“And it’s very physical.

“It’s part of their learning and development.

"The referees often don’t protect these younger players in NPL 2. There are some crazy tackles.

 

“I’ve tried to teach my boys how to play a physical game. 

“And if anyone can, it’s me.” 

NPL star Liam Boland knows all about tougher lower leagues. 

The 28-year-old also knows what it takes to play and beat A-League opposition. 

The Victorian goal machine - who was on the fringes of the Malta national team in 2016 - has in recent years caught the eye with spectacular goals against A-League opposition in the FFA Cup.

But with few opportunities, like many others in the NPL, he’s seemingly frozen out, working a day job and training at night. 

There are diamonds in the rough out there in the NPL. 

Nikola Mileusnic is another great example of this. From NPL and A-League, the energetic Adelaide midfielder has this week signed with a Danish club. 

There are others waiting for their chance, says Boland. 

"This has to be the time now before any that A-League clubs pick up our own homegrown talent in the NPL,” the tall striker tells FTBL. 

"With the push for a second division within the next couple of years, A-Lague clubs would be stupid not to be signing some of NPL talent. 

 

Many NYL youth players drop down to NPLs and are largely lost to the professional game in Australia. 

And many teenagers simply don’t have a professional environment to help them prosper. 

Both these scenarios have harmed the Socceroos and Olyroos in recent times. 

READ Socceroos coach Graham Arnold's player development plans

The by-product of a scaled-back A-League in 2021 might just be putting a smile on the face of Graham Arnold. 

A-League 2021 signals an unmissable chance for transfer and talent boost as Australia’s elite competition morphs into a development league for unknown talent across NPLs and teenagers good enough for a full-time environment. 

“There are players right in front of their eyes and with the financial situation it’s a perfect fit for the A-Lague,” adds Boland. 

"There really is no excuse anymore.”