Nearpost Football

Nick Amies, Gerald Crawford and Clive MacKillop take an in-depth look at the new A-League broadcast deal as well as running the rule over Holger Osieck's tenure as Socceroos coach. Download. or play right from your computer....

After a brief vacation the Nearpost Podcast is back! Nick Amies, Ben Kelly and Clive MacKillop take you through all the action of the weekend's A-League and W-League fixtures and also giving you their predictions for the upcoming round of fixtures. Download. or play right from your computer....

You knew they'd concede heaps once Sydney came out 3-1 down on Saturday and went to a back three. They did. Schoolboy Coaching? Possibly, schoolboy defending...all game. Confidence at an all time low? Of course 6 or 7 players out including a defence means results are perhaps not showing the real Sydney especially as its early in the season. But you can guarantee if they can't get three out of four defenders back for this week they'll get thumped again. Melbourne will rip them to shreds. Worse

It has always been interesting to watch the evolution of Australia's biggest supported football club. Melbourne Victory. Ernie Merrick took them to the heights early. Thumping Sydney FC at Olympic Park in season 1 in front of a sold out crowd, followed in Season 2 by Archie's Grand Final (I was there)demolition of Adelaide United in front of 55,000 at one of the AFL's once previously monopolised hallowed grounds. Ernie remained, players changed. Grant Brebner and Leigh Broxham took centre stage

It was all Rado, what did Ange do? Or so came the cry from some football followers and if grew a little louder once Brisbane had thumped Melbourne 5-0 in Round 2. 5 rounds in and it's time for further assessment. Melbourne Victory are the most improved team in the league. Their first half performance was simply stunning last night v the renowned tough to beat Wellington Phoenix. Last night Melbourne passed and passed again. It was fast and incisive, more so that Brisbane at their best