Sports Series: Most Legendary Australian Football Players of All Times

 in Sports Series  tagged Womens Football by

Most Legendary Australian Football Players of All Times

Out of every game, every league and every sport emerge some of the most legendary and distinguished players, who despite their retirement and even after passing away, leave behind the stories of their legendary feats for the world. Similarly, the Football Federation Australia did not leave its citizens deprived of such positivity either and allowed some of the most talented players to showcase their skills.

Australia is a nation that loves sports and are always involved in it one way or another. There are spectators, there are professional players, there are those aspiring to make it to the professional teams, and then there are training institutions like the Just Football Academy that train and coach them to make the cut.

The Australians’ love for football is inimitable; and it’s this love that has created some of the most legendary football players of all-time, some of them even got inducted in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Let’s go back in history and take a look at these acclaimed football stars:

1.    Harry Kewell:

Kewell played as the attacker and winger for various clubs over the course of his career and was specially known for his outstanding skills on the field alongside his ability to beat players.  Kewell was an active part of 380 games and made 89 goals. Kewell also took part in international games where he made 19 goals with his flair. Kewell started out young and got his first breakthrough in Leeds. From then on, he quickly became known for his on-point goals. This legendary player won the Champions League crown.

2.    Mark Bosnich:

Bosnich played as a goalkeeper who mostly played internationally and the world quickly got to know that it is nearly impossible to get any ball past his strong fort. He played 219 games in his career and was known as the world’s best keeper in the 90’s.

3.    Joe Marston:

Matron was inducted in the Football Hall of Fame in 1988 for his unbeatable playing skills as a defender. He was one of the best tacklers and was the first Australian to play in the FA Cup Final.

4.    Archie Thompson:

Thompson is a record breaking Australian Football player who made the most goals in a single international soccer game. His performance leads to the victory of his team. Thompson is known for his high speed, agility and crafty techniques.

1.    Mark Viduka

With his accurate techniques and stunning tricks, Mark Viduka was often at times unplayable. This Australian striker dominated the NSL, before going on to play for Scotland and Croatia where he stunned the world with his superb skills. Finishing off the English Premier League with 92 goals, Viduka left the likes of Fernando Torres and Dennis Bergkamp behind.

The Australian National Soccer League and Australia’s love for the soccer has given young men and women a fantastic opportunity to fulfil their dream and become part of the International soccer scene.

Australians’ affection towards sports is remarkably astounding and has only increased over the last 10 decades. Not only do they love the sports they play, but they also love those they watch –be it on a large plasma screen in a pub or via a broadcast in their homes. Their love for sports continues to broaden, especially in the rugby league and Aussie rules. It is due to this reason that many training institutions like the Just football Academy exist. They select a batch of amateurs and turn them into players of the future. But has anyone stopped to wonder what really binds them to their NRL and AFL teams? Why do they still remain popular and cherished institutions when the interests and level of participation has started to turn toward politics and churches? We believe the main reason is that these two sports offer Australians a sense of shared identity. They might not agree on their elected politician but will always support their home team despite their differences. This mutual feeling and die-hard support of their home team is what churches and politics lack. When an Australian associates himself/herself with a football club, they feel part of a bigger family than the ones in their homes. This family keeps on extending when one finds a relative, workplace colleague or even a stranger on the street. And these football clubs do live up to the hype! Millions of Australian dollars are invested in them; each player is treated like a team, respect runs high, people go gaga over every missed opportunity and stop breathing as soon as a player takes it past the fullback’s reach… all in all, those 5400 seconds on the timer are worth it! But sadly, all the thrill, respect and glory are for the men alone. Despite favouritism towards gender equality, women have always been benched or to say in football terms, shown the red card. Did you know some 60 years ago, Australia too, had their own women football team, but just as they were stabilising their feet in the field, the ruling bodies forced them out? This is all going to change now though, as the AFL just unleashed its first women league, starting 4th February 2017. It has 8 competing teams, all set to make history. When talking to one of the core players of the Crows, it is clear that whatever be the case, they are all set to bring their A-game on. “The typical stereotype is that women can't play football as good as men. But we've got different bodies; we're not made like they are. We're not going to play their of football. We're going to play our own brand of football. It's going to be hard-hitting, it's going to be fast, and it's going to be skilful. I really think we're going to take them by surprise.” Although it is too soon to tell whether the women’s team will someday enjoy the same glory, whether they be invested in and supported by local businesses, and whether they be showered with the same respect or not, it is their determination that counts the most.

 

About Karren Haller

I am a +70 Blogger that loves connecting with other women through blogging. A new recipe always intrigues, finding a new craft, creating bracelets occasionally and gardening is a favorite and writing brand reviews is a favorite for my readers. But most of all the connection to other bloggers. Creativity, simple life and getting things done