In this special midweek episode we discuss:

The appointment of new Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler, why he was selected, how his role might be different and the importance of the conversations he needs to have with the A-Leagues, the PFA, the state federations and government.

The PFA's report, READY FOR TAKE OFF, The Players' vision for the A-League Women, the four strategic pillars and the 21 recommendations. Who will get on board.

Lastly, we give our thoughts on the Central Coast Mariners situation and the ideal situation for them going forward.

The Aussie Game Podcast covers Australian football, the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Aussies playing overseas.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us:

IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

Australian football delivers again with standout performances abroad, late A-League drama and national team heartbreak.

• Sammy Silvera & Adrian Segecic star in England
• Olyroos knocked out of U23 Asian Cup
• Mat Ryan heroic vs Real Madrid
• Hearts stay top despite Cam Devlin injury
• Big Matildas transfer news
• Late drama at Coopers Stadium
• Team of the Week revealed

• Silvera (Middlesbrough): Goal + assist vs West Brom, 2G/2A in 3 games
• Segecic (Portsmouth): Match-winner in league, started vs Arsenal in FA Cup
• Circati (Parma): Clean sheet vs Napoli, win vs Lecce
• Matt Ryan (Levante): 9 saves vs Real Madrid, point vs Espanyol
• Jordan Bos (Feyenoord): Assist in 2–2 draw
• Ajdin Hrustic: Screamer free kick despite Heracles struggles
• Sam Kerr: FA Cup double for Chelsea
• Kaitlyn Torpey: Signs for Newcastle (WSL2)

• Olyroos: Eliminated by South Korea after late set-piece goal
• Joeys U17: Beat Fiji 2-0 (Court, Sikora)

• City 2–1 Auckland
• Roar 2–1 Glory
• Jets 2–1 Wanderers (Eli Adams rocket)
• Adelaide 2–1 Victory (Kitto late winner)
• Mariners 1–1 Macarthur
• Wellington 2–0 Sydney FC

• Jets beat City 3–1 (historic)
• Wanderers draw Roar
• Adelaide beat Victory again
• Wellington beat Canberra
• Mariners draw with Perth

Mat Ryan

Kitto, Circati, Atkinson

Sam Klein

Silvera, Eli Adams, Jonny Yull, Hrustic

Sam Kerr, Adrian Segecic

The Aussie Game Podcast covers Australian football, the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Aussies playing overseas.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us:

IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

A familiar story for Adelaide: plenty of attacking threat but defensive issues remain. Luka Jovanovic has taken his chance, Josh Smits has been reliable, and Craig Goodwin is still class. Strong at home but light at centre-back.

The benchmark team at halfway. Physically dominant, defensively strong and unbeaten away from home. Some vulnerabilities when conceding first, but Brook, Randall and Cosgrove continue to deliver goals.

Michael Valkanis has restored fight and identity to the Roar. Injuries have tested depth and Jay O’Shea’s absence looms large, but Brisbane are competitive again and difficult to play against.

A tough season for a young squad amid off-field uncertainty. Competitive performances but results have been scarce. Andrew Redmayne has been outstanding, though goals remain an issue.

Quietly impressive. Strong midfield balance, experienced defence and reliable scoring from Sawyer and Duran. Mitch Duke adds depth as they push for a top-two finish.

Elite ACL Elite form but inconsistent in the league. Still one of the league’s best defensive units, though injuries continue to disrupt momentum. Youth minutes may pay dividends later.

After a slow start, Victory surged with four straight wins before another setback. Juan Mata has been superb, but inconsistency and the lack of a reliable goalscorer remain concerns.

One of the stories of the season. Fearless, attacking football with big wins over Auckland. They’ve scored the most — and conceded the most. Entertaining and dangerous.

A turbulent start followed by renewed optimism under Adam Griffiths. Young players have stepped up and HBF Park remains a fortress thanks to passionate support.

Quietly one of the most balanced teams in the league. The competition’s best defence and improved youth integration. Finding results even without Joe Lolley.

Improved goal output but at the cost of defensive solidity. High line has been exposed and derby losses have hurt momentum.

Defensively solid but struggling badly for goals. Pressure mounts on Alan Stajic despite big wins over Sydney FC and Victory.

We'll also review our picks for Golden Boot, Johnny Warren Medallist, Wooden Spoon, Premiers, Champions and throw in a bold prediction for the rest of the season.

The Aussie Game Podcast covers Australian football, the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Aussies playing overseas.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us:

IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

The Newcastle Jets have flown into the top 4 of the A-League Men's, Mat Ryan steals the headlines in Spain with a penalty save and clean sheet in La Liga as Aussies shine across Europe and the A-League Men & Women deliver chaos at the halfway mark.

• Mat Ryan (Levante) – 7 saves incl. a penalty in a 3-0 win
• Sammy Silvera – goal, assist & huge praise including being compared to prime Messi in back-to-back games for Middlesbrough
• Alex Robertson – wins all-Aussie League One clash, Cardiff stay top
• Joe Gauci – FA Cup clean sheet for Port Vale
• Nestory Irankunda – FA Cup start despite Watford exit

• Australia U23s 2–1 Thailand in Asian Cup opener
  • Goals: Ethan Alagich (pen) & Matthias Macallister screamer
• Joeys squad announced for games against Fiji and Soloman Islands

• Auckland beat Brisbane, remain strong away
• Wanderers claim first away win at Victory
• Sydney FC smash Macarthur 3-0
• Perth Glory cruise past Mariners (yes, an Olimpico)
• Jets upset Melbourne City and climb to 4th

• Mariners, Glory & Melbourne City impress
• Sabitra Bhandari ruled out for season (ACL)

Mat Ryan, Ben Garrucio, Jack Iredale, Johnny Koutroumbis, Anthony Pantazopoulos, Sammy Silvera, Peta Trimis, Lachy Brook, Matthias Macallister, Pat Wood.

Moppa's super sub - Will Dobson

Keep an eye out for our special midweek episode where we will be running our eye over all 12 A-League Men's clubs and assess how they're travelling half way through the season.

The Aussie Game Podcast covers Australian football, the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Aussies playing overseas.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us:

IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

BONUS EPISODE! We're playing lock shot or not with the 62 players called up by Tony Popovic and giving our assessment on whether they're locked in, still a shot to make the World Cup or not going to be there.

Here are the players that we'll go through, what do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Goalkeepers

Mat Ryan

Paul Izzo

Patrick Beach

Joe Gauci

Tom Glover

Right back

Lewis Miller

Jacob Italiano

Fran Karacic

James Overy

Sam Silvera

Rhyan Grant

Centre back

Cam Burgess

Alessandro Circati

Milos Degenek

Kye Rowles

Hayden Matthews

Jason Geria

Jack Iredale

Kai Trewin

Thomas Deng

Harry Souttar

Gianni Stensness

Alex Grant

Left back

Jordy Bos

Callum Elder

Aziz Behich

Kasey Bos

Jason Davidson

Defensive midfield

Max Balard

Aiden O’Neill

Jackson Irvine

Cam Devlin

Patrick Yazbek

Alex Robertson

Paul Okon-Engstler

Ryan Teague

Anthony Cáceres

Keanu Baccus

Massimo Luongo

*Nectar Triantis

Attacking midfield

Connor Metcalfe

Martin Boyle

Nestory Irankunda

Riley McGree

Adrian Segecic

Nishan Velupillay

Ajdin Hrustic

Craig Goodwin

Anthony Kalik

Nicolas Milanovic

Daniel Arzani

Marco Tilio

Strikers

Mohamed Toure

Nick D’Agostino

Mitch Duke

Apostolos Stamatelopolous

Deni Juric

Al Hassan Toure

Adam Taggart

Brandon Borrello

Kusini Yengi

Noah Botic

X factors

Max Caputo

Zac Sapsford

Alex Badolato

Archie Goodwin

Cam Peupion

Jed Drew

Johnny Koutroumbis

The Aussie Game Podcast covers Australian football, the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Aussies playing overseas.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us:

IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

A huge week across Australian football as we break down the latest from the A-League Men, A-League Women, and Aussies playing overseas.

Overseas:

Nestory Irankunda racks up assists as Watford surge up the table, Zac Sapsford stays red-hot in Scotland, and strong performances roll in from Cameron Burgess, Callum Elder, Adrian Segecic and more across England and Europe.

Under 23 Asian Cup squad:

Who's made the final squad including a future star from Manchester United and debate over A-League clubs releasing players.

A-League Men:

10-man Newcastle Jets stun Auckland, Melbourne Victory explode into form, NYE clash heats up, and finals pressure continues to build.

A-League Women:

World-class goals, huge support, late drama and big results as the title race tightens.

Plus our Team of the Week, transfer talk, listener contributions, and an inspiring Australian connection to AFCON with Aamir Abdallah.

The Aussie Game Podcast covers Australian football, the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League and Aussies playing overseas.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us:

IG: @theaussiegame | FB: @theaussiegame | Threads: @theaussiegame | BlueSky: @aussiegame.bsky.social | X: @the_aussie_game

Here is our team of the year in Australian football in 2025!

Team of the year

Patrick Beach

A-League champion, Socceroos debut, outstanding form for City.

Ellie Carpenter

French league champion, hit the ground running at Chelsea, Matildas rock

Alessandro Circati

Consistent performer in Serie A, very good for Socceroos and captains armband

Steph Catley

Champions League winner, nominated for Ballon D’or, Matildas stand in captain, PFA Women’s footballer of the Year

Jordy Bos

Fantastic for the Socceroos, settled pretty well after his big move to Feyenoord

Aiden O’Neill

Mr Consistent for the Socceroos, fitted in seamlessly at New York City FC in his first season in the MLS.

Kyra Cooney-Cross

Champions League winner and now starting regularly for Arsenal. Becoming a key player for the Matildas.

Adrian Segecic

17 goals and 4 assists in calendar year. Scored 13 goals at 0.87 goals per 90 mins, then had a strong start at Pompey with two goals and an assist in his first 3 games.

Alex Badolato

Under 20 Asian Cup MVP, Australia Cup winner and AFC Men’s Youth Player of the Year

Caitlin Foord

Champions League winner, 6 goals and 2 assists across all competitions

Zac Sapsford

13 goals and 6 assists in calendar year

Bench

Gianni Stensness - Norwegian champion

Cam Devlin - best player in Scotland

Keanu Baccus - League Cup winner

Patrick Yazbek - 2025 Open Cup winner, Socceroos regular

Mohamed Toure - 9 goals and 5 assists

Ivy Luik - Swedish Champion

Mary Fowler - 5 goals and 7 assists. Hasn’t played since 14 April. PFA Young Women’s footballer of the year, PFA WSL team of the year.

Here are our top 5 moments in Australian football in 2025!

1. Ange Postecoglou becomes the first Australian manager to win in Europe as Spurs win the Europa League.
2. Young Socceroos win the U20 Asian Cup and qualify for the World Cup.
3. Matilda trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross win UEFA Women’s Champions League.
4. Australian Championship commences with South Melbourne ultimately being crowned the first ever champions.
5. Socceroos qualify directly for their 6th straight FIFA World Cup after a very shaky start.