De Vere was in Sydney to help launch a new player of the year initiative just hours after playing with Moore in a Roar team beaten 2-1 by Newcastle Jets.

The youngster will put club commitments on ice for a spell as he joins up with the Young Socceroos for the Copa Ciudad de Rosario in Argentina - part of the team's preparations for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Egypt starting in two months time.

Moore is never afraid to voice his thoughts and dish out 'encouragement' where he feels it necessary. He demands the highest of standards and commitment on the training pitch and during a match and De Vere has no issue with that.

He said: "Craig Moore has been unbelievable. To have someone like that, you can't really put a price on it."

Moore himself has previously voiced his support for De Vere and ahead of last season's A-League season he told au.fourfourtwo.com: "First and foremost, Luke's got a fantastic attitude and he's a great player to work with.

"As a footballer, he's very strong. He can handle himself extremely well against some of the bigger boys in the Hyundai A-League.

"He's definitely done extremely well and I think he has a bright future. He has the right head for the game and he works hard and takes a lot of the right options."