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

• 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

🎧 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