Thwaite is another local player who’s elected to remain in Australia rather than return to Europe. The 25-year-old was loaned to Melbourne by Norwegian champions SK Brann and was expected to return to Scandinavia at the end of the current A-League campaign before joining the Gold Coast.

Livewire Queensland Roar striker Tahj Minniecon has also had his head turned by the Coast’s offer of becoming Satta King their inaugural under-23 marquee player. He will double his yearly salary by moving to the Roar’s nearest neighbours, but the switch does intensify the hostilities between the pair.

Earlier this season, Bleiberg was branded a clown and a liar by Queensland skipper Craig Moore after the colourful manager claimed he hadn’t tapped up a single member of Frank Farina’s current Roar squad.