Bolt, 31, trained alongside Brockie and the Mamelodi Sundowns in late January earlier this year during a promotional visit to South Africa.

Last week the Mariners confirmed they are in talks with the retired sprinter, who has long held a desire to be a professional footballer, about a six-week trial at Central Coast Stadium.

Brockie, who played with Sydney FC, North Queensland Fury, Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets in the A-League, watched him first hand with the Sundowns and wasn’t overly impressed.

“He joined in for the training session, did a bit of a warm-up, played some small-sided games, got involved and had a bit of a run-around,” Brockie told FourFourTwo.

“He tried to show us what he could do but it’s probably a little bit like me trying to be a sprinter at this point in my career.

“He did pull out a few excuses and say he hadn’t done anything for a month since his final race and that he needs to go back to Jamaica to get fit to be a footballer.

“He talked a good game but it’s obviously a whole lot different walking it. There’s definitely a lot to work on.”

Brockie (background, second from left) watches Usain Bolt (foreground, right) at Mamelodi Sundowns traininig

Given his A-League experience, Brockie said he felt Bolt wouldn’t be anywhere near the level required to win a contract with the Mariners should he take up the trial, which has no guarantees of a deal.

“Maybe he’ll pick up something somewhere, but in terms of the A-League where I’ve played before, I don’t think he’s that standard,” New Zealand international Brockie said.

“If he does, I’ll admit it’d be a surprise.”

Brockie was sceptical about Bolt’s link with the Mariners and drew similarities with his South African club, who were never realistically interested in signing him.

Bolt’s opportunity to train with the Sundowns came through the club’s partnership with PUMA, who also sponsor the Olympic champion.

“Obviously he was never in the running to get a contract at our club but it did get a lot of media exposure around the world, like BBC were running headline stories,” Brockie said.

“Our club made it out that he could be a possible signing, given the stature he has.

“It is working because the Mariners and the A-League are being talked about around the world.

“From a players’ point of view, I still follow the A-League and a few weeks ago there was talk about Fernando Torres joining the A-League and now there’s talk of a non-footballer.

“It’s a bit of a different one.”