Western United playmaker Lachie Wales stars in the latest A-Leagues All Access episode, opening up on his football career to date and his personal life.
Ripping back the curtain, Wales speaks candidly about his journey so far both on and off the pitch, making him the footballer and person that he is today.
When Wales was just 16 years old, his mother passed away suddenly. United’s No.8 admitted his “whole world shattered” at the time, but has continued to grow from the heartache of such a tragic moment.
Playing with his mum in the back of his mind at all times, Wales has gone on reach some spectacular highs in his football career, and also his fair share of lows.
The 25-year-old offers an insight into his suspension from international football in 2019 for off-field behavioural issues.
Again, Wales used that negative experience as an opportunity for growth and said he has come out of it with plenty of positives.
“I learned about myself massively. I have a much better relationship with alcohol and with myself, which is a nice place to be in,” he said.
The episode also takes a look at Wales’ lighter side, the ‘larrikin’ in the young man from Terrigal who loves to surf, crack a joke and make people laugh.
Wales heads to URBNSURF Melbourne to catch some controlled waves in the pool, reminiscing about his childhood on the Central Coast where he first learned the art.
The cameras then go behind the scenes at the NEC Hangar on training day, showing Wales’ relationship with his fellow teammates and with the coaches.
From soccer tennis in the changerooms to friendly bets about haircuts, cards and Australian cricket trivia, Wales certainly emerges as a centrepiece of the Western United dressing room.
The episode concludes with action from United’s match against Melbourne City and while the result was a disappointing one, there was plenty of action on matchday to take in.
A-Leagues All Access Episode 23: The Other Side is live now on the KeepUp website, YouTube and Facebook channels and Paramount+.
