Of course he had an option. He had a choice and he made it. Fair enough, Jamie but don't pretend it wasn't a choice. 

I remember the days where footballers booked these sort of things on the off season. 
Truly embarrassing

Sincerely hope that Daggers and/or Fornaroli scores and we won’t even miss JMac at all

I would have left him out of the squad for both games. A bit pointless having him against Japan, he would be more effective against the Saudi's.

He's only good at a-league level anyway

he's clearly under the thumb, march is a great time to get married. Could of easily done it in December.

Yeah well I'd rather not qualify for a world cup than play this entitled knob again.
Not that I think he holds the key that's for sure.

His arrogance will only ever allow him to be a big fish in a small stagnant pond

My favourite bit:

I can't change the date and the venue hold the money and at the same time my partner has sacrificed a lot as well.

Mentioned not wanting to lose a deposit before his wife.

x 10000000000

😂 it must be love ❤️ 

Its a bit of a worrying trend lately with players choosing other parts of their lives OVER representing Australia.. WTF is going on? 

We have had cockheads like craig johnson (and even likes of zelic having a tanty) but look at blokes like Mori - paid their own way to play to represent their country. 

Memory is hazy but a few players paid themselves to fly to qualifiers years ago....contrast that with this lot.

They are prima donnas with inflated egos who earn more than their worth who have no heart and probably feel the national team is on a hiding to nothing anyway so why should they bother.

If I was being generous, I have wondered lately what sort of medium term societal effects the "covid years" will have.
I feel like a lot of things were put into perspective for people who have realised that everything is bullshit outside of your circle.

I imagine that's heightened for people in positions to not worry about feeding their family etc

I know that in the semi pro days players often had lose their daytime employment just to go on tour and remember reading countless stories of Soccerros missing the birth of their children or some such event... Just seems like this modern lot, who are paid EXCLUSIVELY to play the game like Davide mentions above, dont seem to respect the shirt as much as they should. Yes Im probably an angry old man yelling at clouds but Maclaren would never play for the green and gold again if I had any influence whatsoever. 

with you on that 

Without knowing the full details, I doubt MacLaren took this decision lightly and without consultation with management etc.

I know another professional footballer who has had to postpone their wedding not once but twice since the beginning of the pandemic. It’s finally set to go ahead in the off-season, but it’s a surprisingly small window of time - otherwise they lose all the money they’ve laid down. It's a not insubstantial amount, not to mention the pressure it can put on a family unit.

The timing still seems far from perfect, but not sure MacLaren totally deserves the pile-on right now.

It's also one of those questions, just because things were done in the past, does that make it better? Reminds me of Steven Gerrard saying Bukayo Saka has to toughen up because he (Gerrard) has steel pins in his hip from being clattered in his playing days. 

You blokes are being a bit harsh what about all the guests that would have to travel and all their accommodation and flights that would need to be cancelled?

He might have invited 200 people for all we know. (600+ if she's Greek.)

Shit happens sometimes.

Boohoo, I know of a couple who have had to re-schedule 4 times in the last 2 years, 2 of the times they lost their deposit. 10k down the drain.

These fuckwits would make that from just playing these games.

its one of those situations for many, you live by the sword or die by it.........
He chose his path respect that to a degree.
On the other hand its his living/a pro And NT duty your called upon, you don't know when but when your called.
I understand a family death or accident/kids issue BUT a wedding that how many other normal living people have suffered the same issues/delays/postponements since covid who if in his shoes wouldn't say no representing your country let alone talking to your long time partner for ongoing loving understanding. (my son has gone through it twice as well through covid and lost $$)
So yer his call but I'm ???? would I say no playing for the green and gold in his position ? nah doubt it I'd be there with boots on, you can't get that back the pending Mrs's can wait.

Oh Saka does need to harden up :) the game is way softer and refs protect players way more as we know, if only SG/Keane/Viera/Fergo/Stam and others were on the park today lol.......

I actually rate this decision as one of the worst out there, I even think Craig Johnston's position was more respectful, Craig said no to playing for Australia, Jamie's just choosing not to because he doesn't want to loose a deposit.

I can even understand if it was verse Thailand, but it ain't, it's verse our biggest adversery, in our most important game of the qualifiers.

JMac better do something good v Japan otherwise drop him and let Fornaroli, Daggers & (if vaccinated in time) Ruka fill his role from SA onwards 

Look, I hate his goatee and manicured look as well so I will just keep laying the boot in 

That headline is a mood. 

Been waiting for a year & a half to get married, delay after delay (getting married in Perth, working in Darwin). Original date was early March but had to push back.

September couldn't come soon enough. Reckon the wife will like a Qatar honeymoon lads? xD

I am 100% with JMac on this.

Good on him.

His wife to be and family are more important - just a shame it came to a choice.

It seems like he always has an excuse not to play for his country. Surely you cannot pick him again


https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/socceroos-jamie-maclaren-ready-to-deliver-for-australia-after-agony-of-missing-national-duty/news-story/2f099d5f838f4c4b658c7a98de9e8309

Birth of a child - yes
Death in the family - yes
Wedding - no

You have control of 1/3 there

Here's one for ya RIMB ha ha