Bozza revels in second chance
28 July 2008 | 09:04 - SBS: Philip Micallef
Mark Bosnich is very much like the John McEnroe of old in that you always wish his press conferences would never end.
The former Socceroos goalkeeper is not the type of guy who uses such gatherings to dish out the usual plethora of cliches and inane excuses.
Bosnich, 36, is making a comeback to professional football after a lapse of seven years and he is smart enough to give the avaricious media what it wants.
With one major difference. When Bosnich talks he makes sense and he means what he says, too.
Running through the tape recording of his conference at the end of the Central Coast-Sydney FC Pre-Season Cup match in Gosford at the weekend, it was easy to see why good old Bozza remains such a popular personality.
Eighteen minutes of tape revealed not only the flamboyant, exuberant and cocky nature of this great character but also his doubts, inhibitions and a deep appreciation of the fortune of getting a chance to redeem himself from his dark past.
The Mariners have given him the number 40 jersey which is quite appropriate: life begins at 40 for Australian football's lovable larrikin.
"Sorry, I'm late. I had my blow-dryer today," he told the waiting media contingent, looking a million dollars in a charcoal suit and with a wide grin to match. "Is the tie straight?"
Having broken the ice so smoothly - although with Bozza this is never really necessary - the goalkeeper talked about the 'big step' he made in his first competitive match in seven years although he admitted it was too early to tell if his comeback was on track to succeed.
The conversation soon turned to the 'butterflies in the belly' he was feeling before his first match on Australian soil since 1999.
Bosnich overcame his nerves with aplomb, keeping a clean sheet and even saving a penalty.
He was clearly loving every moment of the adulation but also he was quick to express his gratitude to all those around him who made his weekend debut such a great success story, not least his two central defenders 'Pedj (Bojic) and Wilks (Alex Wilkinson)'.
He mentioned radio's Alan Jones, the Mariners coach and his assistants, goalkeeper coach John Crawley and even the kitman without whose help 'this would not have been possible. You always have to have that at the back of your mind. For once I'm feeling very humble'.
Bosnich also said he was encouraged to learn that he could still handle high balls quite competently, even though the balls here in Australia tend to fly, he said.
"A mark of a good goalkeeper in my opinion is the way he dominates his box," he explained.
"They say that the older you get you discover that you are not able to come out for high balls as much as you were able to when you're younger."
"I was very happy with the way I dealt with pressure situations today. With shot-stopping you could be lucky but with crosses you have only a split second to make a decision and you could be made to look very foolish."
"However it's a long way to go. I've still got a bit of weight to lose. I'm serious about this and I want to challenge for a place in the side when the league starts."
Bosnich by now had the gathering in the palm of his hand but when asked if he thought he was lucky to be getting another chance at life after his drug and personal problems he opened up even more.
"Of course I'm lucky," he said. "People should count themselves fortunate to wake up in the morning and feel healthy."
"I think many people have someone in their family who has been through some health scare or even worse and that's when you put things into perspective."
"You only have to switch on to the nightly news to see how lucky we all are."
"My problems basically were self-inflicted and I was very lucky to be able to stop what I was doing."
"Family is very important in any walk of life and should not be taken for granted but for a while I veered away."
"My sister has three young children who look up to me and that showed me how important it is to behave yourself."
"I've also got a responsibility now to the younger players in the Mariners team."
"After what happened in the past and feeling so low for so long this (what happened today) does wonders for you."
So what's his immediate goal?
"Looking good. I like looking good and fit and healthy."
Oh yes, the old Bozza is back, alright!
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/adelaide-united/bozza-revels-in-second-chance-124136/