Smeltzie to quit

140 replies · 5,257 views

over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Current Squad (Actual or Potential)

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich is reportedly being chased by Gold Coast United. Palmer has indicated to his manager Miron Bleiberg to hunt for Chinese talent for his first playing list, targeting current Sheffield United defensive midfielder Sun Jihai as a first signing. [14]. Ex-FC Porto junior and current Melbourne Knights midfielder Cameron Watson is also said have been closely watched by Bleiberg.[15]

Former Brazilian World Cup stars Roberto Carlos and Rivaldo were said to been keen to end their careers with Gold Coast Galaxy. [16]

Gold Coast United's first two signings are ex-Queensland Roar players Scott Higgins and Steve Fitzsimmons.[17]

I'm sure they're not going to get all of those players but those are some big names they are throwing about.

That's quality. They're throwing names like Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos around, but the career highlight of one of the only players they've actually signed is playing for Falkirk for one season!!!

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Royal wrote:

They have ways. Rent free, jets, all expenses......much more than most can offer - and sneak under the salary cap radar[/QUOTE]

But there's a cap on that sort of stuff as well of about A$300,000 I believe.

[QUOTE=Jag]

That's quality. They're throwing names like Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos around, but the career highlight of one of the only players they've actually signed is playing for Falkirk for one season!!!

They've also signed Jess van Strattan who has been the number 3 or 4 at Juventus for a couple of years and I've heard strong rumours Karl Dodd is on his way there, though that was even before yesterday so you've got to wonder.
Critical_Lemon2008-10-02 16:24:00

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Royal wrote:

They have ways. Rent free, jets, all expenses......much more than most can offer - and sneak under the salary cap radar

Sorry mate, but I think that players like Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu don't give a damn about free rent and jets. They own a jet already and as for rent-free...these are people who have several dozens millions of euros in the bank..do you think they care?

The only reason why such player would go to GC is MONEY. An easy way to make 2-3 millions in a year. Therefore I think that GC will certainly get 1-2 big names, but for the rest they'll have to settle with what's available (in Australia, NZ and the "minor" European league, as well as some decent Asian leagues). But still they will have to respect the salary cap.

And most players would rather play in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. Sure, the footy is pretty rubbish over there, but they would get more money and they're closer to home.

That's my view.
That said, I bloody hope that Shane will go neither to GC nor to Adelaide!!!
And as for Dodd, he's a terrible midfielder and a decent Center Back (and he showed on sunday) but no better than Durante, McKain or Siggy. So as far as I'm concerned the door's open!

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Big Pete 65 wrote:

Don't stress too much lads (and ladesses)- I know Shane has a very good relationship verging on the telepathic with Ricki Herbert and there's a lot of mutual respect there. So I think he'll stay.

Shane gives a lot of the credit for turning his career around to Ricki- before the two goals against Wales last year for the All Whites remember Shane was going nowhere with non-league Halifax Town (not even starting most games and only scored a couple of goals for them). Previously he didn't make it with lowly Milton Keynes Dons either.

Hopefully Shane will realise that staying put with the Phoenix will allow him to establish himself as a player in a supportive environment. He seems to me to be one of those "confidence" players who can go a little adrift without the right coaching support and supportive team environment.

(Think of Charlie Nicholas years ago when he left Celtic for Arsenal or Ian Rush when he left Liverpool for Italy- both nose-dived).

The lure of lucre has often been detrimental to what is actually good for a player's on-field performances.

It was AFC Wimbledon, the team with the history, where he did 'make it', scoring about 1 goal every 2 games from what I recall, and making a move to Halifax where he was benched. MK Franchise are in League One.

But lets thing from Smeltzy's Point of View , hes 27 and has not had that much success, especially financially. Hes only got a few more years left and he's bringing up a new family that needs funding, you can't begrudge him bringing in a few more $$ before he has to retire

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Senior clubs1 Years Club App (Gls)* 1998
1999ï¿½2001
2002
2002ï¿½2003
2003ï¿½2004
2005
2005ï¿½2006
2006ï¿½2007
2007ï¿½ Gold Coast City
Brisbane Strikers
Napier City Rovers
Adelaide City
Adelaide United
Mansfield Town
AFC Wimbledon
Halifax Town
Wellington Phoenix
25 (0)

23 (15)
07 (1)
05 (0)
50 (26)
31 (2)
24 (13)

So yes, it was AFC Wimbledon where he was in good scoring form. At Halifax Town, I'm guessing most of those appearances were off the bench.

simon_hampton2008-10-02 20:26:25

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Critical_Lemon wrote:

Royal wrote:

That's quality. They're throwing names like Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos around, but the career highlight of one of the only players they've actually signed is playing for Falkirk for one season!!!

edit:This was actually in response to the post saying Dodd, meh because of Siggie, Durante and McKain.

Yeh (permission to use cliches?) but, heart of his sleeve, stands up to be counted, gives his all, doesn't leave 'em dying wondering and has been a part of a lot of the good things about the 'Nix to date.

If he wants to stay I wouldn't be in a hurry to let him go.

The main attraction of the Gold Coast is probably the winter right? Not so much of the wind and the rain?
martinb2008-10-02 21:43:31

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

It's wife Nikki who would be the spanner. Whats so wrong with Wellie Nikki??

Founder

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

No shopping

Allegedly

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Have you been to Adelaide? It's like a big, hot, dusty Christchurch

Normo's coming home

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

if that annoying bitch from the ads lives there, it would be worth moving their just to 'accidently' hit here with a car

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Frankie Mac wrote:

if that annoying bitch from the ads lives there, it would be worth moving their just to 'accidently' hit here with a car

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

The annoying bitch from the ads is a Kiwi, but point taken about the car "accident"

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Frankie Mac wrote:

if that annoying bitch from the ads lives there, it would be worth moving their just to 'accidently' hit here with a car

That's Luanne Gordon from Wellington. She used to be on "The Strip" on tv3

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

...I rather like Adelaide.

Mind you, I also find Luanne Gordon strangely attractive as well.

Must be my age

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

The top half of her works for me, the bottom half is bigger than the Nix goal differential

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Nah!....Smeltzy won't go!!!

After many years drifting around the world he has finally found form at the Phoenix. Why go off to a flaky club like Gold Coast. They will have a lot of glam old ex stars who won't put in the work. They will lose and the rich owner will fire everyone...the whole thing will be like holywood...

Smeltzy knows hes onto a good thing here...plus he will be offered whatever he wants. Three year deal on big bucks...plus he counts as an overseas player in OZ so its a big call for an aussie club to sign him

Big worry is his missus...apparantly she spends heaps of time in Adelaide...c'mon |Shane who wears the pants in your household.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

from the club site -

>>>Speaking of strike options, what is the situation with Shane Smeltz?

Tony P - Weï¿½ve made a good offer to Shane but at the end of the day itï¿½s not an issue about money for him. Itï¿½s a decision heï¿½ll have to make for him and his family and heï¿½s decided heï¿½ll assess his options. In the meantime weï¿½re giving Shane the space to talk with his wife and for him to concentrate on continuing his great form for the Phoenix for the rest of the season. <<<

hhhmm ... not quite sure what to make of that

I am reasonably confident though, that Terry S wouldn't let us start next season without at least one or two A-League quality strikers

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Hard News wrote:

The bigger qustion is why is anyone reading the Sunday Matheson ?

The Sunday News are well known for interviewing their keyboards...

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

if smeltz walks out were screwed

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

So now it's official, but WE knew that already. I have to say I'm genuinely gutted. With Smeltz we lose a quality striker who can feed as well as score, and whom it will be difficult to replace.
I think they (Shane, GC, perhaps the Nix too) could have waited a few more weeks before making it official, because now that's only going to put us in an awkward position. Should we boo the traitor or should we support him till the end in the hope to end the season where we belong (anything between 1st and 6th place!)?

I'd like to end by saying two things.

1) SHANE we loved you - you were a great striker who always gave 100% (last match excluded) and I dread thinking about what the Nix would have been without you in these 2 years.

2) SHANE you suck - Sorry, but we are entitled to our opinion. And in our opinion you've gone where the money is. Had you gone to Adelaide, Melbourne etc, I would've understood that it was because you had higher expectations. But GC?? I don't understand.

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

newzealandpower wrote:

2) SHANE you suck - Sorry, but we are entitled to our opinion. And in our opinion you've gone where the money is. Had you gone to Adelaide, Melbourne etc, I would've understood that it was because you had higher expectations. But GC?? I don't understand.

To be fair, he is a Gold Coast kid. He grew up there, started his football there - his wife might be from Adelaide so the cakes did have a good chance, but home for him is the Gold Coast. You can't blame him for wanting to go home, especially now that he can play football there rather than commuting to Brisbane (bearing in mind he almost trialed for Queensland before AW's vs Wales). Just like you can't blame Leo Bertos for shunning the Glory to come play for his hometown, Wellington.

(That being said, I'm not going to ditch the 'nix for any Wollongong A-League team

)

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