Why not he is a brand name? and prior to being a sprinter didnt he play football? 

It's Charlesworth's idea.  Not the FFA.  

This is another good reason for the League to be run independently.  People should know who to laugh at.
OTOH I don't want A League owners running the FFA for the very same reason.

Cap him.

Who do you support? Victory or Sydney, so you would be happy with them doing this to your club?

I highly fucking doubt it :laugh:

Joke League.

I'm actually interested in seeing how he goes.

The mariners need something so this is a risk for them that they are willing to take

I'm all for it, it's not stupid to trial someone, especially one with his pace. 
Can't understand the negative comments

How about for once we wait and see what happens ffs. 

It's a trial. The same sort of trial he had at Dortmund.

I left for work forgetting to put my belt on my pants yesterday. #lowyout 

I watched him play in a charity match ( yes they are generally played for fun with no real competition......but he did look good and it went to penalties and he slotted he’s beautifully.

He is an athlete. I say give him a chance. He isn’t coming here for a holiday. He clearly loves football and wants to make something of himself.

He is worth every chance. If it works out the benefits are massive.

Not many other players would make front page of the telegraph without spending millions of dollars. He puts the league in yhr Spotlight which is what we want.

The problem is that Charlesworth wants the FFA/Fox to fund when he won’t even use his banked salary cap.

As far as I can estimate, the Mariners should have spent their banked salary cap of the last few seasons last season or this season. And that is in breach of the salary cap rules.

Charlesworth can f/off

He had a similar situation to Elise Perry, in that he could have had a professional football career or professional running, he chose the later. I don't doubt he still has the talent to do the former, especially at the pace of the A League. Given his marketability, this should be a shoo in for the FFA to get behind.

To be fair, we've had plenty of guys who can run but can't play football in the A-League.

It's a trial so it's worth it. If he is signed for marketing then yes, circus but if he is half decent, then sign him up on a contract and the flog it off for a profit next year...

He's not that fast over 10 metres though, is he? He needs about 40m to get up. :D

I'm not sure, maybe? I think it will be interesting to see how he adapts.

As mentioned, he's clearly played recreationally in the past and has always loved the sport, so I think comparisons to the AFL's cross code gimmicks aren't appropriate. And this is no regular sportsperson; he's arguably the greatest athlete of all time.

Not a fan of these gimmicks - but given that there's a six week trial and no guarantee of a contract, then it's no better or worse than when he trialed with Dortmund (as others have said). If he makes it on merit - good. If he doesn't - it's a bit of publicity for the A-League during August/September.

Chances are, he's just as skilled as Ben Halloran .... but faster.

But if he's totally crap but still gets a contract, then the league will definitely be a joke.

Here's the 1hr15min training session with Dortmund.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqMC2qENv1c

Don't think this is a good move for the A league.
The general thought was he could try 4th or 5th tier of German football.
Didn't have it for Bundesliga.

Well his 1st touch can't be any worse than most players in this league LOL

A guy who’s never played football professionally on a deal which requires money from the marquee fund? No thanks. What a circus. Get this shit away from football here.

What must a young Australian who has been playing football all his life be thinking when he sees an Olympic track and field champion take his place in the starting XI at CCM? 

My only guess is this will be another marketing drive and he will see little to no gametime. 

I cant just imagine it , if somehow he makes it and miraculously scores, they'll prolly start cranking Bob Marley music over the stadium speakers

4th of 5th is rediculous. He's probably about ecl level but I guess we will find out

Are you talking about all those young Australian's who until now have been leading A-League attacks across the country?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multi-sport_athletes

Some huge names there. Had no idea that Tom Brady was drafted out of high school by a Major League Baseball team, or that there's a capped Norwegian footballer who is also a chess grandmaster!

What position does Bolt play? Does he even know?

As others have said it's a trial.  If he's good enough what's the problem?

If it's a trial and he's good enough but if he doesnt make it it will just look bad on CCM.

Love to see the new look ccm front 2 of Bolt and Simon.