Welcome to A-Leagues life, where KEEPUP brings you all the latest news and goings on at your club.
We’ve seen some of the Isuzu UTE A-League’s best talent plucked from the competition and lured abroad, but one team turned down an offer for one of their stars.
They explained why.
All eyes have been on Charlie Austin, meanwhile, following last week’s A-Leagues All Access episode. The popular Englishman took part in a light-hearted interview, while addressing some of Australia’s creepy-crawlies.
Then there is Carl Jenkinson’s and his ambitions at Newcastle Jets and the arrival of a Canada international in Canberra.
This is how the week is shaping up across the A-Leagues.
Why Wellington kept the ‘Waine Train’ at the station
Ben Waine is the name on everyone’s lips. He is a cult figure in New Zealand following his exploits for Wellington Phoenix.
Waine, who already has two goals to his name this A-League Men season, attracted interest from English League One leaders Plymouth Argyle but they did not meet Wellington’s valuation of the 21-year-old forward.
The offer – made prior to the 2022-23 campaign – prompted Phoenix general manager David Dome to talk up the quality of players in the ALM.
“They didn’t put a price on Ben Waine as much as Wellington Phoenix did,” Dome said.
“This is indicative of players coming out of the A-League into other European competitions. They are as good as players coming from out of other parts of the world but because the A-League is regarded as not as high a priced league, clubs from Europe will come in and try and get bargains.
“They are under-pricing our players, and every club in the A-League has the same issue.
“We’ve decided we’re not going to do that any more. We have prices we believe players are worth and they did not match it.”
Academy product Waine and the Phoenix are away to flawless reigning premiers Melbourne City at AAMI Park in Round 4 on Sunday.
Austin, the spiderman?
Kangaroos, spiders. Australia is overrun by the marsupial and eight-legged insect, right?
Well, we know that’s not true but Brisbane Roar marquee has already had his encounters, especially when it comes to spiders of the huntsman variety.
“I have seen a huntsman. I’ve had three,” Austin said during his appearance on Andy Goldstein’s YouTube Channel.
“There’s one just by the front door and two by the sofa.”
And how did he get them out?
“You know Chinese takeaway and the old plastic Tupper wear stuff. I had to be friendly to him mate,” Austin joked. “Got him in there and get out.”
Austin is three Isuzu UTE A-League games into his career with the Roar and the former Premier League striker got off the mark in last week’s 1-1 draw at Western Sydney Wanderers.
“Life’s good mate at the moment,” Austin said. “34 degrees here today. The weather is turning up. It’s not England mate.”
Austin was appearing on the show on the back of second episode of A-Leagues All Access, centred on his life and match against Melbourne City in Round 3.
The half-time blow-up with team-mate Connor Chapman, and post-game reconciliation following a 2-0 loss to City showed Austin’s hunger and passion in the ground-breaking docu-series.
“Game management? Well f*** me!” was just the start of a furious half-time argument between Austin and Chapman caught in all its excruciating detail in the latest episode of A-Leagues All Access.
The incident went viral and made the news back in his homeland of the United Kingdom.
Asked about it again, Austin – whose Brisbane are at home to Melbourne Victory on Saturday – said: “He made two errors and cost us the game really.
“The ball was going down the line, he should’ve seen it out. Instead he took a touch, a heavy touch and kicked it out for a corner, which they scored from and that could’ve been prevented.
“And then, two minutes later the same player got chopped and then dangled a leg. Lazy defending.”
Jenkinson’s goal with the Jets
Carl Jenkinson made quite the impact during his loan stint with Melbourne City last season, having arrived in January.
The former Arsenal and England left-back helped City reach the Grand Final, before falling to Western United in May.
Jenkinson was close to signing with a team in his homeland after leaving Nottingham Forest but Arthur Papas’ Jets were too big of a pull.
“Last year I finished the season with Melbourne and I went home for the summer and I knew straight away I wanted to come back out here,” he told neds.
‘Over the next few years I want to play as much football as I can. I want to enjoy football as much as I can. Give as much as I can to this team on and off the pitch.
“I’d love to win the A-League. So close last year with City. Obviously we won the Premier’s Plate but we lost the final.
“I’d love to have that experience with these lads. That’d be fantastic.”
The Jets have started the season with back-to-back wins for the first time in their history as they prepare to visit high-flying Wanderers on Friday.
‘A very exciting player’: Canberra sign a Canada international
The Liberty A-League is fast approaching and two-time champions Canberra United are busy putting together a competitive side after five seasons without finals football.
A four-time Canada international, Kennedy Faulknor is the new face on the block at McKellar Park.
Faulknor, who made her Canada bow as a 16-year-old in 2015 – the youngest ever centre-back to debut for the country, arrives for her first taste of professional club football.
“A very exciting player,” said Canberra head coach Njegosh Popovich.
“Her ability to play all over the field. She started as a striker and slowly worked her back.”
Faulknor added: “I heard great things about this league. A lot of great players have come through.
“I’m really excited to be starting my professional career here.”
Canberra begin their 2022-23 season against Perth Glory on November 19.
A new arrival to the Nani family
Luis Nani and Melbourne Victory tasted Derby defeat, but it was still a memorable week for the Portugal and Manchester United great.
Victory marquee Nani and his wife welcomed their second child to the world – daughter Catarina.
