When Cruz Holbert plays soccer in the hallway at his Adamstown Heights’ home, he imagines himself as Dimi Petratos scoring for Australia.
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The Newcastle Jets playmaker is in Turkey with the Socceroos, hoping to book himself a ticket to the World Cup in Russia in June.
Cruz, who turns seven soon, has been checking the Socceroos’ website each day for news and videos about Dimi.
Cruz likes to yell “go for goal” when he’s watching his hero dribbling with the ball or taking a free kick.
He likes Dimi’s tricks and flicks, particularly his back-heel move. And he’s glad Dimi makes time for the fans.
“He's friendly and always says hello and takes the time to sign autographs and a picture,” he said.
Cruz wants to thank Dimi for autographing his special signs, which say: “Dimi, book a seat to Russia today”; “Dimi for World Cup”; “Dimi Equation: Score Goals, Go To Russia”; “Go Jets, Go Dimi”.
Topics thinks the best way that Dimi could thank Cruz for his stellar support is by getting some game time at the World Cup.
It could happen.
Meanwhile, former Jet Andrew Nabbout posted an image on Instagram of himself in Socceroos camp.
“It’s NEVER easy, but it’s ALWAYS worth it. Love being back in the Socceroos camp! Always an honour,” he wrote.
A VAR Cry
Speaking of the World Cup, it’ll be very interesting to see how the notorious VAR [video assistant referee] goes at the tournament.
When the VAR failed in the recent A-League grand final, thousands of Jets fans were furious. Imagine then, what might happen if the VAR fails at a crucial time in the World Cup.
For example, what if it fails during a final and knocks out a team like Brazil or Colombia? Things could get ugly.
Another Valuable Cup
From the World Cup, we move on to another cup.
This cup isn’t quite as big as the world’s most-watched tournament, but it is particularly important to 90-year-old John Stevenson – who lives in an aged-care hospital at Wallsend.
Topics was having a chat with John about the Jets’ recent season when he told us about the Stevenson Cup.
John said this competition was held in the Coalfields. If his memory serves him right, it began sometime around 1925.
It was John’s grandfather, Jock Stevenson, who created the competition.
“He was one of the first footballers in Newcastle in the days of the formation of soccer,” he said, adding he came to the region around 1885.
He recalled that his father brought the trophy back from England, specifically to be used for the competition.
“My grandfather made arrangements for my father to buy it and bring it home.”
John has long wondered what happened to the trophy.
He remembers he last saw it in a glass case at a pub out Cessnock-Weston way in the 1950s.
“It was a very valuable cup,” John said.
Topics suspects the trophy is long gone by now.
But John’s story sure does tell us something about memory and the evocative power of objects gained and objects lost.
Have you got a story about an object or heirloom that you treasure?
Let us know at topics@theherald.com.au.