Two weddings in the off-season and another looming on the horizon means the talk in the Brisbane Roar changing room has been of a different style in recent weeks.
With Michael Theoklitos and Shane Stefanutto taking the plunge into married life in the Hyundai A-League off-season, both have been keen to share their wisdom with the next player to join the married club – Massimo Murdocca.
Next Saturday marks the big day for Murdocca who will finally marry Michelle, his girlfriend of nine years, in their hometown of Melbourne.
Stefanutto especially has been quite vocal in the lead-up to Murdocca-s wedding and while admitting he couldn-t share all the advice he-d given his teammate, he said the key was to simply enjoy the day.
“I-m giving him plenty of advice, don-t worry about that!” said the defender, who married long-time partner Tammy following the end of the season.
“I-ve been whispering in his ear telling him what to do and what to expect.
“Everyone on the day says it-s going to be great but all I could think about was something going wrong, but it was, I had the best day and it was just perfect.
“That-s what I-ve been saying to Mass, I-m just passing on the advice I was given and telling him to enjoy it.”
Speaking from his own wedding experience last month, Theoklitos echoed his teammate-s sentiments.
“It was a great day, preparing for it was quite stressful so I was lucky I had Victoria doing most of the work,” he said.
“I-d say just enjoy it because the actual day goes so quickly so you-ve got to savour every moment and just soak it up and take it all in.”
Murdocca said the lead-up to the wedding had been hectic, but after the long season he had endured with the rest of the squad, he was quietly confident in his ability to deliver a problem-free day.
“Michelle did pretty much all of it for the first six or seven months and now I-m starting to do all the final bits and pieces,” he said.
“It-s the hardest bit really because there-s a lot of pressure to get things done – trust her to give me all the pressure but I-m used to it and I-m sure I-ll deliver!
“I-m not nervous about getting married, just about making sure everything is done and the day runs smoothly.
“I-m more than ready to get married, I-ve been with her for nine years now so it was about time, and everyone said it was about time!”
