The 'Mark It Down' NRL Season Preview

Well folks it's that time of year again, the beginning of the NRL season so I thought I'd share with you my vision for the season ahead. You're all very lucky and I'll tell you why. Back in October 1991 my then housemate and I were experimenting with chili's. We were making a chili con carne, using way too many habaneros. After throwing caution to the wind and consuming a bowl next thing I knew I had been transported to October 2012, where I didn't think to write down any Lottery numbers but while there I did make note of the Rugby League ladder for the season just completed. Back in 1991 there were no teams from North Queensland or New Zealand or Melbourne so imagine my surprise to read their names as I scanned the results, and I was shocked to see no Norths, and that Wests and Balmain had merged, as had St George and Illawarra. On returning to the present I filed away the information I had recorded whilst in the future and now here in 2012 I have opened up the vault and now that I have completed placing all my bets for the season, am now prepared to share with everyone what I know.

So here they are sports fans, my vision from the future here now in the present....Once you have read this I suggest you start contacting your bookies.....

                                                        Brisbane Broncos


The Broncs will have to face up to life without Darren Lockyer pretty quickly if they are to be any hope, not only for the crown but also to show the rest of the rugby league world they are not just one-trick ponies. Although with almost the entire state of Queensland to acquire talented youth, and gnarly old veterans like Hodges and Thaiday chances are they will go alright. Top 8 will be a minimum but if they haven't won by round 5 look for a return of the Messiah on a token contract, ratified by the league. My Prediction: 6th

                                                         Canberra Raiders


Canberra Raiders were once the best club in the league filled to the brim of International Superstars. But that was 20 years ago and since the greatest ever Raider Ric Stuart left for less Greener jerseys, it's been a big slide back to the ordinary team they were back in their formative years. Their star these days is Terry Campese, a bloke who played a whole 11 minutes for the entire 2011 season. If he can get past 12 minutes in this game the Faiders will think they are a chance at winning the comp. They do have an up and coming star in Josh Duggan, but his apparent 'Big head' and penchant for tattoos will ensure he spends most of the season in pain from all the tattooists needles and beatings from annoyed locals. My Prediction:11th

                                  Canterbury Bulldogs


Have been major disappointments to their fans the last couple of years, which is good news for everyone else because generally Canterbury fans are the worst in the league, just ask CityRail maintenance staff. The acquisition of last years premiership winning coach Des Hasler won't change much this year although it will bring improvement, albeit slight. No real star players I can think of although Ben Barba will probably top the tryscorers list. Look for them in 2013 when Des can bring all the manly players over. My Prediction:9th

                                       Cronulla Sharks


The long suffering fans of the competitions least successful club ever have reason to believe they will come out of the doldrums this year on the strength of Todd 'Schooners' Carney's arrival in the shire. It's a 50/50 chance he'll either fly high or crash and burn. He at least has the advantage of not having the Daily Telecrap stalking his every move like last season. But despite having 'Schooners' and the born again saviour of NSW football Paul Gallen, the old saying, 'You can't polish a turd' rings true here. Hurry up and die you sad club. My Prediction:12th

      Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club           


                         Sydney Roosters (as registered with NSWRL)

The proudest, greatest and longest serving club in the NRL had an underwhelming season last year after being beaten Grand Finalists the year before. The major reasons for last years fall from grace have now been removed from the club and a new generation featuring the youngest squad in the NRL, with only 3 players over the age of 25, has a chance to show their wares and do this great club proud. Led ably by former Captain of the year Braith Anasta, the atrocities and big headed arrogance of certain players will be a thing of the past. A decent season will see finals football, but the reliance on youth will become too much at the later end of the season. Watch for TauTau Moga in the centres. An 18yo kid the size of Mal Meninga, if Mal Meninga was bigger! My Prediction:7th

The legendary Captain Charger, former Gold Coast mascot.

                                       Gold Coast Titans


Last years wooden spooners Gold Coast have decided to recruit every bad-ass and miscreant they could get their hands on. They made a play for Todd 'Schooners' Carney but missed out. So with every other party animal in the NRL now residing on the glitter strip, expect the Tits to start the slow descent into the realms haunted by their predecessors the Gold Coast Giants/Seagulls/Chargers. Which makes me think I really miss Captain Charger, the greatest mascot in NRL history. Did you know he used to put socks in the front of his undies and golf balls in the back? Sorry I digress, but talking about Captain Charger is way more interesting than talking about this mob. Watch the fickle Coastie crowds dwindle as the losses pile up too. Not one sporting team of any code has succeeded on the Gold Coast long term, something to think about.  My Prediction:15th

                                Manly Warringah Sea Eagles


Deserved premiers in 2011 the club started to implode not long after leaving the presentation, much to the joy of most rugby league fans, who have always loved to hate the team from the Insular Peninsular. It all began with the sacking of club Godfather Peter 'Zorba' Peters, and culminated with the loss of coaching staff including Noel Cleal and head coach Des Hasler to Canterbury. Fortunately for them the crux of the playing roster has remained and new coach Geoff Toovey probably spent more time on the field last season than most players anyway, and should know exactly what to do. Won't win it, but still top 4. Watch for the Stewart brothers to be obnoxious twits.  My Prediction:3rd

                                        Melbourne Storm


Remember the movie in the 80's Stand and Deliver? Based on the true story of maths teacher at Garfield high Mr Escalante, who took a class filled with rogues, miscreants and the general worst of society and helped them succeed and get to college, when truth is in the real world they cheated their way through. Well Craig Bellamy reminds me of Mr Escalante, he knew it was only cheating if you lose, if you cheat and win you are savvy, and if you are caught, deny responsibility and offer the excuse "I misinterpreted the rules". Cam Smith, Billy Slater and co have learnt well from Coach Escalante and get away with plenty as they are from an under-privileged rugby league area. This situation will continue in order to keep the Storm competitive and therefore continue to garner small amounts of interest in the AFL state. 'How do I reach these Kidzzz?' My Prediction:4th

                                        Newcastle Knights


From the aging Excalibur club to the incredibly aged Knights Nanna's, fans of Lord Tinklers plaything honestly believe they are going to win the comp this year, solely on the strength of new coach Wayne Bennett's arrival from St Merge. While Mr Bennett has an unenviable record as a head coach in the NRL, he is not Jesus Christ performing miracles, he is an experienced coach taking over a team of solid scrappers with a superstar winger and a fullback he brought with him, and teams whose best player is on the wing do not win titles. Purchasing old club legends for a last hurrah may be fun and fulfilling for Billionaire owners but it won't bring joy to the fans. With a bunch of old boys now also running the front office it's hard to see anything but trouble ahead. The real interest is in how long it takes for Wayne and Tinks to fall out over players. Tinks does love to sack coaches and trainers.  My Prediction:8th

                                   New Zealand Warriors


Last seasons losing Grand Finalists may have lost their coach, but this will turn out to be a blessing as virtually the same roster, plus the inclusion of some incredible talent from their Youth team and a local successful and respected new coach will go one better this year and take out the trophy. The only lingering issue that could stop them is the mind of the man who more than any other took them to the heights of last year, James Maloney. Homesick and already signed with another club for 2013, how he copes with one last year in the Shakey Isles will determine their hopes. My Prediction:1st

                               North Queensland Cowboys


With a squad of solid players rounded out with superstar Jonathon Thurston they are destined to go at least as far as 2011 if not further. Thurston had a sensational year last year and there seems no reason he won't do the same this year as he is doing well at staying out of trouble. Tariq Sims is another future star and the ageless Matt Bowen at the back playing without injury means they'll be hard to contain. Injury is their main demon, and Thurston and Bowen have been victims in the past. Will roll along quietly and will surprise many, without exactly exciting anyone. My Prediction:5th

                                       Parramatta Eels


Perennial underachievers for over 60 years with one golden era to their name. Between this mob and Penrith, no wonder the AFL believe the West of Sydney is ripe for the picking. Victims in recent seasons of poor recruiting (see Carl Webb, Paul Whatuira, Chris Walker et al) and total reliance on the Hayne Train. At least this year they have bought a quality yet enigmatic half in Chris Sandow, they have a swag of injuries from the trials and a really ordinalry playing roster. Expect nothing from them and you won't be disappointed with their position at the end of the season. My Prediction:13th

                                      Penrith Panthers


Penrith have a lot of flaws. Boring to watch and even read about, have always had the ugliest jerseys, failures for the majority of their history, come from the mountains and you know what they say about mountain folk. Phil Gould has become a sad parody of himself in recent years and will continue to embarrass the club and the league in the push for the hearts and wallets of the people of Western Sydney. Their players are crap and their prospects even more so. I would rather an Adam Sandler movie than this pack of losers. My Prediction:14th

                                 South Sydney Rabbitohs 


The perennial March champions have once again talked up their chances but this year they have one ace up their sleeve that has been missing every year since about 1989. They actually have a young progressive coach with a good CV showing success at the highest level in England. The fact he has already told owner Russell Crowe to but out is also a good sign. I can see them going on a decent run after they lose their first couple of games, then just as their long suffering and deluded faithful start to print up T shirts to celebrate making the finals, salary cap auditor and Rooster legend Ian Schubert will discover anomalies in the Rabbitohs salary cap and the ensuing breach notice being upheld will claim any points accrued during the season, consigning the club to its 9th Wooden Spoon and further shame. My Prediction:16th 

                               St George/Illawarra Steelers


A club that is entering it's fourteenth season, with one title that was gifted to them by officials with a string of dodgy calls throughout the season, yet the Woolongong power base continue to try and cash in on the past history of their club partner. Fact is they are now without the messianic influence of Wayne Bennett, and are now coached by a radio shock jock for all we know, with a bunch of old and over-rated players no other club would take they are the anonymous team with little appeal. The slide in the fortunes of this young club will commence now. My Prediction:10th

                                           Wests Tigers 


Now they have all but removed those pesky Wests Magpie types from the club, the way has been paved to go back to the name Balmain in the near future, promising a better chance of success in the minds of the big wigs out Leichardt way, seeing as Wests have hardly been shining lights over the league's history. Truth is Balmain has always been synonymous with mediocrity and long term that is where this club is destined to be entrenched. But for now they have a chance to add to the title they fluked back when Touch Footy rules applied with their gun Benji at the peak of his powers back in 2005. They'll be thereabouts again, but I just don't see them having the mental strength or actual talent to take the big prize. My Prediction:2nd




So there you have it folks, my unbiased opinion on how the season will end up based on my chili time travel experience.Of course if the season doesn't pan out as I predict, put the whole experience down to being just a dream.. If you have for any reason taken offense at my predictions for your team, I'm sorry you support a reprehensible club. You should start following the Roosters..... :)


Good luck in your respective Tipping Comps and Fantasy Leagues and remember on Grand Final day to shout out "Easts To Win!" Just like the great Ray Stehr did.

Speedway '77 - The Cost Of Racing.

In a previous post I discussed the history of Newcastle International Motordrome, particularly 1977, the first season under the N.I.M moniker and first season of Peter Gurbriel's successful promotion of the venue. During this time my father, Brian Burrell was having one of his most successful periods during his sedan racing career. His mother Mary, (my Nan) was also at her peak with regards to record keeping. I recently found a page in a book with a list she had made of racing expenses for the months of January and February 1977. Before I get to those I thought I'd start by running briefly through the meetings he raced in during those 2 months, and the prizemoney he won. I have run through most of these meetings in more detail in my post on the 35th Anniversary of the Motordrome so I won't go into too much depth here.

The first meeting for January 1977 was held on the 8th, Round 1 of the Fireball Derby. Brian at the time was running 2 Mini's. A Supercharged Clubman he had been racing for the previous 2 seasons, and the Silver Clubman formerly owned and raced by Peter Graham at Liverpool. This was the first meeting for the Silver Mini and he duly won the feature, picking up $160 along the way. The following Saturday, the 15th January was round 2 of the Fireball Derby and although he didn't win on the night was announced joint overall winner with Don McEwen and in doing so secured a lovely trophy and $180 cash.

Brian Burrell, Bob Christie & Don McEwen after the Fireball Derby

Then came a big weekend, Friday 21st January the Newcastle Motordrome played host to the visiting USA team of Welsh, Wilbur, Andretta and Pearson. The no hanky panky Yankees were too good for the local team of Butcher, Burrell, Ranger and McKew to the tune of 42 to 36.The drivers received $150 each for their efforts, and to end the night Brian finished 3rd in the feature behind Alan Butcher and Paul McKew, picking up another $50 for his trouble. Saturday the 22nd January saw the action shift to Heddon Greta Speedway for the annual Don Easter Memorial Trophy meeting. This time Brian was back running the Supercharge Blue and White Mini. He picked up $10 for winning a heat, then by finishing 2nd in the feature to local champ Charlie McGarva took home another trophy and a cool $100. Then on Saturday 29th January 1977 was the running of the 50 lap Wynns Enduro. Brian won his heat and led the feature until with 3 laps to go he suffered a flat rear tyre, struggling on to finish 5th. For his efforts at this meeting he received $100 in total.

Top: Heddon Greta's Charlie McGarva. Below: Brian Burrell.

February saw plenty of action and travel too, starting with Goulburn's annual Lilac City 50 lap challenge. This meeting attracted drivers from all over NSW and after Brian finished 1st in heat 1, he then finished just behind Bob Christie in his 2nd heat and then chased the local champ Christie for the whole 50 laps of the Classic, coming 2nd and picking up $300, a tidy sum making the trip worthwhile. The following Friday we were back to the Motordrome for the 2nd Test against the Yanks. Peter Gurbriel was obviously feeling benevolent towards his drivers as the big crowds flocked in, paying them all $250 this time around, up $100 on the opening Test. Australia beat the Yanks 45 to 34 well and truly earning their extra pay. Then to round out the month of February Brian raced the following night at Heddon Greta in the Northern NSW Championships, this time back in the Supercharged Mini. After finishing 2nd in both his heats he encountered engine trouble and failed to take his place in the field, meaning for the first time during this hectic period he picked up no prizemaoney. So in 8 meetings during January and February 1977 Brian Burrell won a total of $1300. Not too shabby for 1977.

Action during the 1977 USA v  Aust tests.

So now to the dreaded expense side of the ledger. To start with, Brian's cars were always immaculate. His father and mechanic Carr Burrell was almost obsessive about his cars and even carried a tube of Glow Polish and a rag in his pocket at  all times so it's no surprise the bulk of the costs went on painting and signwriting expenses. Here's a rundown.

Painting, Signwriting and Panel Repairs (Silver Mini):              $140.00
Painting and Signwriting (Blue Mini):                                       $25.00
Sunnyside Smash Repairs:                                                      $50.00
Tyres for both Minis                                                               $138.00
Dyno Tune and Head repairs at Precision Auto Conversions:   $56.00
Radiator Repairs and Brake Shoes:                                         $45.00
General Bolts and hoses:                                                         $13.90
1 night accommodation at Goulburn (2 rooms):                        $61.00


For a Grand Total of                                                              $528.90

So there you have it. A total profit of $771.10 after 8 meetings at 3 tracks in 2 months. He also sold one of his race engines for $1200.00 on top of his prizemoney earned. Plus a whole heap of fun and memories for all of us members of the family that have endured. Oh of course and some nice trophys that to this day sit in the shed overlooking the stable of Mini's he's collected over the years. I hope everyone found this interesting and stirs up memories of your own from a golden era of Speedway in NSW...

Another victory for the mighty Brick.

Hey everybody the Rugby League's about to Kick Off!!!!

As a kid growing up the time of the year that I looked forward to the most was the commencement of trial games for the upcoming Rugby League season. Even though back then Cricket was at the forefront of my mind during Summer, in the back of my young brain was the knowledge Rugby League season was around the corner, and really cricket was just filling in time until League season.

Due to my desire for sporting news I started reading newspapers quite young. Every Friday during League season I would also get the Rugby League Week and Big League magazines, but during the off season only the RLW Summer Special was available in mid December, not enough to keep up with my insatiable thirst for Rugby League knowledge. So I needed the Sunday papers particularly as there was often a page or 2 of RL stories to pore over to help tide me over until the season approached. Then all of a sudden the trial games would appear and the pre-season Wills Cup would kick off, a knockout competition played over a couple of weeends. Now was the time to see the new players my club (Easts if you didn't know) had purchased in the off season, and also gauge the strength of our opposition.  It was exciting because you knew Round 1 was only 4 weeks away, and now was also the time to dream of premiership glory, of arguing with your friends over who's team was better this year and to map out the season draw and highlight the big games you're looking forward to the most, the grudge match against the hated neighbours Souths being top of the list.

1976 Wills Cup pre season final winners Eastern Suburbs.

Then finally the day would come, season kick off. The morning would be spent reading the Sunday papers for any late news, and waiting until 11am when Controversy Corner would start on Sevens World of Sport. Ferris Ashton, Noel Kelly, Alan Clarkson, Col Pearce and a special guest on a panel chaired by the incomparable Rex Mossop would debate about the issues and give their opinions on who'll win. Then at 3pm I would spend that and subsequently every Sunday for the next 22 weeks listening to a scratchy radio broadcast of the match of the day. Listening through the static for updates from around the grounds,hoping Easts had scored since the last update, and running around the room cursing because their opponents had scored instead.

The Controversy Corner team; Clarkson, Mossop, Ashton & Kelly

Now as the Indigenous All Stars game nears, and with a few clubs already having played trials it's that time of the year again. Although, like everything as you get older and you are pondering the past, it's just not the same these days. That's not to say though that it's worse, it's just different. Nowadays with the Tri Nations International series being played after the Grand Final each year, it doesn't really seem as long between seasons anymore. Back then it was every 4 years the Kangaroo tour to Britain and France would be on during the Summer but that was it, every 4 years. Also the pre-season competition is long gone, left behind with cigarette advertising, star players working at their club as 'cellarmen' and Rex Mossop's 'Pass the Ball' competition. As well now I don't have to pore over the season draw to see when Easts played Souths. I know every year now, Round 1, Easts v Souths. This is good and bad. When I am not expecting a good season and I keep reading every off season how this is finally Souths year, it does build some nervous anticipation, as I recall growing up far more losses to Souths than wins but thankfully as an adult it has all turned around with us rarely losing, and Souths are March champions every year who invariably fail to flatter so if Souths do manage a rare win it doesn't hurt for as long, but it does tend to give a good idea of how our season will end up. Also thanks to Foxtel, it's rare 2 games are played at the same time, with most games now shown live spread over 4 days instead of a game on Saturday afternoon and the rest at 3pm Sunday, no night games.

Frank-Paul the Wrecking ball scores against Souths Rd 1, 2011

Also as I have stated in a previous post, back then the players were men and were heroes to a young boy. Now they are younger than the boy it is impossible to see them as heroes, only football players. But I'm still almost as excited as when I was a kid. Now I spend these weeks getting my Fantasy team together and joining various tipping comps, something that didn't exist as a kid in the 70's and 80's.

The countdown to March 1st is on, with game day for the Roosters March 5th. Every day between now and then I will get a little more excited, and I'll walk past my photo of the 'Roosters Team of the Century' dreaming of glory in October and proudly announcing 'Easts To Win'....

Good luck to everyone this season.

So, Why Do I Do It???

I've spoken before about my passion as a fan of a football team, and how this has affected me personally throughout my life. How my moods are usually in direct correlation with my teams fortunes that week and how generally the course my life takes reflects on how well my particular teams are travelling. Well over the past few weeks I have travelled from Newcastle to Gold Coast, Gosford, Melbourne and Brisbane to support the Jets, and at these games I usually see the same few Jets fans milling about in the away fans area. In fact last week in Brisbane I met this young bloke who looked about 20, who I had seen at other away games in the past, who told me he goes to every game! Now I go to a lot but I tend to stick to all the East coast games. This guy said he works all week and on weekends he spends his money travelling the country following his team. I was so impressed by this blokes dedication to the club he loves.

So this got me thinking as to the monetary cost involved for me to follow my team, the Newcastle Jets, to the extent that I have chosen.

Opening night of A League, Jets v Adelaide, 26 Aug 2005.

 Since that very first A League game back on August 26, 2005. When the Jets went down at home to Adelaide United 1-0, I have only missed 2 home fixtures out of 73 games played not including this current season. One of those was in season 3 when Steely Dan played at Bimbagen Estate, a band I had waited to see for over 20 years. The other was in season 6 when I was trapped in the Queensland floods whilst trying to get to the airport to return to Newcastle for a derby game against the Mariners. In the first couple of seasons I mainly stuck to home games plus trips to Central Coast and Sydney, but from season 3 on I started branching out to the Melbourne and Queensland games too. Season 5 of the A League, 2009/2010 also incorporated the Asian Champions League for the first time for the Newcastle Jets. A home and away series between clubs from China, South Korea and Japan was scheduled before the commencement of season 5. This is when I decided to take advantage of the situation and use the ACL as an excuse to travel. So in March 2009 I was on a plane to Beijing  with my cousin Kyel and my friend Natalie. The experience of being one of the few supporters in gold at the Workers Stadium filled with over 30,000 screaming Beijing Guoan supporters decked in green was an experience I'll never forget, at least until dementia sets in! On the way to the ground we couldn't go 10 metres without being stopped by smiling Beijing fans wanting a photo with us.

On the way to Workers Stadium, Beijing

 On a bitterly cold night we cheered and yelled ourselves hoarse (or at least I did) but it was to no avail as we were beaten soundly 2-0. With the first goal coming from a former Newcastle United player, Ryan Griffiths, who is now back playing for the Jets currently. As we trudged out of the stadium, me solemnly blowing my recently purchased Vuvuzela in a low sad tone, we were commiserated by all the surrounding Beijing fans, in a show of sportsmanship that was fantastic to be a part of. I still treasure my Beijing Guoan shirt from that trip.

Moments before kick off.

As I could only really afford 2 of the 3 away matches, I chose to stay home for the match in Nagoya, Japan and instead go to South Korea for the 3rd away game in May 2009. The match was to be played in Ulsan, the home of Hyundai heavy industries. Again my cousin Kyel came along for the trip and this time I had the honour of being able to sit in as co-commentator with ABC Newcastle's Aaron Kearney. Having media passes gave us unprecedented access to a spectacular stadium, similar to Suncorp Stadium in size and capacity. Also the experience of staying in a city like Ulsan where if it wasn't for the Football, I would never have dreamed of visiting in my life, even if I did travel to South Korea in future, Ulsan is hardly a known tourist destination. Here we stayed in the Hyundai Hotel, which was next door to the Hyundai Hospital and Hyundai University. Over the road was the Ulsan equivalent to David Jones, The Hyundai Department Store, and a 24 hour McDonalds that delivered via motor scooter. We got to experience South Korean nightlife, food and culture, and the Jets beat Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I  1-0 in an almost empty stadium.

A typical street in Ulsan, South Korea.

Approx 1,800 at the 55,000 seated Ulsan Stadium on a Tuesday

After all 6 home and away fixtures were completed the Jets had won through to the next stage of the competition. This meant another trip for them to South Korea, this time to Pohang. If they were to win that match they would go on to play a team from Uzbekistan. I decided as I had already been to Korea a month before I'd hold off and if they won I would look into going to Uzbekistan. Unfortunately they failed to beat Pohang and the dream trip to Bunyodkor was over.

After my 2 Asian adventures I decided I was going to keep travelling to watch my team. The A League season kicked off in August and between then and December I had been to matches in Gosford, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney twice. Then in January 2010 I moved to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Six days after arriving in Queensland I flew back to Newcastle to watch the Jets defeat Melbourne Victory 3-2. The following week I had driven down to Brisbane, a week later on the 24th January was back in Newcastle for a home game, flew to Newcastle then drove to Gosford for a match on the 6th February that was postponed an hour before kick off due to rain. I then had to fly back to Queensland at 6am the following morning and open the Pizza joint I owned at 11am that day. I then flew back for the final home game of the season on the 12th February before driving to the Gold Coast the following week to watch them play in a semi final. All up that season the cost of Airfare, Accommodation, fuel, airport parking and my season ticket for home games cost a grand total of $11,799.00, the bulk of which of course was on the 2 overseas trips.

Season 6 of the A League, 2010/2011 I spent the entire year living on the Sunshine Coast. As I stated earlier, the only home game I missed that season was a 2-0 loss to Central Coast as I was stuck at Maroochydore after the great Queensland floods. That season I also travelled to games in Melbourne twice, Sydney once, Gosford, Brisbane and Gold Coast. The grand total on the same expenses as the previous season was $3,717.00. None of those figures include spending money, food and drink etc. So as you can see being a travelling supporter in a National Competition can be a very expensive hobby. On the other hand though I have had the pleasure of experiencing other cultures, and travel to great Australian cities like Melbourne and Brisbane regularly. (Yes I think Brisbane is great, particularly West End!) I've been able to live out a childhood dream and commentate on a match broadcast live to air, meet wonderful people within the club and league heirachy as well as fans of all teams, and watch a game I love in some of the best stadiums in Australia and Asia.

If I wasn't a fan I think my life would be pretty dull......That's why I do it!

Commentating with Aaron Kearney on the Jets ACL match v Ulsan Korea