Riley McGree is back to his best as we break down his huge return for Middlesbrough, why he’s central to Boro’s promotion push, and what his form means for the Socceroos heading toward a World Cup year.

Moppa’s Midweek Wrap covers a massive week for Australians abroad, with goals, assists, clean sheets and late drama across Europe and Asia, plus a look at Australia’s position in the AFC coefficient race.

We review A-League Men Round 8, including Melbourne Victory’s first win in weeks, Sydney FC returning to the top, Newcastle’s clinical NZ double, and Auckland continuing the Mariners’ frustration. In the A-League Women, Canberra end Melbourne City’s 651-day unbeaten run to surge to the top of the table.

We wrap up with the Team of the Week, and Moppa’s Super Sub.

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

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This week on the Aussie Game Podcast we break down a massive stretch in Australian football: Socceroos news, Australian Championship glory, Aussies Abroad, and a hectic A-League weekend.

• Group D update: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo to join Australia, USA & Paraguay.
• What the North America games mean for World Cup prep.
• Mike Grella calls USA v Socceroos a “layup” — we respond.
• Paraguay preview: defensive, low-scoring, key stars (Almirón, Gómez, Alderete).
• European playoff picture + who the Socceroos should play in the March window.

• South Melbourne beat Marconi 2–0 to win the inaugural title.
• Goals: Aguek + Jankovic (also MVP).
• South now head to the OFC Pro League on Jan 18.
• Dredon Kelly named Championship MVP.
• Our reflections on the competition’s first season.

• McGree scores for Boro; Burgess helps Swansea break their losing run.
• Gauci benched in FA Cup; Peupion scores in the Netherlands.
• Kuol continues to build minutes; Hrustic, Irvine, Bos all impact overseas.
• J-League season ends — key Aussies face uncertain off-season before the World Cup.

• Victory 0–0 Macarthur: goalscoring woes continue.
• Perth 1–0 Wanderers: Despotovski scores, Sutton stars; should Griffiths stay long-term?
• Auckland 3–1 Phoenix: Derby drama, Oluwayemi saves two pens, huge crowd.
• Jets 0–1 City: Rashmani (18) scores; Beach brilliant.
• Mariners 1–2 Sydney FC: late winner from Campuzano; weather chaos.

Beach, Politidis, Jankovic, Stensness, Grove, Quintal, McGree, Baccus, Aguek, Despotovski, Peupion.

Super Sub: Stamatelopoulos.

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We break down the Matildas’ 2–0 win over New Zealand, unpack the PFA’s major findings in the 2024/25 A-League Men’s Report, and run through a massive set of updates for Aussies abroad.

A less fluid performance than the first match, but still a professional win.

• 19’ – Alanna Kennedy opens the scoring after Kerr, Raso and a fortunate deflection combine.
• Strong late first half: big chances from Carpenter, Torpey, Raso and Foord, plus a crucial Micah save for Australia.
• 70’ – Hayley Raso buries the second from a corner scramble.

We also debate the best current Matildas XI, noting no minutes for Siemsen, Rule or Lincoln.

The PFA’s 2024/25 A-League Men’s Report highlights:

• High transfer volatility and clubs’ increasing over-reliance on short-term signings
• Concerns around squad stability, youth development pathways, and long-term planning
• A push for new retention strategies and more sustainable squad building
• Review of governance structures, including the APL Board

https://pfa.net.au/announcements/pfa-report-reveals-a-league-mens-dramatic-youth-skew-crowd-trends-and-governance-challenges/

• Stensness & D’Agostino win the Norwegian title with Viking – first since 1991.
• Joeys qualify for the U17 Asian Cup.
• Irankunda returns home for personal reasons.
• Izzo with a clean sheet and player of the match.
• Garang Kuol with assists in league and cup.
• Irvine 90 mins, Metcalfe off the bench as St Pauli reach the DFB-Pokal quarters.
• Torpey leaves Portland Thorns.
• Minutes and strong performances for Miller, Borges Rodrigues, Devlin, Priestman, and Sapsford (on the scoresheet).

Class of 2025 includes Tim Cahill, Sharon Black and football historian Roy Hay.

Big matches featuring Aussies:

• MLS Cup Final
• Hajduk Split vs Dinamo Zagreb
• Motherwell’s unbeaten run test vs Livingston
• Heracles vs Telstar
• Celtic vs Hearts

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The Matildas deliver a dominant 5–0 win with goals from Sayer, Raso, Carpenter, Cooney-Cross and Gorry, and we break down what it means ahead of their next international fixture. The Sydney Derby headlines Round 6 of the A-League Men as Western Sydney Wanderers beat Sydney FC 1–0 in a fiery clash.

We cover every match across the round, plus a full Aussies Abroad wrap from England, Scotland, Europe, the MLS and Asia — including updates on Riley McGree, Lewis Miller, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Mat Ryan, Harry Souttar and more.

In the Asian Champions League, Melbourne City secure a huge win thanks to Max Caputo and a standout performance from Patrick Beach, while Macarthur qualify for the quarter-finals of ACL2 with a brace from Luke Vickery. We also review the Australia Championship semi-finals as Marconi and South Melbourne book their spots in the grand final.

Plus — our Team of the Week and the latest on the Joeys as they push for U17 Asian Cup qualification.

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

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This week on The Aussie Game podcast, we break down a massive round of Australian and international football. We cover the latest A-League Men Round 5 results, standout performances, big talking points, and all the drama from a huge weekend of action.

We also recap the Asian football trophies and continental finals, look at which Australian players and teams are dominating in Europe, and analyse the Australian Championship semi-finals as the race for the title heats up.

Plus, we reveal our A-League Team of the Week and discuss the biggest storylines shaping Aussie football right now.

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

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Sneaking in a bonus episode to cover off some Australian football news from the past few days including:

• Socceroos vs Colombia
• PFA's A-League women's report
• Matildas squad vs New Zealand
• Aussies abroad
• A-League tips

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your football fix!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the pod with your fellow football fans. 👟⚽

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Another busy week in Australian football and we've got it all covered.

• Socceroos vs Venezuela
• November 16 reflections
• Kerr at the double
• Australian Championship quarterfinalists decided
• All of our Aussies abroad

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your football fix!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the pod with your fellow football fans. 👟⚽

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Another busy week in Australian football and we've got it all covered.

• Socceroos squad debate
• Derby drama in the A-League
• An Aussie crowned champion in Sweden
• Australian Championship
• All of our Aussies abroad

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your football fix!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the pod with your fellow football fans. 👟⚽

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We've snuck in a midweek episode with far too much going on:

• More Socceroos injuries
• Mohamed Toure on form
• Tillies getting minutes
• A-Leagues preview
• Socceroos wishes

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your football fix!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the pod with your fellow football fans. 👟⚽

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Here's your wrap of this week in Australian football with plenty happening at home and abroad!

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your football fix!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the pod with your fellow football fans. 👟⚽

Follow our socials:

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X: the_aussie_game