Middle of the Road – The Pretenders

 Lions midfielder Andy Brown and Floreat Athena defender Julian Madaschi in action at Macedonia Park. Photo: Peter Simcox

Athena - a team that won a night cup, and then was also widely touted to be dead and buried by week seven. 

Then during the mid-season the side underwent a Nazareth like  rise to being in contention for sneaking itself into the five. Now suddenly we are finishing the way the league campaign started.                                                         

This roller coaster of a season of extreme emotions can't finish quickly enough.

Our early season form was peppered with a massive number of unlucky moments that consistently saw the team playing very well but being extremely unlucky to not secure three points on several occasions. This run in to the end of the season has seen the side uncharacteristically beaten comprehensively.

It is clear the boys are working hard out there with not a lot of luck. 
However as our ever popular senior coach Ante Kovacevic - who has been with the club five years now - has lectured us so often on the finer aspects of the often over used cliché - 
“In football you have to make your luck”.

Dead rubber – Maybe for the Weak or Faint Hearted!

An unusual circumstance had arisen for our second last league game for the season.
Dead rubber is a term used in sporting parlance to describe a match in a series where the series result has already been decided by earlier matches. The dead rubber match therefore has no effect on the winner and loser of the series, other than the number of matches won and lost.

The term is widely used in Davis Cup and Fed Cup tennis, as well as in international cricket and field hockey  series. However, when the term is used to describe a football match involving Floreat Athena FC – it is no laughing matter.

Athena vs Stirling – the scene was perfectly set.  A Sunday away fixture, idyllic sunny conditions, an impressive playing surface, a reasonable crowd, but strangely the two fierce rivals steeped in history and tradition had nothing more than pride to play for. For this was the battle for mid-table supremacy over mid-table mediocrity.

While the fixture bore no significance for top 5 finals  aspirations for either clubs  - since these coveted spots were decided the day before, however the best remedy to heal this mortal pain would be a victory over the Lions at their den. 

For this is what the doctor and the faithful who made the awkward ‘pilgrimage’ into enemy territory – ordered for their cure.

The Match

Athena made three changes to the side that lost 0-3 to ECU Joondalup in round 24. In came Miki Vujacic, Mark Pritchard, Calum Fransz, Liam Boland and Kyle Moran dropped to the bench, while Jarrad Smith was omitted.

Midfielder Ludovic Boi scored twice, to help Stirling Lions to a 3-1. Boi has history of hurting Athena over several years now.  None more empathic than last years State league Cup Final where the tricky midfielder, settled the contest in the 32nd minute, with the winner.

On Sunday, Phil O'Callaghan had given Doug Hesketh's side the lead on four minutes, before Damien Catalano levelled for the visitors seven minutes later. It was an exciting start to the match.
Athena who were looking to break a two game losing streak, hit back at 11 minutes with the equaliser. Lions midfielder Boi gave the ball away on the edge of the Lions penalty area, and he was made to pay, Catalano curling his shot into the top corner of the net from 16-yards, giving Lions' keeper Hugo no chance
Boi's first goal regained the lead for the Lions before half time, and the former Perth Glory Youth player made it 3-1 on 67 minutes to win the game. A result which keeps alive the hopes of Stirling ending the Premier League season in the top half of the table while the same hopes for Athena come a thumping end with 8^th spot now being the best possible finish.

Lions Coach Doug Hesketh was delighted with his sides win. "I was pleased with the second half performance; we lost our way in the first half. We started well but I don't know what happened after that, but we settled and got the important goal before half time, which was pleasing," said Hesketh.

"Ludo was great for us today. He scored two and had an assist in their goal too. We brought him into the middle of the park in the second half and he came into the game. I thought Jason Gavin was outstanding at the back for us today, we now want to end the season with a win at Mandurah next week."

Final Score

Lions - 3          (O'Callaghan 4, Boi 30, 67)  

Athena - 1       (Catalano 11)

Stirling Lions: GK Cory HUGO, 2 Michael PUGLIESE, 3 Andy BROWN (7 Shintaro ITO 74'), 4 Jason GAVIN, 5 Dean EVANS, 6 Clayton ARNEZ (12 Luke WOODARD 85'), 8 Bobby WILSON, 9 Jamie WATT, 10 Phil O'CALLAGHAN, 14 James DAVIES (11 Dennis GALAN 78'), 16 Ludovic BOI

Subs not used: RGK Connor CAMPBELL, 15 Dylan FILOCAMO

Floreat Athena: GK Alex DUNN, 4 Julian MADASCHI, 6 Miki VUJACIC (13 Kyle MORAN 56'), 8 Michael VAN DONGEN (17 Daniel TREVISIOL 62'), 9 Paul VAN DONGEN, 11 Damien CATALANO, 12 James ISAIA (10 Liam BOLAND 74'), 14 Mark PRITCHARD, 15 Calum FRANSZ, 16 Ante KOVACEVIC, 18 Calum O'CONNELL

Subs not used: GK Simon MADASCHI, 3 Michael SALSANO

Where to now?

First and foremost we have Inglewood for our last match of the season at home. Again this fixture is all about pride. Whether players are kitting up for a final match that will ultimately determine their Athena futures remains to be seen.

Rumblings muttered out in the Stirling car park - Simply not good enough was the simplest summation. We must search for answers if we have any inclination or desire to improve our long standing expectation to always be at the top end high road of the WA State League town. 

It is obvious that we could do worse than maintaining the entire developmental squad we have amassed. It is a great springboard for our near future.  The addition of certain experienced quality players - possibly a minimum as low as only three is all that could be required. 

Classically speaking - with the services of the right striker, a scoring midfielder and a defender we could be confident in mounting campaign seeking honours. 

Its just that knowing what the right combination is the great challenge.

However, First and Foremost - senior coaches needed to be reappointed for 2011 ASAP - then we can talk about the team.

Chrissy Hynde - The legendary lead singer of post punk, new wave rock sensations the Pretenders with their hit single: Middle of the Road. 

Father-son rule: Athena Style

The father-son rule - is a rule that allows clubs to select the sons of players who have made a major past contribution to the team in Australian Rules Football. The original rule came into place as a result of successful lobbying by Melbourne Football Club. In 1952 the club wanted the young Ron Barassi to follow in the footsteps of his father Ron Barassi Snr., who had been killed during World War II. However, this meant bypassing the then standard zone-based recruitment rulings, which would have seen Barassi join Carlton instead. 

Whilst father-son rules don’t apply to our code - We at Athena currently also have some interesting father son associations with our first team players that the Athenista blogger will highlight in up coming posts.

Young defender Callum O'Connell is the son the famous WA football  media identity and commentator John O'Connell who was also the clubs senior coach for a period in the mid 1980's and steered the club to night series championship in 1985.

Another young defender - Callum Franz is the son of Clive Franz who played for Athena in the late 70's and early 80's.

Current club captain Julian Madaschi is the son of 70's and 80's star state league and state team player who also played for Athena - Bruno Madaschi.

Athenista for his latest blog caught up with both Julian and Bruno for some insights in their father son relationship in the context of Athena first team.

JULIAN

Hi Jules - thanks for making the time to talk to the faithful who log in to read the blog. 

No worries Athenista - love your work, love your passion mate.

Did the fact that your father was an Athena player have any role in you also ultimately becoming an Athena player one generation later?

Yes, it did actually. Before I came to Athena in 2002, I was playing under 18’s at Perth. Well I lie, I was actually warming the bench which sucked because all I wanted to do was play. The old man has got contacts at a few clubs in the state league, so he asked his mate, who was coaching the under 18’s at Athena, if I could come down. So I did and haven’t looked back since.

What does the father son issue mean to you as club captain?

Well first off its pretty cool to play at the same club my old man played for many years ago. Secondly, the father-son rule that applies to AFL hasn’t really been adopted by football. It works well within the AFL as it is part of the national draft, which is also something that football hasn’t adopted. I can’t really see football taking this father-son rule approach anytime soon, however it’s an avenue that should be explored. I must admit, it would be great to one day watch my son (if I have one) play for the mighty Athena just like my old man has done with me.  

How influential has the 'ol man been in your football development?

 He has been very influential. He coached me from the age of six for the first seven years of my playing career with Infant Jesus Morley. As I got older and took my football a bit more serious, he was and still is on hand to give me advice, encouragement and also his views on how I could improve myself.

What do you know about his career?

 I know a little bit from what he has told me and also from the old newspaper articles and photos he whips out on the odd occasion to remind me that he was good back in his day. I’ve heard he was a bit of a hard nut and was given the nicknames “Mad Max” and “Roo Dog”, also I know he played for the WA state team, won the league in division one with Athena to get them promoted, was a bit of a club slut (pretty sure he played for Athena, Perth, Bayswater, Inglewood probably a few more clubs to add to that list) and also sported some real quality hairdos and sideburns!!

What sort of advice does he give you?

Same advice every week “Son, if there’s a fifty fifty, just go through ‘em! Take the ball, take their legs, take everything!!”

What classic wog Australian football advice – love it!

There is a some serious WA football pedigree in the Madaschi family. I am old enough to remember both your Dad Bruno and your uncle Saverio in the WA State leagues of the 70's and 80's. Give us an overview of what football means to your family and where the younger generation is currently at?

 Football means a great deal to my family. It has been a significant influence for generations. It not only provides a competitive environment which keeps you fit and ticking over but also a social aspect for players and supporters. Just ask Cal O’Connell, he loves the banter amongst the boys!

The younger generation is currently holding their own when compared to my old man and uncle Saverio. My cousin Adrian (son of Saverio) is currently playing for Portosummaga in Serie B in Italy. Although I do believe they have been relegated this year after a single season in Serie B, which is unfortunate for him. He has been in and out of the Socceroos squad over the years but hasn’t really been given a great deal of opportunities. His older brother Simon or Dash, currently Athena’s reserve keeper, has been in and out of the state league ranks for years and although he is pushing towards the mid 30’s age bracket (lol sorry Dash) I believe he still has the quality to start for a State League team. That leaves myself. I have been at Athena since 2002 (under 18’s) and started regularly playing for the first team in 2004. A few years later I was part of the undefeated team that won the league in 2007! The following year we finished second by 4 points (I think) to Sorrento of whom we smashed that year 6-3 and 3-0. Back to back league wins would have been phenomenal, but it wasn’t meant to be! Currently I am enjoying my football at Athena and look forward to tackling the challenges ahead.

Finally - unrelated to the Father- Son issue - what was your take on the mass exodus of players last summer

 Obviously it was disappointing to see numerous players leave the club, but that is football. At the end of the day they left, we dealt with it and moved on and have filled the void with some real quality players, which in my opinion maybe better than the ones that left. Hopefully we make the top five so we can throw our weight around again and add another trophy to this year’s night series win!! 

Champion Jules - a couple of games for 2011 pride ahead of us. looking forward to seeing your leadership mate - All the best!

So that was part one now lets catch up with Brunes for his take on father son Athena style!

BRUNO 

What role does football play in your life Bruno?

Football has played a significant role in my life as a player, coach and spectator. I started at age six  and played until my early 30’s for various clubs in the State League.  I’ve always had passion for this great game whether it be coaching my son through his juniors to watching the best league in the world, the Serie A). 

What does the father son rule issue mean to you as you now see Julian as the club captain?

I assume you are referring to the father-son draft rule in AFL and if that’s the case I can’t really see it being adopted by football any time soon. It could be a great idea but not sure if it will hold up in the football environment as there is no draft system in place. I am however glad to see my son end up playing for the same club I once wore the blue and white for. 

Do you think he has inherited any of your characteristics as a player?

Yes, a couple. Firstly, he has definitely inherited my running style, legs and ability to throw in the odd slide tackle. He also plays very similar to me in regards to playing it simple and also doesn’t mind getting involved with the odd hard tackle. He also has inherited the knack of not scoring too many goals however, like myself he does a good job down back of not conceding. 

Give us a quick sketch of your career, your early days as a junior and as you moved up the ranks of the state league and your selection for State Team representation.

I started my juniors at Perth Azzuri back in the early 60’s and then moved to Bayswater where I played reserves before breaking into the first team, playing my first game at fifteen. I played at Bayswater to 1975 and during that time I represented WA at under 16’s, 18’s and open men’s levels. I had a two year lay off from 1975 due to a baldy perforated ear drum. I was advised that it would be risky to play so took the time off and was eventually cleared resuming in 1977 at Inglewood. After playing a year with Inglewood I moved to Perth for a short stint before joining Athena in 1980, where I finished my playing career. 

Regarding playing for the state – what was that like? Who were the coaches? What famous matches were you part of and were other Athena players also selected at the time?

Obviously that was some time ago so I’m a bit sketchy on the details of coaches etc but I do remember being selected in the squad to play against Chelsea back in 1974, when I was 19 and playing for Bayswater. 

Tell us about your time at Floreat Athena in the early 80’s, the years you played, memorable contests, the coaches, the fans and besides yourself of course the best players for the club at the time?

I came to club in 1980 and played to the end of the 1983 season, after which I retired. In my first year we got relegated but the following year we tasted success winning division one, gaining promotion back into the premier league. Off the top of my head players like John Quinn, Alan Ball, John Sydenham and Alf De Bono were all good quality players. 

What is your take on the state of the local game?

Well it’s hard to compare but I think the standard isn’t as good as it was back in my day. However it’s not bad and definitely is improving each year. You just have to watch a Floreat v Perth derby to find that out!!

Cheers Bruno - you're an Athena legend! 

                            

 Bruno in an attacking pose Above! and Shielding Paul Tombides at home below

Captain Couragoeus - Julian Madaschi - With Eagle Eye AK in the background!

                         Jules moving forward vs the Knights at home

Finals Chances: Slip, sliding away...

Three matches in the final run in of the last five games towards the end of season 2012 is long time in football - even after toppling the giants of Perth away.

Our season defining trio of fixtures vs Mandurah, Bayswater and ECU Joondalup were always going to be potential banana skins - if only because of the three opposition clubs respective positions that being in the mix for: survival (Mandurah), finals (Bayswater) and pride (ECU) respectively.

The simplest of football mathematicians amongst us were quietly confident - yet never totally certain that at the very least, if we could amass three more wins - finals football beckoned. This being the basic expectation not only for the fans but importantly also for the players and the coaches.

To see the side recently lack the consistency required to be a certain finals contender when it has mattered the most and when it actually became a reality has been disappointing for the fans and especially the players and coaches who have worked and fought so hard to get up off the canvas after our shock start to the season.

This beautiful game of ours that consumes our passions and emotions like nothing else in life can deal us such bone crunching brutal reality checks just like a Joey Barton elbow to the head or a Cantona kung fu flying kick to the chest in the terraces.

 

Being thumped 1-5 at a resurgent Bayswater City last week, was particularly difficult to accept. No doubt Bayswater have timed their run impeccably from the verge of the drop zone to finals contention. According to this blogger they were arguably our worst opponents for season - when City fronted up at Litis Stadium during the first round where they were utterly woeful and were flattered to only lose 3-0.

Coach Ante Kovacevic was looking for an improvement last Saturday vs ECU. Where we all expected the class of the senior players to turn things around and keep our faint finals hopes alive - but it wasn't to be.

An upbeat ECU manager Syd Amphlett addressed the media after the match who was full of praise in his charges in an otherwise less than impressive season for the northern club "The boys have been fantastic for me all season"

"They've trained well and been disciplined, the attitude's been great and it's just a bit disappointing to finish where we are, but it is a good end to the season."

Having missed the last two matches due to interstate travel the blogger sought players comments for some further insights into the last three results.

First of all it has been a long season and it seems that the players are feeling it a bit. It is clear that there are some tired bodies out there and in need of a rest to freshen up and add a few niggles which many appear to be carrying to the mix and you can see why we have been flat the last three weeks. Mentally we seem to missing something because these last three games in no way reflect our ability and motivation.

Regarding Mandurah - everyone seemed to have an off day. There was no intensity, no hunger. The weather was far from ideal but this can't be used as an excuse but obviously didn’t help us out either. 

Regarding the Bayswater debacle - having AK out meant a restructure with Isaia coming into centre back which means we lose him in the centre of the park where he plays his best football and has his greatest impact for us.

Mark Pritchard got injured after 15mins - so losing him and not having Isaia in the midfield were big losses and their quality was seriously missing. Once again everyone seemed flat and severely lacking the intensity required to stop the rise of Bayswater.

We gave them the first goal via a mistake then held them off until the 40^th and 45^th minute where two more mistakes cost us goals. All in all mistakes in the last third from over playing or defensive blunders or us pushing forward to get back in the game cost us goals. 

ECU: A 3-0 home loss - inexcusable. I know it sounds like we are whinging when you blame the referee but hands down he cost us this game.

Everyone seemed up for this game. We all knew how crucial it was for our finals chances.

We started well, battling hard and were probably just on top of them. The referee gave a penalty in the first half against Julian when clearly Thornley took a dive that even he was embarrassed with. Jules did not make any contact with him at all and Cheesy (linesman) said this to him after the game. Ref 1 FAFC 0. 

Second half he gave another penalty against Jules which was also dubious again as he clearly won the ball from Mculloch. The score now was Ref 2 FAFC 0.

Then in bizarre scenes reminiscent of Graham Polls shambolic performance of card counting/giving in Germany 2006 Australia vs Croatia the referee proceeded to book Julian Madaschi with a yellow card and then send him off with a red as he thought he had been booked previously!

This decision was reversed once Jules consulted Cheesy because Trent (ref) wouldn’t speak to Jules about it as he just said you’re off mate, go!

Another one of many horrible mistakes made by the referee on this fateful day.

It is really quite sad to see one of the best refs in the league running the line and have a first year ref take charge of a hugely important game and have an absolute nightmare! What is this league coming to!

There is no real logic to what has transpired lately or at least over the past three matches. We've looked a different side. Three lacklustre performances that are as embarrassing to play in as they would be to watch.

We peaked fantastically early (winning night series); then hit a trough; then started to get momentum again moving away from the relegation zone; and now we've hit another trough.

Hopefully we can restore some pride in the last 2 games, but it looks like our finals chances are long gone.

And we've missed the creative Welshman the last 2 weeks. He is class above and a true asset not only to the team but WA football overall.

These last three matches has seen our overall depth and experienced seriously questioned. 

Versus Mandurah we had no Boland and this was a massive loss. We are lucky he has been fit all season!

Versus Bayswater no AK and no Pritchard after 15 min - two players who in our thin squad are almost irreplaceable.

Versus Joondalup ref killed us but we looked flat besides the first 30 mins.

Finally, whilst not totally related - But in terms of depth and up coming talent from the reserves ranks and especially in an overall youthful squad - no one in the player group has any understanding on why Jamie Goodman was sacked at such a crucial stage of the season with a cup semi final coming up and sitting second in the league at the time? We have now lost a few of potential Athena WAPL players and a quality coach.

We have all read on forums and have heard comments apparently from the Board that it was a decision that was made in the best interest of the club - however many senior members of the squad have been around long enough to conclude that this was a strange move - as he was not only the reserves coach but a respected member of Saturdays coaching group. At least from where we sit this claim of best interests of the club doesn't seem to make sense and it is a great loss for the club.

Now back to the bloggers views to wrap up.

Totally gutted to be in the hole we currently find ouselves in. But also realistic with the changes seen along with the youth of the squad there are still many positioves that we can focus one.

There is no doubt that what is impressive about this playing group is it's honest assessment and courage to call it as it is and keep it real at all times. Likewise AK's leadership on and off the park has been a critical part of the teams achievements.

There is a lot to like about this outfit. The 2011 night series trophy, the mid season unbeaten run, two gripping matches vs minor premiers Etna and the perennial magic of an away win at the Gardens will remain special highlights of 2011.

As a fan the sheer number of chances being created week in week out, with opposition players being beaten, posts and bars being hit on a regualr basis says to us all that there is still something special about this crop of players banded together for this season's campaign.

Stability is now what is required with both the current players and coaches and the Clubs administration. Our players and coaches should be secured ASAP as we know that given our recent perception of being soft targets for recruitment our players and coaches will beapproached and made offers.

With some tweaking that won't break the bank as in 3-4 quality strategic additions to the squad such as one defender, a box to box scoring midfielder and one experienced striker to complement the special and still developing talents of Liam Boland - we can be confident that the squad can gel further and press for honours in 2012.

What now remains to be seen is where the Board of Management is at - regarding where it wishes the ambitions of the club to immediately lie?

Will it be to merely to fight for survival as it did this year or is to once again be the premier location for WA football both on and off the park? 

With spring around the corner and a Club AGM on September 24 it should not take too long to find out! 

The last three weeks have been stark reminder to us all of the narrow gap between mid table mediocrity and fighting to stave off relegation is a very fine line. 

A club of our history and stature should never be contemplating such a scenario.

                           Paul Simon - Slip sliding away, Live at Abbey Road