Ive Sobered Up

But Im not apologising. I stand by my comments.

What i was trying to say early on was we shouldnt conform to something just because everyone else is doing it. The examples i used were to show that same things go by different names depending on where you are. A bit like every country having its own language. So what if its called soccer here? Its what we know it as just like we know footy as Aussie Rules. Just like the Irish have Gaelic footy and the Americans American footy. We have Aussie Rules footy. Footy is the number 1 sport in Australia and will probably remain that way for many years to come. Soccer is on the increase but it will take a while before it overtakes football, if it ever will.

Perhaps I was a bit harsh with the go home if you are not going to barrack for Australia comments. I half wrote it knowing I would get a response (which it did…nothing like a bit of racial banter to stir up feelings). The other half I wrote out of anger because there has been all this hype about Australia finally making the world cup and some people I know were slagging the aussie team cause they (in their opinion) arent going to do well so they are going to cheer for their country of heritage, all so they can dump shit on us when “their” team does better, which i doubt they will even do. I just find that appalling. Here they were cheering on Australia to beat Urgay and how soccer is the greatest sport in the world (their opinion, not mine) and how soccer in Australia is now going to take off. And now they don’t want a part of it. I coach (assistant) an under 15 footy side – 3 weeks ago we lost by 40 goals, 2 weeks ago by 35 goals. Both games we only just had the number of players to field a full side. Last week we didn’t have a full team but they didn’t want to forfeit, they wanted to play. And we only lost by 20 goals. They turn up and train every week and eagerly await the game. If it weren’t for illness keeping a few players out we would have given the other team a good run for its money. Its called spirit. Something this person obviously doesn’t have. Not surprising considering they are a soccer fan.

As for footy commentators, couldnt agree with you more Rob. Todays commentators are shit. The only reason they have the job is because they used to play the game or have one-liners (eg. "cenimetre perfect - Dennis Commetti). Most are in fact quite boring and give no real insight or passion to the game. Expert or special commentators my arse. They have simply tried to imitate the American style of commentating which is to provide entertainment. Gary Lyon is the only TV commentator I enjoy listening to. Dennis Commetti is good but has been influenced over the last dew years by his channel 9 counterparts and has slipped. Anthony Hudson provides passion but it sounds forced or trying at times. The radio is a much better alternative, although biased. Passion is certainly not lost. Next year Bruce McAvaney will grace our screens and the worlds greatest commentator will again be ours to listen to.

Hoogster, I wouldn’t wipe my arse with the page of the paper cause you cant wipe away shit with shit. Take the poll in Adelaide last September a week before the Crows played the Power in the Semifinal. A much different result it would have been (Probably about 90%-10% in favour of footy). Take it in this September, a different result again. Take it in 5 weeks and the soccer percentage will probably be higher. And who says Victoria is the home of AFL? Maybe they do and maybe they used to be. But not anymore. It is truly a national game. In the last 10 years, 7 grand finals have been won by a team outside of Victoria. Also, where was the last Australian soccer match played? Victoria. All that hype will have influenced the result. Im not saying soccer isn’t interesting. Because it is. Do you forget the star striker of our year 7 team? There has been a lot of talk about the negativity of footy these days. And maybe half the games are “boring”. But what about the other half. Nothing has been said about the Collingwood v Bulldogs game last week. It was a beauty. And in all fairness it is hard to call the Australia v Greece game interesting. I don’t know what the fuck you were watching. Spectacular goal and Australia were tactically brilliant but I found the FA cup final was a lot more exciting even though I couldn’t care who won that. And what you talk about with astute coaches can be said with the AFL. Richmond (paying $5.75) beat Adelaide (paying $1.20) through a plan the coach devised and the players carried out to perfection. It’s the same with all sports.

And here’s something to make the world cup a bit more exciting. Im willing to wager with you all that my country of heritage (Australia) will make it further than yours. If each put in, say $10, winner to take all who’s in? Nick, you have the dutch, Emil the croats, John England, Rob Italy and anyone else is welcome. Except Shaun. Sorry mate but India didn’t quite make it.