Tight Speranza family bond from Blacktown to Manly

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Blood remains thicker than water in the Speranza household, with brothers Giorgio and Roberto plying their trade at two different clubs for the first time in the IGA National Premier League NSW men’s 1 competition.

Giorgio, 23, and Roberto, 21, came through the football ranks at the same clubs right from Northern Spirit FC in the under-11s.

After spending time at the Bankstown City Lions, Marconi Stallions and Rockdale City Suns, the brothers decided to go their separate ways with Giorgio joining league leaders Blacktown City and Roberto siding with Manly United.

Giorgio admits the change was difficult at first with the brothers doing all things football together.

“We used to always drive to training together so it was quite a shock at first,” he said.

“From going together, one of us would now be driving to Blacktown and the other to Manly.

“I sometimes found myself calling my brother while driving to training ‘cause I was so use to it to be honest, which was funny.”

The real test came when the duo had to face each other for the first time.

Despite Manly triumphing in the first match 3-1, Giorgio has the wood on Roberto as Blacktown won the return fixture 2-1, and then added salt to the wounds by smashing Manly 6-2 in the Waratah Cup final.

Roberto said a lot of banter is shared between the brothers in the family home but when it came down to match time it felt a little weird.

“The first match was the only one where we actually played against each other, as in the second I was suspended, and in the Cup Final it was Giorgio’s turn to be suspended,” he said.

“To be honest it was pretty awkward playing against Giorgio because he likes overlapping and I knew it would come time where I had to try and tackle him.

“I was so used to covering his back and if someone hit him in a game I would make sure to get them back.

“But we both had a job to do so we tried to settle in pretty quickly.”

Indeed blood is thicker than water for these two who have grown up supporting each other.

Giorgio now hopes this change will see them play with each other again at a higher level.

“We have been brought up with a big sense of family,” Giorgio said.

“Family is very important for us; we always hang out with each other, and even share friends as well.”

“We chose to make this move but hopefully down the track we get to play together again.

“At the moment I am enjoying my time at Blacktown. We are a very young squad with our oldest player being Zac Cairncross at 25.

“I always thought Blacktown played good football and it was a great chance to play with some young talented players.”

Roberto is also enjoying his time at Manly under the watchful eye of Paul Dee.

“I made my first grade debut in Paul Dee’s final season when we were at Rockdale,” he said.

“He sort of took me under his wing and I looked up to him with how he played and held himself.

“Paul went over to Manly and I joined him and it has been great for me having played most of the season.

“I think our Waratah Cup success has shown what we are capable of at Manly although our normal season has been a bit up and down.”

 -By Chris Georges