From edition 11 of the AFL Canberra Record.
by Sarah Browne
Ainslie
defender Michael Ghobrial is back in his best form after a slow beginning to
the season. Ghobrial has been playing for Ainslie since 2008 after a year away from
the game.
Ainslie
was an easy choice for the big man when he returned to football last season,
Coach Rourke said he was more than happy to have Ghobrial running around Ainslie
oval.
“I
coached Michael in the Sydney
rep team and liked his style, when the opportunity came up with his return to footy
after he had a year away from the game, I was more than happy to have him on
board.”
“I
didn’t see him at Belconnen, but from what I had seen of him at Balmain and in
that rep team made me a fan from a long time back.”
Ghobrial
was also thrilled at the opportunity to play with his former coach.
“I
knew Chris from when we both played football in Sydney."
“I
knew the style of football he likes to play, and that was a big reason for me
going to Ainslie.”
In
his time at Ainslie, Ghobrial has become an integral member of the team’s
defence and played in last years losing Grand final side.
This
season started off a bit slow as Ainslie struggled in the beginning of the
season, but since both have picked up their form and look set for another tilt
at the finals.
“Michael
started off a fraction slow in the earlier rounds, but some hard work on the
training track and a bit of a re-think on his game has seen him nearly back to
his best and an integral part of our defence.” Rourke said “He is as hard at it
as ever.”
Since
joining Ainslie, the coach Chris Rourke has had nothing but praise for the
talented footballer
“Michael
is tough, hard at the footy and attacks the footy with aggression. He is a top
line competitor, we at Ainslie all like his attitude to the team off the
ground.”
“He
is a great clubman and has the respect and loyalty of all his team mates.”
This
week Ainslie will face tough competition in Tuggeranong Hawks away from home.
Rourke said the game would be very evenly matched “With their current form they
are obviously on the money, I saw them against Belconnen last week and there
was a lot to think about.”
“We
are keen for the challenge, we got up on our home ground last time around, but
we’ll have to be on our game on their turf.”
“It’ll
be a contest that’ll have an influence on where both teams finish down the
track.”
Photo by Travis Longmore