Family loyalty divided in this week’s Spirit FC and Dulwich Hill SC Grand Final clash

The Paradisis family will be hoping to sit right on the halfway line, and probably find themselves cheering every single goal, not matter which team scores, given they are represented on both sides of the grand final.
Playing in the midfield for Spirit FC will be the experienced Con Paradisis, an Olympic junior, whose travels have seen him spend time with the AIS, Sutherland, Inter Lions, Canterbury-Marrickville, and more recently, Premier League club, West Sydney Berries.
The 31 year old joined Spirit mid-season in Round 12, and has no doubt contributed to his team?s success during 2008 with his workmanlike performances.
On the Dulwich Hill side of the fence, and also playing in the midfield, either out wide on the right or left, will be young 21 year old Nick Paradisis, Con?s nephew, who has had a stellar season for Dulwich Hill, with has a real eye for goal having scored 17 times thus far this season. 
I put the two grand finalists on the spot with a few questions, a couple of them purposely uncomfortable, and here are their intriguing responses ;
————————————————————————————————————
NICK PARADISIS (Dulwich Hill SC)
How do you feel about playing against your uncle Con?
?Very excited, and ready to run him down!?
Has your uncle Con had any influence on your career?
?Yes, I have always looked up to him, especially when he was at AIS, and when people meet me, they always refer to him for what he has achieved?
How often have you trained with your uncle Con?
?We often will train during pre-season together, running and getting fit. I just listen to what he says and do it. During the season it is too hard to train together because we play for different clubs.?
Here?s a hypothetical question .. the score is 0-0 ..and your uncle Con breaks away and is heading towards goal?and you happen to be the last man? what will you do?
?I am a lot younger than he is, so I am confident I will catch him and take the ball off him without needing to commit any foul!?
What message do you have to send to your uncle Con for the Grand Final this week?
?If he?s on my side of the pitch? lookout! I?m going all out in the final! There is no uncle when you?re out on the pitch!?
Finally, Nick, give us a prediction for the Grand Final ?
?We(Dulwich Hill) will win by one.?
————————————————————————————————————
CON PARADISIS (Spirit FC)
How do you feel about playing against your nephew?
?Weird actually ?. it is not an ideal situation!?
Have you had any affect on your nephew?s upbringing in football, and if so, how?
?Yes, we have played at Inter Lions together, and I have helped him with his game. I?ve pushed him along and tried to inspire him to play at the best possible level.?
How will you feel if Nick scores a cracker of a goal against your team on Sunday?
?That won?t happen! Next question..?
What message do you have to send to your nephew for the Grand Final this week?
?Good luck, but not too much good luck, I guess!?
Finally, Con, give us a prediction for the Grand Final ?
?We?ll(Spirit) win 2-1 or 3-1.?
I asked George Paradisis, Nikola?s father and Con?s brother, and an experienced coach in his own right, who will he be cheering for during Sunday?s Grand Final, and he said …
?My son Nick would be very upset if I didn?t cheer for Dulwich Hill, so I am hoping Dully wins 2-1? but I want both Nick and Con to get on the scoresheet,? said a proud George Paradisis.
Make sure you get out to see this special match on Sunday, and if you watch a goal being scored, and then just happen to see the unorthodox scene of someone from the opposition celebrating with the goalscorer, remember that blood is thicker than water, and it could well be two members of the Paradisis family hugging each other in jubilation!
-By Frank Speranza