Who will be the HAL’s first Bronze Statues?
Roar Guru By Australian Football, 17 Feb 2010 Australian Football is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Brisbane Broncos, football, Kevin Muscat, NRL, Ray Price, Rugby League, Steve Corica, Wally Lewis
I read an article about NRL’s superstars, ex-Bronco, Wally Lewis, and ex-Parramatta player, Ray Price, being honoured with life sized bronze metaphors, that now stand outside the Suncorp and Parramatta Football stadiums respectively.
They have been recognised by their clubs, as being rugby league club heroes, for services to club, state, and country.
I have envied the clubs, Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels, for such foresight.
I particularly remember Ray Price’s exploits for Parramatta RL club only too well, and as an old Newtown Blue Bagger, I know what that means to the Parramatta Rugby League’s club and their supporters from that District.
But what of Australian Footballers? Are there any who deserve such an honour, now we have had our fifth HAL season proper, and second World Cup appearance, with a third just around the corner?
We have witnessed some great career endings in the past five years in Australian Football. Players who have graced the European and Australian football arenas––ending their playing days with an Australian HAL Football Club?
As we know, there have been quite a few, starting with Stan Lazaridis (Glory), Paul Agostino (AU) Ned Zelic (Jets) Paul Okon (Jets), Tony Vidmar (CCM), Tony Popovic (SFC), Mark Bosnich (CCM), most recently the little dynamo, Steve Corica (SFC) – with some almost ready to retire in Kevin Muscat (Melb Vic) and Craig Moore (Roar).
But do any of the above deserve that bronzed metaphor recognition? Maybe one or two, or maybe none?
For me, Steve Corica, comes very close to fitting the bill, and should be, in my opinion, our first HAL bronzed player honoured by his HAL Sydney football club.
He has been their best stalwart for over the past five years – the most valued and consistent player and clubman for Sydney FC.
Then we have, of course, Kevin Muscat, who will end his playing days this year soon with Melbourne Vic FC and be the longest serving HAL Australian international football player.
Jason Culina, if he ends his career at the GCU FC, no doubt, would be an obvious candidate to be honoured as the GCU’s bronzed candidate, to stand proud outside the Robina Stadium.
But then how unfortunate for HAL and players of the stature of Mark Viduka, who would have been endeared as the best ever candidate of any HAL club to be bronzed?–
And what of Harry Kewell’s anticipated return to Australia with the rumoured move to play for the Sydney Rovers FC for a season or two. Could he be considered for a bronzed statue outside Parramatta Stadium?
Then there could be Lucas Neil, Timmy Cahill, Brett Emerton, Bresciano, and Grella.
The list is endless.
Let’s put down some criteria for who should be eligible for such an ‘HAL Club and Country Honour’:
1.) Competing at least 5 yrs in HAL and with a full representative past Australian National Football Team player CV.
2.) Playing for only one HAL club and completing 5yrs or more as club captain before retiring.
3.) Move into a coaching role on the coaching staff for his club.
4.) Or hold some sort of administrative role for the club.
I’m sure some will have a different criteria and opinions for what is mandatory for this honour; so please feel free to post up your own criteria.
But one thing is for sure: there are two candidates, in my book, who deserve that accolade now, and they are Steve Corica for the SFC and Kevin Muscat from Melbourne Victory.
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- Explore:
- Brisbane Broncos, football, Kevin Muscat, NRL, Ray Price, Rugby League, Steve Corica, Wally Lewis
February 17th 2010 @ 7:44am
Eamonn Flanagan said | February 17th 2010 @ 7:44am | Report comment
Stick John Aloisi outside ANZ Stadium. That penalty that moment….alternatively the boy Warren…I’d go for Aloisi
Why not have guys like Schwarzer considered, even though he’s played o/s. Two World Cups has to be worth something. So I wouldn’t merely consider just the HAL players….plenty of states, all need to have one footballer, make that two, male and female outside their major grounds.
In Melbourne I wouldn’t go past Mark Viduka…for his NSL performances and national team, although Muscat may be a local favourite for the HAL fans.
February 17th 2010 @ 11:39am
Aljay said | February 17th 2010 @ 11:39am | Report comment
They already have Aloisi’s penalty spot preserved and hanging on a wall in one of the members lounges.
February 17th 2010 @ 11:45am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Aljay,
yes indeed they do—I had almost forgot about that sacred bit of turf.
February 17th 2010 @ 8:29am
Midfielder said | February 17th 2010 @ 8:29am | Report comment
AF
Would look to Footballer from a region and the team that represents that region… rather than a Hal player only…
Harry for the Rovers… Dukes in Melbourne…
February 17th 2010 @ 8:53am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Eamonn and Midfielder,
as per usual the mods cut my article to half of its original content—-here is the entire article I wrote to answer a few of your points. Not forgeting the managers Middie—you will enjoy my last parragraph. cheers.
Who will be the HAL’s first Bronze Statue Footballer?
Ever since I read an article about NRL’s superstars, ex Bronco, SoO and Kangaroo, Wally Lewis, and ex-Parramatta player, Ray Price, SoO and Kangaroo being honoured with life sized bronze metaphors, that now stand outside the Suncorp and Parramatta Football stadiums respectively––recognised by their clubs, as being Rugby League club heroes, for services to club, state, and country. I have envied the clubs, Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels for such foresight.
I particularly remember Ray Price’s exploits for Parramatta RL club only too well, and as an old Newtown Blue Bagger, I know what that means to the Parramatta Rugby League’s club and their supporters from that District.
But what of Australian Footballers––are there any who deserve such an honour, now we have had our fifth HAL season proper, and second world cup appearance with a third just around the corner? We have witnessed some great career endings in the past five years in Australian Football. Players who have graced the European and Australian football arenas––ending their playing days with an Australian HAL Football Club?
As we know, there have been quite a few, starting with Stan Lazaridis (Glory), Paul Agostino (AU) Ned Zelic (Jets) Paul Okon (Jets), Tony Vidmar (CCM), Tony Popovic (SFC), Mark Bosnich (CCM), most recently the little dynamo Steve Corica (SFC); with some almost ready to retire Kevin Muscat (Melb Vic), and Craig Moore (Roar).
But do any of the above deserve that bronzed metaphor recognition; maybe one or two, or maybe none?
However, for me Steve Corica, comes very close to fitting the bill, and should be, in my opinion, our first HAL bronzed player honoured by his HAL Sydney football club. He has been their best stalwart for over the past 5 years––the most valued and consistent player and club-man for Sydney FC, deservingly being bronzed––standing proud outside the Sydney Football Stadium, the home of Sydney FC.
Then we have of course Kevin Muscat, who will end his playing days this year soon with Melb Vic FC and be the longest serving HAL Australian international football player, along with Steve Corica, or will Muscat go on for another year to compete in the ACL, then be recognised by the Melb Victory FC as their best, and HAL’s longest serving one club-man player to date?
Jason Culina if he ends his career at the GCU FC no doubt would be an obvious candidate to be honoured as the GCU’s bronzed candidate, to stand proud outside the Robina Stadium––if and when he retires as their best club-man for the Gold Coast United FC.
But then how unfortunate for HAL and players of the stature of Mark Viduka who would have been endeared as the best ever candidate of any HAL club to be bronzed––a Melburnian lad but not ending his career in Melbourne for Melb Victory, or the Hearts FC as we had expected or hoped for.
And what of Harry Kewell’s anticipated return to Australia with the rumoured move to play for the Sydney Rovers FC for a season or two, could he be considered for a bronzed statue outside Parramatta Stadium? Then there could be Lucas Neil, Timmy Cahill––also we could have Brett Emerton, Bresciano, and Grella, the list is endless.
Then there is who we all know and consider to be the true Australian Football Messiah; the late Johnny Warren (“I told you so”). I have already chosen where his bronze statue should be placed i.e. right outside the Sydney Olympic Football Stadium––as a Special Honour for the late Johnny Warren (in full Australian kit), his bronze statue at the home of the Australian National Football Team, the ANZ stadium.
Of course, that is a lot of bronze statues in the making and I know I am going overboard with this concept!
Let us take a deep breath at this point, and put down some criteria for who should be eligible for such an ‘HAL Club and Country Honour’:
1.) Competing at least 5 yrs in HAL and with a full representative past Australian National Football Team player CV.
2.) Playing for only one HAL club and completing 5yrs or more as club captain before retiring.
3.) Move into a coaching role on the coaching staff for his club.
4.) Or hold some sort of administrative role for the club.
I’m sure some will have a different criteria and opinions for what is mandatory for this honour; so please feel free to post up your own criteria.
But one thing is for sure, there are two candidates in my book who deserve that accolade now and they are Steve Corica for the SFC and Kevin Muscat from Melb Vic to have bronze statues erected at the SFS and the Melb. Bubble stadium as they have filled or soon will fill all of the mandatory requirements.
I feel that this concept is worth pursuing, and needs to be embraced by the HAL clubs, if not the FFA, if we want Australian Football to stand alongside the other codes in Australia, if not the world.
What we need urgently are Australian domestic superstars and legends for the youth to latch onto and look up to as role models.
Should we start now with Steve Corica and Kevin Muscat?
Also what of long serving retiring managers––have we a place in Australian Football history for them?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=740198&sec=australia&root=australia&cc=3436
‘A regular Roar poster Midfielder’ has brought to my attention the above link that’s worth reading of Lawrie McKinna’s involvement, ingenuity and desire to get a football team on the Central Coast, Gosford, up and running and succeeding in the inaugural HAL season. Should we also consider the likes of Lawrie McKinna or Ernie Merrick with a bronze statue a la Bill Shankly of Liverpool, Matt Busby of Man United and Don Revie of Leeds United?
February 17th 2010 @ 11:17am
Midfielder said | February 17th 2010 @ 11:17am | Report comment
AF a very tho provoking article /// thanks for the LM mention .. very busy today .. will comment more latter
February 17th 2010 @ 12:53pm
Rusty0256 said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
Ernie Merrick already IS a bronze statue
February 17th 2010 @ 1:16pm
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
No not true—-we north of the Murray believe he is at present a pilar of salt—-a throw back from the biblical times. However, there is still hope yet—-he can still end up as a ‘Bronze Statue’ now being crowned manager of the year.
February 17th 2010 @ 8:55am
jimbo said | February 17th 2010 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Put up a statue of Rebeccah Wilson outside the SFS for her services to the improvement of football journalism.
February 17th 2010 @ 9:11am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Jimbo,
negotiations have already gone to far to turn back—we have a position for her outside of AFL head quarters for her attempts to destroy Australian Football as we know it.. and the ABC offsider’s office heee haaarrrr
February 17th 2010 @ 9:18am
jimbo said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Actually AF,
being so blonde and being so dumb, she is proving to be a priceless asset for the FFA,
February 17th 2010 @ 9:14am
Eddie said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Edwin Lugt the Sydney CEO should get a statue for the way he answered Rebeccah Wilson’s question about A-league crowds on the offsiders last Sunday.
February 17th 2010 @ 9:24am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Eddie,
I agree, Edwin Lugt should have a triple size bronze. What a performance it was—he caught her with her nickers down.
February 17th 2010 @ 10:48am
DiCanio said | February 17th 2010 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Please don’t put such disturbing images in my mind.
February 17th 2010 @ 11:41am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 11:41am | Report comment
DiCanio,
settle down young man..
February 17th 2010 @ 9:39am
Art Sapphire said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:39am | Report comment
A bronzed statue of Kevin Muscat has been commisioned. He will be wearing the A-League dunny seat around his neck and he will also be carrying the Premiership Plate like a waiter’s tray. On the tray will be the bronzed head of John Kosmina
February 17th 2010 @ 9:44am
Moonface said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:44am | Report comment
A statue of Kevin Muscat – excellent idea, so young referees can practice how to issue a yellow card.
February 17th 2010 @ 9:54am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Moonface,
brilliant, I can see it now—all of those little ankle biters marching up to KM reaching into their back pockets and pulling out a yellow, then the second yellow, then the red.. great stuff
February 17th 2010 @ 9:54am
md said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:54am | Report comment
This statue would have to be made of something softer, or the owners would get sued over all the broken fists.
February 17th 2010 @ 9:58am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:58am | Report comment
MD,
as we planned
see you at the ANZ—SFC v GCU for the Grand Final.
~~~~~~
AF
February 17th 2010 @ 10:02am
Art Sapphire said | February 17th 2010 @ 10:02am | Report comment
actually md, it would have to be put in a protective perspex shield to stop the away fans from defacing it as they pay homage to the great man when they come down to melbourne
February 17th 2010 @ 10:58am
DiCanio said | February 17th 2010 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Ah yes the great Kevin Muscat
http://www.expressandstar.com/2007/11/09/wolves-blog-worst-ever-xi/
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/24/1077594824929.html
February 17th 2010 @ 11:44am
Art Sapphire said | February 17th 2010 @ 11:44am | Report comment
You can argue that Muscat gave Sydney premiership by getting suspended.
You should be thankful
February 17th 2010 @ 12:13pm
Punter said | February 17th 2010 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
We are thankful, still don’t know what Cullina was doing putting his head into poor Muscat’s elbow. So maybe we should be thankful towards Cullina.
February 18th 2010 @ 8:55am
Australian Football said | February 18th 2010 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Punter,
yep good call—-now how about a comment on the topic. as I am always interested reading your views.
February 17th 2010 @ 9:55am
Australian Football said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
not this year Art
February 18th 2010 @ 10:56am
Midfielder said | February 18th 2010 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Mr Clean will be wearing hob nail boots, knucckle dusters, have his black belt in streeting fighting, with music from Stones ..”Street Fighting Man”…
February 17th 2010 @ 3:39pm
MV Dave said | February 17th 2010 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
A large bronze, outside MRS, of Muskie putting McFlynn into orbit tomorrow night igniting a great MV victory
Hey AF no mention of ManU’s great come from behind win over Milan this morning…l can feel a treble coming on!!
February 18th 2010 @ 8:46am
Australian Football said | February 18th 2010 @ 8:46am | Report comment
MVDave,
I new Man U were going to win that morning as I sat in front of my box with a hot cuppa and a piece of toast with vegemite—watching and waiting for the Beckham over blown free kick. Yes he said in an interview. “There will not be any goal celebrations if he scored against the Man U” whilst playing for the Milan giants. Hello, Hello, Milan there was the clue to why you were not going to win while Becks was on the field wearing a Milan jersey… his selection for Milan now shrouded with controversy
February 18th 2010 @ 11:26am
Australian Football said | February 18th 2010 @ 11:26am | Report comment
Hah the Revolution indeed it is.
The face of Football reporting in Melbourne will change for ever and change for the better in 2011—I can see it even if those of the AFL can’t. But not only for Football with two fierce Football rivalling clubs but with Rugby League’s Storm and Rugby’s Rebels will change the media space forever in Melburning reporting.
February 17th 2010 @ 9:16pm
Joe FC said | February 17th 2010 @ 9:16pm | Report comment
If it is to be the clubs erecting bronze statues Australian Football then I believe domestic league service would have to be an essential part of the criteria. This presents a problem of course with so many Australian footballers spending at least part of their careers overseas. Both Corica & Muscat spent more playing time away from Australia than locally. Notwithstanding it is a player honour worth further consideration.
February 18th 2010 @ 1:03am
Cpaaa 2018 said | February 18th 2010 @ 1:03am | Report comment
I think we should mold AFs ” Profile Picture” out of Bronze and stick it outside the ANZ. Siting on top of a tribute to the late Johny Warren .
This picture is the greatest ever taken in Australian Football History. Ive studied their faces, movement and expressions as if it were a work of art by Michael Angelo himself.
why are they screaming, happy, where are they running, why is that guy holding his hands up, who are those people in the back, whats happened? Of course we know the answers today. But if anything, this is what should be bronzed, a constant reminder of that day, on that second, Australian Football had changed forever!
…now pass me a tissue!
February 18th 2010 @ 8:27am
Australian Football said | February 18th 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Cpaaa 2018,
Now that is a brilliant idea The FFA should use that image and produce a number Bronze statues just like the Yanks have to show the world that the ‘Australian National Football Team’ has indeed won the code war in Australia and have every major stadium Suncorp, MCG, ANZ, Adelaide, Perth, with one standing outside their main entrances.. God I love that shot and every time I look at it—-it brings a tear rolling down my cheek.. The nation stood as one on that day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USMC_Memorial_Silhouette.jpg
~~~~~~
AF
February 18th 2010 @ 8:34am
Hammer said | February 18th 2010 @ 8:34am | Report comment
bit early to be talking about this for solely the HAL – but I can certainly see an argument for Rikki Herbert getting one in NZ once he hangs up the clipboard
February 18th 2010 @ 8:50am
Australian Football said | February 18th 2010 @ 8:50am | Report comment
An outstanding nomination—their own Johnny Warren..
February 18th 2010 @ 3:45pm
Midfielder said | February 18th 2010 @ 3:45pm | Report comment
AF
As a tribute to LM one of the Mariner fans made a yoytube of his five years … it’s quite good and this helps in building status in our game… scroll down a few post and you will find it…http://marinators.net/forum/index.php?topic=4761.0