Johnny Warren, 1943 - 2004

"I told you so."

The almighty quote of Johnny Warren. Four words, preached as gospel to the believers. Four simple words, allowing his legacy to permeate forever in Australian soccer.

The impact of Warren can be seen in his influence on the game; both as a player and a mediator. Despite Harry Kewell being voted as Australia's greatest player in the code, without Johnny Warren and his passionate, selfless and endless promotion of the game, he and a multitude of Australian kids would be compelled to take up the round ball.

I like to think of Warren as Australia's Bill Shankly.

Shankly is best known as the man who is responsible for the resurrection of Liverpool. Taking charge of Liverpool in 1959 when Liverpool languished in the former Second Division of English, Shankly helped overhaul the problems of the club. Shankly helped facilitate many facets that have become known as the 'Liverpool Way' including, a passing/possession-based game, the famous all-red kit and more importantly laying down the foundations needed to help usher in an era of Liverpool's almighty dominance of English and European football. 

Shankly loved Liverpool, the city and they loved him. 

Despite the unheralded nature of Warren's tenure as a manager, it his influence on Australian soccer and future generations to this very day that leads to me to the Shankly reference.

Prior to the household names of Kewell, Viduka, Schwarzer, Cahill and Bosnich, Johnny Warren was truly the household figure of Australian soccer. He was the tireless cheerleader of the game despite all the negative perceptions of the game. He stood as the defiant Anglo-Australian when soccer was always derided as "that game for wogs." Dissatisfied with Australia's lack of success due to a lack of emphasis, he always held firm to the believe Australia had the potential to become a world power due to the sporting passion that is inherent within our culture.

Similar to Shankly's undying and immortalized influence on Liverpool, Warren's influence can be seen through:

• Being a part of the Crawford Report. The report was influential on many fronts as it allowed a revamp of the game in Australia. The Crawford Report helped launch the A-League and Australia joining joining the Asian Football Confederation.
• Breaking away from the Oceania Football Confederation and joining the Asian Football Confederation. Due to Australia's sheer dominance of the region, Warren believed the region did not allow Australia be competitive, instead being caught in a lull of complacency unless it faced regular challenging competition.
• Old soccer, new football. As Warren insisted that soccer be called football, the game has seen commentators slowly shift towards calling it that.
• The Johnny Warren Medal. The medal is awarded to player acknowledged by his fellow professional peers as the best of the season.

It is just a touch ironic and cruel that many of the changes that Warren spent his whole life advocating for would be achieved after he succumbed to lung cancer in 2004. One particular fond memory was when Australia finally broke its 31 year FIFA World Cup exile in 2005 when commentator Craig Foster subconsciously screamed "Johnny Warren!!!"  

But this only allows Warren's legacy to remain everlasting and allow the Australian soccer public remain appreciative of his efforts. At least at every A-League grand final a sign paying tribute to Warren will be displayed.

Johnny Warren will always be seen as the godfather of Australian soccer. RIP, he told us so.

- Aaron Wong

Lions Tour of Australia 2013 – How the Wallabies May Line-Up Come June

The Lions are already gearing up for their tour of Australia

With the Super Rugby season half way towards its completion there has been an increasing amount of talk surrounding who will be in the Wallabies team come June when they go face to face with the British and Irish Lions for the first time in 12 years.

Obviously two factors come in to consideration whilst selecting players for this test series: 1) Current Super Rugby form and 2) Past experience and reputation.

From all the players currently available for selection the strongest XV for the Wallabies would look something like this:

15. Jesse Mogg (Brumbies) – On form is not only the most impressive fullback in the Australian conference but the most impressive player in general.

14. Dom Shipperley (Reds) – Edges Nick Cummins at right wing in a real 50/50 situation, mainly due to the number of other Reds in the starting lineup. The young speedster was impressive when he got a chance to perform in the Rugby Championship last year.

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs) – The best centre in Australian rugby without a doubt. One of the few undisputed world-class players in the side.

12. Pat McCabe (Brumbies) – Compliments Ashley-Cooper brilliantly. His direct and hard working approach both in attack and defence regularly leaves time and space for those around him to perform at their peak.

11. Digby Ioane (Reds) – In mainly due to the consistent injuries suffered by Drew Mitchell and the inexperience of the best Australian left winger in Super Rugby thus far, Joseph Tomane.

10. James O’Connor (Rebels) – Like Ioane, somewhat in the squad by default. Barnes’ injury coupled with the off field troubles of Cooper and Beale make O’Connor the outstanding favorite to be wearing the no.10 jersey come June.

9. Will Genia (Reds) – Is Australia’s best player at the present moment and has been in the past as well. The best no.9 in the world when in top form.

8. Ben Mowen (Brumbies) – Ever improving in both attack and defence even at the age of 28. An extremely hard working and physical player who has also shown leadership skills in recent seasons.

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7. George Smith (Brumbies) – Arguably the best openside flanker Australia has ever produced. The cliché “form is temporary, class is permanent” applies to Smith more than any other player in this Wallabies lineup.

6. Dave Dennis (Waratahs) – Much like Mowen, Dennis is a hard working and consistent performer. A well-rounded player who never lets his team down.

5. James Horwill (Reds) – Quite simply the best lock in Australian rugby at the moment.

4. Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs) – Although vulnerable on set pieces, he brings an attacking threat with ball in hand and is also known to batter a player or two when defending, something which will be needed against the physical nature of the Lions.

3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies) – Has been a mainstay in both the Brumbies and Wallabies front row for a long time now.

2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies) – Much more reliable than Polota-Nau, especially on set pieces.

1. James Slipper (Reds) – Provides much more mobility and attacking threat than his competitors, notably Kepu and Robinson.

Substitutes: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs) 17. Sekope Kepu (Waratahs) 18. Rob Simmons (Reds) 19. Michael Hooper (Waratahs) 20. Wycliff Palu (Waratahs) 21. Nick Phipps (Rebels) 22. Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies).

James Horwill, with Will Genia being his understudy, will no doubt captain the side especially considering the long term injury to David Pocock.

Notable mentions for players who may end up making the final 22 include Liam Gill (Reds), Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Nic White (Brumbies), Nick Cummins (Force), Joseph Tomane (Brumbies) and Israel Folau (Waratahs).

- Vladimir Aleksov