In contrast to the Queensland Roar’s low-key pre-season start, A-League newcomers Gold Coast United will begin training the only way they know how – with a bang.
The Roar quietly went about their business with a gym session at Ballymore on Monday, preferring not to officially alert the media about their return from a month’s break.
Not so the Gold Coast.
The brash new A-League outfit will mark their historic first training session on Tuesday with a huge media day at their Southport base.
Prized signings such as reigning A-League Player of the Year Shane Smeltz will be wheeled out for the first time in a launch worthy of the glitter strip.
Then again, what do you expect from a club that claims they will win the premiership in their first season – and do it undefeated.
“Dreams will come true for a lot of people – not just me – when we run out tomorrow,” Bleiberg told AAP.
“I don’t think it will really hit me until tomorrow morning when I get there.”
Despite the fact fellow newcomers North Queensland Fury have signed Robbie Fowler, Bleiberg claimed the Gold Coast would boast “the two biggest coups of the A-League” – Jason Culina and Smeltz.
Smeltz will be among the 13 signed players attending the first training session.
The other eight officially signed players, including Culina, will start arriving next month.
“We are lucky to have the two biggest coups of the A-League – Jason Culina and Shane Smeltz,” Bleiberg said.
“That’s what people outside the club who I talk to tell me.
“The bottom line is that he (Smeltz) is the player of the year and top goal scorer – in anyone’s language that is top of the tree.
“But to me they are all the same, like sons to a mother.”
Gold Coast fittingly kick off their first season against the Queensland Roar on August 7.
The seed for a passionate rivalry was sewn when Bleiberg left the Roar coaching reins to help build Gold Coast United from the ground up.
However, Bleiberg became an unlikely ally for the Roar in their reported plans to change their name.
Following the decision to add North Queensland and the Gold Coast to the A-League, the Queensland Roar want to change their moniker to Brisbane Roar.
“For sure they will change the name, I don’t think it is a secret any more,” Bleiberg said.
“I think it makes sense for everybody. I think it is appropriate.
“But it won’t change the feeling between the two clubs.
“You might change the name but you can’t disguise the rivalry.”
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