ATHENISTA: 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!