Brett Emerton, the Duracell Battery?

Imagine, I picked up a paper the other day and found an article with a familiar face inside… It was our Aussie international and right back Brett Emerton. Now whilst most Rovers haven’t really warmed to Brett much (well not until this season anyway), I have always had something of a liking for him as I though his work rate was good just his decision making wasn’t the best. This urged me to read the article as he is a Rover you don’t read much about.

Not only did I discover that Brett is a fit young man (in the fitness stakes before anyone thinks otherwise), he is in fact considered to be a prime example of stamina and regarded as a pure athlete back in his homeland.

In a leading Australian newspaper, experienced sports scientists and trainers name Emerton, 28, as Australia’s fittest athlete, ahead of superstars like Adam Gilchrist and swimmer Ian Thorpe. “I’ve trained him for the past seven years and he’s got something that I don’t think many footballers have,” said Socceroos head trainer Anthony Crea.

The Aussie trainer continued to explain… “He’s showed over the test of time that he just keeps backing up, not only for the Socceroos but for his club side. Just before the World Cup we did beep tests and he pulled out a 15, which at his age is phenomenal.”

Incredible I thought, the man who puts his head down and runs into a blind alley with ball 9 times out of 10 is actually some Adonis… even more so than BomBom!!!! (still available on a free transfer Sparky.)

It wasn’t just the trainer that had his say…other professionals had their say….

“I’d back it up 100 per cent that’s he the fittest athlete in the country,” Parramatta Eels physical performance co-ordinator Hayden Knowles agreed. Knowles has trained freakish athletes such as the Eels’ Nathan Hindmarsh and boxer Danny Green.

“Without a doubt, he has the best fitness levels I’ve seen,” Knowles said.

“His work rate, times the distance he covers in a game and the fact he backs
up two days later … he’s something else.”

Emerton conceded that the $2.5million four-year contract he signed last year may be his last in the English Premier League. But before he goes I reckon he’ll have completed the job and shown us why we beat Manchester United to his signature. He may not have been everyone’s cup of tea but he has been a solid and consistent performer this year and will continue to be so now he has found his place in the team.

I can think of one happy Sheffielder who is happy he is with us.


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