Would you play for the Socceroos for free? 🇦🇺⚽

On this week's Football Friends, Ben Garuccio and Stefan Mauk weigh in on the Socceroos and Matildas' pay dispute with Football Australia, with Ben revealing he'd represent his country for nothing.

Ben also opens up about his recent exchange with a Sydney FC supporter on social media, why he decided to respond to the criticism and how players deal with negativity from fans.

Plus, the boys discuss Melbourne Victory's difficult start to the season, whether Australian footballers are equipped to handle midweek fixtures in Asia, the Brisbane Roar concussion controversy and the latest Socceroos squad selections.

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Are football fans being unfairly targeted by police in Australia? ⚽🇦🇺This week on Football Friends, Ben Garuccio and Stefan Mauk weigh in on the growing tension between police and A-League supporters, following Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer's public criticism of the treatment of active fans.The boys discuss whether football supporters are being held to a different standard than fans of other sports, and what needs to change to improve the matchday experience.Plus, are A-League clubs getting enough quality from their foreign imports? Ben and Stef debate the league's recruitment challenges, declining investment and whether Australian clubs are falling behind their Asian rivals.They also unpack Western Sydney Wanderers' defeat to Melbourne City, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory's struggles in Asia, John Aloisi's title ambitions in China and Wellington Phoenix's flying start ahead of the Kiwi Classico.00:00 Intro00:19 The challenges of playing in multiple competitions02:43 Why Australian footballers need more games05:55 Western Sydney Wanderers' defeat to Melbourne City09:31 Are A-League foreign players good enough?11:34 The financial problems affecting A-League recruitment13:57 Has the quality of the A-League dropped?18:08 Why A-League coaches need to speak their minds19:40 Paul Lederer and the treatment of football fans23:51 Are Australian clubs falling behind in Asia?26:08 Adelaide United's squad depth problems28:00 Melbourne Victory's struggles against Persib Bandung30:35 Can A-League clubs afford to compete in Asia?31:31 John Aloisi's Chinese title ambitions34:15 Can Wellington Phoenix finally beat Auckland FC?35:25 A huge weekend of Australian footballSubscribe to Football360 for more Australian football news, interviews and analysis.#ALeague #FootballFriends #AustralianFootball

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.