TEN YEARS ago, a young man finished the National Youth League season as leading goal scorer with 25 goals in 22 games. His name is Mile Sterjovski. You may have heard of him. Two of the other top goal scorers were Nick Carle and Michael Ferrante.
Some of the stars of that season included Naum Sekulovski, Josh Kennedy, Simon Colosimo, Travis Dodd and Marco Bresciano.
All of these players have gone on to make a name for themselves in Australian football. Some of them have gone on to be national team regulars.
From promising young talent to Socceroos superstar – who will be the future Bresciano? Well, I’ve made a list. So braces yourselves for my top 10.
Mark Birighitti (AU) – Give it five years and he’ll be pushing for Socceroos selection.
Kofi Danning (SYD) – Enough said. He’s amazing but we may face tough competition from Ghana to secure him in our national team.
Scott Wright (CCM) – The Brad Porter of the NYL. Works hard but is rarely credited for his uncompromising defence.
Josh McVey (QLD) – He’s a versatile midfielder who can score. In other words he’ll be pushing to take over certain Roar midfielders’ spots in the first team pretty soon.
Brendan Gan (SYD) – Plays with confidence above his years. That goal he scored against Melbourne in Round 17 of the A-League says it all.
Sean Rooney (SYD-->NEW) – Expect to see more of this explosive young attacker with Newcastle Jets. A possible star of their ACL campaign.
Laurence Braude (CCM) – He’s a quick midfielder with a high work rate. Look out for his supporter group, the “Braude Army”. It’s funny stuff.
Milos Lujic (MV) – Already on the international radar, he was recently called up to the Young Socceroos squad for Under-20 WC Qualifying matches.
Brodie Mooy (NEW) – Not only is he a brilliant football player, he’s a super genius too. No, really, he is.
Andrija Jukic (PER) – In between youth team appearances, he’s played off the bench for the first team.
Taking the step up to the A-League hasn’t worked out for some youth players. Many of them have either been used wrongly (Antony Golec) or have failed to make an impact (Nathan Elasi). In reality though, there is probably not one player in the NYL who doesn’t deserve a first team contract and all have the potential to be just as good as Bresciano.
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FLASHBACK…
I found a program from the 2001/02 NSL season. It was for Northern Spirit’s first home game that season, against Newcastle United. Each side had a Griffiths brother, Craig Foster was Spirit captain and there is a horrible picture of a young John Hutchinson. The funniest part of it is an analysis of Spirit’s youth teams. Some of the players involved at this time were:
Sebastian Ryall, a “stand out” in the Under 12s.
Bradley Porter, who captained the Under 14s team.
Bruce Djite, who also played in the Under 14s team.
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THE WEEK THAT WAS…
If I have to say any more good things about a Sydney FC player, I will not be able to show my face at Bluetongue Stadium ever again. Luckily for me, Sydney’s youth lost to wooden spoon side Melbourne Victory. Before you ask, yes Adam Biddle played.
The “what a goal from the young winger” award goes to Tommy Oar. Of all the players to win it for Roar, who’d have thought it would’ve been him? Frank Farina, you’ve found a gem.
Ben Kantarovski is amazing in every sense of the word. I know by saying that I am hitting an all time low as far as being a Mariners supporter is concerned. The last time I said something good about a Jets player – “James Holland is hot!” (which I would actually like to take back now that I’ve seen Kanta…) – my mum was horrified. Which is why I would like to make a proposal. Ben Kantarovski, will you play for the Mariners?
