May 25, 2007
A-League Curtainraiser
As part of the A-League fixture between Adelaide United & Melbourne Victory in Launceston on 15th July, FFT will be required to put on a fixture as a ‘curtain-raiser’ to the A-League match.
Who or what should this fixture entail? Have your input and let FFT know what you want to see as a curtain raiser.
Is there any other type of entertainment you would like to see?
From my perspective I would love to see a select Tassie squad that includes (where applicable), our Tassie players currently playing in Victoria, oppose a Victorian Premier League club.
Doing this may give us a yardstick on how a Tasmanian team entered in the V-League might fare. In making this comparrison one would need to keep in mind the select Tassie squad would not be familiar with each other and therefore not as ‘gelled’ as a club team…yet.
Comment by Blackjack — May 25, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
I suppose a select squad from Tassie would be good in that it would represent many clubs, however as you’ve stated they may not have time to gel, and a drubbing would show Tasmanian football in a not so very good light.
For the fans point of view in seeing an entertaining game, why not have the top under 17’s or 19’s team from north and south, you could even have them as north south select. I would go for these age groups as they tend to be less inhibited and more attacking, which would at least give the fans a bit of action before the main event.
Comment by richard mac — May 26, 2007 @ 12:18 am
Thats sounds good to me BJ but i think ti would be hard to get the tassie clubs away from their VPL clubs, btu worth a try. I think if this wasnt able to happen they should get a south rep VS north rep game happening. or top side form south VS top side from north. I’d rather see the tassie team against a VPL club.
Comment by Player — May 26, 2007 @ 12:39 am
BJ - logistics may prevent that. Perhaps we could have the NOrth v SOuth series?
Comment by sj — May 26, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Logistics may prevent that but it would be worth asking the question at least.
Comment by Blackjack — May 26, 2007 @ 7:56 am
Maybe 2 games. Best players from North vs South. As well as an under 19 north vs south game.
Comment by North — May 26, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
19’s South VS North Rep. Game could be a good idea because this seem to contain the most exciting and most promising players. Also it would be a great experience for the youngsters to play infront of a fair crowd watched by A-league fans and personel. who would coach and choose the teams?
Comment by Player — May 26, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
I reckon thats a great idea BJ, would be interesting to see people’s line ups TAS vs VIC?
who would yours be? AND WHO WOULD COACH????????
Comment by Borat — May 26, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
wont happen as the vpl has a full round of matches that weekend
Comment by trev — May 26, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
“Is there any other type of entertainment you would like to see?” Surprised there has been no suggestions for that BJ!
.
How about staging the PL games that are now not happening? Save a rostering dilemna for the FFT and increase the crowd by 44.
Comment by tasblue — May 26, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Would propose that maybe the TIS squad playing a rep 18 team would be good - then followw with a heap of 4 v 4 games all over the park with local youngsters under 6-8
Comment by sent off — May 26, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
Please anything but 1000s of little kids playing football on several little pitches marked out by cones. We see that all the time with Auskick and Cricket. I senior game would be nice… It is probably too late to have a decent south v north game. Existing teams perhaps who are already familiar and ‘gelled’ would probably be a better option.
Comment by 1878 — May 26, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
It would be unfair to have 2 clubs play each other how would the teams be chosen to play it would make it very hard to pick just 2, A rep game of some sort of a senior level who knows who could get noticed at a curtainraser such as that.
Comment by Borat — May 27, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
I think a state under 23 team like last time could generate some interest in some of the young talent we have.
Maybe against one of the A league developement teams.
I think a couple of guys got trials from the last game.
Comment by the real BoB — May 27, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
what a-league development team?
Comment by Borat — May 27, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
Player.
Somebody has mooted the possibility of A Tasmanian rep team encompassing the Tassie players plying their trade in the VPL, playing against a VPL club. Surely, it is not incumbent upon you to argue against the potential match, predicated on what the VPL may or may not do, in terms of releasing players. The VPL is a minor league, in a macro footballing sense. Surely the interests of football as a whole in Tasmania, and consequently Australia, is more important than the insignificant VPL?
This is what concerns me about the existence of a Tasmanian team in the VPL, as opposed to a resurgent Tasmanian football state league. That is, a meek acceptance a VPL team is all we deserve.
In the cricketing milieu, there would have been a significant number of cricketing voices in Victoria, who have been arguing against the existence of a Tasmanian team for the last 20 years. Now Tasmania has won the Pura Cup.
In AFL, Victorians HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WHATSOEVER to nurture Australian rules in this state, to its detriment. Tasmanian Australian rules supporters are decidedly acquiescent about having no AFL representation in an Australia wide competition. Guess what, I’ve travelled al over the world and AFL is only the most popular sport in four states in Australia! To not have a team here is beyond ludicrous! Tasmanians response is to loyally support teams from the rest of Australia. The Tasmanian AFL fraternity should be demanding an AFL team here. However, this is good news for football, because AFL have almost missed the boat in Tasmania.
I don’t want to see Football Federation Victoria in any way influencing what happens here. Football is such a global game, we can seek advice from all over the world as what is a good paradigm in the interests of Tasmanian football. I’m surprised anybody here can be accepting that any a tin pot VPL team, who draw tiny crowds, can dictate what can occur in a significant match for the future of Tasmanian football in front of a big crowd.
Having stated this, I accept the VPL and NSW state league are the major feeder leagues to the A League. In addition, I’ve seen some footage of them and the standard is pretty decent.
In conclusion, I hope to have a Tasmanian team with all its VPL players playing another team of significant standard on July 15th as a curtain raiser. What about an AIS team?
The AIS play in the VPL do they not. Is this one of those moments called irony??
BJ
Comment by Decentric — May 27, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
would be great to have tasmania vs victoria or another state but it wont happen as you would think it would take a fair bit to organize and there isnt much time before the game, maybe at the end of the season there could be a game
Comment by trev — May 28, 2007 @ 12:11 am
Nice comments Decentric…and BJ…lol
However, what have FFT organised as a curtain-raiser. I assume that this event is organised by FFT to promote the game locally so what has their planning come up with?
Comment by A whisper — May 28, 2007 @ 10:02 am
A certain other football code pulled 18,000 for a game at the Aurora Stadium. Do we think this A-League game will come close to this? I would like to see the North vs. South match, or even something like state under 23 team versus state mens team? Although I do not know who would play for this Mens team if the under 23’s were taken out of selection. I won’t be going for the curtain raiser anyway!
Comment by steven hawkings football boots — May 28, 2007 @ 10:58 am
steven hawkings football boots- mens team would beat 23’s…… as for who would be left?? pullen, mainella, huigsloot, fielding, begovic, telega, crosswell, mckenna, falzon just to name a couple?? be a good game i reckon!!
Comment by corey smith — May 28, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Why not 2 normal roster matches for the northern league?
Comment by Peter Pearce — May 28, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Two Northern league matches?? Why??
Don’t you want to see something just a bit different??
Comment by Mirror Image — May 28, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
Open mens v U23 would be a reasonable match, but I’d prefer to see U23 Southern v U23 Northern.
Comment by Lionheart — May 28, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
U23 North Vs U23 South would be great to see. Who would your team be? Which big name players are Under 23?
Rather than flood this discussion topic with ‘fantasy’ teams. I’ll put up a topic along these lines in a day or two. BJ
Comment by Player — May 28, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
I wonder if Heidleberg would like to come down and play a game now that they have signed a Tasmanian striker to play with them. Bad luck for Clarence but great news for Dwayne Walsh
Comment by A Whisper — May 28, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
My understanding is that a press release is iminent.
Comment by Brian Roberts — May 28, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
FFT’s press release imminent?? better check on the Lions website!hehe
Comment by vivailcalcio — May 28, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
One Coca Cola Championship game I went to at half time they had a “Football Freestyler” perform at half time. It was some Scottish bloke in the middle of the park accompanied by ‘pumping beats’ and doing stuff that appears on a Nike commercials. It was a bit cheesy but a lot more exciting than the mediocre fixture. Perhaps something like that? Another popular one at Premier League fixtures is hit the bar. Where you have to hit the bar twice to get a holiday to tenerife! Even Cheesier! A bit of a different suggestion though. Or (if possible) roll out some kind of futsal surface and have an exhibition game. Think outside the square.
(although to be realistic and beneficial to the game a match showcsing the best Tasmanian talent whether it is outright best, or age best it doesnt matter as long as it is a senior game u19s above)
Comment by 1878 — May 29, 2007 @ 4:10 am
Actually Corey now that you mention these players, that’s a pretty good men’s team. Wasn’t thinking right, must be this Launceston weather. It would be a good game to watch.
Comment by steven hawkings football boots — May 29, 2007 @ 9:51 am
the Idea of an U19 squad from South v North to playing as Curtain-raiser is brilliant ,lets give our tasmanian best young players a go .
Comment by Coach — May 30, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
South v South it would have to be if there were going to be and u/19 exhibition match. How many northern or NW boys have been in the state 19s the past two years?
Comment by Borat — May 31, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Seems to be official (but not confirmed):
North (under McGinn) v South (under Kelly)
Missed an opportunity there.
Comment by Blackjack — May 31, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
Just because they have not appeared in State teams doesn’t mean they are not up here. From a few I know on the North West I reakon if there is North v South U-19 look out South. Not that you would know or care but it is not that easy for our youngters to play State football as travel becomes an issue. As for suggesting South v South, What a typical comment from a narrow minded Southerner
Comment by Hugo — May 31, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
Comment by Borat — May 31, 2007 @ 10:49 pm
Hugo - comment from Borat was only a reflection of reality - some good quality U19 players in North and North West but not sufficient quantity. North in particular has been light on in recent years.
Comment by sj — June 1, 2007 @ 12:31 am
Thank you sj, i dont want this to turn into a sth v nth issue or a gang attack on hugo but there is not enough players over the last 2 squads to form a norther team. Yes there were a couple boys from the top end in the first year but how many are still eligble to play if it is u/19? Sam luck? no, Andy Garwood? no Simon wilson? no just to name a few. It would be a great idea but i just dont think its sustainable, sorry Hugo.
Comment by Borat — June 1, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
We will have to agree to dissagree on this one, we play regularly agianst these boys and Sam Luck and Simon Wilson would be lucky to make a Northern U-19 team even if they were available. We have some really good talent coming through, I just wish we could get to prove it.
Numbers in State teams are irrelevent
Comment by Hugo — June 1, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
Well Hugo i can accept that you as a NW i think would definatly know more about the boys up there than i. But there is definatly some decent talent up there i wont disagree there. What club is it that you support?
Comment by Borat — June 3, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
does anyone remember the curtainraiser for perth glory and melbourne knights at york park when a state u/23 side played the melbourne knights youth team?
Comment by super sub — June 3, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
It was a good game if i recall, damian mori put glory up 1-0 before half time, then the knights midfielder alex kirazoglou(spelling) equalised in the last 5 minutes i believe. The youth team lost 3-1 i think, harbinson might have been the tasmanian goal scorer.
Comment by Borat — June 4, 2007 @ 10:01 am
I am from Burnie United, 3 of our senior team are u-18 and they are part of the reason we are equal top at the moment, Somerset also have some great young talent. If we include Mark Ambrose who went to Rangers this year as he is at Uni we could have Jez Debomford, Astyn and Kaimon Johnson, Mark Ambrose, Jacob Glover, Todd Hingstone, Bobby Eaves, Rob Snare, Andrew Considine. Thats 9 players from Burnie and Somerset who are mostly among the best players in their clubs senior teams week in week out, and these are teams who are among the best going around at the moment. So yes, and thanks for agreeing, we do have the talent I am not sure there is much up North.
Comment by Hugo — June 4, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
The coaching appointments for the North-South Challenge Series this year have been confirmed. The coaches are:
North
Men’s Team - Tom McGinn (Devonport City)
Women’s Team – Jason Jones (Launceston City)
South
Men’s Team – Eamonn Kelly
Women’s Team – Matthew Shaw (University)
Furthermore, the curtain raiser for the A-League match on July 15th will be a North v South Men’s team match, kicking off at 10:00am.
Comment by Blackjack — June 5, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
What time’s the kick-off in the A-League game? Can’t find it anywhere. Presume 2.30?
The ‘curtain raiser’ is at 10.00? If that’s the case there may be the first few into the ground to watch the lines being re-marked!
Hope I’m wrong about the times.
Comment by tasblue — June 9, 2007 @ 8:44 pm