GROWING up in San Jose, California, Jason Romero would imagine himself playing for the US or a big overseas club as he slammed the ball past the make-believe goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
"Or into the back fence," he laughed. "But that's what I'd do. I'd pretend someone was defending me or there was a goalie in front of me and take a shot at the fence.
"As they say 'your imagination is your best friend' and I used to train a lot in that backyard and be playing in World Cup finals at six, seven, eight years old."
The goals kept coming once Romero found himself up against real opponents instead of fence palings. Everywhere he has played - in the US, during a two-club stint in Sweden and now in Australia with NSW Premier League clubs St George and APIA Leichhardt - the 27-year-old keeps beating keepers and finding the back of the net.
I've always played up front and I guess scoring goals is an instinctive thing. You see the target and hit the ball.
- Jason Romero
He won last year's golden boot with St George after scoring 19 times in 16 matches in the Premier League second division and already has 12 in as many games this season for APIA.
"Somehow I've always managed to find myself up there when it comes to scoring goals," he explained. "I've always played up front and I guess scoring goals is an instinctive thing. You see the target and hit the ball."
In the recent "Inner West" derby against Sydney Olympic, the APIA talisman came off the bench in the second half and scored a stunning hat-trick. Romero was on the scoresheet again last Friday night, helping the Tigers to a 4-1 victory over Mt Druitt.
It's no surprise his goal-scoring feats have been noticed by A-League clubs.
"My Australian residency is coming through which will help because I will no longer be considered a visa player. That potentially opens some doors," Romero said.
"I've had a couple of trials with A-League clubs and they didn't work out, but the dream is still alive.
"I am working every day towards it."
Indian take-away hits the spot
Former Australia women's cricket captain Lisa Sthalekar rarely uses her profile to pull a favour. But she made an exception when she rang Surjit's Indian restaurant at Annandale late one night during the 2020 women's T20 World Cup.
"The Indian side were in town and wanted to have a meal at around 11.30 at night but were finding no luck finding a place open," Lisa said.
"Sydney obviously doesn't open up that late so the captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, rang me and said 'Lisa, we need some Indian food'. I thought 'right, there's one place I can go to'. I rang Surjit's restaurant and they said 'sorry ma'am, it's closing up.
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"I don't normally do this but I said 'it's Lisa Sthalekar, can you tell Surjit that the Indian women's side would like some late night food, is there any possibility?'
"Within a minute they came back and said 'yes ma'am, it will be done'. The food was delivered and the team loved every minute of it."
Sthalekar's story was one of myriad touching tributes paid to Surjit Singh Gujral at the funeral of the popular restaurateur, who died suddenly last month.
Miller time at the Sharks
You only get one shot at making a good first impression. And Lachie Miller certainly did just that last Sunday, making a super impressive NRL debut for Cronulla after being elevated from the Newtown Jets.
The fullback scored an electrifying long-distance try to kill off the Gold Coast Titans, proving adept under the high ball and a constant threat in attack.
It will make it hard to leave the rugby 7s Olympian out of the squad despite the return of regular fullback Will Kennedy this week.
"He has utility value and going forward, now that you can see there's an NRL player there, we'll discuss [his possible selection] later in the week," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said. "He's a developed athlete with good power, strength and fitness and he's not scared of big moments."
Miller told reporters: "It was pretty special. The first eight months at this club have been some of the best of my sporting career.
"I loved my time in rugby union but it was a dream to play in the NRL."
Playing possum at Leichhardt
Your columnist had the bittersweet experience of covering a game at Leichhardt Oval last weekend and it just re-affirmed how badly the ground needs an upgrade.
After sloshing through the mud in the carpark and avoiding going arse-up as I negotiated the Slip n Slide that was the Wayne Pearce Hill, it was onto the Latchem Robinson Stand where corporates, caterers, media and coaching staff all compete for limited space.
The press area had no wi-fi access, phone coverage was dodgy and the lighting that bad you could hardly see the letters on your keyboard as you typed away. And every time someone needs to get out of the press area, those seated to their right must all stand up so he/she can shimmy past.
Those working the commentary and corporate boxes don't have it much better. The Fox Sports commentary team had to usher a stray possum out of their box before they could get down to work.
I said it was a bittersweet experience because everyone loves the atmosphere and noise at Leichhardt and the fans love the joint. But state government funding can't come soon enough to bring the old girl into the 21st century.
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