It was back in May of this year when former coach Alistair Edwards announced the signing of his second son, Cameron, to the Perth Glory squad that we warned that it was a move fraught with danger (That’s my Boy) sometimes it is not nice to be proved right.
Alistair came on the show and revealed that he had spoken to both sons at length before signing them. He stated that they were all aware as a family of the accusations that may arise, but that both boys believed that they could handle it.He was adamant as junior internationals, both were up to the task of A-League football.
In the past week very little has been written or said about how the two must have felt sitting in the dressing room on Friday night as the argument between coaches and senior players unfolded, or as the fall out from that difference of opinions was resolved; albeit it with their father forced to leave the club.
Sadly there was a symmetry to the end result, former coach Steve McMahon signed his son to Perth Glory in season one of the Hyundai A-League and he resigned a week earlier than Edwards senior left the club this year.
One thing that has to be hoped is that fans do not get on the backs of these two players because of the events of the past week. They should be allowed to continue in their jobs and be the best that they can be as players. No longer if they get a game will sections of the crowd be able to accuse the coach of nepotism. They will have, in the eyes of the new coach, earned that spot, or been selected to carry out a specific role. Sure there will still be those who feel they should not be there in the first place, just as other fans feel that way about other members of the squad. That is what makes sport great, everyone has a different opinion; it is also why a selection panel for the team on a match day would never work.
It is unlikely that either young man asked to be picked by their father, and like every squad member they too simply want to play first team football. It is a new chapter at Perth Glory and these two players deserve respect for the way they have conducted themselves through a very difficult time, and that repeat should be shown by allowing them to concentrate on their football. Who knows, the departure of their father as coach may in fact free them up as players, as maybe they tried to hard to justify their selection due to the relationship with the coach. It may also spur them on to prove that their father was right to sign them, time will tell.
They key is to let the new coach decide if Ryan and Cameron are to play, and allow them like everyone else to move on from this week and focus on the club making the finals.
Rob, I have to agree with you. The last week has seen a lot of people very upset, and I have not witnessed fans as divided since the Afkos/Tana fall out with Bernd Stange. NOw everything is reactive rather than having stopped the events of last week happening.
Struth, valid points as always. They must prove worth of selection. I hope they play with more freedom now there is no accusations of being their because their dad picked them. However news of the alleged appearance bonus will not have helped.
I think it will be interesting to see if Ryan heads back to Reading. It seems odd to come from a Championship team to the A-League when he may have benefitted more playing in the lower divisions in the UK. I think his game will have suffered for the return to Australia.
All White – So very true I only ever played on official game of sport with my dad and it was a very special moment. I am sure it will mean a great deal later in life.
The administration of Perth Glory has gone from bad to worse ever since the Hatt Review. There was no place for a director of football but now we have a Director of Football operations and communications, is that not the same role? Or is it the role the CEO should be doing? There is a lack of know-how and people are in jobs for the wrong reasons and therefore the name of Perth Glory gets tarnished.
I agree with you, I cannot see anything changing until a new owner takes over the club. Someone with a genuine passion for the game rather than one using it to boost his own profile.
You can’t blame the boys as you say. How many of us would have loved to play or work with our dads? Hopefully they will look back on the fact that they did with pride.
Glory admin however can have no pride in the way they handled this. It was a PR disaster. Jacob has been blamed as being a sole protagonist yet it wasn’t just him, yet the club have not corrected those misconceptions. As for Sage when will a CEO have the balls to tell him to shut up.
Seriously Tony we the fans are sick of your moaning and your opinions, please get an NRL club and do football a favour.
Sorry but if Kenny Lowe is coach their will always be a type of nepotism – check back to his involvement with at least 1 of them as Juniors State Selection..
Of course they should be given a chance but MUST prove worthy of their selection ..
If they are so good maybe the Transfer market will be a Guide 😉 😉
Glory admin has managed to do what Union, AFL, Basketball, Cricket and League couldn’t – divide and conquer the club- alienating half of Perth and Split the club down the middle. Well done.