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.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
BrisbaneBhoy, yes it is hard to compare Corica and Muscat as long playing servants for club and country compared to Price and Lewis.. Just love to see some footballers get the same accolade tho. As you say its going to take another decade perhaps. However Corica and Muscat have been the best HAL club and country players thus far in my opinion. I wish we could honour them in some way.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
In my opinion, I don't think there is any player worth immortalizing from the A-League just yet. You mentioned both Price and Lewis as examples, but it's like comparing apples with oranges at this moment in time. Price played for Parramatta for 10 years, whereas Wally Lewis bronze statue is more for his Queensland role then his Bronco stint. Both Price and Lewis earned the honor - Price a 1 club man for over a decade, Lewis with his role for Queensland in the SoO. Played for 11 or 12 seasons, was captain for 30 of the 31 matches he played. This is why there is a statue of Wally outside Lang Park, not because of his Bronco days, but his Qld SoO efforts. Now as for the A-League, I feel the criteria you set aside would cheapen any award/statue given out. "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." (1) If it was the club to honor a player, IMO 5 seasons isn't long enough. Like the likes for Lewis and Price, they earned their recognition for over a decade of service for the 1 cause. Something that is rare, note worthy. (2) Why only allow players who play for the Australian National Team? There could be a player who (A) played in a position that Australia had plenty of depth so missed out playing for Australia, or (B) is a foreign player who becomes a teams legend. (3) Not important IMO (4) As above. --- Now, I am not knocking the idea, as I think it would be great to see some time in the future. But I also feel it is something you can not treat lightly. It is to hard (and wrong) to place an overall blanket criteria for all clubs and players. I feel, it should be left up to each and every individual club to decide who they feel is worthy of such recognition. Finally, as it is the A-League, I can't see many players worthy of such an honor sticking around long enough at any one club. Football isn't like league, where Australia has the premier competition of the world. Where true greats will play for any amount of time. All Australian true stars will move abroad. The A-League will be nothing more then a feeder league to the European leagues (which there is nothing wrong with/should be embraced). Yes, there maybe some player/s who in the future are worthy of such an honor as having their own bronze statue, but IMO, none of the current/past A-League players.
Midfielder
Guest
AF Half time heroes is out now.. http://issuu.com/stama/docs/halftimeheroesfebruary2010 an article on LM page 34.
Midfielder
Guest
AF Sorry that link hopefully works this time http://marinators.net/forum/index.php?topic=4761.0
Midfielder
Guest
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
Australian Football
Roar Guru
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.
Midfielder
Guest
Mr Clean will be wearing hob nail boots, knucckle dusters, have his black belt in streeting fighting, with music from Stones .."Street Fighting Man"... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRqtKLskPQs
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Punter, yep good call----now how about a comment on the topic. as I am always interested reading your views. ;)
Australian Football
Roar Guru
An outstanding nomination---their own Johnny Warren..
Australian Football
Roar Guru
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 :D
Hammer
Guest
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
Australian Football
Roar Guru
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
Cpaaa 2018
Guest
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!
Joe FC
Guest
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.
MV Dave
Guest
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!! :)
Australian Football
Roar Guru
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. ;)
Rusty0256
Guest
Ernie Merrick already IS a bronze statue
Punter
Guest
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.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Aljay, yes indeed they do---I had almost forgot about that sacred bit of turf.
Art Sapphire
Guest
You can argue that Muscat gave Sydney premiership by getting suspended. You should be thankful :)