Random thought on the pre season period.
In the earlier seasons, Herbert, Merrick mainly, we hardly, if ever, saw us play A league opposition in pre season games. Pre season was limited to local opposition and NZ national League teams. There was always an annual match against a Central League select XI out at Kapiti, and a fixture against Auckland AFC a week or two before the first game. One assumes that costs in either going to Australia or bringing them here (if A League clubs would come) being a perceived factor at the time. It resulted in us having slow starts to the season as new players gelled with each other against higher quality opposition
The pandemic, I believe has changed that. Being based over there, the club have got used to being in Aussie and the costs involved. Now we see the team play in Tasmania but then stay on based in Sydney and playing quality opposition. Last year we had to stay over there for the season and the disadvantages that bought. This year, it is quality practice games now more than every before IMHO and then home games for the season.
I reckon we are going to see a good season where we hit the ground running more so than ever before. The local games can still have their place. But they are not the only option any more.
In the earlier seasons, Herbert, Merrick mainly, we hardly, if ever, saw us play A league opposition in pre season games. Pre season was limited to local opposition and NZ national League teams. There was always an annual match against a Central League select XI out at Kapiti, and a fixture against Auckland AFC a week or two before the first game. One assumes that costs in either going to Australia or bringing them here (if A League clubs would come) being a perceived factor at the time. It resulted in us having slow starts to the season as new players gelled with each other against higher quality opposition
The pandemic, I believe has changed that. Being based over there, the club have got used to being in Aussie and the costs involved. Now we see the team play in Tasmania but then stay on based in Sydney and playing quality opposition. Last year we had to stay over there for the season and the disadvantages that bought. This year, it is quality practice games now more than every before IMHO and then home games for the season.
I reckon we are going to see a good season where we hit the ground running more so than ever before. The local games can still have their place. But they are not the only option any more.