The Griffiths Factor
AFW take a look at one of Australia's best known set of footballing siblings
The significance of the road name is not lost on the fanatical supporters of the Newcastle Jets Squadron who have adopted twin brothers Joel and Adam Griffiths as two of their own.
Such is the hero status of the Jets striker, that on the western end of the road, a signpost reads, “Joel Griffiths Road No 9. It-s an incredible feeling when you have such accolades poured on you by the fans,” says Joel.
Adam prefers to stay out of the limelight but clearly recognises the value of the home fans.
“I-ll never forget the support we received last year and the atmosphere at our home games and the grand final.”
Newcastle supporters were hoping younger brother Ryan would complete the trifecta by signing for the Jets for six months, after recently completing his second season in China.
“I was very keen to play alongside my brothers and Newcastle wouldn-t even have had to pay a transfer fee for me,” laments Ryan. “But in the end we couldn-t agree terms, even though clubs want local players to come back to Australia. Ironically, Newcastle paid out large sums for players like Jardel and Zura who failed to deliver.”
Adam has been quick to rue the absence of some influential figures at the Jets, a factor which has hit their title defence and reckons the club is now paying a heavy price for failing to land Ryan.
He adds: “Our season has been very disappointing this year with the loss of key players like Musialik, Bridge, Durante, Kohler and Laybutt. Ryan would have been a big asset when you consider we have so many young players who are expected to perform without adequate experience.”
After the Asian Champions League, Adam will move to greener pastures at the Gold Coast and his two years at the Jets will soon become a fading memory. But the utility player will always cherish his spell playing alongside his sibling.
“I-ve really enjoyed my time at the Jets and to play with Joel again was something I really craved,” he explains. But I-m moving to a new club which will give me a fresh start because I started to feel like I was stuck in quicksand after the successes of last season.
“A new coach, new fans, new surroundings and different football concepts will provide a lifeline for me.”
Paul Okon, the Gold Coast assistant coach, values Adam Griffiths-s qualities highly.
The former Middlesbrough and Leeds United schemer is convinced the new recruit will prove to be a shrewd signing.
“Adam will be a true leader on and off the field and his versatility to play anywhere in defence or midfield makes him a special player”.
The Jets have signed Joel Griffiths as their marquee player for the next three seasons and they expect a significant return from one of their star acts.
Last season-s success in the Grand Final and Griffith-s individual honours in winning the Golden Boot and the Johnny Warren Medal are a testimony to his immense influence.
And it seems as if Pim Verbeek was more than just an interested spectator at the Round 15 A- League contest between Queensland Roar and the Jets.
Clearly, they were pursuing more than a casual interest in the Griffiths brothers for the upcoming international against Indonesia.
Joel didn-t disappoint with a brilliant first half goal when he made Danny Tiatto look like a statue before chipping Liam Reddy for the first goal.
He could have scored another in the second half only to be denied by good defensive work from Josh McCloughan.
The question is, will Verbeek consider Joel for national selection after his altercation with Karl Dodd in Round 13?
“Who knows, but if I can keep scoring goals and not be distracted by other influences on the park, there-s no reason I can-t be selected,” reveals Joel.
Certainly his form in the match against Ghana in May, when he was utilised as a lone striker, was more than impressive.
However, a combination of injury and other unknown factors have meant he-s not been in contention since.
Other than Brett Emerton, Travis Dodd and Mile Sterjovski, who is currently not featuring at Derby County, there is no quicker wide Aussie player in the game.
Surely that strengthens calls for him to come into the spotlight again but Joel remains philosophical about his lack of Socceroos action.
He says: “When your team is not performing, you-re often overlooked. I thought Adam played well in the Ghana game so he really should be looked at again.”
The last appearance Ryan made for the Socceroos was as a substitute against Singapore in March.
And it appears he has been also overlooked for national selection despite scoring 20 goals in the Chinese Super League for Liaoning.
Who could forget his magnificent cameo performance against Denmark at Loftus Road in February, 2007 when he turned the Danish defence inside out?
But unfortunately Chinese football doesn-t receive much media exposure in Australia which has hampered his claims although he wants to return home in the future with Sydney or Newcastle his ideal destination.
“I-ve enjoyed my time in China and the football is a lot different to the A- League”, says Ryan. “The coaches like using wingers to take on players and the midfielders are very quick and direct which is in marked contrast to the A- League which emphasises more of a passing game.
“But I‘d love to come back to the A- League one day because it-s getting stronger all the time with the introduction of the new clubs.”
Although Liaoning-s form has been mediocre, Ryan-s contribution has still attracted the attention of other clubs, but not that of the Socceroo coaching staff.
And when he returns to China early in the New Year there is every chance he will sign for a bigger club.
With Australian players in demand throughout Asia, his two brothers could be targeted by Asian clubs, especially after the recruitment of Jade North to Incheon.
But Joel seems happy on home soil, well for now anyway.
“At this stage, it-s unlikely I will go because of the large transfer fee the Jets would demand,” explains Joel.
Adam-s immediate concern will be to impress at the Gold Coast although he refuses to rule out one day following Ryan-s path.
“In football you have a short life, and I-m happy to be going to the Gold Coast but who knows what the future holds,” said Adam.
For the sake of their large band of supporters and their proud father Alan, a former NSW State League star, it can only be hoped the three brothers will eventually appear in the same A-League colours.