Zealand Football Wrap: Sydney Derby brilliance needs to be the A-League norm, not the exception
Who wins ESPN’s Hypothetical Australian Club Championship?
With the concept of a unified, club championship being floated by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), ESPN Australia and New Zealand has done the math to figure out just who would reign supreme if such a trophy existed in 2020-21 - and beyond. Full story published for ESPN Australia and New Zealand: https://www.espn.com.au/football/australian-a-league/story/4373090/who-wins-espns-hypothetical-australian-club-championship
