Dez Giraldi – Goodbye for now?

Despite an early move to Italian side Empoli, the physical limitations placed on Giraldi?s body would eventually force him back to Australia.
Signing with A-League side Adelaide would merely change the setting for the seemingly endless array of injury woes suffered by the striker. A brief loan spell at the Central Coast Mariners failed to yield a permanent move, before Giraldi spent the 2007-2008 season with ?The Reds? before being released by the club after scoring only one goal in twenty appearances.
The son of former Wollongong forward Robert Giraldi, Dez found playing salvation with the Wolves during the latter stages of this season?s Telechoice Premier League, finally finding some on-pitch stability with the club at which he was formerly a junior.
His performances with the Wolves seem to have done enough to convince former Adelaide manager John Kosmina of his recovery, with Sydney FC signing Giraldi on a six-week contract to cover for an extensive injury list at the club.
Whether or not the former Joey makes his move to Sydney permanent or convinces other potential A-League employers of his worth, Giraldi is simply relived to be playing football without the physical and emotional burden that has plagued him throughout his young career ? and he has the Wolves to thank.
This week, Football NSW catches up with the new Sydney recruit, finding a man who perhaps for the first time in his football life, has nothing to lose.
FNSW: Dez, you must surely be relieved to be back playing football regularly and the move to Sydney is must seem like an added bonus?
DG: It?s definitely another good opportunity for me to just prove myself and get my foot back in the door.? Giraldi says.
Kossie [John Kosmina] has given me an opportunity and for six weeks it is a good time to open up some other options for the future.
FNSW: How important was your stint with the Wolves this season, in terms of your mental and physical rehabilitation following your injury woes?
DG: I needed some time to spend at home and get back up on my feet again and I guess just gain some confidence.
I could do that in Wollongong because it was a bit more relaxed and there wasn?t as much pressure on the players to perform.
The hype of the A-League wasn?t there which was good for me, especially after the troubles I had with Adelaide, particularly in my first year.
So it was fantastic [at Wollongong], it made me really appreciate the A-League a lot more.
FNSW: Now that you have the opportunity to prove yourself at Sydney, are you feeling any added pressure knowing that potential A-League suitors might be on the lookout for you?
DG: I?m not feeling any pressure. I?ve spent two years trying to prove myself to people and injuries have stopped me from being able to do that and I guess it just took its toll on my body and on my mental state.
Now, I don?t have to prove anything to anybody; I?ve just come in as an injury replacement.
I?ve got nothing to lose, I?m just going to go out there and enjoy my football and I?m sure things will go well.
FNSW: Do you have any idea as to your chances of securing a long-term contract with Sydney?
DG: I think it would be silly for them to outline the chances of a long-term deal.
Whether it was myself coming in or anybody else, if they do a good job and they perform then I?m sure that there is a chance or an opportunity to sign long term, if not here then anywhere else in the A-League. So if someone comes in and does the job, obviously it opens up doors; there is no such thing as never.
So it would be silly for someone to say ?come in for six weeks but we can sign you for a year? before I?ve even stepped out on the park so I guess I?ll have to do my negotiating on the park.
FNSW: Beyond the six-week stint with Sydney, what does the future hold for Dez Giraldi?
DG: If I don?t get a contract with Sydney FC or another A-Leauge club, it will be back to Wollongong and I will probably look for a career in another sport. Just kidding!
It just depends. I?ll weigh my options up at the end of it and if I join up with someone else in the A-League, fantastic, if not, I haven?t lost anything. So I?m really in the box seat to be honest.
There?s two teams coming in next year, obviously the Gold Coast and North Queensland ? it looks like they are going to come in as well and I need a bit of a Sun tan.
FNSW: Dez, thanks for your time and we wish you the best of luck during your time at Sydney.
DG: Cheers.
-By Chris Paraskevas