The tackle: Why broadcast rights to Matildas, Socceroos are key for Football Australia

Broadcast rights, the Matilda’s Uzbekistan prospects and Jamie Maclaren’s form are under the microscope as ROBBIE SLATER and MARCO MONTEVERDE tackle all the biggest issues in football.

The Matildas and Socceroos rights are a lucrative business now for Football Australia. Picture: Adam Head

In their weekly On the Attack column, Socceroos great Robbie Slater and football journalist Marco Montverde dissect soccer’s biggest issues in Australia.

SOLUTION NEEDED TO TV PROBLEMS

RS: There is a massive problem with the broadcasting of football in Australia at the moment, but it’s going to be hard to find a solution.

MM: Do you mean the issues with Network 10 and Paramount + when it comes to the broadcasting of the A-League men’s and women’s competitions?

RS: Yes, and that despite those problems, Network 10 is going to be rewarded with the ongoing rights to televise the Socceroos and the Matildas, which are sure-fire winners when it comes to ratings.

MM: That’s true. Regardless of which station Football Australia chooses to sell the next round of Socceroos and Matildas’ broadcasting rights to, they are on a winner because of the popularity of both teams and both brands.

RS: And FA also knows that 10 will pay more than any other of the free-to-air stations.

MM: I’m pretty sure that FA is also sticking with 10 because they fear for the future of the A-League if the Socceroos and Matildas are on a different channel. Even though the FA doesn’t run the A-League anymore, it’s obviously in their best interests for the national competition to have an audience.

The Matildas and Socceroos rights are a lucrative business now for Football Australia. Picture: Adam Head

RS: How much of an audience watch the A-League on 10 and Paramount +? And those that do watch it are constantly complaining about the coverage. And if you believe the talk that neither the APL nor 10 are happy about the broadcast situation, then who knows what’s going to happen at the end of this season when there are still two years to go on the existing contract. Let’s not also forget the rumours about CBS selling 10, which would leave 10 without Paramount +.

MM: The whole thing seems a mess.

RS: It is, and the APL needs to shoulder some of the blame for the mess that they’re in for the deal that they signed with 10 and Paramount +. They could have got more money elsewhere but decided to go that way, and look where they are now. Because KPIs haven’t been met, 10 don’t even have to pay all of the money from the original deal. It’s just ludicrous.

MM: For me, it again shows that the unbundling of the A-League from FA a few years ago was a mistake. It was too soon, and the competition wasn’t mature enough for the clubs to take control. The A-League isn’t the English Premier League, and club owners should have known that. I think you said it a few weeks ago about being careful what you wish for.

RS: The APL have made some ridiculous decisions. The way they have handled the broadcasting of the A-League and what they have agreed to, including paying for broadcast costs, has been ludicrous.

MATILDAS ON A MISSION

MM: It seems 10 have again got lucky this weekend with the time of the first leg of Matildas’ Olympic Games qualifier against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

RS: Yes, it’s in the prime time Saturday night slot here, so it’s going to be a ratings winner.

MM: In terms of a winner on the field, I think the Matildas should head into Wednesday night’s second leg in Melbourne with at the very least a two-goal advantage.

RS: I agree. Despite the loss of Sam Kerr, the Australians should be able to deal with Uzbekistan over two legs. Not qualifying for the Olympics would be a failure and not a good way for Tony Gustavsson to end his stint as Matildas coach if he doesn’t sign, or isn’t offered, a new contract.

Mary Fowler and the Matildas will be desperate to qualify for the Olympics. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

MACLAREN NEEDS A GOAL

MM: There’s also an interesting A-League game on Saturday between Sydney FC and Melbourne City. Sydney has found some good form in recent weeks, but Melbourne City have looked anything but convincing. Jamie Maclaren needs a goal for his confidence as much as anything. It’s seven games now since his most recent goal.

RS: It’s almost symbolic of City’s recent run of form.

MM: What do you make of the social media rumours linking Maclaren with a move to the new A-League club in Auckland?

RS: I wouldn’t blame him if he went. He’s 30 now and it’s probably a chance for him to secure another lucrative deal considering the money Auckland’s owner has. City obviously have money too, but they might not want to offer him the same money he’s on now.

ANTONSSON’S AGONY

MM: Speaking of strikers, you have to feel for Wanderers’ marksman Marcus Antonsson, who’s out for eight weeks with ligament damage as a result of an ugly tackle from Central Coast’s Jacob Farrell.

RS: Where’s the justice? I can’t believe that Farrell was only booked for that and not sent off. There was no doubt he should have got a red card, and yet even with VAR, the match officials still couldn’t make the right decision. Is it any wonder the Wanderers have been complaining?

MM: I think it’s getting to them.

RS: Me too. You could see after Farrell wasn’t sent off that a lot of the Wanderers were thinking “here we go again”. They need to get out of that mindset fast and adopt a siege mentality if they want to contend for the title.

Originally published as The tackle: Why broadcast rights to Matildas, Socceroos are key for Football Australia