To welcome the start of the footy season, (and soon the World Cup) we asked players from each code about their cars. Find out what Stephen Larkham, David Carney, Leo Barry and Benji Marshall drive, what their dream cars are and how they think thier teams wil go this season.Stephen LarkhamRugby Union |
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This year marks Stephen Larkham’s tenth year with the ACT Brumbies. The 31-year-old flyhalf has racked up 82 tests since his debut with the Wallabies in 1996 and is two caps short of 100 games in Super 12 rugby.
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I think we’ll do pretty well [this season] – we have almost the same squad as last year. Everyone’s had a good off-season and training has so far been fantastic, everyone’s really into it.”
What a year it’s been for 22-year-old Dave Carney. The right midfielder not only played a starring role for Sydney FC, he’s also been selected to play for the Socceroos in the World Cup in June.
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“I drive a Lexus IS200. A friend had one when I was living in the UK and I loved it, especially the six-speed gear box, so I bought one when I [came back to] Sydney. My dream car, though, would be a Bentley. I bought my first car, a 1995 Corsa – similar to a Barina – when I was living in the UK. It was all I could afford.
Playing in the Hyundai A-league has been unbelievable. I came home after a few years in England and didn’t know what to expect, but it’s been great. The standard has been great and the crowds have been unbelievable.
I have always dreamed of playing for Australia so it’s a dream come true. I just want to get out there and hopefully get some time on the pitch and do my country proud. There is no greater honour than representing Australia. I think we will do very well. We have drawn a tough group but I think we can get as far as the quarter finals.”
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Sydney Swan Leo Barry, 28, will be remembered for that last-minute mark that won them the AFL Grand Final.
“I drive a Ford Territory TX AWD. Mainly for family reasons – we have two boys under two and it has the boot space for prams, toys, books, restraints. I’ve had 4WDs before but this is different because it drives like a sedan. It’s not bulky and its handling is good. My dream car would be a Dodge Viper but my days of sports cars are over. My first car was a 1991 Nissan Pulsar Q. Once I had an accident in the Pulsar and [was given] a loan car. I was going to uni and the fuel gauge was low but I didn’t realise how low because I wasn’t familiar with the car. I ran out of petrol on the Harbour Bridge during peak hour and was stranded with people yelling abuse and tooting their horns [at me].
I’m very excited about the season. We’ve lost some experienced players but we have a lot of talented younger players. That mark [in the Grand Final] was the most timely mark I’ve ever made. I didn’t think about spoiling it, I just wanted to take it. And the rest is history.”
For 20-year-old Wests Tiger Benji Marshall, 2005 was all about helping his team win the NRL premiership final.
“My car is a Proton Gen.2. They’re our sponsor and luckily they chose me to drive it around. I really do enjoy driving it though. I like the interior – leather seats, the dash and the aircon is great in the hot weather. It’s also a safe car, which is important, and just a good car to drive. I’d say a Porsche Cayenne 4WD done up with all the options would be my dream car. My first car was a Hyundai Lancer. It was my uncle’s car, he got promoted at work and was allowed to keep the car so he gave it to me.
Once, I was driving to Port Macquarie for a touch footy tournament. I didn’t fill my car with petrol – the fuel gauge said I had 50km to go before the tank would be empty but it was 58km to Port Macquarie. So me and my mates had to push the car 4km to the nearest petrol station. It was hard work. When you’re young you don’t think of joining NRMA, but I wish I had.
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Hopefully we’ll go alright this year. It would be great to get in the top eight and then see what happens after that.”
Car reviews
