[size=7]Family tragedy has led to Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas keeping football setbacks in perspective[/size]
April 14, 2016 9:37pm
MATT WINDLEY



LAWRENCE Thomas knows not to sweat the small stuff.

Not being selected in Melbourne Victory’s starting side falls under that banner.

When his father, Andrew, died four days before his 16th birthday, Thomas’ world turned upside down.

Had he enjoyed a trouble-free childhood then maybe, Thomas said, something like being relegated to the bench just five months after being Victory’s championship-winning goalkeeper would have affected him more.

And while frustrated to have had to wait until Round 24 to get another opportunity between the sticks, the setback was far from life or death.

“This was something that took a long time for me to talk about,” Thomas told the Herald Sun.

“He took his own life. It was very out of the blue. No one knew why or how come.

“It’s something that lingers with me all the time, not knowing why.

“It sort of opens your world up, I tend to see the bigger picture.

“That was a very difficult time. It’s a big part of the reason why I don’t fear too much, I don’t get too caught up in a lot of things people would.

“Not being picked by a coach to play is a very minor setback.”

Thomas grew up in the Western Sydney suburb of Toongabbie with his dad, mum, Linda, older brother, James, and younger brothers Mark and Alan.

Football was always his love — be it from the under 4s at Winston Hills Bears or in two-on-two games with his brothers — and it would take him to places like the Australian Institute of Sport, English Championship club Sheffield United and then, in 2011, Victory.

Thomas speaks to his mum and brothers on the phone almost every day.

But when Thomas moved to Melbourne aged 19 he was also destined to add to his already large family support base.

Rather than waste his interstate relocation allowance on a hotel room, Thomas — at the insistence of then-goalkeeping coach Steve Mautone — moved in with the Vonk family in St Kilda until he found an apartment.

Despite the early hiccup of being scared by the family dog, Winston, almost five years later Thomas is still looking for a place of his own.

“At the start I’d say they were a host family, but now they are my family,” he said.

So close has the bond with parents John and Nicki and kids Oscar, 21 — also a goalkeeper — and Lily, 23, become that members of Thomas’ real family come to stay when in town.

“They’re very close with mum and they speak all the time.

“What they’ve done for me, I can’t thank them enough. It was purely out of the goodness of their heart, they had no responsibility to take me in.

“They’ve seen me go through times where I wasn’t too well mentally from not playing, they were massive for me, but they’re also just as good when things are going all right like now.”

The down times include being dropped after a making a costly mistake in a 2014 Asian Champions League match in Japan and not playing again until Nathan Coe hurt his back in Round 24 last season.

They also include being relegated to No.2 in the Victory pecking order behind off-season recruit Danny Vukovic despite helping the club to last season’s title.

Thomas was off-contract at the end of 2014-15, but signed a new two-year deal even though coach Kevin Muscat told him an experienced shot-stopper would also be coming in.

“I told Musky: ‘as long as you judge it by what you see, and that if he’s not performing that I get my go, then I’m happy to stay’.”

Thomas pauses when asked if there were times this season he regretted staying considering his lack of minutes.

“No, because part of the reason why I’ve stayed in the shape I have is because I knew I could have a big impact on this team,” he said.

“It wasn’t the regret of staying, it was the frustration of not being able to do what I proved I could do last year.

“Nothing’s changed between Danny and I (since the switch). Obviously I can imagine it’s frustrating for him not playing, but we still treat each other the same, train hard, have a laugh.

“He’s been great.”

Thomas, fast becoming a fan favourite, has been in superb form since coming in against Newcastle on March 20.

But he saved one of his best performances for last week’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Suwon Bluewings in South Korea.

That, he said, was an important mental hurdle to clear considering the last time he played in Asia he spilt a simple cross that led to a crucial goal for Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos.

“That did cross my mind because I do remember that moment.

“I think that’s a big part of my game that I’ve improved, the mental side.

“It’s a very fine line as a goalkeeper of being relaxed and too relaxed, but I think I’ve found the balance.”

Anyone experiencing personal problems should call Lifeline on 131 114 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636

FIVE THINGS ABOUT LAWRENCE THOMAS

— Has an Italian background and is getting Italian lessons from his girlfriend’s nonna.

— His nonna, who lives in Western Sydney, brings him big plates of schnitzel after every away game against the Wanderers or Central Coast.

— Loves the computer game League of Legends, which he plays online with little brothers Alan and Mark.

— Was a goalkeeper from age four, but played half a season as a striker in his early teens.

— Was on the verge of joining Melbourne Heart in 2011 before Victory swooped.

Rather than waste his interstate relocation allowance on a hotel room, Thomas — at the insistence of then-goalkeeping coach Steve Mautone — moved in with the Vonk family in St Kilda until he found an apartment.

Despite the early hiccup of being scared by the family dog, Winston, almost five years later Thomas is still looking for a place of his own.

“At the start I’d say they were a host family, but now they are my family,” he said.

So close has the bond with parents John and Nicki and kids Oscar, 21 — also a goalkeeper — and Lily, 23, become that members of Thomas’ real family come to stay when in town.

“They’re very close with mum and they speak all the time.

“What they’ve done for me, I can’t thank them enough. It was purely out of the goodness of their heart, they had no responsibility to take me in.

“They’ve seen me go through times where I wasn’t too well mentally from not playing, they were massive for me, but they’re also just as good when things are going all right like now.”

Geez that shit makes you feel good about football clubs. =d>