Obviously, when people talk about pure talent, Viduka, Kewell, and Cahill are on another level. Viduka had that blend of size and silky technique, Kewell was probably the most naturally gifted Aussie ever, and Cahill basically wrote the book on late runs into the box. But if we’re talking strictly legacy in the Premier League and how they’re remembered, especially outside of Australia and New Zealand, I think Wood has quietly built a case to be right there in the conversation.

Over the past few years, Wood has cemented himself as one of the league’s most reliable strikers. Not flashy, but consistent. He did the hard yards with Burnley, scoring double figures in multiple seasons, and then made a pretty high-profile move to Newcastle when they needed a forward to help keep them up. That’s not a small thing, clubs don’t splash £25m on you in a relegation fight if you haven’t proven you belong at that level. And now at Forest, he’s still finding ways to be effective.

Viduka might still edge him in terms of pure moments and highlights (four goals against Liverpool doesn’t get forgotten), but when you look at longevity and the way Wood has carved out a place as one of the top-performing strikers from this part of the world in the Premier League era, it feels like he’s surpassed him in some ways. Cahill will always have that Everton cult-hero status, Kewell had the Leeds glory years (and then the Liverpool injury frustrations), but Wood’s case is built on consistency and relevance.

It’s kind of wild to say, but if you asked a random Premier League fan today which player they remember more clearly, I’m not sure Viduka automatically wins that conversation anymore. Wood’s legacy has crept up quietly, but it’s real.

Australia 1 vs 0 New Zealand

###Match Statistics:

Discuss this match below or on the r/Aleague Discord Server

FT: 94' - Australia 1 vs 0 New Zealand

Stadium: GIO Stadium Canberra, Canberra

Fixture Date: 05/09/2025 07:45PM (AEST)

Referee: None

Home Lineup:

Formation: 5-4-1

Substitutes: Lewis Miller, Aiden O'Neill, Tom Glover, Joe Gauci, Jack Iredale, Hayden Matthews, Kye Rowles, Nicolas Milanović, Adrian Segecic, Maximilien Balard, Mohamed Touré, Nestory Irankunda

Away Lineup:

Formation: 4-3-3

Substitutes: Henry Gray, Oliver Sail, Callan Elliot, James McGarry, Finn Surman, Benjamin Old, Logan Rogerson, Alex Rufer, Kosta Barbarouses, Jesse Randall, Luke Brooke-Smith

###Match Events:

32': Yellow Card - New Zealand - F. De Vries

46': Sub - Australia - On: S. Silvera, Off: L. Miller

46': Sub - Australia - On: P. Yazbek, Off: A. O'Neill

63': Sub - New Zealand - On: T. Payne, Off: C. Elliot

63': Sub - New Zealand - On: C. Wood, Off: K. Barbarouses

64': Sub - New Zealand - On: R. Thomas, Off: A. Rufer

70': Sub - New Zealand - On: F. De Vries, Off: J. McGarry

70': Sub - New Zealand - On: E. Just, Off: B. Old

74': Sub - Australia - On: M. Boyle, Off: M. Toure

74': Sub - Australia - On: A. Hrustic, Off: N. Milanovic

74': Sub - Australia - On: C. Metcalfe, Off: N. Irankunda

75': Sub - New Zealand - On: S. Singh, Off: F. Surman

85': Sub - Australia - On: R. Teague, Off: M. Balard

87': Goal - Australia - M. Balard (M. Toure)

###Match Statistics:

Discuss this match below or in real-time on the r/Aleague Discord Server

we are so back baby!

Feels like a while since I've been this keen to see the socceroos play in a friendly and Popa has given us good reason to be with his selection.

Obviously Irankunda has been killing it for Watford and Segicic has a few goals for pompey already, but I've only had a passing interest in the A League since Newcastle's plummet 5 or 6 years ago and so don't know too much about a lot of these younger blokes.

Who's your pick and what is it about their game that you are keen for?

anyone got the inside scoop?

Cacace had already pull out due to injury. Stamenic had a abductor complaint has now also pulled out after travelling to Canberra.

Also great breakdown for the game, the players, the history and what both team players/managers have been saying leading up to the game.

Tom Glover has been released from Middlesbrough. They decided to sign a 37 year old as to get experience in their GK department and have agreed to mutually terminate Glover’s contract so he can get more game time elsewhere as soon as possible.

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/middlesbrough-sign-veteran-scottish-goalkeeper-32392697

Denis Genreau is being listed on transfermarkt as a free agent but the only media reports I can find are from February 2025 about him signing with Deportivo until 2027. He’s not listed in their squad on the La Liga website either. Anyone know what’s happening there?

• Sorry if this belongs in the “general thread” I’m happy to move if needed.

For those unaware, Milly Boughton is a 19-year-old talent who was born in England but represents Australia with the U20 and U23 Tillies. She moved back to England to play for the academies of West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal (in that order), even making a League Cup appearance for Spurs before being loaned out to Ipswich Town, and now has her first permanent contract at a senior club where she might get played: Hibernian in the SWPL.

She joins fellow Aussie Stacey Papadopoulos (who is yet to receive a Matildas or Young Matildas call-up by the way) on the women's team while also joining Socceroos Martin Boyle and Jack Iredale, making Hibs the Aussiest club in Scotland.

FQ haven't posted an image yet for the FQPL2 finals. For the seniors they'll be taking place at Perry Park, and Moreton Bay Sports Complex (Caboolture FC) will be hosting the u23s.

FQPL2 Women: Palm Beach vs Samford Rangers - 4:30PM Saturday at Perry Park

FQPL2 Men: Robina City vs North Star - 7PM Saturday at Perry Park

FQPL2 u23 Women: Palm Beach vs Samford Rangers - 3:15 Sunday at Moreton Bay Sports Complex

FQPL2 u23 Men: Grange Thistle vs Robina City - 6PM Sunday at Moreton Bay Sports Complex

All seniors games will be live streamed via the Football Queensland YouTube channel

Matches Around The Grounds - 05-09-2025

At a game? Let us know!

Game not listed? Comment below the games and scores!

Victoria NPL

Victoria Premier League 1

Western Australia NPL

Northern Territory Premier League

r/ALeague Competitions Hub

Pubs / Venues showing A-League Matches

List of Free-to-Air A-League Matches

Official r/ALeague Discord

All game times in AEST

Note: Not all matches have live score updates available.

1 through to 5 and the Goalkeeper? Any era.

I’m assuming the Western United fiasco has delayed the announcement. But the season isn’t far away now….

I’ve grabbed tickets to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup match between Bangladesh and North Korea.

Last time I went to the womens World Cup, my daughter and I somehow ended up in South Korea merch while sitting with the Colombian fans — completely by accident, but it was such a fun experience.

This time I’m going along with both my kids — my daughter (7) and my son (4). We’re keen to cheer on whoever we find ourselves sitting with!

So what do you think: will there be a strong Bangladeshi crowd? Any chance of organised North Korean fans? Or is it going to be one of those games where everyone just mixes in and chooses a side for the day?

Proper derby this one: good crowd, flares, projectiles, dozens of fouls, a dozen cards, half a dozen penalty saves/misses! To top it all off the Marconi winning penalty taker gets floored by his keeper during the celebrations haha.