Recruiting From The Australian A League

[HIBS NUTS]

We have a Title WInning manager that at best, looks naive.
A full back, that can’t defend or stay on his feet.
A Centre half that has looked pretty poor, and has already given away 2 penalties.
Jimmy Jeggo who has returned home, as he was imobile.
We have had a long list of hibs players, that have been poor from this league.
I’m sure I will get stick, from our Australian fans, but let’s hear your views.

[Jones28]

What long list is this?

Miller is young and still fairly raw but has good and not so good games.
ALF has quality and has been a big miss.
Jeggo improved the team when he came in.

[easty]

Jamie Maclaren was a good player. Though, I doubt he’d work well in this team. We don’t create anything for a striker to finish.

Jackson Irvine was good. Milligan was decent.

Out of Hibs - Ryan Strain started over there, good player. Kye Rowles is another decent player. I’ve never been a big fan of Baccus, but he seems to do no bad.

[BILLYHIBS]

Hearts do ok with the hammer throwers they recruit from Down Under

Loved Jamie Mac when he was here scored goals for fun but he came from the German Second Division I suppose

We also have Martin Boyle who has improved us since he came back :greengrin

[ozwoody]

I reckon we would have a punt on a guy called Jason Cummings if he was available.
He seemed to score for fun in A -League.

Jamie Mac was good, Jackson Irvine is playing at higher standard now, Milligan strolled through games imo.

[Hibeesdaft16]

Jamie Maclaren was a good player. Though, I doubt he’d work well in this team. We don’t create anything for a striker to finish.

Jackson Irvine was good. Milligan was decent.

Out of Hibs - Ryan Strain started over there, good player. Kye Rowles is another decent player. I’ve never been a big fan of Baccus, but he seems to do no bad.

Jamie Mac was class for us and Irvine very under rated even though he hid in the Scottish Cup Final both them never came directly from the A League though. McLaren I’m sure came from a German mob now promoted to the top league and Irvine, England but who now also plays in Germany. I thought Milligan was very good for us too.

[ozwoody]

Jamie Mac was class for us and Irvine very under rated even though he hid in the Scottish Cup Final both them never came directly from the A League though. McLaren I’m sure came from a German mob now promoted to the top league and Irvine, England but who now also plays in Germany. I thought Milligan was very good for us too.

Irvine's first pro club was Melbourne Victory, then Celtic, killie, Ross County, then England

[J-C]

I think most of the names being mentioned had already played at a higher level to us before coming here, I think the OP was talking about signing young players directly from Oz who have done nothing of note yet.

[BILLYHIBS]

I think most of the names being mentioned had already played at a higher level to us before coming here, I think the OP was talking about signing young players directly from Oz who have done nothing of note yet.

Yip Hearts do ok

[ozwoody]

I think most of the names being mentioned had already played at a higher level to us before coming here, I think the OP was talking about signing young players directly from Oz who have done nothing of note yet.

I think that's the gamble when you sign young players from any country, we signed Melkerson , who had decent pedigree , and he ended up not being a success.
Let's be honest, if they had done lots to note, we couldn't afford them anyway.

[Forza Fred]

Seems a thread started knowing it will likely cause division…so will only say that there are enough players with A League experience playing throughout Europe to suggest that yes, there is talent there.

The secret is….it’s the PLAYER you are signing, not the league….whichever league he plays in.
When we sign a player hopefully our recruitment team can identify that he is capable of playing in the SPFL.
If they can’t don’t sign him…or change the recruiters if they keep signing duds

[Bridge hibs]

Seems a thread started knowing it will likely cause division…so will only say that there are enough players with A League experience playing throughout Europe to suggest that yes, there is talent there.

The secret is….it’s the PLAYER you are signing, not the league….whichever league he plays in.
When we sign a player hopefully our recruitment team can identify that he is capable of playing in the SPFL.
If they can’t don’t sign him…or change the recruiters if they keep signing dudsI kind of agree with that Fred and theres a fair few players that have moved to clubs throughout europe over the years from the Australian leagues

Flipping that on its head, a few on here were shouting for McGeough, Dhanda, Omeonga etc, all limited players imo who if moved to the A league would hardly set the heather on fire, but for some reason would improve hibs 🫣

[easty]

I kind of agree with that Fred and theres a fair few players that have moved to clubs throughout europe over the years from the Australian leagues

Flipping that on its head, a few on here were shouting for McGeough, Dhanda, Omeonga etc, all limited players imo who if moved to the A league would hardly set the heather on fire, but for some reason would improve hibs 🫣

McGeough, Dhanda and Omeonga would look great in the A League. They’re not great though.

[HIBS NUTS]

Seems a thread started knowing it will likely cause division…so will only say that there are enough players with A League experience playing throughout Europe to suggest that yes, there is talent there.

The secret is….it’s the PLAYER you are signing, not the league….whichever league he plays in.
When we sign a player hopefully our recruitment team can identify that he is capable of playing in the SPFL.
If they can’t don’t sign him…or change the recruiters if they keep signing duds
Forums should be for discussion, not to cause division, we are having a discussion about wether the A league, is a good place to recruit.
A much better thread , than MONTY OUT, or GTF.
You might not agree with me, and that’s fine, in fact I didn’t think you would.
But to say it was started to cause division is unfair.

[Bridge hibs]

McGeough, Dhanda and Omeonga would look great in the A League. They’re not great though.

Nah, pretty ordinary players, Im not going to knock the A league as Ive seen good players move to bigger clubs but on the same token there are a lot of bang average players too and thats the ones we dont want to be signing

One player that has been mentioned often on here is CCMs midfielder Nisbet, I think he is a very decent player and may be able to step up at hibs if given the chance, another mentioned is the young left back Farrell, he is another decent player albeit quite raw and I think it would take him a while to get used to our league, we need better though and he would be a gamble

As Fred says above though, there are players there, its about signing the right ones

[JimBHibees]

Seems a thread started knowing it will likely cause division…so will only say that there are enough players with A League experience playing throughout Europe to suggest that yes, there is talent there.

The secret is….it’s the PLAYER you are signing, not the league….whichever league he plays in.
When we sign a player hopefully our recruitment team can identify that he is capable of playing in the SPFL.
If they can’t don’t sign him…or change the recruiters if they keep signing duds

Agree with your first point that seems to be the way of it at present. Relentless trolling. Of course no one is happy where we are at present.

[Bridge hibs]

Agree with your first point that seems to be the way of it at present. Relentless trolling. Of course no one is happy where we are at present.

How is the OP trolling ? Its a valid post and worthy of discussion, the A league splits opinion and I have no doubt Aussie based hibbies would be able to form an opinion on our league whether positive or negative

[eastmainsmsh]

Marc Anthony who was a cracking player went out there and played in regional leagues and signed with Perth Glory don’t think it’s as good a standard as made out

[J-C]

Agree with your first point that seems to be the way of it at present. Relentless trolling. Of course no one is happy where we are at present.

I can see where the OP is coming from but he's forgetting the many good players playing across Europe and for us who were actually very good players. Jeggo wasn't a bad player and had a very decent career in Austria, Greece and Belgium before coming here and he was exactly what we needed last season as he shored up the defensive midfield slot.

Miller was one of our buy young experiments from the season along with Jair and Melkersen and the jury is still out with him. Triantis has played a total of 60 games with half of them in the Australian lower leagues and 1 full season in the A League, so not really what was needed in the January window with a sick Hanlon and Rocky away with his country.

[HIBS NUTS]

How is the OP trolling ? Its a valid post and worthy of discussion, the A league splits opinion and I have no doubt Aussie based hibbies would be able to form an opinion on our league whether positive or negative
Thanks it’s a discussion, about A League recruitment.
We have a right back, a centre half and a manager , than won the Aleague last season, currently playing with us.

[Forza Fred]

Thanks it’s a discussion, about A League recruitment.
We have a right back, a centre half and a manager , than won the Aleague last season, currently playing with us.

Miller did not play in the Mariners championship winning side nor did we sign him from the Mariners.

[HIBS NUTS]

Miller did not play in the Mariners championship winning side nor did we sign him from the Mariners.
Thanks for the update.
Jason Cummings was a star however, in that team, and couldn’t score goals for numerous clubs in Scotland after he left us.
Maybe there are reasons for that, but it’s true.
The defence at the moment is horrendous, I accept young defenders will make mistakes, but this is not the time in the season to play young inexperienced players.
We should have signed an experienced defender in January.

[Bridge hibs]

A few of these players played A league or lower and havent done too badly

Jordan Bos Melbourne City to Belgium with KVC Westerlo

Aiden O’Neil Melbourne City to Standard Liege

Jason Davidson to KAS Eupen in Belgium

Tom Glover, Riley McGree and Sammy Silvera to Middlesbrough

Alexander Robertson Man City on loan to Portsmouth

Yengi Portsmouth from WSW

Calum Elder Derby County

Tyrese Francois Fulham

Denis Genreau Macarthur to Toulouse

Mohamed Toure Paris Fc

Conor Metcalf St Pauli

Most notable player with regards monetary value is Christian Volpato, WSW to Roma and sold to Sassuolo for £6.4m

Then theres the Australian players plying their trades in Scotland

Theres gold in them thar hills, just got to find it and dig it up

[Forza Fred]

Thanks for the update.
Jason Cummings was a star however, in that team, and couldn’t score goals for numerous clubs in Scotland after he left us.
Maybe there are reasons for that, but it’s true.
The defence at the moment is horrendous, I accept young defenders will make mistakes, but this is not the time in the season to play young inexperienced players.
We should have signed an experienced defender in January.

Mate,

I’m really not fussed what your opinion is of the A League, Jason Cummings, Lewis Miller or Monty for that matter.

You are entitled to it.

But your degree of accuracy/knowledge is a bit askew again

You say Jason Cummings couldn’t score for numerous clubs in Scotland after he left us.

Well, perhaps that is because he played for only 2 clubs in Scotland after he left us…..Rangers and Dundee, and yes, he scored for both.

In fact he even scored against us for Dundee.

Have a good day.

[JimBHibees]

How is the OP trolling ? Its a valid post and worthy of discussion, the A league splits opinion and I have no doubt Aussie based hibbies would be able to form an opinion on our league whether positive or negative

It has been done to death on here though. Miller has shown he can play this level. Triantis has had a handful of games.

[SlickShoes]

If the list is long can you name all the poor A league players we have signed?

[Bridge hibs]

It has been done to death on here though. Miller has shown he can play this level. Triantis has had a handful of games.

It has Jim but then so has just about every other thread, some new and some regurgitated, it has created a discussion and having read a few of the Ops posts I dont think he is trolling here

As I said the A league splits opinion, some think its a pub league and some think its decent, I think its decent to be fair but I wont argue with anyone if they think differently

For balance as to the original Op I have put up a list of players who have done ok for themselves with a few having played A league or lower

[HIBS NUTS]

Mate,

I’m really not fussed what your opinion is of the A League, Jason Cummings, Lewis Miller or Monty for that matter.

You are entitled to it.

But your degree of accuracy/knowledge is a bit askew again

You say Jason Cummings couldn’t score for numerous clubs in Scotland after he left us.

Well, perhaps that is because he played for only 2 clubs in Scotland after he left us…..Rangers and Dundee, and yes, he scored for both.

In fact he even scored against us for Dundee.

Have a good day.
He was a failure at both rangers and Dundee.
have a good day

[Forza Fred]

If the list is long can you name all the poor A league players we have signed?

I know you were asking the o.p., but he probably needs a bit help, so from memory I’ll try and list ex A League players who played in the A League at some point before coming to us. (although not necessarily signed from the A League);
If I have missed any, it’s only cause I’m an Auld fart.

Alf Le Fondre
Lewis Miller
Mark Milligan
Jackson Irvine
Nectar Triantis
Jamie MacLaren
Jimmy Jeggo

No doubt I’ve missed a couple, but the argument that we shouldn’t sign players from any league because we think it’s a crap league, is just plain daft to me….it’s the individual that is the key…not the league, surely.

I mean should we not sign players from Portugal because we signed Jair, or nobody from England because we signed Harbottle and MCKirdy from there?

You get my drift, pretty soon we’d run out of leagues!

Interesting facts, which probably don’t mean much, but may surprise…..

Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes was born and raised in Oz, but was considered not good enough to get signed by an A League club.

And what nationality is the player who has been born outside the British Isles and played most EPL games? Yep.

Again, it’s the PLAYER we sign not the league

[Bridge hibs]

He was a failure at both rangers and Dundee.
have a good day

12 goals in 30 games or so, failure ?

His attitude at Dundee was his “failure” not his lack of goals, he hasnt done too badly for himself since, if thats failure then can I have a bucket load please

[ozwoody]

Interesting discussion regarding the leagues.
I'm sure a lot of people that call the A -League a " pub league" probably haven't seen enough matches to compare it to SPFL.
On the flip side, most of us have watched both leagues , due to us growing up in Scotland then moving out here ( I was season ticket holder for 25+ years).

Tbh I see brutal games in both leagues,is there a huge gulf between A-League and SPFL? I wouldn't say so ( outwith the old firm of course, although Melbourne City , being part of the city group have , arguably, more money than both).

A good player is a good player, no matter where he is from, be it Brazil or Bolivia.

It's identifying those players and if they can fit in your system.

Same with Managers, Ange won League here, Japan, celtic and is doing well at spurs.

Would he have done same with Hibs? Would he have got the time? Who knows .
Will NM come good? Maybe, but signs aren't looking good, that's on him as a manager, not from League he's came from.

[HIBS NUTS]

12 goals in 30 games or so, failure ?

His attitude at Dundee was his “failure” not his lack of goals, he hasnt done too badly for himself since, if thats failure then can I have a bucket load please
Outwith hibs, and mariners
He scored 25 goals in 120 games for
Nottingham forest
rangers
peterbough
Luton
shrewsbury and Dundee.
Dundee wanted rid of him, because he was on high wages and wasent playing well.
I actually like Jason Cummings, he’s a great character.

[SlickShoes]

Outwith hibs, and mariners
He scored 25 goals in 120 games for
Nottingham forest
rangers
peterbough
Luton
shrewsbury and Dundee.
Dundee wanted rid of him, because he was on high wages and wasent playing well.
I actually like Jason Cummings, he’s a great character.

You could selectively look at a lot of players careers and pick out a section where they didn’t play well for many different reasons.

Cummings has admitted himself that after hibs his head wasn’t remotely in the right place for pro football, he turned that around when he went to Australia.

A career isn’t a constant, life changes and people change.

[Bridge hibs]

Outwith hibs, and mariners
He scored 25 goals in 120 games for
Nottingham forest
rangers
peterbough
Luton
shrewsbury and Dundee.
Dundee wanted rid of him, because he was on high wages and wasent playing well.
I actually like Jason Cummings, he’s a great character.Not playing well and scoring around 12 in 30 still isnt a bad return, wished we currently had a striker not playing well but still scoring

His time at Dundee was beset by off field **** but he seems to have sorted himself out and I havent read of any issues with him when he was at CCM

[Scotty Leither]

Football isn’t the main sport in Australia, is it? Where does it rank alongside rugby or cricket for example?

I don’t know anything about the club he came from either, but I’ll bet they’re not subject to the same scrutiny as one of the foremost clubs in their country either.

I was singularly underwhelmed at his appointment at the time, but hoped it would work out. I’m now all out faith with those running the club, and I hope they get sidelined when the new regime comes in.

[ozwoody]

Football isn’t the main sport in Australia, is it? Where does it rank alongside rugby or cricket for example?

I don’t know anything about the club he came from either, but I’ll bet they’re not subject to the same scrutiny as one of the foremost clubs in their country either.

I was singularly underwhelmed at his appointment at the time, but hoped it would work out. I’m now all out faith with those running the club, and I hope they get sidelined when the new regime comes in.

Football is behind AFL, NRL, Cricket, arguably Union, Horse racing etc in terms of attendance at sports, could throw in Car Racing as well.

In participating, it's no1 across the nation.
Women's world cup was massive boost for participating, but didn't really add more to crowds that attended games

[HIBS NUTS]

Not playing well and scoring around 12 in 30 still isnt a bad return, wished we currently had a striker not playing well but still scoring

His time at Dundee was beset by off field **** but he seems to have sorted himself out and I havent read of any issues with him when he was at CCM
I’m glad he sorted himself out , he was a good character with hibs, and player however the question was, how was he a failure with Dundee.
Dundee couldn’t get rid of him fast enough, but no one would take him in this country, that’s not a successful spell with a club.

[HIBS NUTS]

You could selectively look at a lot of players careers and pick out a section where they didn’t play well for many different reasons.

Cummings has admitted himself that after hibs his head wasn’t remotely in the right place for pro football, he turned that around when he went to Australia.

A career isn’t a constant, life changes and people change.
I’m delighted he’s sorted himself out. 👍

[ozwoody]

Outwith hibs, and mariners
He scored 25 goals in 120 games for
Nottingham forest
rangers
peterbough
Luton
shrewsbury and Dundee.
Dundee wanted rid of him, because he was on high wages and wasent playing well.
I actually like Jason Cummings, he’s a great character.

Our top 4 scorers this season : Youan ( 8) ,Boyle (8),Vente (6) and Campbell, who has been out for weeks (5) , have amassed 27 goals in 110 games, if you throw in Newell ( 4 in 33 games) it takes it to 31 in 143 games combined.

I would suggest 25 in 120 doesn't look too bad when you look at those figures

[Forza Fred]

Football is behind AFL, NRL, Cricket, arguably Union, Horse racing etc in terms of attendance at sports, could throw in Car Racing as well.

In participating, it's no1 across the nation.
Women's world cup was massive boost for participating, but didn't really add more to crowds that attended games

Did with the women's games...not the men's

Was reading an article where there were substantial increases in women's attendances..not that they get many at the best of times, but did significantly increase them.

[Bridge hibs]

Football is behind AFL, NRL, Cricket, arguably Union, Horse racing etc in terms of attendance at sports, could throw in Car Racing as well.

In participating, it's no1 across the nation.
Women's world cup was massive boost for participating, but didn't really add more to crowds that attended gamesThats interesting with regards where football is placed, so on the strength of that I think its difficult to argue about the quality of football on offer or players that could transition to stepping up to europe. It cant be argued though that there have been a few successes too, notably former players such as Rogic, Moore, Viduka, Kewell and Mark Schwarzer, albeit pre A league and current A league

[Forza Fred]

Thats interesting with regards where football is placed, so on the strength of that I think its difficult to argue about the quality of football on offer or players that could transition to stepping up to europe. It cant be argued though that there have been a few successes too, notably former players such as Rogic, Moore, Viduka, Kewell and Mark Schwarzer, albeit pre A league and current A league

Hmmm
some interesting logic there.

[ozwoody]

Did with the women's games...not the men's

Was reading an article where there were substantial increases in women's attendances..not that they get many at the best of times, but did significantly increase them.

Was reading the " unite " round, which had both men's and women's games attracted a culmative attendance of 48,000 over the 12 games.
Only 1 women's match, out of 6, attracted over 2,000 people.

Feel good factor after World Cup didn't last

[ozwoody]

Thats interesting with regards where football is placed, so on the strength of that I think its difficult to argue about the quality of football on offer or players that could transition to stepping up to europe. It cant be argued though that there have been a few successes too, notably former players such as Rogic, Moore, Viduka, Kewell and Mark Schwarzer, albeit pre A league and current A league

Correct, and I would suggest there are more Australian players playing in Europe, and at a higher level, than Scot's players

[Hibernian Verse]

Correct, and I would suggest there are more Australian players playing in Europe, and at a higher level, than Scot's players

Sorry but that's a load of rubbish, either that or you're excluding the best league in the World because we're on the same island.

[Bridge hibs]

Correct, and I would suggest there are more Australian players playing in Europe, and at a higher level, than Scot's players

Heres a list of Aussie footballers playing/managing abroad, including Women footballers

https://keepup.com.au/news/where-are-matildas-playing-this-season-socceroos-australians-aussies-abroad-list/

[Forza Fred]

Was reading the " unite " round, which had both men's and women's games attracted a culmative attendance of 48,000 over the 12 games.
Only 1 women's match, out of 6, attracted over 2,000 people.

Feel good factor after World Cup didn't last

That round though was a cock up from the word go....and was never going to draw anything like 'normal' crowds.

Hardly a normal representation of things.

All games played in Sydney and was hurriedly devised and implemented to replace the deal to hold all future A League Grand Finals in Sydney..which caused an uproar and was subsequently abandoned..but because the NSW Government had already thrown in a few million bucks they stuck this on instead.

The early rounds of the Women's games recorded in excess of 100% crowd increases on last season....dunno what they look like now, but expect they have dropped off a bit.

[ozwoody]

That round though was a cock up from the word go....and was never going to draw anything like 'normal' crowds.

Hardly a normal representation of things.

All games played in Sydney and was hurriedly devised and implemented to replace the deal to hold all future A League Grand Finals in Sydney..which caused an uproar and was subsequently abandoned..but because the NSW Government had already thrown in a few million bucks they stuck this on instead.

The early rounds of the Women's games recorded in excess of 100% crowd increases on last season....dunno what they look like now, but expect they have dropped off a bit.

Agree it was a total **** show, I saw 4 games back to back and was probably counted as a seperate person in every head count!

Attendances have went to pot in women's game, and poor in men's game.

Back on track though, I still say the A League does have good players and they are playing at a high standard across Europe, and the world, so it's not a pub league by any stretch of the imagination

[alexedwards]

Agree it was a total **** show, I saw 4 games back to back and was probably counted as a seperate person in every head count!

Attendances have went to pot in women's game, and poor in men's game.

Back on track though, I still say the A League does have good players and they are playing at a high standard across Europe, and the world, so it's not a pub league by any stretch of the imagination

There are far higher standard leagues closer to home to recruit better players from. It's not an ideal place to go shopping in.

[Forza Fred]

There are far higher standard leagues closer to home to recruit better players from. It's not an ideal place to go shopping in.

Of course there are…there’s the EPL, LA Liga, Serie A………..and yon Bundesliega.

However, they might just be a bit pricey for us.

I don’t think close geographical proximity matters in these digital times, but I guess affordability does.

Personally I care not one hoot what nationality a player is or what league he plays in, just as long as he is capable of being a success in the SPFL.

[Hibees1973]

There might be the odd decent one in this league, but if Montgomery is looking to recruit a whole load more players who are/have played here we are not going to improve.

You could spend ages analysing loads of stats from the A league, but you need look no further that this stat.

Jason Cummings & Jamie MacLaren were the top goal scorers in the A league last season. I think this encapsulates the overall standard of the A league.

[Unseen work]

Plenty of examples to show it’s a good market

Baccus - Many on here want us to sign him
Strain - played most of his career there
Niewenhoff - Playing centre of the park for hearts who are flying
Devlin - Another hearts centre mid
Rowles - starts every week for hearts

That’s just off the top of my head.

I would also disagree about Miller. Hes a good player and a good defender, his problem imo has always been his decision making which he’ll hopefully learn.

Triantis has very obvious ability, the one thing he’ll need to learn is the physical side of the game whilst he’s here.

Jeggo, McLaren etc were also good players.

[The Spaceman]

I’m sure Villa fans said the exact same about us when they signed John McGinn.

[superfurryhibby]

I suppose there is a general issue in terms of recruiting from the A league in Oz, Dutch second tier, lower leagues in England, Scottish Championship in that they are asking any player to step it up a level?

Our league is physical, played at pace and for players who maybe haven't played at a better standard before, it's a challenge, it's demanding. Sometimes players can't do it, they find a level up means they aren't effective.

There's plenty talent in lots of lower leagues, what Hibs need to do is find a recruitment strategy that also recognises the need for established players, proven talent, as well as young emerging prospects.

The old backbone of a team....it applies to us now. We need to sign guys you hope will be mainstays, a keeper, centre half, maybe a new centre forward (I can see Vente leaving, it's not working for him or us).
With guys like Hanlon, Stevenson, Marshall all likely away, Hibs need to rebuild. Sensible recruitment needed.

[7Hero]

The issue isn't where we recruit per say, it's who's doing the recruiting.

We've found plenty poor players and the odd poor manager who have not even set foot in australia..

[tonyrougier123]

I think if you scout with common sense weigh up the proper pros and cons you will know if a player can handle spl.

You have to factor in winter pitches,nae point just being silky in the sun you need to be able to get down in the mud. Aussie league is a fair weather league.
There’s defo some quality flying around over there though.

[HIBS NUTS]

IM glad we got onto a discussion about Australian A league football, which was intended , not a slight on the league , although I’m still not convinced on the standard.

[ozhibs]

Football is behind AFL, NRL, Cricket, arguably Union, Horse racing etc in terms of attendance at sports, could throw in Car Racing as well.

In participating, it's no1 across the nation.
Women's world cup was massive boost for participating, but didn't really add more to crowds that attended games

I heard on the ABC that basketball is catching up with “soccer” in attendances, averaging 7000 to footballs 8000

GGTTH