The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Leroy George slams A-League standard as "not very high", says players "booze all week"

Leroy George of the Victory celebrates after scoring a goal, with Mat’as S‡nchez of the Victory, during the round 22 A-League match between Melbourne City FC and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on March 2, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
12th July, 2018
24

Leroy George looks set to follow Rhys Williams out the door at Melbourne Victory after the star attacker confirmed he was in negotiations with three rival clubs in a jaw-dropping interview with Dutch media.

George took a pot-shot at the standard and structure of the A-League and went into great detail about how Victory players celebrated their grand final win earlier this year, lauding them for their “next level” approach to partying.

The 31-year-old laid it all on the table in a wide-ranging, brutally honest and occasionally hilarious feature article with Vice Sports.

George seemed surprised that Victory was even in championship contention after finishing the regular season in fourth place, 23 points behind premiers Sydney FC on the ladder – a perspective shared by many foreign players who are unfamiliar with Australia’s grand final tradition.

“We had a week just partying. Crates of beer in the locker room… those teammates of mine have boozed all week,” he said.

“What do those Australians is really next level. Those guys were in that week starting at ten o’clock in the morning to drink.

“Man, they know how to party there.”

George criticised the standard of the A-League as “not very high” but said he enjoyed his season with Victory and the relaxed Australian lifestyle.

Advertisement

But it will likely be his last in Australia, revealing the club had not “fulfilled their commitments” to his agent by offering him improved financial terms to stay.

George, who is in talks with other overseas clubs as well, said he would only return to the A-League if presented with a compelling financial offer to compensate from being “so far from home.”

It’d be a bitter blow for Victory, who will also be without Williams next season after he was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah on Thursday.

Williams, 29, was contracted for another year but cannot be begrudged the opportunity to take up a Middle Eastern pay day after missing out on Australia’s World Cup squad as he moves towards the latter stages of a career that has been blighted by injuries.

It leaves coach Kevin Muscat with plenty work to do on the recruitment front after the recent departures of Besart Berisha to Japan and James Donachie to South Korea.

It’s understood Muscat is lining up former Victory stopper Nick Ansell to partner Thomas Deng in the centre of defence next season.

Overseas reports also suggest Melbourne has signed Dutch midfielder Danny Holla, who spent last season at relegated Eredivisie side FC Twente.

Advertisement
close