Fed: Koby Abberton an eligible bachelor: Cleo

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2006
Fed: Koby Abberton an eligible bachelor: Cleo

By Jonathon Moran, National Entertainment Writer

SYDNEY, Aug 21 AAP - He's a member of a notorious Sydney gang and was recently convicted
of lying to police.

But professional surfer Koby Abberton is still one of Australia's most eligible bachelors,
according to one women's magazine.

The 28-year-old member of Maroubra-based surfing gang the Bra Boys was today listed
as one of 50 finalists for Cleo magazine's 20th annual bachelor of the year competition.

He is joined by the likes of actors Jesse Spencer, Sam Worthington and Joel Edgerton,
Socceroo Lucas Neill, singer Ben Lee and rugby league player Johnathan Thurston.

The winning bachelor will be crowned at a party in Melbourne next month, decided by
a panel of Cleo judges and public votes via SMS and the internet.

"You name it, I've done it," Abberton, who sports a "My Brother's Keeper" tattoo, told
the magazine when asked the craziest thing he had ever done.

"I'm an idiot."

In March, Abberton was handed a suspended nine-month jail sentence for perverting the
course of justice, having been found to have lied to police about his knowledge of the
killing of standover man Anthony Hines in Maroubra.

Abberton's older brother Jai Abberton shot Hines dead, but was acquitted of his murder
on the grounds that he had acted in self-defence.

In April, a magistrate dismissed charges against Abberton of inciting friends to attack
police at a Sydney hotel.

Cleo magazine says there's a different side to Abberton, who admitted to once going
to a fancy dress party as a "transvestite".

Abberton was expected to appear at a photo-call to promote the competition in Sydney
today, but didn't show up.

Actor Paul O'Brien, who plays police officer Jack Holden on Home and Away, was also
named one of this year's bachelors.

"I am the most single person you will ever meet in your life," said O'Brien.

"It is all about work actually. I am just trying to create some longevity and stability
as an actor."

Online bookmaker Centrebet places Socceroo Lucas Neill as favourite to take out the
competition, paying $4 for a win.

House star Jesse Spencer is placed second, paying $6, followed by O'Brien's Home and
Away mate Mark Furze, at $8.

"Twelve months ago Lucas could've walked naked down the main street of any Australian
city," said Centrebet's Gerard Daffy.

"Now women would rip off his clothes if he went for a stroll."

Last year's Cleo bachelor was TV sports presenter Ryan Phelan, while other previous
winners include Australian Idol host Andrew G, swimmer Geoff Heugill, actor Justin Melvey
and footballer Craig Wing.

AAP jwm/sp/br

KEYWORD: BACHELOR (PIX AVAILABLE)

) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.