FourFourTwo has blown the travel budget once again to put a spotlight on the finest talents outside the Hyundai A-League. From Darwin to Perth, Melbourne to Queensland and even New Zealand and Oceania, we bring you some hidden gems desperate to impress in the A-League
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Daniel Visevic
Age 18
Club Richmond Eagles
League Foxtel Cup Victoria
Position Attacking midfielder
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Melbourne Victory’s first ever competitive match was against Adelaide United in a World Club Championship qualifier
in 2005.
A bare-bones, youthful Victory squad pulled together with little preparation showed great promise but was beaten by the Reds.
One of those Victory players was VIS student Visevic, a player who’d made his debut in the old national youth league aged just 14. Ernie Merrick knew this 16-year-old was worth investing in.
“I was on a four-week contract and got a 20 minute run and almost scored in that match. It was a great experience,” he recalls. Since then, Visevic has been asked back to train with Muscat’s men on a semi-regular basis.
With Visevic’s VIS scholarship running out, he shored up his credentials by playing and starring in the Foxtel Cup (otherwise known as the VPL) with Richmond Eagles. His quality stood out as he won the league’s U21 Player of the Year award in his first season last year as a 17-year-old.
Visevic attacks defenders with pace from wide deep positions and can play up front. It was also at the Eagles that he teamed up with Victory striker James Robinson. “I felt we had a pretty good partnership up-front.”
The attacking midfielder also played for the Joeys two years ago scoring against the US in one tour match and playing alongside the likes of Kaz Patafta and current Melbourne Victory player Lee Broxham.
But playing in the Foxtel Cup has toughened Visevic up and given him the confidence to make the next step. “I’ve played against Sash Ognenovski. He’s so strong. To know that he’s made the step up to A-League shows that I can take the next step.”
Visevic already has the scars of senior football (an ankle ligament injury which kept him out of the start of the league) and judging by the look of his waif-like figure, he doesn’t have the physical presence right now.
But those in the know say the A-League is his next destination.
“I know a lot of coaches say I have to bulk up,” says Visevic, “but speed can make up for that.”
Age 18
Club Richmond Eagles
League Foxtel Cup Victoria
Position Attacking midfielder
----------------------------------------------------------------
Melbourne Victory’s first ever competitive match was against Adelaide United in a World Club Championship qualifier
in 2005.
A bare-bones, youthful Victory squad pulled together with little preparation showed great promise but was beaten by the Reds.
One of those Victory players was VIS student Visevic, a player who’d made his debut in the old national youth league aged just 14. Ernie Merrick knew this 16-year-old was worth investing in.
“I was on a four-week contract and got a 20 minute run and almost scored in that match. It was a great experience,” he recalls. Since then, Visevic has been asked back to train with Muscat’s men on a semi-regular basis.
With Visevic’s VIS scholarship running out, he shored up his credentials by playing and starring in the Foxtel Cup (otherwise known as the VPL) with Richmond Eagles. His quality stood out as he won the league’s U21 Player of the Year award in his first season last year as a 17-year-old.
Visevic attacks defenders with pace from wide deep positions and can play up front. It was also at the Eagles that he teamed up with Victory striker James Robinson. “I felt we had a pretty good partnership up-front.”
The attacking midfielder also played for the Joeys two years ago scoring against the US in one tour match and playing alongside the likes of Kaz Patafta and current Melbourne Victory player Lee Broxham.
But playing in the Foxtel Cup has toughened Visevic up and given him the confidence to make the next step. “I’ve played against Sash Ognenovski. He’s so strong. To know that he’s made the step up to A-League shows that I can take the next step.”
Visevic already has the scars of senior football (an ankle ligament injury which kept him out of the start of the league) and judging by the look of his waif-like figure, he doesn’t have the physical presence right now.
But those in the know say the A-League is his next destination.
“I know a lot of coaches say I have to bulk up,” says Visevic, “but speed can make up for that.”
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