AROUND the dinner table in the Bouzanis household at Burraneer football is the main topic of conversation.
The family devotion is split down the middle, with goalkeepers and brothers Dean Bouzanis, 24, and Anthony Bouzanis, 18, both playing A-League for different clubs.
Big brother Dean, 24, is a goalkeeper with the Western Sydney Wanderers. Anthony is a goalkeeper with Sydney FC.
Anthony, along with fellow Sutherland Shire Football Association product Christopher Naumoff have been selected for the Young Socceroos under-19s championship in Myanmar on October 9-23.
Western Sydney Wanderers kick off their A-League season at 7.40pm Friday against Melbourne Victory at Docklands Etihad Stadium.
Sydney FC meet Melbourne City FC at 7.30pm on Saturday at Allianz Stadium in their opener.
Dean said he and his brother had great mutual respect.
"Anthony is a very good goalkeeper," the elder brother said.
Dean carved out a successful career overseas after playing junior football with Carss Park and Lilli Pilli.
He was a standout representative player in Sutherland Shire Football Association representative teams.
The articulate footballer also played with Sydney Olympic.
"I've signed with the Wanderers for two years," Dean said.
"I want to play under the best manager in the game in Tony Popovic."
Dean said what the Wanderers had done in two A-League seasons was remarkable, making two grand finals and winning a premiership in their maiden season two years ago.
"It's been a massive achievement," he said.
The Wanderers are now into the AFC Champions League final first leg against Al Hilal at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday, October 25.
Dean said he started playing as a midfielder and it was not until he was 15 before he tried goalkeeping.
"It happened out of the blue becoming a goalkeeper," he said.
Dean's career has taken him to one of the biggest clubs in the world, Liverpool FC, and with Oldham Athletic in England.
"I was with Liverpool between 2007 until 2013 and played games in their firsts' team," Dean said.
"Then I had 60 games at Oldham Athletic."
Bouzanis said hard work and dedication are the main traits needed to play at the top level.
How do you think the Young Socceroos will go?
