Smith - i hope i pronounced that right

Yesterday i went to watch Sydney FC take on Queensland Roar (stupid name) at Aussie Stadium, with me mate lewko. While the result was a draw, for me, the highlights of the game were many.

The first and foremost is to drink beer at a sporting event with a mate - simple but you can not beat it. No matter what the event but if there is a crowd and an option for having a bevvy with a friend, i am for it.

A close second was Benito Carbone and seeing what a true world class player of football can do. While he did not get the supply that he would have liked to see him with the ball at his feet was special. It is often said of the great ones that they do not run on the pitch but they glide across it, and seeing him take on defenders really proved that. To say that he was silky would unfairly increase the smoothness of the silkworms finest, and decrease his prowess on the field. In short i think i have a slight man-crush on him and am very keen to get a kick around going (interested parties let me know)

The other pleasing thing to come from that game was the size of the crowd. 17,000+ fans at any game of soccer, particularly given the sudden cool snap and gale force wind that hit Sydney late in the afternoon, is a great turn out. To put it in perspective that is higher than the average NRL crowd but still about half of the average AFL crowd. To be fair AFL is often highly attended with poor television ratings and the NRL have the reverse but i think it is fair to say that the A-League is hitting its target market and getting bums on seats. Add to that the large number of younger kids/families that were at the game seems to me indicate that the future is very bright for this competition. Rugby League seems determined to get rid of fans and just have a television audience, with games being played later in the day and more night games, making it impossible for young kids to attend. Aussie rules is still in a very strong position but due to the lack of performance from the victorian clubs, the calls for fewer Vic teams to strengthen the playing rosters, is gaining momentum. While this will not effect the game it will effect supporters who may be looking for a new outlet for their sporting passion.

All of this is playing into FFA hands and ensures that when HKewell decides to hang up his boots he will come back to a very strong competition and no longer play that sport for poofters,wogs and sheilas.

TimeWastin
Gold - Webcam strip goes wrong (Caution: a little bit of breast)
Bubble shooter - game