In late April 2016, Dekker was released by City and is looking to prove himself for the A-League once again after managing a full game in Gully’s 3-0 away loss to Bentleigh Greens last Friday.

His season ended after he clashed with former teammate, then Adelaide United attacking-midfielder Stefan Mauk which resulted in a season-ending ankle injury as City won 1-0 at Coopers Stadium in March last year.

Dekker played five A-League games for City and was involved in all 2015 FFA Cup games, scoring two goals, his first came in their 5-1 thumping over Wellington Phoenix in the Cup and in a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC away in the 2015/16 season opener.

Dekker looking forward to getting game time with Gully. Photo: Green Gully SC

The 22-year-old worked his way from the NYL side in season 2014/15 scoring 10 goals on route to winning the Championship and Golden Boot and also netted 10 times in NPL 1 West 2015 season.

He said he has settled in nicely with Gully and there are no sour grapes towards City.

“It was the first competitive game since my injury in March so it was great to be out there playing 90 minutes,” Dekker told FourFourTwo.

“I had my injury, it was going to be a while, six months or so. I got released from there and I tried cracking into another A-League club but it was hard coming off an injury.

 


 

“I looked elsewhere and then my next best bet was here with Green Gully.

“No hard feelings (towards City), I was grateful for the opportunity and grateful I could play at the highest level. Not many people can say that and I’m proud of what I achieved.

“I personally feel like I can do much better than what I did, I’m just happy I’m playing to be honest. I love playing.

“The boys here are not only great on the field but off the field and they’re a great bunch of boys. Everyone gets along really well so it makes it heaps more enjoyable.”

Dekker’s younger brother Todd, played at Gully before being sent to Box Hill to get more minutes under his belt and helped with his arrival at the club according to Gully coach Arthur Papas.

He began training with the club in the beginning of January and Papas said it was right for the youngster to be ambitious.

“We knew he was coming back off a big injury so even last year we touched base with him about if he needed to do his rehab we were happy to accommodate him,” Papas said.

“Todd mentioned Wade was thinking to get back into the A-League or ambitions professionally, he’s got to come and drop a step here.

Arthur Papas guided Gully to a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in the 2016 FFA Cup Round of 32

“We spoke to him and it was a pretty simple thing to be honest because he knows from Todd, the environment we’ve got and the way we work so it’s a good fit for both of us.

“We know it’s not easy because there’s only so many spots for players from NPL level, do we think he’s got the talent to be there, quality? Absolutely.

“If we hold onto him for as long as we can, we’re happy. If he goes back to the top level I’m even happier for him because in the end he’s a young kid and he’s got a great attitude and a great ambition.”

Dekker is looking forward to the opportunity this season, as he looks to juggle his course in Health and Physical Education at Deakin University.

And he admitted he still has aspirations to return to Australia’s highest league after being unable to break into another A-League side.

“I got in contact (with clubs), but because of my injury I wasn’t able to get back in time to go trial there,” he said. “They got other boys to trial and unfortunately my chance went past because I was injured so I just got back too late.

“Of course I’d love to return. At the same time I just have to focus here and do my best, that’s what got me there in the first place just doing my best and enjoying my football.”