Paartalu tells The World Game:
:: Why he would like to play in Japan at some stage of his career;
:: Aaron Mooy talks more on the field than he does off it;
:: Besart Berisha gets a classic case of white line fever;
:: David Villa refused the superstar treatment at Melbourne City;
:: Players aren't always listening to something when they have their headphones on;
:: He did not, repeat not, attend last week's One Direction concert at AAMI Park.
TWG: Football has taken you to many and varied places. Do you feel like an experienced world traveller?
EP: Well, certainly my frequent flyer points would suggest that. I've played in a few different countries and I feel pretty fortunate to have had those experiences. I think as a person you learn a hell of a lot more from being outside your comfort zone and living in different countries.
TWG: Where haven't you been that you would like to go, whether it's to play football or just to visit?
EP: I've been to Japan to visit but I'd love to play football in Japan. Speaking to Josh Kennedy, he spent quite a lot of time there, and hearing him talk about the culture and the football it sounds like a pretty good place to play. I'd like to see more of Europe just for a holiday, as well. Hopefully in the off-season I'll get the chance to tick that off the list.
TWG: You chose Melbourne City to sign with despite repeated approaches from Newcastle Jets. Given what has happened at the Jets since, are you psychic?
EP: (Laughs). Oh, look mate, I made a pretty educated decision based on a lot of things but the overall plan at Melbourne City certainly interested and excited me more than what other clubs were willing to offer.
TWG: Your team-mate, Aaron Mooy, is one of the most quietly-spoken players in interviews. Is he that reserved around you guys as well or is he a bit more extroverted?
EP: He's probably the only person I've met who says more on the field than off it. He can definitely tell you on the field if you're not doing your job properly, which I love about Aaron. He's fully committed to his job and his team-mates but off the field he's a very quiet guy and you need that mix of different types in the dressing-room. He's definitely a quiet one.
TWG: Going to the other extreme, Besart Berisha, you played with him at Brisbane. How would you describe the man?
EP: I'm pretty close with 'Bes'. We hang out quite a bit and our wives are close. In one respect it's difficult when we have to fight against each other in the derby games but I think deep down we really enjoy that. I miss having his fighting spirit around me at training and he's a great character to have in the dressing room. I don't know if misunderstood is the right word but on the field he acts like a red devil and off the pitch he's a loving family man who wouldn't hurt a fly.
TWG: Would you say he's a white line fever man then?
EP: He is, 100 per cent, good way to put it. He's a guy you'd want to have in your team but you hate playing against him. I don't know if he knows where to draw the line sometimes (laughs), but he's a character, that's for sure.
TWG: What was it like having David Villa at the club? Did he mix with the other players away from training and playing?
EP: You know what, he was a class act from the time he came to the moment he left. He was offered the option to fly business class when we were flying economy, or to have his own room at hotels, or to stay in the Qantas Club while we all went to Subway, things like that, but he completely pushed all of that to one side and said, 'I want to do what the team's doing'. He really wanted to be seen as one of the team and I think that was a good lesson for a lot of the younger boys - you can be a superstar but you've got to have this humility about you. He really respected everyone and was a great role model.
TWG: You're 193cm tall and you've got a smashing header. When you go forward for corners, do you see fear in the eyes of opposition defenders?
EP: It depends what the situation is and what minute it is in the game. I think the later the game goes, if it's still up for grabs, maybe they get a little bit worried, but, look, every time I go up there I've got some monster trying to mark me anyway. From set pieces it's pretty much a lucky dip but fortunately for myself and my team-mates I've managed to get a few goals when we needed them.
TWG: You could've played for Estonia but you wanted to play for Australia and you've represented your country a couple of times. You're still only 28 and you know what coach,Ange Postecoglou wants, because you've played under him at Brisbane. Do you still hold hopes of playing for the Socceroos again?
EP: Yeah, difficult question. Representing my country was an extremely valuable experience and it probably came at a difficult time in my career because I felt as though when I got the chance I wasn't expecting it and I was playing in China and had a pretty heavy schedule there. I probably didn't do myself justice in the two games that I played. It was difficult, but if I was given another chance I'd jump at it, like anyone would. I think from having worked with Ange before, you know how he operates and what he wants from his teams. I've had the privilege of working with him and I'd love to do it again one day.
TWG: When players get off the team bus for a game and they're all wearing headphones, how many are actually listening to something and how many are just trying to dodge the fans and/or the media?
EP: (Laughs). That's pretty much what I do, actually. I don't know what the other boys do but I've done that on a few occasions, put the headphones on and pretended that I've got something playing. It pains me to say that but sometimes it's good to get that focus going as you're heading into the dressing room.
TWG: What are you like when you win?
EP: It's a great feeling, but I try not to get too carried away with it. It's three points and certainly if you've worked hard to get those three points it's worth celebrating but it's only one game and I try to move on pretty quickly.
TWG: What are you like when you lose?
EP: I probably tended to go and soul search a bit too much but with age and maturity you realise it's just part and parcel of football. You're not going to win every game and you've got to try to remain balanced whether you win or lose.
TWG: Do you hate draws?
EP: It depends on the circumstances. Last weekend, a 0-0 draw against Perth, that was frustrating. It was pretty hot out there but it seemed like a game of chess in which no-one really pushed themselves towards the win. I don't mind draws if there are goals but not if it's 0-0 and both teams are scared to come out of their shells in the last five or 10 minutes.
TWG: One Direction played a concert at your home ground, AAMI Park, last week. Were you there?
EP: (Laughs). I could've been mate, I could've had a baseball cap pulled down over my face. No, they're not my cup of tea. It's one bit of music I haven't gotten in to.
