The past fortnight has seen the great meltdown in the NSW State of Origin camp, Dave Warner tarnishing our cricket team and Stephen Milne being stood down by the St Kilda Football Club in the AFL.
However, there was something else grabbing headlines this week, for all the right reasons. It was our very own Socceroos qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Rio.
I was one of the fortunate 80,000 spectators to be inside ANZ Stadium at the end of full time on Tuesday night. Making the pilgrimage up to Sydney from Melbourne via Wollongong was nothing more than our team deserved.
The atmosphere much like that of the ever so famous night against Uruguay was electric.
The week before at Etihad Stadium you could see that there is something special about this group, they had strict focus on what was at hand. They collectively spoke about feeling confident in camp and understanding the task and expectation that was before them.
In front of 45,000 fans in Melbourne this team came out and beat Jordan 4-0 in a clinical performance.
There were no wild celebrations, no pub crawls, and no ‘selfies’ or vodka cruisers.
This group is something else, they are humble, focused and devoted to their fans. The build up to both games involved visits to schools and other community centres and numerous media appearances.
On both accounts Socceroos captain Lucas Neill made a passionate plea to the fans to show up, and we did, in our droves.
Once qualification was secured he sent a letter of thanks out to the fans via leading Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph. This was after he publicly thanked the fans in the press conferences through the various media outlets.
ANZ Stadium was electric, but most of you know the outcome of the game and there are enough reports on the game itself. However I will add that Holger did make the substitution of a lifetime with Joshua Kennedy, but you all know that.
With Peter Allen’s classic ‘I Go to Rio,’ firmly in our hearts and minds, my colleagues and I decided to celebrate at The Star Casino in Sydney.
This is where our trip from Melbourne became an unforgettable experience.
While sitting down for a few quiet celebratory drinks in the public bar, we noticed a crowd gathering around the bar. Suddenly an influx of Socceroos had entered the bar area and this is where their humility shone.
Nearly every member of the squad was there, and they were mingling with the public as if they were lifetime friends with them.
We were able to have photos with them, chat with them, and they were even happy to sign autographs for a few opportunists with a permanent marker in a casino.
There were no evictions, no intoxicated individuals, and no fights. In fact the only thing that was present was some normal guys having a good time.
The night moved into the early hours of Wednesday morning, and my colleagues and I were ready for bed.
This wasn’t an option for the Socceroos who had a commitment to show up to the general public at The Customs House in Sydney’s CBD.
When going there for lunch on Wednesday, we were in no shock to see them all there, committing themselves once again to the public. A gesture which goes a long way and this is why the fans show up in their droves.
NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley best summed up this group with the following statement, “These guys set a fantastic example for young and not so young people around the country to get involved in the great game of football.”
Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Mark Bresciano and the rest of that golden generation have always put the fans forward, this tradition is being handed down, as all these fresh Socceroos are also willing to put the public first.
This will be a trip that as a diehard Socceroo fan that I will never forget.
Not only was the game full of drama, but I met the group bound for Rio.
All my predispositions that they were nice guys can be confirmed. These are genuine role models for our children; they are a truly inspiring group.
Until then, it’s off to Rio!
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Not digging those negative vibes Ralph. It's a kind of a drag, man.
Its the game stupid
Guest
they are in the public eye as Socceroos ..BIG TIME !!!they get paid a load more and are more disciplined.. simple ,,, thats what it takes to play at the level they play at in football
Stefanov
Roar Pro
This sums up the man perfectly! LEGEND!
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Bit better behaved and better role models that you drug cheating teenage girl raping AFL players man.
C'monJETS
Guest
Hah hah. I actually burst out laughing mid....thanks. S quietly retreats.
Midfielder
Guest
S https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS06HFgoMRaf21AqoUdLQhr8kf99ngpnuC0r4Eq76z6731ILLOF
Midfielder
Guest
Enjoyed that...
absoltuely roy
Guest
@stavors, why are you even on the football tab? we know AFL is your chosen sport, so why don't you post your comments in that section, with a more appreciative audience to your views, so you can leave us football lovers to discuss our game on our section.
Stavros
Guest
You should have dasilva. Guys like that are completely anonymous in Melbourne, and they would would have appreciated the recognition.
Stavros
Guest
It must be so tough traveling first class. How do they cope?
Cameron
Roar Guru
Watched it from start to finish. That was very enjoyable. Thanks Pete
dasilva
Guest
You know I saw Bresciano, wilkshire and Ogre in the Melbourne airport after the Jordan game (I flown over to Melbourne just to see the socceroos play) and I was wondering to myself, should me and my brother approach them to talk to them and perhaps even get them to sign the Socceroos journey. In the end, we decided we shouldn't as we may bother and annoy them (they were sitting down trying to get some lunch) Sort of reading this article makes me regret that decision if their approachable nature is as true as you said they were.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Stavros .. or, should we call you The Cattery? Why aren't you glued to your TV watching you beloved Footscray playing Richmond. According to SEN, this was a massive game for both teams ... it's a Melbourne Derby, after all! According to The Roar's Live Coverage - it sounds like riveting viewing ... like watching The Three Stooges, according to The Roar's live commentator. Can't believe he suggested AFL fans turn the channel to the Rugby! :-D
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Good luck to them on the narrowest of wins against the might of war torn Iraq" Some people simply don't get it. They want to engage in football discussions to give the impression they are "worldly" - something that's impossible in other AUS team sports - but, they expose a simpleton's understanding of WCQs. AUS qualified for WC2014, after playing 14 games of international football. For home games, players had to travel from Europe, the Middle East, East Coast USA & North East Asia to Australia; often playing within 72 hours of arrival. For away games, players had to play in the stifling desert heat of the Middle East & the oppressive humidity of SE Asia ..again, all within 72 hours of arrival. The nations in the AFC, who qualify for FIFA WCs are involved in the longest - in duration, matches played & distance travelled - of any of nations on earth. We Are Football .. why can't you just enjoy your AUS suburb sports?
Stavros
Guest
So true, he says they had a commitment to show up to Customs House, and then when he sees them there the next day he makes out it was an incredible selfless act.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Give it a rest! Are you implying that players from other codes would simply respond with a punch in the face if somebody complimented them after a game? Good luck to them on the narrowest of wins against the might of war torn Iraq, but ease up on this 'absolute gentlemen' overkill exercise!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Terrific article, Stefanov. Like you, 9 mates & myself did "the 24 hour in Sydney" to watch the lads. Fantastic experience. I'd never watched football before at Stadium AUS & was super-impressed by the venue - for watching football, it was far better than either MCG or Docklands. Despite the shocking weather (& equally shocking playing surface), the mood was buoyant. As we downed beers in Sydney's CBD, there was a non-stop stream of people, decked out in AUS National Team colours, walking past. We didn't make it to Star City. For the 30+years that I've been following the National Team, I've always been impressed by the quality of individual that represents AUS in football - humble, amiable, well-mannered. All of them are simply decent blokes.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Josh had an interview on Ch10 The Project the day after the game - left the panel astounded with the same sense of being very down to earth and humble at the achievement he helped cause the previous night.
pete4
Guest
Great insight into one of our Socceroo greats... Tim Cahill's soccer journey from Australia to NYC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYKzP6wO5ME
Stefanov
Roar Pro
Lucas was extremely humble, but all of them were! It was amazing.