An Aussie Abroad

George's Italian Adventure

George's dream move to Italy didn't exactly go to plan.





A meagre 3 first team appearances as the dreaded Lippo curse started in pre-season & failed to relent all year.



I found myself almost constantly on the phone consoling my little brother. If there is one thing I understand its how devastating an injury plagued season can be.

Not just physically but mentally as well.

His confidence was shot, his self belief wanning. I tried my best to encourage him, to harden his resolve, to make him believe again. It must of been hard on him. Alone, in a strange land. Unable to speak the language & unable to show what he could do.

To say I understood was perhaps an understatement. I felt for him. It was one thing to have a plague destroy my own career but to think it could also happen to George was heart breaking.

I'll admit to a sense of jealousy when George had first told me of his big move. Why him? Why not me? What I had I done wrong? But now, to hear my own disappointment mirrored in my little brothers voice, this was wrong. He deserved better. He'd worked for this.

"You have to keep working bro! You'll bounce back! You can do this, I believe!"

Season 14

Peaking Late

1

Season 15

The End Is Nigh

---

So here I am, yet again. No longer the wide eyed teen, no longer a young man. I am a seasoned veteran approaching middle age & the twilight of my career.

I am holding up alright for an old timer, especially given the hardships my poor body has had to endure. Yes, I no longer have that burst of pace to get me past my man but what I lack in physicality, I make up for with guile & experience. That's what I tell myself in any case.

---

Unfortunately my 15th year as a professional footballer was an all too familiar story. When I was on the field I did well, I just wasn't there enough.




Close enough to another 4 months on the sidelines.

At this stage, every injury brings me closer to the end. Each time its harder to come back, harder to find the motivation to keep rehabbing. I actually find myself wondering what will break first, my body or my spirit.

When you are young its easy to find a reason to fight, to prove yourself but at this stage of my career I already find myself wondering what else I have to prove...

---

It was another "so, so" year for the Victory. For most sides a run to the Semi's would be considered a success but not here. Such is the expectation that anything less than a premiership is unacceptable. Always will be.

For now, there is always next year but how many more times will I be able to say that? How many more chances will I get to add to my trophy cabinet? Only time will tell but for now I must do everything I can to make every post a winner.

1

Season 16

Fading away

---

It is now clear to me that my days as a professional footballer are numbered. A career full of injury & disappointment have taken their toll.

My fading hunger to impress has undoubtedly been noticed by the staff here at the Victory & as such I have plummeted down the pecking order.

Interestingly enough, I was still given another cap for my country though, after my performance, I have no doubt it will be my last.

---

My stats are now declining rapidly & with one year remaining on my contract with the victory, I am almost certain it will be my last in the top flight.

I have however been working with the young guys, trying to pass on my experience & show my value off the pitch. I remain hopeful that the staff here at the Victory will see my desire to stay in the game & maybe keep me on in a staff role. If not, it may be time to pack my bags & look for other opportunities.

---

It was a stellar year for the club as we first took out the minor premiership before going all the way to claim the Title with a 4-1 win over Adelaide United.

Although I didn't feature in the final series at all, let alone the Grand Final, I was nonetheless proud of the boys & what they had achieved.

What does the future hold for me? I honestly have no idea. I am obviously no longer considered a first team player here at the Victory but I have no doubt that there is still so much I can offer to the club. Only time will tell I guess...

George's Italian Adventure

After the disappointment of not making a single appearance for Lecce last year, George managed to bounce back a little this time around. He found himself being used as a rotation option & managed to impress in his limited time on the pitch. So much so that, towards the end of the year, Lecce offered him a new deal.

However, after discussing things with his agent & family (myself included), George decided to test his worth in the market.



Unfortunately, there didn't appear to be a lot of interest in his services.

Season 17

One last Chance

---

The year began with the news that my little brother was on his way home.





Having come through the youth set up at the Wanderers, a move to bitter cross town rivals, Sydney FC, would surely earn George a hostile reception by the unwashed masses in the western suburbs but nevertheless it was great to see him back. Perhaps, just maybe, we would finally have the chance to face off as professional athletes!

---

Wrong!







My Melbourne Victory career was over. Just the one appearance off the bench in the entire year. To make a bad situation worse, I was to learn in January, that the Victory were doing everything in their power to rid themselves of me. Offering me to all & sundry for free, even offering to pay part of my wages to help facilitate a move!

The news was infuriating to me. Ok, I was obviously no longer up to A-League standard but I was still helping out, still working with the young guys, still pulling my weight.

Needless to say, words were exchanged, bridges burnt & come July, I was on my own. Cast aside.

There was to be no farewell tour, no tearful goodbye to the fans who had supported me, just the clock winding over to unemployment.





After 17 years as a professional footballer, I was out of work for the first time & things did not look promising.