Credit where it's due

[MrCelery]

While the squad and coaching staff are understandably getting huge plaudits for their excellent season, equal praise should also go to those quietly going about their business without fuss.

Our owners, sponsors, administration, and volunteers have provided the platform for the team and coaching staff to do so well.

A huge THANK YOU to them for such a wonderful Mariners Football Club.

To think that they've done it without having any serious media outlets available (bar radio) is simply amazing.

And it is only likely to get better, with the Tuggerah complex, etc.

 

[Nik Mrdjas Disco Bikkie]

It really has been a season of positives on and off the pitch, we should be proud of the entire club and its members/supporters. I think it really hit another level in the game against Gold Coast when all the young boys ran riot.
My one big concern is the FFA ruining alot of the good vibe around the club if we get screwed over re: the grand final hosting. There will be alot of backlash if it happens and unfortunately the club will be the big losers (along with us supporters of course).

 

[Roy Law]

Agree with the sentiment of this post - there is no doubt life is a struggle for the Mariners- we don't have the best crowds or access to big city businesses but unlike Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane, North Queensland, Sydney to mention a few, you don't hear of us providing the FFA with serious problems - we simply get on with it. And do it very well!

 

[MrCelery]

It really has been a season of positives on and off the pitch, we should be proud of the entire club and its members/supporters. I think it really hit another level in the game against Gold Coast when all the young boys ran riot.
My one big concern is the FFA ruining alot of the good vibe around the club if we get screwed over re: the grand final hosting. There will be alot of backlash if it happens and unfortunately the club will be the big losers (along with us supporters of course).

Off track a bit but as you mentioned it...

While it's nearly academic after yesterday's loss, I'm a little ambivalent about the 'GF should be at Bluetongue' argument.

I've not done the research, but I think you would find that most countries play their Cup Final, or any final, in the national capital, or at least in the biggest available venue.

Take the FA Cup as an example.

And the Coppa Italia. How do you think the Milanese feel, with them being in the final with Roma five of the last six times, having a superb stadium, and yet having to trek to Rome each time?

Fair enough that were a much bigger country geographically, and are unlikely to trek to Canberra, or fill the Sydney Olympic Stadium. But an hours trip down to Sydney SFS is not too big an ask is it? I've got to travel from the top of Lake Macquarie, and it doesn't worry me.

 

[MagpieMariner]

Off track a bit but as you mentioned it...

While it's nearly academic after yesterday's loss, I'm a little ambivalent about the 'GF should be at Bluetongue' argument.

I've not done the research, but I think you would find that most countries play their Cup Final, or any final, in the national capital, or at least in the biggest available venue.

Take the FA Cup as an example.

And the Coppa Italia. How do you think the Milanese feel, with them being in the final with Roma five of the last six times, having a superb stadium, and yet having to trek to Rome each time?

Fair enough that were a much bigger country geographically, and are unlikely to trek to Canberra, or fill the Sydney Olympic Stadium. But an hours trip down to Sydney SFS is not too big an ask is it? I've got to travel from the top of Lake Macquarie, and it doesn't worry me.

I wouldn't have a problem if FFA announced that the GF would always be played at a particular venue. My problem comes when it's announced that the first team in hosts, then when there was a possibility that it would be at BT, they change their tune.