Why new Perth Glory coach Adam Griffiths might be Australian football's most interesting character
Perth Glory's lion roars from the touchline. (Supplied: Perth Glory)
New Perth Glory coach Adam Griffiths doesn't want to talk about mountain goats any more.
Two weeks ago his post-match press conference went viral, when he delivered a one-minute monologue on those most sure-footed of mammals, before telling the media: "I am a lion."
The meaning, he says, is in the ear of the beholder.
"It's something for the person to absorb and take for whatever they want," he tells the ABC of the aside ahead of this weekend's clash with Adelaide United.
Proposed interpretations and a suggestion he took inspiration from football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, who has similarly referred to himself as a lion, are met with a swift "no".
Whatever the meaning, Griffiths' bemusing analogy has stirred up interest in a team and league that have long struggled for viewers.
Adam Griffiths led Perth Glory to three consecutive victories for the first time since 2021. (Supplied: Perth Glory)
After David Zdrilic's dismissal in October — Glory's sixth coach in eight years — many fans were ready to throw in the towel.
But in less than two months under Griffiths, the team is finally showing a bit of spark, managing to string together three consecutive wins for the first time since 2021.
Glory's Tarantino
Given his flair for the dramatic, it's perhaps unsurprising to learn Griffiths has dabbled in filmmaking throughout his life, directing several short films and commercials.
Speaking to the ABC, he suggests off-the-cuff that he's Perth Glory's Quentin Tarantino, though his favourite director is Stanley Kubrick.
It's the kind of cryptic deadpan comment he's become known for in recent months, building his reputation as one of the more interesting figures in the A-League landscape.
Adam Griffiths has brought a new resolve to Perth Glory, who have spent years in the doldrums. (ABC News: Bridget McArthur)
He no longer uses social media — which he sees as a distraction — and is a relative enigma online, leaving fans (and reporters) to dig through interview archives for hints.
In an interview on Malaysian television from 2013, a less confident but similarly maverick Griffiths says if he could wish for anything it would be to be a vampire and live forever.
Football as art
Other bits and pieces are briefly illuminated in conversation, including that Griffiths paints and, once upon a time, founded a machine learning company.
But he isn't interested in elaborating.
Previous exploits — about which he says, tantalisingly, he could write "multiple books [and] probably a few films" — are firmly in the rear view, with all hobbies and interests external to football apparently on pause.
"Football is all consuming," he says.
"I love it and I'm 100 per cent focused on that."
According to Griffiths, sport can also be a form of artistic expression.
"Football has that element of creativity and you can take different pieces and turn it into something beautiful or ugly or fascinating," he says.
A shift in strategy
Growing up in Sydney's outer suburbs, Griffiths first fell in love with football aged five when his dad — a first grade cricketer and footballer — took him and his twin Joel and younger brother Ryan to a game.
All three ended up playing soccer professionally though he says personality-wise they couldn't be more different, describing himself — not for the first time — as "the ledge" (aka legend) of the trio.
Newly appointed Perth Glory head coach Adam Griffiths (right), posing with Glory CEO Anthony Radich. (AAP Image/Supplied: Perth Glory)
When he finished up as a player, Griffiths turned to coaching.
"[I] fell in love again, but just in a different aspect, probably more so the tactical, the decision-making," he says.
Zdrilic's dismissal in October afforded him his first chance to take the reins, promoted from assistant to interim coach after just two games with the club, and he was this week offered a contract until at least the end of the season.
The 46-year-old says he had a clear idea of how he wanted to lead from the get-go.
"My approach as soon as I came in was to give clear messaging, identify the leaders within the group, have the players buy into a playing style that they want to play for and want to love, which is what I love," he says.
Griffiths defines this style as "possession-based attacking football with a solid defensive structure" — a shift in approach quickly apparent on field, with more possession, more opportunities going forward, and fewer goals conceded.
Griffiths says understanding the strengths and motivations of every player is also key.
Adam Griffiths with Perth Glory defender Charbel Shamoon. (Getty Images)
"Every human is different so [I] make sure I connect with the individual on their specific level and then try to find the best thing to get the best out of those players," he says.
According to Glory defender Charbel Shamoon, who recently scored his first A-League goal under Griffiths, it's working.
"Ever since 'Griff' took over he gave us this real belief, changed the way we played and changed the ways we just thought mentally every single day and it helped us," he says.
"Those three wins in a row wasn't just luck. He's really built a good belief in the team and we're all really excited to play under him."
And while Griffiths may be sick of talking about it, Shamoon says the players couldn't get enough of his mountain goat interview.
"I've got no clue [what it means] but I like it," he says.
"I like something different, character."
It's hard to miss the movie-made narrative bubbling beneath the surface — Griffiths taking the Glory from consecutive wooden spooners to finals would be the ultimate underdog story.
"That is the only thing on my mind — to achieve success with this team at whatever cost. We will be pushing every single day to make sure that happens," he says.
"Whichever narrative you want to spin, it's going to be good viewing."
The Glory play Adelaide in Perth on Saturday.