In just under three minutes Tasmanian footballer Kostas Kanakaris wrote his name into football history as he scored Australia’s quickest ever hat-trick.
In just under three minutes Tasmanian footballer Kostas Kanakaris wrote his name into football history as he scored Australia-s quickest ever hat-trick.
Despite only taking a matter of seconds to hit sporting headlines around the nation, the 24-year-old South Hobart player admits it has taken a whole lot longer for him to achieve such a feat.
Having been born in Tasmania Kanakaris returned to his parents native Greece where he began playing football as a five-year-old and has never looked back.
The winger has bounced back and forward from Greece to Tasmania, playing in the Greek fourth division before returning to again play in the Victory League where he went on to make a name for himself.
“When I got the hat-trick I did not even think about it being a record,” said Kanakaris.
“It then took a couple of weeks for it to be confirmed and when it was I didn-t know what to think. I-ve worked so hard to achieve everything I have so far so it did make me feel really good.”
With his name now in the record books it was up to Kanakaris- teammates to keep him grounded.
“After the our president told me that it was the fastest I told my teammates at training and they all got stuck into me.
“They all made a big deal about it and started laughing at me and continue to joke about it.”
Media attention followed and Kanakaris had to get around a slight problem in communicating with the press.
“The media was pretty funny as my English is not the best.
“Those people I spoke to made sure they asked me easy questions so I got through it and had a laugh as well.”
Kanakaris had relocated to Australia in 2008 where he began to play in Tasmania-s top league with South Hobart and believes that is where he started to make some big strides.
“After things weren-t that good in Greece my parents chose to return to Tasmania.
“I started playing for South Hobart and it no doubt made me into a better player.
“My coached switched me positions from the midfield to winger and he has helped me to progress.”
With the opportunity to play in a semi-professional competition he headed to Greece where some quality teammates and extensive training continued his development.
“The level was like the Victorian Premier League and I learnt a lot of things from players that have been playing professionally for years.
“It was hard to get into the starting eleven as they were real professionals but it pushed me to get better. We trained 6 times a week which allowed you to work on how you played.”
He again returned to Australia in 2013 where he reunited with South Hobart and scored 19 goals in the opening 17 rounds before going down with injury.
Expected to be out for one to three months, the club-s leading scorer is hoping to get back for the final series as South Hobart look to win the Premiership.
Following his recovery and the conclusion of the season he will then look to explore opportunities abroad.
“I-m hoping to be involved in some trials at the end of the season.
“I am looking at heading to England with my coach and give it a crack overseas.”
South Hobart need a single point in their final four matches to claim the league title.
