When Tamara Tomato was told she was assigned to interview Australian Rules Football Sydney Swans Leaping Legend Troy Luff, she almost tripped up on her roller-blades - something she would never usually do! Even though soccer is her favourite sport, she has always thought Troy to be a bit of a legend in the game and is always impressed by the talent of any elite sports person. Living in Sydney, she has also always supported the Swans especially as they have her favourite colour (the colour of herself!) in their uniform!
Troy Luff grew up in the town of Traralgon Victoria but first started playing AFL in Nelson Bay NSW. He went to Treralgon High School where, Tamara has learnt, he was a champion at shot putt. (Tamara found that hard to believe too!)
Troy now has a family of his own. His son is called Mitchell and his daughter is called Olivia. Both of them love sport, but much to Tamara's dismay, soccer wasn't either of their favourite sports. Nor was swimming!!!! They prefer cricket, footy and tennis.
Tamara:
Who has been the toughest team you have ever played against?
Troy:
Tamara I'm surprised that is your first question, but then I know you love
your sport. The West Coast Eagles are probably the toughest.
Tamara:
What about your worst ever injury?
Troy:
That's easy; a broken eye socket.
Tamara:
Oooh that sounds extremely serious and painful! It must be hard to recover
from something like that. Have you ever had a losing streak?
Troy:
Oh yes. I think every sports person goes through ups and downs in their sport.
It can either be through playing badly, bad luck or injury.
Tamara:
How do you overcome these bad times?
Troy:
I pray and believe that I just have to remain confident. It's important to
remember that it will get better again and that there are many more good times
than bad in sport. You also have to understand that you have to have bad times
to truly appreciate the good times.
Tamara:
You're right Troy and I guess that goes the same for all of life! What are
your favourite fruits?
Troy:
It's hard to name my favourite ones, because I love so many and they're all
so good for you, but I particularly love the summer fruits like nectarines,
peaches and kiwi fruits. Of course bananas are a great little power pack of
energy, so I eat lots of them too. As do all of the Swans - have you seen
our new poster?
Tamara:
I have. It's great, but what about tomatoes?
Troy:
They're one of my favourite vegetables!
Tamara:
Hee hee. Don't you know that Tomatoes are really fruits? Everyone thinks we
are vegetables, but we're actually fruits. Botanically speaking that is!!!!!
Troy:
You got me there Tamara. I guess you learn something new every day. I'll have
to try and trick one of my team-mates with that one!
Tamara:
So what are your favourite vegetables?
Troy:
Potatoes and carrots. I love potatoes because they give you lots and lots
of energy and you can eat them in so many different ways!!!! Carrots are great
and crunchy and they are also good for my eyes which means I can see the ball
better in the game.
Tamara:
What is your favourite food in general?
Troy:
Well, after fruit and vegetables, I love chicken. I love having chicken in
a stir-fry with lots and lots of crunchy vegetables.
Tamara:
A good balanced meal! If you hadn't turned out to be such a legend AFL player,
what do you think you would have chosen to do as a career?
Troy:
That's a fairly easy question for me. As I just love being outdoors, I would
probably have ended up being a self-employed gardener.
Tamara:
That way you could also grow your own fruit and vegies! But do you spend all
of your spare time outside?
Troy:
No Tamara. I must admit that when I have some spare time, I like to spend
it my children, relaxing or playing the play-station or gameboy.
Tamara:
I love gameboy too, especially when I've been playing sport and being active
all day, I love to relax with a few games. What is your favourite game and
are you a legend at that too?
Troy:
Colour Mario Golf is my favourite and I'm not sure whether I can call myself
a legend, but I have completed every stage!
Tamara:
I'd say that makes you a legend! I'm sure that you are the hero of many kids
but who is your hero?
Troy:
My mum is my hero. She is the real Legend Luff!
Tamara:
I think that probably every mum is a hero. Do you have any nicknames?
Troy:
Yes. I am called Luffy by many of the guys on the team.
Tamara:
Speaking of the team, what do you think is the best thing about playing sport?
Troy:
Playing sport is a great way to keep fit and to make friends. I consider the
guys in the Swans as good friends - they're a great group of blokes and that
is what I like best about playing the game with them. Playing sport from a
young age teaches sportsmanship and team-mateship, which I think is really
important.
Tamara:
I guess it's all about having fun. You just have to enjoy what you do, don't
you?
Troy:
That's right. It's like my favourite motto is..."Live life to the fullest".
Tamara:
Oh you've been such an inspiration Troy, thank you for your time and I promise
I'll be cheering for the Swans in every game from now on!
Troy:
And I promise a tomato will never taste the same to me again!
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