Football Friends with Ben & Stef

Should A-League players and coaches be punished for speaking their minds, or does Australian football need more personality and controversy?Ben Garuccio and Stefan Mauk are back for another episode of Football Friends, weighing in on the recent player bans, Patrick Kisnorbo's fiery media comments and whether the A-League needs to give players more freedom to express themselves.The boys also break down the opening two rounds of the A-League Men season, including Western Sydney Wanderers' impressive start, Wellington Phoenix's surprise form, Brisbane Roar's resurgence and the pressure building on Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.Plus, Stef reflects on a dramatic AFC Champions League victory over Kevin Muscat's Shanghai Port, while Ben discusses Sydney FC's comeback win against Adelaide United.00:00 Intro00:36 Stef's dramatic Champions League win over Kevin Muscat05:54 Stef's yellow card suspension07:16 Sydney FC's comeback against Adelaide United09:00 Adelaide United's brutal travel schedule11:09 Western Sydney Wanderers' flying start12:08 Wellington Phoenix's surprise start14:13 Is Brisbane Roar finally turning things around?16:26 Pressure building on Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City19:35 The financial reality of A-League squads21:27 Is the A-League silencing its own players?23:34 Should players and coaches be allowed to speak their minds?27:23 KEEP OR BIN: In-game and tunnel interviews29:13 The Akol Akon U17 World Cup controversy32:31 Looking ahead to Round 3Subscribe to Football360 for more Football Friends with Ben & Stef, exclusive interviews and the biggest talking points in Australian football.

Could smaller stadiums and a $100K-per-match model help solve one of the A-League's biggest problems?On this week's Football Friends, Ben Garuccio and Stefan Mauk tackle the economics of Australian football, questioning whether smaller clubs with lower operating costs could hold the key to a more sustainable future.The boys discuss the Australian Championship, Sutherland Sharks' A-League ambitions, South Melbourne's potential and why bigger stadiums aren't always better.Plus, fresh from a bruising Sydney Derby, Ben reveals the thinking behind Sydney FC's tactical approach, the extraordinary physical toll of the 0-0 draw and why there's more to the match than the scoreline suggests.They also unpack Auckland FC's impressive start, the Newcastle Jets' controversial decision to ban a journalist, and the biggest talking points from the opening round.00:00 – The A-League is BACK!01:02 – What REALLY happened in the Sydney Derby?03:08 – Why the Sydney Derby became a physical battle05:34 – Should derbies be played in Round 1?08:00 – Lachie Bayliss and Auckland FC's incredible start11:46 – What makes Auckland FC so successful?14:01 – Round 1 surprises and standout performances19:36 – Melbourne Derby preview and refereeing controversy22:05 – Should players be interviewed straight after matches?24:30 – Newcastle Jets' controversial media ban27:40 – Could Sutherland Sharks join the A-League?30:10 – The $100K-per-match model: Are smaller stadiums the answer?33:17 – Australian Championship penalty shootouts and expansion35:11 – Stef's upcoming Asian fixtures37:01 – The extraordinary physical toll of the Sydney Derby

The A-League is BACK, and Ben Garuccio and Stefan Mauk are making some bold predictions for the 2026/27 season!Could one of last season's biggest underperformers become genuine title contenders? Who are the favourites for the championship? And which clubs could be in serious trouble this season?The boys break down their title favourites, surprise packages, Johnny Warren Medal contenders and the players who could force their way into the Socceroos squad ahead of the Asian Cup.PLUS, following South Melbourne's incredible Australia Cup Final triumph over Melbourne Victory, Stef explains why the historic club MUST be brought into the A-League.And with Ben preparing for a blockbuster Sydney Derby to kick off the new season, there's plenty to discuss! 00:20 Stef's birthday and football in Asia 02:29 Life as an ageing professional footballer 04:18 Ben's final pre-season hit-out 07:12 South Melbourne's incredible Australia Cup triumph 10:41 Why South Melbourne MUST join the A-League 14:19 Why this A-League season is so important 16:30 Which A-League clubs are in trouble? 19:07 A-League title contenders and predictions 20:30 Can Ufuk Talay transform Western Sydney? 24:55 The biggest surprise packages this season 29:06 Potential Socceroos bolters for the Asian Cup 34:23 Johnny Warren Medal predictions 39:20 Which A-League coach is under the MOST pressure? 41:18 Sydney Derby and Round 1 excitement 42:37 Australian Championship kicks off

The boys speak to Melbourne Victory's Harrison Sawyer and South Melbourne's Sebastian Pasquali as part of their Australia Cup final preview podcast.They also discuss this week's key talking points, including Adam Taggart's shock exit from Vietnam, the Olyroos and more. 

Ben and Stef are back for a blockbuster episode of football friends - as Avondale FC star Blake Carpenter to discuss his side’s NPL Victoria Grand Final win, discuss the divide between the A-League and NPL and to bury the hatchet with Stef after his comments on the Suited & Booted podcast Elsewhere on the ep:Reacting to the incredible ticket sales for the Australia Cup final Ben gives his verdict on his Sydney FC teammate Akol Akon’s impending move to Sydney FC Bruno Fornaroli revealed he had to turn down a move to the Australian Championship due to a registration quirk - what’s the boys take? A-League expansion: which clubs would the boys want to see come into the league?