Show Notes
Sam Cosgrove = FREE TO PLAY!
Auckland FC's previously-banned A-League Super Villain is available to play Melbourne City in Round 1 of the new season. In a bizarre turn of events, as news of his availability was made public, he just so happened to be sitting with The Unused Subs at Tyler St Sport!
So... how did it come to pass that his 2-game ban was served in NZ's National League?
And you just know that this result is going to fuel the rage of AFC and Sam Cosgrove detractors - but that's okay, because the man himself doesn't mind playing the role of the bad guy. Not one bit!
In our Season 3 Premiere, Cozzee chats about embracing the bad guy image, the fine line between diving to win fouls and going down under legitimate contact from a defender, the online trolls and how he almost manages to avoid them!
What's life like under new coach Pedro Moreira? And is Sam's ruptured ankle ligament giving him grief? Remember that he nearly missed AFC's Championship run through injury.
Plus: we go deep on Manchester City - Cozzee's favourite club. What should their punishment be for all they've allegedly done...or should they be congratulated for making the Premier League what it is today?!
Michael Woud’s efforts are revealed in the 10 Ball Challenge, we reveal Auckland and Wellington's 'Most Likely' Starting XIs this A-League season, and Bev Priestman says her new Nix recruit and Football Ferns centurion Abby Erceg has absolutely, definitely still got it. Should Erceg make herself available for the Ferns in Brazil '27?
The Unused Subs are back! So tell your mates and join us on the bench for Season 3!
FOLLOW THE UNUSED SUBS!
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theunusedsubs/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theunusedsubs
Kiwis talk football too!
#football #soccer #newzealand
More from The Unused Subs
3 A-League matches across 2 cities inside 24 hours.
Spain has defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final to become WORLD CHAMPIONS for the second time! On the surface, a solitary goal in extra time doesn't sound overly impressive or convincing, but dig a little deeper and you will see that this was not only a one-sided finale, but one of the most dominant World Cup campaigns, ever.
England has been defeated by Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals. And of course, the finger of blame is pointing directly at England's manager Thomas Tuchel. Were his defensive tactics in the final half hour of the clash 'cowardly' as has been reported in the UK media since the 2-1 loss?
Cristiano Ronaldo to play on for 2030. Yep, CR7 will play at a home World Cup, at the age of 45.
From not-so secret phone calls to suspend American red cards, to baffling refereeing decisions and our new best friend 'SNICKO', the 2026 FIFA World Cup has had it all... and then some!