Why Rhyan Grant’s magnificent mullet is driving Sydney FC forward

For a decade Rhyan Grant was a just a normal fullback. And then he grew a mullet. As Sydney FC prepare for the grand final, a special investigation can reveal how one man’s hair clipper inspired an entire squad.

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For a decade Rhyan Grant was a just a normal fullback. And then he grew a mullet.

As Grant and his hairstyle prepare for a grand final that could be – quite literally – a crowning glory, a special investigation by The Daily Telegraph can reveal how one man’s hair clipper inspired an entire squad.

With due deference to the tactics of head coach Steve Corica, many of Grant’s teammates firmly believe it is the mullet that has carried them to the verge of a fourth A-League title, and transformed a boy from Orange into a fully fledged Socceroo.

“If anything his hair has improved morale, and almost made him superhuman down the right,” striker Adam Le Fondre said.

Rhyan Grant’s mullet has gone from strength to strength. Picture: Getty Images

“It's certainly galvanised him and us, he's embraced it and he is The Mullet now, he's bought into it completely.”

It was during Sydney’s FFA Cup run that teammates began to notice the emergence of something radical, though the model that has become so familiar is in fact at least Mullet 2.0.

“He trialled it a while ago and it was a little bit longer at the sides,” said Alex Wilkinson. “That's the point he decided to shorten it on the sides to make it even more visible. And ever since then he’s just been fantastic for us.”

Coincidence? Hardly. “His mullet's a bit like him, it's gone from strength to strength,” said Le Fondre.

“He's probably spending quite a bit on shampoo and conditioner, getting it all glistening and that, and his performances go hand in hand.”

Rhyan Grant’s form this season has matched his impressive hairstyle. Picture: Monique Harmer

Remarkably though there was initial resistance in some quarters, with captain Alex Brosque leading efforts to persuade Grant to stick to what society normally views as hirsutely acceptable.

“A few of the lads tried,” said Brandon O’Neill. “And tried and tried and tried. Brosquey led the charge.

“But I've always been an advocate for Busta doing different stuff. Because I don't know how but it just suits him.

“You look at a normal lad who dresses the normal way, and then you look at him, and you get a bit annoyed because you know you'd look like an absolute idiot dressed like that.”

Memorably it failed to be deemed "unethical hair" by authorities in the UAE during the Asian Cup in January, and according to teammates, the first time he blowdried it pre-game, Grant went on to get man of the match.

Grant and his mullet bursting down the right for the Socceroos. Picture: Getty Images

“Though I'm not sure he blow dries it too often, to be honest,” said Wilkinson. “He seems to prefer the sweaty and wet look.”

Nonetheless the mullet has become a powerful part of Sydney’s armoury.

“I prefer the mullet now when it comes flying down the right wing, because when it starts shaking it leaves people trailing in its wake,” said Le Fondre.

Sadly though, success can often cause division in the tightest teams, and not everyone is convinced by the legend that has developed.

“The thing is it’s all a façade,” noted leftback Michael Zullo. “In reality he’s just a mainstream guy trying to pretend he’s different.

“He’s moved to Bondi and is trying to stand out. But we know the truth.”

Grand final heading towards sellout

The A-League is heading for one of its highest grand final attendances, after ticket sales for Sunday’s showpiece in Perth closed in on the 50,000 mark more than four days before kick off.

Hopes are high of filling Optus Stadium by Sunday, though the actual saleable capacity will be some 4000 short of the theoretical capacity of 60,000, thanks to its football arrangement.

The previous record high of 55,436 was set in 2007 when Melbourne Victory beat Adelaide at what is now Marvel Stadium and Sunday’s figure should go close to that. The second highest crowd came in 2009, when Victory again beat Adelaide in front of 53,273 people.

Getting even close tot he record would be a major flip for the A-League after a season of flatlining attendances and sharply declining TV figures.

Organisers hope that up to 5000 fans from Sydney might make the trip, though flight prices to Perth from Sydney have more than doubled on the day from a daily average of $378 approaching $900.

The vast majority of ticket shave been snapped up by locals, for what is Perth’s first home grand final of the A-League era and the first in the city since 2003 when Glory beat Sydney Olympic.