WORLD CUP HEROICS

Q

What are the things that stand out for you as your career highlights? A

One is my longevity in the ALeague and in the game. Managing to play to 36, 37 years old and having 10 good years in the ALeague, a couple of Golden Boots, the Johnny Warren Medal, those sort of things stand out. To top it off is probably the World Cup. I’ve played in three Confederation Cups but the World Cup was definitely a highlight. That whole six-week period with the build-up for it and then the actual event, and what we managed to achieve as a small nation and not losing a game. And me scoring and assisting in one of the games, it was just an amazing time. They say those moments live with you forever and I did a school visit the other day and it’s still a topic of conversation, scoring against Italy. Q

Coming back to play for Gold Coast United must have been special too? A

For me it was a real highlight. You speak to most players that were involved in it and they really enjoyed it. For me, I still feel like I’m from the Gold Coast – I grew up there, went to school, I’ve got friends there, my one and only property is there now so it still feels like home for me. At the time I was at Wellington Phoenix ... and there was talk a club from the Gold Coast would come in. The next minute I’d signed a three-year deal there. I couldn’t believe in my home town, a new franchise had come in. There was all that hype and everyone knows how great the Gold Coast is but then (the club) was actually successful on the pitch as well. It was a really good team, a really enjoyable team to play for.