Melbourne City midfielder Luke Brattan has revealed how his affinity for banter has earned him some enemies in the Hyundai A-League and made for an awkward welcome with a new team-mate.
The 27-year-old – who officially remains on loan from parent club Manchester City – debuted for Brisbane Roar back in 2009 and has developed plenty of rivalries during his time in the top-flight, as he detailed in the latest of our ‘Extra Time’ series.
None more so than with current City team-mate Scott Jamieson, who returned to Australia at the beginning of the season following a stint in Sweden.
“I always used to have arguments with Jamo when he played at Western Sydney,” Brattan joked to a-league.com.au.
“For me it makes football more enjoyable when I can have good banter with someone, test them out and try to get in their head.
“There are a lot of players out there who probably hate me because of the way I am on the field.
“I feel the same about other players, but then once I meet them off the field, play with them and have a night out or a few drinks with them, things change.
“Probably the ones that haven’t got a chance to know me yet will find out I’m an okay guy.”
Brattan, who named Paul Scholes as the model for his classy passing style of play, had no trouble picking the player whose skin he most likes to get under.
“Corey Brown. He’s pretty easy to wind up,” he said of the Roar full-back.
“We had a little heated exchange at Suncorp last year which was fun.
“Isaias, he’s a fantastic player and I always have good battles with him on the field. There are always a few words exchanged there.
“Nigel Boogard is another one, I always have good words with him, and Matt Simon.
“There are a lot of running battles with players.”
