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Reserves 3 - 3 Olympic @HT

Olympic managed to come back from 3-0 down
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awesome first national league game (ignoring the loss lol) great turn out too. thought 20 people turning up was pushing it but there were a solid 60+ people there
First Team Squad
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upthenixforever
awesome first national league game (ignoring the loss lol) great turn out too. thought 20 people turning up was pushing it but there were a solid 60+ people there

Young Loke must’ve been buzzing from his U20 selection; pretty sure they are his first 2 goals for the WeeNix. 
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Has anyone been watching miramar?
Phoenix Academy
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5 months
Phoenix reserves conceded in added time to draw 2-2 with Petone. Alby Kelly-Heald was back in goal for the match.

The commentator mentioned that Chiefy was in attendance for the match. Although he also said the attendance was 3826 which was clearly a joke so maybe the Chiefy comment was too? As he was just recently in Japan

Phoenix Academy
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460
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almost 12 years
Half a Pint
Phoenix reserves conceded in added time to draw 2-2 with Petone. Alby Kelly-Heald was back in goal for the match.

The commentator mentioned that Chiefy was in attendance for the match. Although he also said the attendance was 3826 which was clearly a joke so maybe the Chiefy comment was too? As he was just recently in Japan


Chiefy was there all right.  Up on the balcony
Legend
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over 9 years
Walsall Boy
Half a Pint
Phoenix reserves conceded in added time to draw 2-2 with Petone. Alby Kelly-Heald was back in goal for the match.

The commentator mentioned that Chiefy was in attendance for the match. Although he also said the attendance was 3826 which was clearly a joke so maybe the Chiefy comment was too? As he was just recently in Japan


Chiefy was there all right.  Up on the balcony

Someone else who was at the game said in their opinion CB Dylan Gardiner (18 in July) was the standout for the Nix. Chiefy & Gill will be tracking his progress very carefully, as they mull over transfer offers for Surman. Same 19 yr old Seth Karunaratne.

Phoenix Academy
690
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460
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almost 12 years
coochiee
Walsall Boy
Half a Pint
Phoenix reserves conceded in added time to draw 2-2 with Petone. Alby Kelly-Heald was back in goal for the match.

The commentator mentioned that Chiefy was in attendance for the match. Although he also said the attendance was 3826 which was clearly a joke so maybe the Chiefy comment was too? As he was just recently in Japan


Chiefy was there all right.  Up on the balcony

Someone else who was at the game said in their opinion CB Dylan Gardiner (18 in July) was the standout for the Nix. Chiefy & Gill will be tracking his progress very carefully, as they mull over transfer offers for Surman. Same 19 yr old Seth Karunaratne.


yeah, was me.  Is he that young?  Didnt realise.  I thought he was outstanding.  Very sure in the air and excellent with his feet and support positioning in playing out.

I remember Fin Surman at the same stage of development. In my view, Gardiner is further ahead.  I could end up being proved completely wrong as this was the first time I have seen him.  It won't be the last.  Now interested to see him play against a team better than Petone.  Apologies to the blues fans on here.  

Greenie was somewhat exasperated that the two goals they conceded came from corners including a needlessly given away penalty.  Perfectly correct from the referee for the penalty, just needlessly conceded to a push in the back with the Petone player facing away from the goal.  Free header from a corner for the second.  lack of team ability to sort out set pieces
Trialist
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6 months
Does Wellington Olympic have a merch stand? Gonna go down tomorrow if it's not raining and want to get either a scarf or cap
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upthenixforever
Does Wellington Olympic have a merch stand? Gonna go down tomorrow if it's not raining and want to get either a scarf or cap
Go in and see the bar staff, they were selling scarves, hats and bottle openers. If you like a tipple ask for a blue lagoon as well!

Also they sell Romanian sausages called mici or mititei and they are unreal
Trialist
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6 months
Great match, loved the food the mititei was so good. Definately will keep going to Olympic home games
Phoenix Academy
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5 months
Just a reminder for anyone who's interested - the Phoenix Reserves have their match against Napier City Rovers on Fifa+ today at 2pm.

Doesn't happen often so gotta make the most of it!

Link here: https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/napier-city-rovers-v-wellington-phoenix-reserves-round-13-central-league-men-s-national-league-regional-phase-2024/ae06e3aa-5ead-499e-9ec3-be1e846d6f1c?gl=au

Also hopefully Oscar Faulds should be playing for Napier, and sources on this forum are saying he is set for a trial with the Phoenix.

Trialist
51
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55
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about 2 years
Half a Pint
Just a reminder for anyone who's interested - the Phoenix Reserves have their match against Napier City Rovers on Fifa+ today at 2pm.

Doesn't happen often so gotta make the most of it!

Link here: https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/napier-city-rovers-v-wellington-phoenix-reserves-round-13-central-league-men-s-national-league-regional-phase-2024/ae06e3aa-5ead-499e-9ec3-be1e846d6f1c?gl=au

Also hopefully Oscar Faulds should be playing for Napier, and sources on this forum are saying he is set for a trial with the Phoenix.

What's happening with the coverage, is it just a static camera?

edit - seems like they've sorted it now
Phoenix Academy
510
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340
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5 months
lukemstanton
Half a Pint
Just a reminder for anyone who's interested - the Phoenix Reserves have their match against Napier City Rovers on Fifa+ today at 2pm.

Doesn't happen often so gotta make the most of it!

Link here: https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/napier-city-rovers-v-wellington-phoenix-reserves-round-13-central-league-men-s-national-league-regional-phase-2024/ae06e3aa-5ead-499e-9ec3-be1e846d6f1c?gl=au

Also hopefully Oscar Faulds should be playing for Napier, and sources on this forum are saying he is set for a trial with the Phoenix.

What's happening with the coverage, is it just a static camera?

edit - seems like they've sorted it now
Would be nice if it stopped freezing all the time!
Legend
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over 9 years
Just tuned in. Dublin Boon in goal for Weenix, so there is one signing rumour that's been proved correct. 

Weenix will do well I imagine to get a result out this game with so many of their squad away at the OFC U19s.

Wellington Phoenix Reserves
1 Dublin BOON (GK)
4 Dylan GARDINER
8 Anaru CASSIDY (C)
11 Luke FLOWERDEW
12 Hayden THOMAS
14 Nicholas MURPHY
15 Oliver GROSSO
18 Fletcher PRATT
19 Jayden SMITH
22 Ryan LEE
29 Harrison KOWALCZYK
WeeNix
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Another hard to watch stop start stream out of Bluewater stadium, disappointing!
Marquee
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about 10 years
IMG_20240720_184837.jpg 124.25 KB

Oscar Faulds backing up from his Nix trial this week with a hatrick in the Central League today at Island Bay. Couple of penalties in there too.

Will Tønning who was also in Wellington this week was in goal in a 5-1 win.
Trialist
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6 months
Convinced my Uncle to come along to the Olympic vs Manurewa match. He reckons that since it's the quarter-final of the Chatham cup that we'll see a few hundred people (200-300). Is that a decent estimate?
Trialist
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over 1 year
upthenixforever
Convinced my Uncle to come along to the Olympic vs Manurewa match. He reckons that since it's the quarter-final of the Chatham cup that we'll see a few hundred people (200-300). Is that a decent estimate?


Could be, about 10 years ago they used to play on Friday nights and you could get ~500 there. I remember a game versus Miramar vividly that felt like a pressure cooker
Trialist
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There is a lot of chat about CL teams not performing in NL. Birko are in second place with a game in hand in the NL and Napier gave a solid account of themselves against them on the weekend. 

I know I can be pretty one eyed on here about Olympic, but Napier are a good side, last year Petone lost most of their games by a single goal margin and the Nix are a bit of an enigma. The only problem I have with the weenix is that the team that does well at CL often send their best players to train with the first team, so the team that the team that actually plays NL is more like that team that will play the next CL. 

Not really super insightful, but just a gripe that our league gets looked down on because a 9 round NL doesn't give us an opportunity to really perform. 
Trialist
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130
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6 months
Shambles
There is a lot of chat about CL teams not performing in NL. Birko are in second place with a game in hand in the NL and Napier gave a solid account of themselves against them on the weekend. 

I know I can be pretty one eyed on here about Olympic, but Napier are a good side, last year Petone lost most of their games by a single goal margin and the Nix are a bit of an enigma. The only problem I have with the weenix is that the team that does well at CL often send their best players to train with the first team, so the team that the team that actually plays NL is more like that team that will play the next CL. 

Not really super insightful, but just a gripe that our league gets looked down on because a 9 round NL doesn't give us an opportunity to really perform. 

Haven't been watching the national league for very long so take what I say with a grain of salt but from what I can tell the central league seems to suffer from Olympic being THAT good. at least when you look up north it's competitive with even the best teams having some losses and draws.

meanwhile you look at us and it's just Olympic cleaning house week in week out. kinda that film thing that's like "planes don't look fast against a plain background". but you're completely right, I mean even the nix are eyeing up some napier players which says a lot.
Trialist
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over 1 year
upthenixforever
Shambles
There is a lot of chat about CL teams not performing in NL. Birko are in second place with a game in hand in the NL and Napier gave a solid account of themselves against them on the weekend. 

I know I can be pretty one eyed on here about Olympic, but Napier are a good side, last year Petone lost most of their games by a single goal margin and the Nix are a bit of an enigma. The only problem I have with the weenix is that the team that does well at CL often send their best players to train with the first team, so the team that the team that actually plays NL is more like that team that will play the next CL. 

Not really super insightful, but just a gripe that our league gets looked down on because a 9 round NL doesn't give us an opportunity to really perform. 

Haven't been watching the national league for very long so take what I say with a grain of salt but from what I can tell the central league seems to suffer from Olympic being THAT good. at least when you look up north it's competitive with even the best teams having some losses and draws.

meanwhile you look at us and it's just Olympic cleaning house week in week out. kinda that film thing that's like "planes don't look fast against a plain background". but you're completely right, I mean even the nix are eyeing up some napier players which says a lot.

Olympic only really got good when Team Wellington were disestablished with the league changes. That meant players had more free choice to go play where they wanted. Before that you had a better chance of playing national league if you stayed at Miramar. Only a couple of Olympic players ever stood a chance. Mario Barcia is an example. Otherwise you didn’t really get a look in.
Not Boyd
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I also think its Olympic's time in the sun, but i'm sure it won't last. Other clubs will rebuild and things will change again. Only two years ago, Miramar won the National League (noting the Auckland teams were still locked down).

That isn't meant to be disrespectful to Olympic as currently they are so strong, i just think things will change soon enough.
Shambles
upthenixforever
Shambles
There is a lot of chat about CL teams not performing in NL. Birko are in second place with a game in hand in the NL and Napier gave a solid account of themselves against them on the weekend. 

I know I can be pretty one eyed on here about Olympic, but Napier are a good side, last year Petone lost most of their games by a single goal margin and the Nix are a bit of an enigma. The only problem I have with the weenix is that the team that does well at CL often send their best players to train with the first team, so the team that the team that actually plays NL is more like that team that will play the next CL. 

Not really super insightful, but just a gripe that our league gets looked down on because a 9 round NL doesn't give us an opportunity to really perform. 

Haven't been watching the national league for very long so take what I say with a grain of salt but from what I can tell the central league seems to suffer from Olympic being THAT good. at least when you look up north it's competitive with even the best teams having some losses and draws.

meanwhile you look at us and it's just Olympic cleaning house week in week out. kinda that film thing that's like "planes don't look fast against a plain background". but you're completely right, I mean even the nix are eyeing up some napier players which says a lot.

Olympic only really got good when Team Wellington were disestablished with the league changes. That meant players had more free choice to go play where they wanted. Before that you had a better chance of playing national league if you stayed at Miramar. Only a couple of Olympic players ever stood a chance. Mario Barcia is an example. Otherwise you didn’t really get a look in.
Starting XI
670
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4.1K
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over 17 years
Tyler
I also think its Olympic's time in the sun, but i'm sure it won't last. Other clubs will rebuild and things will change again. Only two years ago, Miramar won the National League (noting the Auckland teams were still locked down).

That isn't meant to be disrespectful to Olympic as currently they are so strong, i just think things will change soon enough.
Shambles
upthenixforever
Shambles
There is a lot of chat about CL teams not performing in NL. Birko are in second place with a game in hand in the NL and Napier gave a solid account of themselves against them on the weekend. 

I know I can be pretty one eyed on here about Olympic, but Napier are a good side, last year Petone lost most of their games by a single goal margin and the Nix are a bit of an enigma. The only problem I have with the weenix is that the team that does well at CL often send their best players to train with the first team, so the team that the team that actually plays NL is more like that team that will play the next CL. 

Not really super insightful, but just a gripe that our league gets looked down on because a 9 round NL doesn't give us an opportunity to really perform. 

Haven't been watching the national league for very long so take what I say with a grain of salt but from what I can tell the central league seems to suffer from Olympic being THAT good. at least when you look up north it's competitive with even the best teams having some losses and draws.

meanwhile you look at us and it's just Olympic cleaning house week in week out. kinda that film thing that's like "planes don't look fast against a plain background". but you're completely right, I mean even the nix are eyeing up some napier players which says a lot.

Olympic only really got good when Team Wellington were disestablished with the league changes. That meant players had more free choice to go play where they wanted. Before that you had a better chance of playing national league if you stayed at Miramar. Only a couple of Olympic players ever stood a chance. Mario Barcia is an example. Otherwise you didn’t really get a look in.

I'm picking that will be the weekend of the 17th and 18th of August. :-) 
Trialist
250
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130
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6 months
Tyler
I also think its Olympic's time in the sun, but i'm sure it won't last. Other clubs will rebuild and things will change again. Only two years ago, Miramar won the National League (noting the Auckland teams were still locked down).

That isn't meant to be disrespectful to Olympic as currently they are so strong, i just think things will change soon enough.
Shambles
upthenixforever
Shambles
There is a lot of chat about CL teams not performing in NL. Birko are in second place with a game in hand in the NL and Napier gave a solid account of themselves against them on the weekend. 

I know I can be pretty one eyed on here about Olympic, but Napier are a good side, last year Petone lost most of their games by a single goal margin and the Nix are a bit of an enigma. The only problem I have with the weenix is that the team that does well at CL often send their best players to train with the first team, so the team that the team that actually plays NL is more like that team that will play the next CL. 

Not really super insightful, but just a gripe that our league gets looked down on because a 9 round NL doesn't give us an opportunity to really perform. 

Haven't been watching the national league for very long so take what I say with a grain of salt but from what I can tell the central league seems to suffer from Olympic being THAT good. at least when you look up north it's competitive with even the best teams having some losses and draws.

meanwhile you look at us and it's just Olympic cleaning house week in week out. kinda that film thing that's like "planes don't look fast against a plain background". but you're completely right, I mean even the nix are eyeing up some napier players which says a lot.

Olympic only really got good when Team Wellington were disestablished with the league changes. That meant players had more free choice to go play where they wanted. Before that you had a better chance of playing national league if you stayed at Miramar. Only a couple of Olympic players ever stood a chance. Mario Barcia is an example. Otherwise you didn’t really get a look in.

Stop out to be the next Central league titan just trust the process fr
Trialist
250
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130
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6 months
But on a serious note I think a big problem is the fact that we have a shorter season compared to the northern league. I know 4 extra rounds isn't an insane difference but I do feel like a 10-team league might be holding us back, especially the fact that only one team can get relegated and even then it's through a playoff. 

I think if we had 4 more rounds, and two teams got relegated (no play-off), we would see more improvement. then again that depends on if we have enough teams in the region for that kinda format I guess.
First Team Squad
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1K
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over 3 years
Noah4thenix
But on a serious note I think a big problem is the fact that we have a shorter season compared to the northern league. I know 4 extra rounds isn't an insane difference but I do feel like a 10-team league might be holding us back, especially the fact that only one team can get relegated and even then it's through a playoff. 

I think if we had 4 more rounds, and two teams got relegated (no play-off), we would see more improvement. then again that depends on if we have enough teams in the region for that kinda format I guess.
That would be my concern, after all Central League has as many Wellington teams as Northern League has Auckland teams, is the player base there? Both 2023 (Whanganui Athletic) and 2022 (Havelock North) had a Central Fed League team come up, finish last and get relegated straight back down, so that region might lack the player base as well. Could one of the two Palmerston North teams add a dimension? One for YH to know, I suppose.

Even this season six teams have negative goal differences; the other four have differences ranging from +25 to +43 through 14 games. A 37 goal swing between fourth- and fifth-best. To an outsider not from Wellington, this feels like it would just become more disparate adding in two more teams. 

If more games is the key, possibly a league split might be more beneficial. Play 18 games, split top/bottom five, carry points forward and get another four games that way. Two teams would have a bye though, the main issue. It would make relegation/top-three race tighter though as those teams all play one another again.
Marquee
8.2K
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5.3K
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about 10 years
carlind
Noah4thenix
But on a serious note I think a big problem is the fact that we have a shorter season compared to the northern league. I know 4 extra rounds isn't an insane difference but I do feel like a 10-team league might be holding us back, especially the fact that only one team can get relegated and even then it's through a playoff. 

I think if we had 4 more rounds, and two teams got relegated (no play-off), we would see more improvement. then again that depends on if we have enough teams in the region for that kinda format I guess.
That would be my concern, after all Central League has as many Wellington teams as Northern League has Auckland teams, is the player base there? Both 2023 (Whanganui Athletic) and 2022 (Havelock North) had a Central Fed League team come up, finish last and get relegated straight back down, so that region might lack the player base as well. Could one of the two Palmerston North teams add a dimension? One for YH to know, I suppose.

Even this season six teams have negative goal differences; the other four have differences ranging from +25 to +43 through 14 games. A 37 goal swing between fourth- and fifth-best. To an outsider not from Wellington, this feels like it would just become more disparate adding in two more teams. 

If more games is the key, possibly a league split might be more beneficial. Play 18 games, split top/bottom five, carry points forward and get another four games that way. Two teams would have a bye though, the main issue. It would make relegation/top-three race tighter though as those teams all play one another again.

There is not much outside of Napier & Wellington in the Central region to be honest.

Napier have done well for themselves this season, although I feel that also comes down to their preparation - Arriving the night before in Wellington for matches rather than bussing down the day of. They've done well with their recruitment too, especially this season, but I think they'll find themselves become a victim of their own success over the next few years. Even as it stands they're losing Faulds overseas, and Sam Lack (as far as I can tell anyway) is still up in Auckland trialling with Auckland FC. I'd be surprised ifa couple of guys like Kieran Richards or Will Tønning stick around as well as they've also done well this season.

Palmerston North United might be able to do something in the CL but even that's asking a hell of a lot given how recently promoted sides to the CL have fared. Although with the pull of being a university town, they might be able to attract some talented kids from around the place if they do go up. Palmerston North Marist in the same boat on that front as well given they're 2nd on GD in the fed league at the moment. But you don't have to look too far back to see the hill that they would have to climb after getting done 10-0 in the Chatham Cup against a pretty much full strength Rovers - That was with Faulds on the bench too...

Teams coming out of New Plymouth are at least 3-5 years away from being anywhere near ready for a tilt at CL football, with Western usurping New Plymouth Rangers as being the ambitious ones on that front. They have good support and strong backing, but the player pool is too volatile with movements up to Auckland, Palmy, or Wellington for University or work. They're a solid Federation League side, but like I said, they're years off from being in the conversation higher up the chain.
and 2 others
Trialist
170
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130
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over 1 year
YoungHeartHM
carlind
Noah4thenix
But on a serious note I think a big problem is the fact that we have a shorter season compared to the northern league. I know 4 extra rounds isn't an insane difference but I do feel like a 10-team league might be holding us back, especially the fact that only one team can get relegated and even then it's through a playoff. 

I think if we had 4 more rounds, and two teams got relegated (no play-off), we would see more improvement. then again that depends on if we have enough teams in the region for that kinda format I guess.
That would be my concern, after all Central League has as many Wellington teams as Northern League has Auckland teams, is the player base there? Both 2023 (Whanganui Athletic) and 2022 (Havelock North) had a Central Fed League team come up, finish last and get relegated straight back down, so that region might lack the player base as well. Could one of the two Palmerston North teams add a dimension? One for YH to know, I suppose.

Even this season six teams have negative goal differences; the other four have differences ranging from +25 to +43 through 14 games. A 37 goal swing between fourth- and fifth-best. To an outsider not from Wellington, this feels like it would just become more disparate adding in two more teams. 

If more games is the key, possibly a league split might be more beneficial. Play 18 games, split top/bottom five, carry points forward and get another four games that way. Two teams would have a bye though, the main issue. It would make relegation/top-three race tighter though as those teams all play one another again.

There is not much outside of Napier & Wellington in the Central region to be honest.

Napier have done well for themselves this season, although I feel that also comes down to their preparation - Arriving the night before in Wellington for matches rather than bussing down the day of. They've done well with their recruitment too, especially this season, but I think they'll find themselves become a victim of their own success over the next few years. Even as it stands they're losing Faulds overseas, and Sam Lack (as far as I can tell anyway) is still up in Auckland trialling with Auckland FC. I'd be surprised ifa couple of guys like Kieran Richards or Will Tønning stick around as well as they've also done well this season.

Palmerston North United might be able to do something in the CL but even that's asking a hell of a lot given how recently promoted sides to the CL have fared. Although with the pull of being a university town, they might be able to attract some talented kids from around the place if they do go up. Palmerston North Marist in the same boat on that front as well given they're 2nd on GD in the fed league at the moment. But you don't have to look too far back to see the hill that they would have to climb after getting done 10-0 in the Chatham Cup against a pretty much full strength Rovers - That was with Faulds on the bench too...

Teams coming out of New Plymouth are at least 3-5 years away from being anywhere near ready for a tilt at CL football, with Western usurping New Plymouth Rangers as being the ambitious ones on that front. They have good support and strong backing, but the player pool is too volatile with movements up to Auckland, Palmy, or Wellington for University or work. They're a solid Federation League side, but like I said, they're years off from being in the conversation higher up the chain.


I could see the benefit of a second tier national league. Top 2 sides from each league in NL1, next cabs off the rank in NL2 and third tier in NL3. 12 round home and away NL’s where teams are challenging themselves with similarly places sides. In the same model at the European Nations League.

For it to work we would need a member association that actually cares about its domestic product though, so I guess we will never know.
Trialist
250
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130
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6 months
On the topic of Olympic, great game today. always gotta love an 8 nil thrashing, especially when you're supporting the winning team. All things considered the IBU keeper wasn't that bad he just had a weak defense in front of him.

Just 1 last home game in the central league for the season. Will the Championship bring more home games down or nah? This is the first time I've followed the national league
Marquee
8.2K
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5.3K
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about 10 years
Noah4thenix
On the topic of Olympic, great game today. always gotta love an 8 nil thrashing, especially when you're supporting the winning team. All things considered the IBU keeper wasn't that bad he just had a weak defense in front of him.

Just 1 last home game in the central league for the season. Will the Championship bring more home games down or nah? This is the first time I've followed the national league

You'll get at least 4 or 5 more National League games once the draw is finalised upon completion of the Northern, Central, and Southern Leagues - The pitfalls of it being a singular round robin straight shootout to the final for the National League phase.

I am on record as saying I'd love a H+A round robin for the NL - Although 36-40 games + Chatham Cup games is probably expecting a bit much of amateur footballers. 😅

Good on you for getting out and showing support for your local though. 👏
Legend
2.6K
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17K
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over 17 years
Shambles
YoungHeartHM
carlind
Noah4thenix
But on a serious note I think a big problem is the fact that we have a shorter season compared to the northern league. I know 4 extra rounds isn't an insane difference but I do feel like a 10-team league might be holding us back, especially the fact that only one team can get relegated and even then it's through a playoff. 

I think if we had 4 more rounds, and two teams got relegated (no play-off), we would see more improvement. then again that depends on if we have enough teams in the region for that kinda format I guess.
That would be my concern, after all Central League has as many Wellington teams as Northern League has Auckland teams, is the player base there? Both 2023 (Whanganui Athletic) and 2022 (Havelock North) had a Central Fed League team come up, finish last and get relegated straight back down, so that region might lack the player base as well. Could one of the two Palmerston North teams add a dimension? One for YH to know, I suppose.

Even this season six teams have negative goal differences; the other four have differences ranging from +25 to +43 through 14 games. A 37 goal swing between fourth- and fifth-best. To an outsider not from Wellington, this feels like it would just become more disparate adding in two more teams. 

If more games is the key, possibly a league split might be more beneficial. Play 18 games, split top/bottom five, carry points forward and get another four games that way. Two teams would have a bye though, the main issue. It would make relegation/top-three race tighter though as those teams all play one another again.

There is not much outside of Napier & Wellington in the Central region to be honest.

Napier have done well for themselves this season, although I feel that also comes down to their preparation - Arriving the night before in Wellington for matches rather than bussing down the day of. They've done well with their recruitment too, especially this season, but I think they'll find themselves become a victim of their own success over the next few years. Even as it stands they're losing Faulds overseas, and Sam Lack (as far as I can tell anyway) is still up in Auckland trialling with Auckland FC. I'd be surprised ifa couple of guys like Kieran Richards or Will Tønning stick around as well as they've also done well this season.

Palmerston North United might be able to do something in the CL but even that's asking a hell of a lot given how recently promoted sides to the CL have fared. Although with the pull of being a university town, they might be able to attract some talented kids from around the place if they do go up. Palmerston North Marist in the same boat on that front as well given they're 2nd on GD in the fed league at the moment. But you don't have to look too far back to see the hill that they would have to climb after getting done 10-0 in the Chatham Cup against a pretty much full strength Rovers - That was with Faulds on the bench too...

Teams coming out of New Plymouth are at least 3-5 years away from being anywhere near ready for a tilt at CL football, with Western usurping New Plymouth Rangers as being the ambitious ones on that front. They have good support and strong backing, but the player pool is too volatile with movements up to Auckland, Palmy, or Wellington for University or work. They're a solid Federation League side, but like I said, they're years off from being in the conversation higher up the chain.


I could see the benefit of a second tier national league. Top 2 sides from each league in NL1, next cabs off the rank in NL2 and third tier in NL3. 12 round home and away NL’s where teams are challenging themselves with similarly places sides. In the same model at the European Nations League.

For it to work we would need a member association that actually cares about its domestic product though, so I guess we will never know.


Would cost far too much money. And nowhere near enough people would give a fudge.
Trialist
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Buffon II
Shambles
YoungHeartHM
carlind
Noah4thenix
But on a serious note I think a big problem is the fact that we have a shorter season compared to the northern league. I know 4 extra rounds isn't an insane difference but I do feel like a 10-team league might be holding us back, especially the fact that only one team can get relegated and even then it's through a playoff. 

I think if we had 4 more rounds, and two teams got relegated (no play-off), we would see more improvement. then again that depends on if we have enough teams in the region for that kinda format I guess.
That would be my concern, after all Central League has as many Wellington teams as Northern League has Auckland teams, is the player base there? Both 2023 (Whanganui Athletic) and 2022 (Havelock North) had a Central Fed League team come up, finish last and get relegated straight back down, so that region might lack the player base as well. Could one of the two Palmerston North teams add a dimension? One for YH to know, I suppose.

Even this season six teams have negative goal differences; the other four have differences ranging from +25 to +43 through 14 games. A 37 goal swing between fourth- and fifth-best. To an outsider not from Wellington, this feels like it would just become more disparate adding in two more teams. 

If more games is the key, possibly a league split might be more beneficial. Play 18 games, split top/bottom five, carry points forward and get another four games that way. Two teams would have a bye though, the main issue. It would make relegation/top-three race tighter though as those teams all play one another again.

There is not much outside of Napier & Wellington in the Central region to be honest.

Napier have done well for themselves this season, although I feel that also comes down to their preparation - Arriving the night before in Wellington for matches rather than bussing down the day of. They've done well with their recruitment too, especially this season, but I think they'll find themselves become a victim of their own success over the next few years. Even as it stands they're losing Faulds overseas, and Sam Lack (as far as I can tell anyway) is still up in Auckland trialling with Auckland FC. I'd be surprised ifa couple of guys like Kieran Richards or Will Tønning stick around as well as they've also done well this season.

Palmerston North United might be able to do something in the CL but even that's asking a hell of a lot given how recently promoted sides to the CL have fared. Although with the pull of being a university town, they might be able to attract some talented kids from around the place if they do go up. Palmerston North Marist in the same boat on that front as well given they're 2nd on GD in the fed league at the moment. But you don't have to look too far back to see the hill that they would have to climb after getting done 10-0 in the Chatham Cup against a pretty much full strength Rovers - That was with Faulds on the bench too...

Teams coming out of New Plymouth are at least 3-5 years away from being anywhere near ready for a tilt at CL football, with Western usurping New Plymouth Rangers as being the ambitious ones on that front. They have good support and strong backing, but the player pool is too volatile with movements up to Auckland, Palmy, or Wellington for University or work. They're a solid Federation League side, but like I said, they're years off from being in the conversation higher up the chain.


I could see the benefit of a second tier national league. Top 2 sides from each league in NL1, next cabs off the rank in NL2 and third tier in NL3. 12 round home and away NL’s where teams are challenging themselves with similarly places sides. In the same model at the European Nations League.

For it to work we would need a member association that actually cares about its domestic product though, so I guess we will never know.


Would cost far too much money. And nowhere near enough people would give a fudge.

I don't disagree, but if that was the yard stick we wouldn't bother with any leagues. 
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6 months
Since we've been talking about the level of the Central league thought it would be good to mention how the Nix reserves players faired against South Melbourne last night.

They had the support of first-team players but all things considered, it was a good showing from them. Guys like Loke, Supyk, and GSR were giving the SMFC defense some headaches, and Alby (ignoring the early goal) also wasn't letting them get easy goals and getting some nice saves.

Interesting to see since SMFC constantly plays against semi-pro teams and were struggling with our lads who mainly play against amateur clubs. Again, I know they had support of first team players but still nice to see.
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wowzas ... just watched this vid on Napier City Rovers goal-machine Oscar Faulds. wish the guy well, he's been a sensation .... https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/inside-the-rovers-oscars-big-chance/WPOII5KDZRMEHZNXDYRSBJKBFQ/

Trialist
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Congrats to Olympic for the four-peat
Marquee
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Hearty
wowzas ... just watched this vid on Napier City Rovers goal-machine Oscar Faulds. wish the guy well, he's been a sensation .... https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/inside-the-rovers-oscars-big-chance/WPOII5KDZRMEHZNXDYRSBJKBFQ/


Played his first match over there last night too. Albeit a reserves/friendly match. 

Logged an hour.
2 goals / 2 assists.
Their first team could certainly use a goal or two. Just sayin' 👀

Congratulations too to Olympic. Setting the standard in the Central League once again. 👏

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missing those goals alright. That's a good return from first trial. quality player
Legend
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Noah4thenix
Congrats to Olympic for the four-peat

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Any thoughts on relegation from CL?

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