Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

AucklandPhoenix

Three articles on AFC on the herald website today. Shame 2 are behind a paywall.

If anyone has a subscription love a copy and paste.

Copy and paste the Herald URLs to a website such as https://archive.ph

Jason Pine report card (copied from the akl supporters site)…

Auckland FC Mid-Season Report Card - (Summarised via AI)

Defence:
Auckland FC boasts the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 11 goals in 14 matches and keeping eight clean sheets. Key players like Nando Pijnaker, Alex Paulsen, and Hiroki Sakai have been outstanding, while substitutes like Callan Elliot and Tommy Smith have stepped up seamlessly when needed. The only blemish was a 4-0 loss to Western United. Grade: A

Midfield:
Belgian Louis Verstraete and Chilean Felipe Gallegos form a dominant midfield duo, with Jake Brimmer often completing the trio. Verstraete, one of the league's best players, excels at shielding the defence and driving attacks. Gallegos’ versatility is also critical. Grade: A-

Attack:
The attack remains a work in progress. Guillermo May has been consistent, but the supporting cast and formations have varied. Despite recent adjustments, the team’s goal tally lags behind other top sides. Grade: B

Coaching:
Steve Corica’s leadership has exceeded expectations, with effective tactics and team unity. His celebrations show his passion, while assistants Danny Hay and Jonathan Gould provide strong support. Grade: A

Key Staff:
Director of football Terry McFlynn’s recruitment has been spot-on, and CEO Nick Becker fosters innovation and positivity. The marketing and media teams have also excelled. Grade: A-

Depth:
A core group of 12 players has carried the team, but questions remain about the readiness of less-experienced players. Grade: B-

Attitude:
The team has quickly built a strong culture, demonstrated by their late-game resilience, scoring nine goals after the 80th minute. Grade: A

Supporters:
Unparalleled support, with sellout crowds and passionate fans creating an electric atmosphere. Grade: A+

Standout Player:
Louis Verstraete is the team’s linchpin, excelling in defence and attack with composure, passing range, and relentless energy.

Outlook:
Auckland FC is on track to make history as the first new team to win the A-League. With a strong foundation, resilience, and focus, they could achieve something extraordinary this season.

Similar here. I supported the Kingz (got the shirt) and the NZ Knights, then the Nix. Now both, Nix and AFC (Black Knights? I'm not calling them them that. Estonians maybe! I like quirky nicknames).
I don't have a favourite, but AFC was born post-woke, a plus for me. I prefer my football sans sermon.
It's nice to have two games a week. No guilt felt here.
Lastly, hands up everyone who said "an Auckland franchise will never work. It's been tried and failed". 

Dougie Rydal

Napier Phoenix

Attracted by the toy boys D?

I wondered where my heart was going to fall since I had lived in Auckland for most of my life but supported the Nix from Day 0.

I now know:

1. I love watching Auckland play.
2. I don’t particularly like their active support (based on social media postings).
3. I watch both team’s games every week.
4. I want AFC to finish as high as they can.
5. I am definitely Phoenix til I die, the Nix is in my blood now and they are my favourite child in the family.

The NZ football landscape is really great at the moment, great time to support football here. 

Doloras

Banzai!...AIEEE!!!

I think the last few rounds have done it for me.  I’m still gonna buy nix merch etc (coz they need all the help they can get).  Outwardly, I’m still totally a nix fan.  But spiritually, I’ll support whoever is doing the best on the league table ^^;;

Supporting AFC, even provisionally and to support a good cause from young people, feels a bit like cheating on my long-term partner

This is exactly me too, although have no issue with The Port from what I've observed...
I 100% want the Nix to beat AFC, but I 100% want AFC to win each week. 

Not a bad report card, but I think the depth of this squad is probably a B plus verses a B minus.

Think that will be key as injuries and suspensions start to bite.

The key is that at any one time, the team only has one injury or absence  in each position (I.e. more then one absence in the centre of defense, central midfield, striker etc, will start to hurt.

He says "The Port have quickly become the best active support in the competition"

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

He says "The Port have quickly become the best active support in the competition"

Piney has been listening to Spoonley to much. 

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

He says "The Port have quickly become the best active support in the competition"

If he'd said one of, sure, but best? Please.

WanderingSheep

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

He says "The Port have quickly become the best active support in the competition"

If he'd said one of, sure, but best? Please.

It is an AKL paper 🤷‍♂️

Dougie Rydal

WanderingSheep

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

He says "The Port have quickly become the best active support in the competition"

If he'd said one of, sure, but best? Please.

It is an AKL paper 🤷‍♂️

That's fine, but why lie? I doubt anyone would've cared if he'd done so?

But is it a lie?  On a per numbers basis, they must be close to #1.  🤷‍♂️ 

WanderingSheep

Dougie Rydal

WanderingSheep

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

He says "The Port have quickly become the best active support in the competition"

If he'd said one of, sure, but best? Please.

It is an AKL paper 🤷‍♂️

That's fine, but why lie? I doubt anyone would've cared if he'd done so?

It's also just an opinion.

Buffon II

It's also just an opinion.

Why blow smoke hp their arse? Don’t think anyone would claim they’re even remotely no.1.

WanderingSheep

Buffon II

It's also just an opinion.

Why blow smoke hp their arse? Don’t think anyone would claim they’re even remotely no.1.

In your opinion, who is? And why?

WanderingSheep

Buffon II

It's also just an opinion.

Why blow smoke hp their arse? Don’t think anyone would claim they’re even remotely no.1.

Ask Piney. He wrote the article.

For me, the "best supporters" is very subjective. Many would probably claim that the grass is greener on their side of the fence, so which one of them is right?

It's also a very pro-AFC article which has probably swayed Piney's written opinion in the article. Take it with a pinch of salt, rather than "my supporter group is better than your supporter group"

.

20 Legend

WanderingSheep

Buffon II

It's also just an opinion.

Why blow smoke hp their arse? Don’t think anyone would claim they’re even remotely no.1.

In your opinion, who is? And why?

In my opinion, it’s very easy being a good active group when things are going well. And with that, I’ve always thought the RBB were up there, likewise the NT, despite what they’ve faced off (and on) the pitch from the owners / authorities etc. Some great tifos and noise. Even the Jets fans have impressed me, despite being very small in number, it’s constant, but does it make them less good than others? The obvious one even without the spectacles on are the fever. As you say, it’s all about opinions. 

The port are good, no doubts and it’s a big positive for the league to have a good boisterous crowd. To say the best? Bit early to say that.

It's hard to type but yeah the Port are great as far as an active support go. But are they the best? They're the newest and are yet to survive a full season and come back equally as strong. Go to look at the The Cove, Glory Shed, RBB even YF for long standing good/great supporter groups. You dont get to be the best by being active for half a season! You get to be the best by being around through thick and thin and still making noise.

Bloc 5 had it more thin than thick and despite declining numbers the loyalists stayed boisterous to the bitter end.

While winning and a more attractive style helps, I think some of those players connect with the crowd and have more personality then the Nix.

Players like May, Moreno, Paulson, Sakai and even Brimmer and Smith have something about them and help fire up the crowd.

The Nix at the moment have Rufer, Kosta and daylight second. The players just do not have the personality of the Daniel’s, Sigmunds, Muscats, Durante and Ifillls before them. 

Bring back Pav!

AucklandPhoenix

While winning and a more attractive style helps, I think some of those players connect with the crowd and have more personality then the Nix.

Players like May, Moreno, Paulson, Sakai and even Brimmer and Smith have something about them and help fire up the crowd.

The Nix at the moment have Rufer, Kosta and daylight second. The players just do not have the personality of the Daniel’s, Sigmunds, Muscats, Durante and Ifillls before them. 

If Ishige had got that 3rd wonder goal with either his long range strike or his power shot through the 5 defenders, but unfortunately not past the keeper, I’m sure he’d get a drop of credit! 

Let’s be honest, any Nix goals help with the firing up at the moment. 

Banzai!...AIEEE!!!

Jason Pine report card (copied from the akl supporters site)…

Auckland FC Mid-Season Report Card - (Summarised via AI)

Defence:
Auckland FC boasts the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 11 goals in 14 matches and keeping eight clean sheets. Key players like Nando Pijnaker, Alex Paulsen, and Hiroki Sakai have been outstanding, while substitutes like Callan Elliot and Tommy Smith have stepped up seamlessly when needed. The only blemish was a 4-0 loss to Western United. Grade: A

Midfield:
Belgian Louis Verstraete and Chilean Felipe Gallegos form a dominant midfield duo, with Jake Brimmer often completing the trio. Verstraete, one of the league's best players, excels at shielding the defence and driving attacks. Gallegos’ versatility is also critical. Grade: A-

Attack:
The attack remains a work in progress. Guillermo May has been consistent, but the supporting cast and formations have varied. Despite recent adjustments, the team’s goal tally lags behind other top sides. Grade: B

Coaching:
Steve Corica’s leadership has exceeded expectations, with effective tactics and team unity. His celebrations show his passion, while assistants Danny Hay and Jonathan Gould provide strong support. Grade: A

Key Staff:
Director of football Terry McFlynn’s recruitment has been spot-on, and CEO Nick Becker fosters innovation and positivity. The marketing and media teams have also excelled. Grade: A-

Depth:
A core group of 12 players has carried the team, but questions remain about the readiness of less-experienced players. Grade: B-

Attitude:
The team has quickly built a strong culture, demonstrated by their late-game resilience, scoring nine goals after the 80th minute. Grade: A

Supporters:
Unparalleled support, with sellout crowds and passionate fans creating an electric atmosphere. Grade: A+

Standout Player:
Louis Verstraete is the team’s linchpin, excelling in defence and attack with composure, passing range, and relentless energy.

Outlook:
Auckland FC is on track to make history as the first new team to win the A-League. With a strong foundation, resilience, and focus, they could achieve something extraordinary this season.

Worth noting this is an AI summary of the original article - Piney goes into a lot more detail in the article. 

He does explicitly say "The Port have become the best active support in the competition", though...

Piney has rapidly jumped from the nix to the AFC bandwagon, he used to be our biggest fan.

theprof

Piney has rapidly jumped from the nix to the AFC bandwagon, he used to be our biggest fan.

Not a bandwagon at all. He’s simply a proponent of New Zealand football. It’s what he’s paid to do, and he enjoys it. Certainly still a fan of the Nix in his personal life

It’s a Herald article right?

The Herald are one of AFC’s partners.

He’s being paid by the Herald to write articles

so just selling his soul

AucklandPhoenix

It’s a Herald article right?

The Herald are one of AFC’s partners.

He’s being paid by the Herald to write articles

so just selling his soul

Just paying his mortgage.

He’s writing for a largely Auckland based paper in Auckland. Eh. 

If it was Voerman or Rollo writing that in the Post different sauce…

Banzai!...AIEEE!!!

IMG_0275.jpeg 2.84 MB

There was a man a special boy he was really really good 
If Jason Pine could, then Jason Pine would! 

AucklandPhoenix

It’s a Herald article right?

The Herald are one of AFC’s partners.

He’s being paid by the Herald to write articles

so just selling his soul

Bit dramatic pal.

4 Kiwis in this, good to see

AucklandPhoenix

While winning and a more attractive style helps, I think some of those players connect with the crowd and have more personality then the Nix.

Players like May, Moreno, Paulson, Sakai and even Brimmer and Smith have something about them and help fire up the crowd.

The Nix at the moment have Rufer, Kosta and daylight second. The players just do not have the personality of the Daniel’s, Sigmunds, Muscats, Durante and Ifillls before them. 

IMO this is actually a pertinent point. These academy grads though technically good all seem kinda personality-free & lacking charisma & therefore non-hardcore fan appeal. Pro football is after all a spectator sport. And as Wellington has convinced itself it's the country's theatre capital, maybe a bit of extra tuition in playing to the crowd wouldn't be out of place. Temuera Morrison could be available... if not then Ifill... any number of stroppy drama school grads...

As someone posted elsewhere, good week for Auckland (1st) to play MAC (4th), given Bulls exodus over this transfer window.

Auckland FC v Macarthur Bulls
Saturday, February 1 – Go Media Stadium – 3pm AEDT

Auckland FC squad:
1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Luis TOOMEY, 9. Max MATA, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 12. Alex PAULSEN, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Finn MCKENLAY, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 25. Neyder MORENO, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Luis Felipe GALLEGOS

(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 8. Luis TOOMEY, 4. Liam GILLION
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 23. Dan HALL

Macarthur Bulls squad:
5. Matthew JURMAN, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Daniel DE SILVA, 8. Jake HOLLMAN, 9. Chris IKONOMIDIS, 12. Filip KURTO, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 17. Oliver RANDAZZO, 18. Walter SCOTT, 20. Kealey ADAMSON, 21. BERNARDO, 23. Frans DELI, 24. Dean BOSNJAK, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 27. Joshua DAMEVSKI, 28. Harrison SAWYER, 29. Ante VOJVODIC, 30. Alexander ROBINSON, 44. Marin JAKOLIS, 98. Valere GERMAIN

(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 17. Oliver RANDAZZO, 27. Joshua DAMEVSKI, 29. Ante VOJVODIC
Outs: 11. Jed DREW (overseas transfer), 16. Oliver JONES (overseas transfer)
Unavailable: 22. Liam ROSE (injured)

On TV1 News Tommy Smith on AFC's late goalscoring exploits: "A tribute to the fitness of the lads. This pre-season is the hardest I've ever had."
How long has he been playing pro football? Gotta be near 20 years.

Jessie Merino

On TV1 News Tommy Smith on AFC's late goalscoring exploits: "A tribute to the fitness of the lads. This pre-season is the hardest I've ever had."
How long has he been playing pro football? Gotta be near 20 years.

I mean the older you get the harder every pre-season gets I would imagine 🤣

AFC are relentless with their press though for almost the full 90 mins, even in toasty Aussie. So yeah I'm sure they are very fit.

I just remembered.  During his radio show (first derby I think).  piney was asked straight up…”who are you rooting for?”   His answer was ambiguous at best…

mrsmiis

theprof

Piney has rapidly jumped from the nix to the AFC bandwagon, he used to be our biggest fan.

Not a bandwagon at all. He’s simply a proponent of New Zealand football. It’s what he’s paid to do, and he enjoys it. Certainly still a fan of the Nix in his personal life

mrsmiis

theprof

Piney has rapidly jumped from the nix to the AFC bandwagon, he used to be our biggest fan.

Not a bandwagon at all. He’s simply a proponent of New Zealand football. It’s what he’s paid to do, and he enjoys it. Certainly still a fan of the Nix in his personal life

Jesus wept, you don't have to make the poor guy choose

Doloras

Jesus wept, you don't have to make the poor guy choose

He's kinda already chosen by not backing the Nix during the derby, yes he's a sports "journo", commentator but he's a Wellingtonian, born and bred as I understand it, plays(ed) his footy for Tawa masters 1 team. So whilst I'd expect his comments to be impartial during the game I'd expect that he bleeds yellow and black and he'd be proud to state that. Instead he sits on the fence.
Just like Paddy Gower, he's clearly Nix all the way, but writes opinion pieces about both teams.

theprof

Doloras

Jesus wept, you don't have to make the poor guy choose

He's kinda already chosen by not backing the Nix during the derby, yes he's a sports "journo", commentator but he's a Wellingtonian, born and bred as I understand it, plays(ed) his footy for Tawa masters 1 team. So whilst I'd expect his comments to be impartial during the game I'd expect that he bleeds yellow and black and he'd be proud to state that. Instead he sits on the fence.
Just like Paddy Gower, he's clearly Nix all the way, but writes opinion pieces about both teams.

He's the main commentator, not the colour/pundit role. Of course he remains professionally neutral during a game!