The man behind the mantra is Amara Toure, father of Adelaide United’s breakout brothers Al Hassan and Mohamed Toure - youngsters he’s told to forget “the Australian way of playing” and instead embrace an instinctual approach which harks back to their African heritage.
Liberian-born Amara, 44, was professional player in his own right in Guinea - where both Al Hassan, 19, and Muhamed, 15, were born.
And he’d like to see a sea-change in the way Australian coaches approach the game.
“Australia has its own way of playing, as do other countries,” he said.
“I just think Australia as a nation needs to change the way it looks at football - it’s all about strength and physicality.
“You need some creativity in every game and players willing to take risks and try and make things happen.
“If there’s no dribbling and trickery, and everybody plays it safe, it’s very hard to win a game and entertain people in the process.
“We need skill more than physicality - especially in the midfield and attacking areas.
“I have a different culture and way of thinking - I’m not saying the Australian way isn’t good but you need to add some flavour and spice.
“You want people to say, ‘wow, how did he do that?’. People pay to come and be entertained.”
Olyroo Al Hassan and Joey-in-waiting Muhamed have sprinkled some of that spice in the A-League this season, and younger brother Musa, 14, is making waves with the Reds’ reserves, tipped for a senior breakthrough by head coach Gertjan Verbeek as early as next season.
Amara fled civil war in Liberia as a teenager, finally reaching the safety of neighbouring Guinea after an 18-day hike through the bush.
He played professionally across west Africa to feed a growing family, which now numbers six - five boys and a girl. Since arriving in Australia he’s been working with those need - people with disabilities and young refugees.
An accomplished striker in his playing days, he had offers to play in the top division in Guinea but chose the second tier because the club owner threw in a house for his family as an added enticement.
“The season back then was condensed into a month - you all met in one town to play the matches and then you’d leave,” he said.
“Between times the clubs wouldn’t look after the players.
"For the other 11 months you’d have to struggle for yourself, playing unofficial games and training.”
The most recent products of the family’s talent pipeline - Bilal, 7, and Idris, 10 - are both on the books of NPL club Adelaide Victory.
“Like any factory the first machines need to operate well to make it easier for the other ones to follow,” deadpanned Amara.
Although Al Hassan was courted by Liberia before opting for Australia, Amara wants all his boys - if the chance arises - to play for the green and gold.
“That would be a dream come true,” he mused.
He’s got a sneaking feeling Musa might end up being the pick of the bunch.
“He’s not as physically strong or quick as Al Hassan or Muhamed,” he said. "But technically and tactically he’s ahead.
"He reads and understands the game very well, and is aware of everything going on around him.
“We refer to him in the family as ‘the Brazilian’. He’s very calm, confident and clever as a player.
“He’s really a No 10, whereas Al Hassan and Mohamed are more in the winger and striker mould.
“Al Hassan is very quick - as I was as a player - Mohamed is very powerful. He’s a beast.”
