Mike Cockerill predicted result of our sporting insularity
If columns could take the field with a black armband, one would be worn here for the late Mike Cockerill. By way of tribute, all we can do is echo one of that fine man's passionate themes.
Football
The Cockerill columns that defined a football era in Australia
In over 30 years of covering football for the Herald, Mike Cockerill filed hundreds of columns encompassing the full spectrum from NSW state league to World Cups. Below are extracts from five of the most memorable pieces Cockerill wrote over his distinguished career.
Be brave bold and resolute and go for goal: Socceroos have no other option
If ever there was a moment to seize the day, make a huge statement and defy the odds, it is at hand for the Socceroos.
Mike Cockerill was a giant in Australian sports journalism
Fairfax Media sports writer Michael Cockerill has died, aged 56.
Canberra secures double young guns for W-League
Canberra United 'best friends' re-sign with the W-League club to launch their careers.
Sydney FC bolster squad with young midfielder Kalik
Defending A-League champions Sydney FC have added another of Graham Arnold's former charges to the ranks, signing teenage midfielder Anthony Kalik on loan from Hadjuk Split.
What the Socceroos need to keep their Cup dream alive
And so it now all comes down to this. Ninety minutes in Melbourne, next Tuesday night at a raucous AAMI Park when Australia tries to rekindle their World Cup dream against a Thailand team that has nothing to play for save pride.
Football columnist Michael Cockerill dies aged 56
Fairfax Media football columnist Michael Cockerill has died aged 56.
Socceroos' World Cup dream on the brink after crashing to Japan
Australia's World Cup dream hangs by a thread after the Socceroos went down 2-0 in Tokyo to a Japanese side that booked their place in Russia thanks to their victory in front of a packed and passionate home crowd.
What the Socceroos have to do to qualify in 2018
After Australia's loss to Japan on Thursday night, the path to Russia in 2018 just became all that much murkier.
Socceroos can book a World Cup berth against Japan
Awful, awful result for Australia. Japan are off to Russia, and the Socceroos now need to regroup and set their sites on Melbourne next week where they'll play Thailand.
Evergreen Cahill could captain Socceroos tonight against Japan
Tim Cahill's Socceroos renaissance looks set to continue with a starting role in Saitama if striker Tomi Juric is ruled out of the World Cup qualifier against Japan.
City begin global search for Fornaroli injury replacement
City have already begun the international search to find an injury replacement for star striker Bruno Fornaroli, the club's top goalscorer for the past two seasons.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley says Canberra deserves A-League action
Newcastle Jets' veteran Nikolai Topor-Stanley says his hometown Canberra deserves more A-League action.
City's Bruno Fornaroli set to miss start of A-League season
Melbourne City's star striker Bruno Fornaroli is set to miss the start of the A-League season and there are fears he may be sidelined for two months after injuring an ankle in the club's 3-2 FFA Cup final win over Hakoah Sydney.
Postecoglou: Rogic, Mooy can click for Socceroos
Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy are capable of bringing their best club form to the Socceroos at the same time, but coach Ange Postecoglou has warned it's easier said than done.
Kerr the headline act in Stajcic's squad for Brazil series
Sam Kerr, a nominee for the Best FIFA Women's Player of the Year award, is one of the headline acts in a strong Matildas squad named by coach Alen Stajic for the upcoming two-match series against Brazil.
Bergers are better at Olympic Village – Adelaide are next on the menu
Giant-killers Heidelberg United are looking to build on that reputation when they host Adelaide United in the FFA Cup quarter-final in mid-September.
Socceroos handed World Cup boost by shock result
The United Arab Emirates have inflicted a hammer blow to Saudi Arabia's World Cup hopes in a Group B result that would see Australia qualify with victory over Japan on Wednesday in Tokyo.
A-League big boys ease through to last eight of FFA Cup
Melbourne City took a big step in the defence of their FFA Cup title with a 3-2 victory over Hakoah Sydney, while Western Sydney eased into the last eight with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Bentleigh Greens as the final set of round of 16 games took place on Tuesday night.
Newcastle Jets could fill A-League void in capital
Newcastle Jets boss Lawrie McKinna says his club could fill A-League void in Canberra.
Matildas on course for homecoming sellout against Brazil
The Matildas are proving to be one of the hottest tickets in women's sport – and it is hardly surprising given their exploits in the past six weeks, when they won the Tournament of Nations in such spectacular style.
Spiranovic staying put in China even if it impacts Socceroos selection
​Matthew Spiranovic has no plans to leave his Chinese second division club, even if it affects his Socceroos selection chances under coach Ange Postecoglou.
Socceroos take precautions in Japan after missile
The Socceroos are taking "appropriate precautions" after North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan's north on Tuesday morning.
Some Japanese fans want Socceroos to win: Degenek
Socceroo Milos Degenek says local discontent with the Japanese national team is so intense some of his club teammates have told him they want Australia to win Thursday's crunch World Cup qualifier.
Matildas star Ellie Carpenter joins Canberra United
Canberra United have signed Matildas young gun Ellie Carpenter.
Liverpool humiliate Arsenal in horror show for Wenger
Liverpool have ripped apart woeful Arsenal in a 4-0 Premier League thumping at Anfield.
EPL Wrap: Mooy's Huddersfield remain unbeaten
Aaron Mooy's Huddersfield have continued their spectacular start to life in the Premier League and will fancy their chances of adding to their seven points in a fortnight.
More than just points at stake when Socceroos take on Japan in WC showdown
It's not quite in the class of the sudden death eliminators against Uruguay in 2001 and 2005 and Iran that fateful night at the MCG almost 20 years ago.
Socceroos come into camp in sharpshooting form
The strong performances in the early weeks of the European season by a couple of goal-scoring Socceroos, Aaron Mooy and Mathew Leckie, won't do the reputation of the A-League any harm at all.