SURF'S up! Apparently the Gold Coast is the most biologically-diverse city in Australia.
From mountain rainforests to coastal wetlands it is home to more than 34 species of amphibians, 323 birds, 72 mammals and 71 reptiles. It also has a cocky football team.
On average the region gets 287 days of sunshine each year. Never being one to hide in the shade, Gold Coast Football Club owner Clive Palmer is predicting a much deeper tan than that. According to his prophetic vision it will be sunny all year, an A-League season without defeat.
Credit where it's due, the boys in yellow have managed to stay on the surfboard so far. Twenty-one games played and as yet, no defeats. Although it must be said that many of these results were the footballing equivalent of kicking sand in the faces of 50kg weaklings.
In fairness the club has of late been picking on someone more akin to its own size, referring of course to Brisbane. It was an impressive win. The bullying behaviour returned though in the defeat of Fury, who desperately need to hit the weights.
And so the tanned ones now make the trip south, slumming it on their private jet. An appointment at Hindmarsh awaits.
Aurelio Vidmar and his club have chosen to present a modestly humble approach to the upcoming game through the media. Viddie even elected to endorse Clive's forecast of a sunny, defeat-free season for the Coast, saying that it was a distinct possibility. Miron Bleiberg on the other hand has come out all guns blazing, backing his team's attacking abilities and questioning the game style of the Reds.
Whilst I generally agree with the 'quietly confident' line that the Reds often seem to take in the lead up to games, it would be nice at times to see the club swim against this tide of passivity. Gold Coast are just a bit too arrogant for my liking (and I'm sure that I'm far from isolated in this opinion) and the opportunity has been there for the Reds to speak up.
Of course many will argue that the only way to talk is on the pitch and ultimately that is true. In terms of promoting the game though, good-natured banter between clubs has its place.
Anyway, here's hoping that the Reds rain on the Gold Coast parade!
