Michael Zullo

Age 18
Club Brisbane Strikers
League Queensland State League
Position Winger

------------------------------------

According to local football pundits, Michael Zullo represents the old school, and at only 18 years old, the kid still has plenty of time ahead of him to perfect it.

The fresh-faced youngster is currently based in Brisbane, and having just taken out the Brisbane Strikers’ Player of the Future Award for the second year in a row, looks set to rise onto the A-League stage in season ’07/’08.

The youngest member of the Brisbane Premier League club also won over the fans, receiving the club’s Supporters’ Association Player of the Year trophy at just 16.

Among that squad was current Queensland Roar defender Stuart McLaren, who believes the left-footed winger has a talent rarely harnessed in today’s modern game.

“Michael’s a really exciting prospect; he’s got strengths you don’t see in a lot of young guys these days,” says McLaren. “He’s quick, can dribble at incredible speed and won’t shy away from running at defenders – it’s an attractive combination.”

It seemed that way in 2005, when Zullo was plucked from the local league to represent Australia at Under 17 level. While almost every national youth figure has progressed through the ranks of footballing institutions such as the AIS, Zullo slipped through the net.

“I had an 11-month injury lay-off and kind of missed the boat with those things,” says Zullo. “But one of the national scouts came to watch a Strikers match while I was playing in the first team. He asked me to come and play in some small tournaments and afterwards told me he was going to recommend me for the Australian team.

“If you look at some of the best players of all time, they were small,” says the 164cm speedster. “You have to stand out to overcome people’s doubts, and prove that despite your size, you’re better than the next guy.” I guess we’ll find out soon.