Martin Devlin: Why the Usain Bolt gimmick is the best thing to happen to the A-League

Usain Bolt during his first training session with the Central Coast Mariners. Photo / Getty

Usain Bolt, the fastest ever human on earth, is in Gosford, Australia trialling with the Central Coast Mariners.

He wants to play A-League.

Do you care? Even if not that much, as a sports fan, I know you're at least aware of the story.

This is as good as clickbait news gets.

A dream come true for a competition that, ordinarily in terms of the great global game, creates next to no impact.

Honestly, the vuvuzela is more famous in world football than anything the A-League offers.

BIG news! 📺

This is shaping up to be an event like no other, the Coast has ever seen. 😵@FOXSportsAUS will broadcast our clash under Friday night lights against Central Coast Select: https://t.co/JjE1iHCts9#CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/VwhuOGV3ID

— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) August 22, 2018

Until now that is. Why?

Curiosity mainly, the sheer weirdness of it all.

Nearest thing I can compare it to was in 1993 when Michael Jordan, then the world's greatest baller, quit the court to have a crack at baseball.

And no it didn't really work.

Thing is Jordan was never ever going to be an equal genius with a bat as he was under the basket.

Same with Usain.

The most dominant sprinter of all time isn't exactly Christiano with a football at his feet.

That's why he's with the Mariners in the A-League and not Manchester City in the Premier League.

But heh it's his life he can do what he wants.

Yes of course it's a gimmick.

But that doesn't also mean the whole idea isn't worth it.

Because right now, opening day in Gosford, he's easily the best reason you'd buy a ticket.