Jason Cummings says he’s “learned to flick that switch”, to know when and when not to play the joker.
When confronted by Western Sydney Wanderers centre-back Marcelo on Saturday night, Cummings showed it’s not just talk; he’s living by that sentiment.
As the star of this week’s episode of A-Leagues All Access, titled Why So Serious? Cummings shows plenty of his daring, outlandish character which has helped to endear him to so many Australian football fans across the country.
But the All Access episode also displays a very different side of the Central Coast Mariners striker’s persona which is so rarely seen by those outside his personal sphere.
WATCH A-LEAGUES ALL ACCESS, EPISODE 12: WHY SO SERIOUS?
Yes, Cummings has a serious side, too; it’s typified in the episode by his willingness to put his own body on the line for the Mariners’ cause, as the Socceroos World Cup striker arrives at Industree Group Stadium for his side’s clash with the Wanderers.
Cummings is nursing a significant rib injury: “I’ve had f****** two codeines and that injection, mate,” he says to his Mariners teammates while preparing for kick-off.
“I feel like this injection has done f*** all. I still feel it, mate. F****** agony.”
The A-Leagues All Access crew captures it all, from Cummings strutting through the change room pre-game, to reality of the agony setting in, and causing a visible shift in his demeanour.
Cummings is named on the bench, and questions if he’ll get on at all.
An altercation with Wanderers defender Marcelo in the tunnel at half-time gives him all the motivation he needs to make his impact.
“How is your injury, man?” Marcelo asks Cummings as the two teams file down the tunnel towards the change rooms.
A mildly confused Cummings takes a moment to catch on to the intention behind Marcelo’s question.
“I’ll be waiting for you on the pitch,” warns Marcelo, the malice dawning on the Mariners striker.
“Ah, good one lad. F***** hell,” Cummings says.
“I’ll smash you in the ribs,” Marcelo adds.
“Aye, not a problem mate.” The bewildered Cummings laughs, shaking his head as the pair part ways.
On the hour mark, Cummings is called off the bench by Mariners boss Nick Montgomery. He’s stood on the touchline when the Wanderers make it 2-1. Mariners heads drop.
Cummings is substituted into the contest, burdened by pain in his ribs, and tasked with leading the Mariners comeback.
Play resumes from kick-off, and Marcelo makes a beeline for Cummings, planting a blow into his back. Cummings turns to see the perpetrator and knows what’s coming for the remainder of the game.
The Cummings you see from this moment on is not the Cummings who stirs mischief, who gladly wears the tag of the joker.
This is when the switch is flicked, “from having a laugh, being the ‘Cumdog’ and joking with the boys, making everyone laugh,” as Cummings describes it at the beginning of the episode, “to then when it comes to a match day, I can flick that switch and be serious.”
Cummings goes on to score the equaliser, albeit fortuitously, with Nectar Triantis’ close-range strike deflecting off the body of Cummings and over the line.
Perhaps the thick layer of bandage protecting Cummings’ ribs from the attention of the Wanderers players is what helps divert the ball off his chest and into the back of the net.
Watch A-Leagues All Access Episode 12 | Why So Serious? from 7:30pm Thursday night on KEEPUP.
Produced by KEEPUP Studios and JAMTV, each new episode of the docuseries will debut on Thursday at 7:30pm AEDT on 10 Play, KEEPUP.COM.AU, the KEEPUP app. It will be available on Australia’s fastest growing streaming service, Paramount+, and will then be broadcast on 10 Bold at 2:00pm AEDT on Saturday afternoons as an appetiser for the evening’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men game on the same channel.
