yeah, the NPL + FFA Cup spotlight has been great imo. And yeah, hopefully fruitful times ahead

Not many NPL clubs have improved their style of football. They have become better organised as a defensive units, setting up not to lose and frustrate opponents, as opposed to trying to win. They have improved   their fitness too, even though they are playing HAL clubs with heavy legs in preseason training mode. 

There are exceptions though - Bentleigh Greens play pretty decent football.

Good point.

Strikers were the better attacking team last night, had more chances and looked like they wanted to win, City were crap in attack and defence so there goes your theory. 

Green Gully outplayed CCM as well in the last round.

#lopping

Literally amateur hour defending by City.

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#3yearstops

Was just about to post that haha - fucking fantastic stuff, although I am concerned that it may purely be down to the Cahill Circus being on the main channel.

This the marketing at work though. 

Entice them to watch becuase of Cahill but then hope they come back because of the comp. 

That was the worst City have looked for a long time. Defence was woeful, incredibly disjointed attack. Never tested the NPL keeper at all, don't think he had more than one save to make all game, apart from the penalties. 

Still a lot of gaps in that squad. No playmakers and no quality CB's or DMs. And No organisation. I can't believe City powerbrokers could be remotely satisfied with how the squad is shaping. 

My favourite bit is the airswing of the guy who was supposed to be marking him, had good position but decided, for some reason, to not go anywhere near the ball when it came in.

It is great stuff, I agree. However why is it concern?

The most well known player in Australian football is sought after to be watched on tv by the 'non purists' giving more exposure to the league and football in Aus. 

Agree with all this, except the Strikers keeper made some good saves.

The one  saving grace was City build ups from  defence to the attacking  third with something like 80% of the possession.

The  build up problem was in the attacking third and creating scoring chances.

Yep, you will never satisfy the Cahill bitters on here no matter what he does. He has brought more viewership to the FFA Cup  and in turn exposed the local game to an audience that probably would not have watched otherwise. Pull your head out your arses ffs. 

Yeh Im not quite sure why its bad. I actually tried to think of a reason. I assume walnuts is a victory supporter so maybe there's a bit of bitter there. Maybe not, Im not sure. Without saying he is already a success, clearly cahills first game has achieved the intended outcome the FFA wanted (even though I'm against their whole approach to the league) and at very worst the positives far outweigh any negatives, if there are any at all. 

I reckon it'll be either be played at Viking Park or at McKellar Park will be official venue for Canberra Olympic's home Quarter Final tie if they do manage to draw to host Hyundai A-League opposition in Canberra due to the far bigger capacity than Deakin Stadium and have more lighting lux for FOX Sports broadcast needs.

Viking Park what a great name, stadium looks nice too:

Can't wait til our next FFA Cup match!

Only 343 days to go.

No bitterness - just concerned that the Cahill hype will paper over the cracks of real issues (no expansion, no second division etc). What happens when Cahill doesn't play? Do we plummet back to our previous levels and have to beg another famous face to come back and sell our souls to have their face plastered over everything?

This is kind of valid. Getting airtime is important, but ensuring we leverage that airtime into enduring interest in the league is what makes it valuable. So far that's the missing ingredient that's eluded us everytime that we've gone the big name route.

How long does anyone reckon the 'Cahill Hype' will last ?

As long as Fox and co keep forcing it down your throat lol.

-PB

If I don't have Fox, how do they get me to sign up ?

Where do they advertise ? Optus ?

Geez you talk crap. 

any idea if Lily Homes Stadium lighting standard is good enough to host A-League teams and there is a real possibility they could have hosting an A-League team in the FFA Cup quarter finals.

4 A-League teams will make the 1/4 finals. For an NPL to be sure to make the semis that means at least one game will be all A-League. MV play MC 15th October, semi finals start 18th. I'm guessing FFA will make sure of a Melbourne A-League derby the 24th or 30th of August to keep riding the hype train.

Western Sydney V Blacktown would be good.

Could have both Melbourne and Sydney derbies, assuming WSW gets up over Edgy.

I doubt the FFA would prefer that so early in preseason, though, and I'd prefer they'd hold off too as I'll be overseas for the Quarter Finals!

I didnt see the BR PG game but SFC were pretty average against WW. Im not sure what impact Bobo will have but PG will be very strong one would think at home. 

However if they win one of the following matches will be played WSW SFC, WSW MV, WSW MC, SFC MV, SFC MC, MV MC. Iirc MC played SFC in their first comp match but they have a better profile today (and that match was at Ballarat). Possible big 1/4 match coming.