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Following The World Game program on Monday night, Franz Straka, the North Queensland Fury coach, brought to my attention just what a great and jubilant personality he brings to the game in Australia.
His interview demonstrated just what a wonderful asset he is to football in this country. However, he is not alone.
There is an abundant quantity of different personalities on our shores. Let us go through some of the well known personalities in Australian football.
Let’s start with Franz Straka.
The Czech only moved to Townsville a few months ago after all the turmoil that erupted preceding the Fury’s first season in the A-League.
Therefore, he knew that coaching this community based club would never be an easy task. His willingness to go the extra mile for his club, supporters and community is a great aspect of his personality. He is an ideal example of what the A-League wants and more importantly requires.
The famous cream style jacket he now wears religiously in all types of tertius conditions, whether it’s boiling hot, hail or rain is a landmark of the Franz Straka brand which people love to embrace. We have witnessed some of their active supporters from the F-Troop duplicate their manager, wearing an identical jacket on match day.
Straka’s bubbly personality and the manner in which he is able to connect with the local community is an immense bonus not only for the locals in Townsville, but also for the A-League as a whole.
In the Fury’s last home game against Perth Glory, he was seen cheering the crowd on waving his arms around enthusiastically during stoppage time in order to get the crowd behind the team, whilst still wearing his famous jacket in the downpour of water.
What a fantastic sight this was!
This not only shows his passion for the game, however it creates an emotional attachment between himself, the club, the fans, the community and also the A-League itself.
Bravo Straka, keep it up!
Another character, who can be compared to the European version of the prominent Jose Mourinho, is the one and only Miron Bleiberg.
Miron, a former captain in the Israeli army, started his coaching career in the now defunct National Soccer League. He was the manager of Melbourne Croatia (Knights) from 1985-86 and has since had a variety of coaching roles, landing him at the expansion club Gold Coast United.
At times he may display a tad of arrogance and superiority over his peers; however there is no debating the fact that he does get the media attention he rightly craves for. Is this a good thing?
Sure, the A-League needs all the media attention it can get. If it is by a manager speaking his mind on what he truly believes about a particular matter then I say well done to him. These days, due to the FFA being strict on the code of conduct, coaches are somewhat reserved and hold back when asked about football related issues.
Football is a passionate game; if we don’t allow the people within the game to speak their mind then it will just create dull, stale, boring and predictable press conferences. We don’t want the game to come under scrutiny to the point where the brand is being tarnished.
However, we want to encourage free speech.
This is what creates media and fan interest. Although Miron Bleiberg attitude is one which can be controversial, he should be commended for having the courage to voice his true opinions.
We are now going to shift ourselves towards the media side of Australian football. Does the name Mark Bosnich spring to mind?
Bozza, as he is often referred to, has made a remarkable return to football.
From all the controversy that surrounded his playing days in the UK, to his issues which proceeded, he has come back into the football fraternity, and what an impact he has made.
Not only does he provide positive, analytical, in-depth and sophisticated analysis on football, Bozza has quite a charming character that will win the hearts of any sports fan. It is evident that he is enjoying his new role as a football analyst on Fox Sports.
While attempting to keep things football focused, he doesn’t shy away from the occasional joke with fellow colleagues Robbie Slater, Simon Hill, Paul Trimboli etc during live broadcast of games and the panel shows.
These are the distinctive personality qualities viewers love to see. Bozza is creating a culture at Fox Sports within the football community where they are serious about their football, owever can share a laugh or two to keep the viewers entertained simultaneously. In any walk of life, if there is a will then there is a way.
Bozza is a magnificent ambassador for the sport, he has brought some new life into Australian football.
Speaking of personalities, how about goal celebrations? We have all become accustomed to imaginative celebrations over the last five years. Archie Thompson’s kung-fu extravaganza on the corner flag always excites the Victory faithful, while Adelaide supporters adore Travis Dodd’s camera flirting whilst pumping up the crowd.
However, one particular celebration that comes to mind was from the Brisbane Roar’s recent home game at Suncorp Stadium. Ivan Franjic wonder strike from outside the box was over-shadowed by the Roar’s kayak goal commemoration. It was a spectacular site, which has received publicity not only around Australia, but worldwide too.
It has been a great promotional tool for the A-League.
In contrast, Mark Bosnich recently stated that he would shave his head if an A-League club produced a team celebration on par or better than the Icelandic team goal celebrations earlier this year. I think we can all agree Bozza may be in little of strife!
Features like goal celebrations create a positive and light-hearted atmosphere for the A-League, something exclusive which cannot be portrayed in the same manner by any other code in the country.
There are many differing personality traits in Australian football. Whether they openly demonstrate their sheer passion on match day like Franz Straka, or possess a more reserved attitude like Ernie Merrick, all play a significant role in the development of football on and off the pitch.
There are many prolific profiles who have made enormous contributions to the personally of Australian football. The likes of Les Murray, Rale Rasic, Craig Foster, John Kosmina, Ned Zelic and the late Johnny Warren are just a few examples. Does Australian football have personality?
I think so!
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