In a perfect omen for the Western Sydney Wanderers before the A-League grand final, Sydney Swans superstar Adam Goodes says he can see a lot of similarities between the AFL premiers and Tony Popovic’s side.
Although a confessed Sydney FC fan, soccer-mad Goodes has jumped on the Wanderers bandwagon as they look to complete a fairytale first season with victory in Sunday’s decider against Central Coast.
Goodes believes the tenacity and camaraderie at the Wanderers is comparable to the Swans.
“There are a lot of similarities (with the Wanderers) – how well disciplined and structured they are compared to us,” Goodes said on Wednesday.
“(And) there are no egos in that team, it seems like.
“They all play for each other and a fantastic team is always going to beat a team of champions.”
A large part of the Swans’ success in recent times has been put down to a recruitment mantra instituted by 2005 premiership-winning coach Paul Roos: the `no dickheads’ policy.
In the eight seasons that Roos had the reins at the Swans since 2003, they made the finals seven times, claiming one flag and reaching another grand final.
And current coach John Longmire, who was Roos’ assistant for three seasons, has continued the club’s emphasis on strong culture and values.
The man who took control of recruiting a Wanderers squad to enter the A-League last May, chairman Lyall Gorman, talks about the criteria they used to recruit:
“What sort of person is he? Does he fit the culture and values of the club? What skills set does he bring to our club? In that order.”
Goodes, a big fan of Sky Blues striker Alessandro Del Piero, also speaks highly of the way Wanderers coach Popovic has brought the best out of his side in just eight months.
“To play the type of footy they’ve played – it’s impressive that you can bring a bunch of professional athletes like that together and perform so well as a team,” said Goodes.
“They’ve been rewarded with a minor premiership and now a grand final appearance.
“I’d like to see the Wanderers win.
“But whatever happens, hopefully there are lots of goals.”
Australian Rules
Guest
This is terrible. I had no idea Adam Goodes was "effectively made to abandon football"...or that he had been "stolen". We should lead a fellowship to cast the evil One Sherrin to Rule Them All into the pit of Mount Doom so this never happens again. I can just picture that nasty Andrew Demetriou twisting his moustache as he plots another kidnapping...
Titus
Guest
Free flowing? I must keep turning on at the wrong time.
Redb
Roar Guru
Conversely, I wonder how many great AFL players could have been produced out of the UK if the sport was played extensively. Usual choice just soccer, surely there would be kids more atuned to a free flowing game like AFL footy where you can pick up the ball.
Jukes
Guest
Lets not even get started on the Waugh twins. Apparently both of them were gun players when they were younger. I think they were good enough to play for the rep teams and were pushing for state teams at junior levels. Could have been a different story with cricket and football in this country.
Ciudadmarron
Guest
No, the other clubs had a year or so to get ready too, as well as an open market with regard to players to choose from. The other clubs agreed to wanderers' small allowance, and the club runs on a shoestring. The same cannot be said for the swans (let alone the giants) who have had massive allowances for 30 years, allowances other afl clubs disagree with.
Ciudadmarron
Guest
as a gps school newington well may have had a soccer team, but Johnny Warren said it best as to what types of people were on it. You are not a man if you don't play rugby at places like that.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@seanmaguire Don't really care what you say, or think - I heard Nick Farr-Jones say the words himself on ABCTV "Inside Edge" when he was interviewed by Angela Pulvirenti. The audio is here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-08/inside-edge-nick-farr-jones/4457004 The relevant section is near the start, when Farr-Jones recounts his childhood .. he says: "In winter, soccer was my game. Soccer was the game for me. I loved soccer. FA Cup finals, you know, you'd go to bed at 8 as a young kid, mum would wake you at midnight. Indelibly printed on my mind is when Sunderland won in '72 or '73 as a 2nd Division team. And that was the stuff I dreamed of. Then at the age of 12, my folks put a straw hat on my head & put me on a train for 90 minutes one direction, 90 minutes the other way. I went to a school at Stanmore in the inner west. And, I can very well remember turning up at the 1st winter training and saying 'where are the round balls'. And, they basically said: 'we don't play with round balls at this place; we play with these egg-shaped balls'."
whiskeymac
Guest
definitely, i was at the woolpack on the semi final day last week and spoke ot a few punters - sfc fans... supporting wsw.
seanmaguire
Roar Rookie
That sounds like a load off cobblers Fussball. According to newington college history they played soccer from 1973 onwards. Farr jones attended there 1973-1979. So it sounds like another one of your Bigotry & Predjudice Against Football!!! stories.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Same happened with Nick Farr-Jones - former captain of the Wallabies (I think he was captain when AUS won a Rugby World Cup) He said football was his No. 1 sport, but when he went to secondary school he was told "we don't play that here" & he had to start playing Rugby. Despite a history of bigotry & prejudice against Football in Australia, it managed to survive and thrive. Who knows what football can achieve in the next 50 yrs, now that we have a level playing field.
Titus
Guest
It doesn't really matter, he became a great AFL player and never lost his love of Football. The important thing is that young kids who play Football have a path to become professional players now and they don't have to leave Australia, thats what its all about, giving kids choices......and for the record, I think AG wold have made a fantastic Footballer.
Stavros
Guest
I think the story goes that there was a soccer team, but only a mens side. Wonder how it would have turned out if there was a junior soccer team.
Moonshine
Guest
The Swans get a Sydney allowance of 10% on the salry cap. The Wanderers get an overseas player allowance - will that be there again next year - did the other A league start up clubs get the same deal??
Moonshine
Guest
Stolen -??? There was no soccer club in the town at the time...Lets not rewrite history
Jukes
Guest
As much as I am not a fan of the AFL. Adam Goodes is an absolute champion. If he is a SFC supporter then good on him, I dont mind if he jumps on the bandwagon for this season. But as soon as we play SFC again next year its back to the blues you go :P
albatross
Roar Pro
I saw a profile on AG recently where he said he played football until he moved to Victoria where he was effectively made to abandon football. Coudabeen a champion player on the world stage if he hadn't been stolen. I wonder how many others have been lost to the code in similar circumstances.
Titus
Guest
That's my point, he is a Sky Blue fan on the WSW bandwagon, I think there are a few of them around with SFC out of the finals. Just make sure you report for duty come August.
Punter
Guest
Exactly, lots of sportsman play one sport & also enjoy many others, they leave the code war to the punters, media & some officials.
Gweeds
Guest
No bandwagon here. Goodes is a well known supporter of Australian football, seen at almost every Sydney FC home game,
AZ_RBB
Guest
lets not forget the concessions both clubs get from their respective governing bodies :P haha