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Aussie football star Josh Francou tells how he and his dad had an up close and personal encounter with a great white shark while out fishing in a small fibreglass boat

So runs the slightly hysterical headline in Australia's The Advertiser, for an undeniably fascinating story from Aussie football star Josh Francou. Josh describes being out with his dad fishing in a tiny 5 metre boat when a great white shark "floated up like a submarine" at the back of his boat and had him scurrying for his camera. The article carries a great photo of the great white right next to the boat, which is worth visiting the page for alone. "It rolled on its side so you could see its white belly, it nudged the boat and for a moment looked like it was going to grab the outboard." The shark circled Francou's fibreglass boat for about 10 to 15 minutes before disappearing into the ocean.

"I couldn't believe how big it was," Francou said. "I was in awe of its size.

"I've seen Jaws (the movie) and shark shows on television, but you don't appreciate how big these fish are until you see them in the flesh. It was massive." [Read the full story]

Despite the sensationalist headline, what I love about this story is that Francou sounds genuinely fascinated by the shark rather than scared of it, marvelling at their luck at seeing it rather than terrified it was going to have a pop at them. Although apparently a couple of his mates who were also in the boat were "physically shaking" after the encounter. I think I'd feel the same way too.

Previously:
Jaws author Peter Benchley dies;
Great White Sharks in New Zealand;
Great White Shark travels from South Africa to Australia