Griffin McMaster has been challenged to push hard for the Queensland Roar custodian’s jersey after joining the full-time ranks at Suncorp Stadium.
The 24-year-old has been given the nod to replace injured stopper Matt Ham for upcoming Hyundai A-League season.
Ham faces full shoulder reconstruction surgery and a lengthy lay-off, expected to be around eight months, leaving the door open for McMaster to fill the breach.
McMaster has trained with Queensland Roar since the start of the Hyundai A-League as well as plying his trade in the local competition with Mount Gravatt. He jumped at the opportunity to take a full-time role on the Roar roster.
“I was absolutely delighted when the coach told me I had this chance to take up a full-time contract” he said. “All you can do as a player is work hard and I feel I have done that.
“I’ve trained with the squad for the last two years and now it’s down to me to make the most of this opportunity. Obviously I’ve benefited from that training and I’ve tried hard to add things to my game. Working alongside Liam Reddy has really helped too.”
Roar Coach Frank Farina said McMaster had earned his chance with some sterling efforts in training over the last few months.
“Griffin has worked hard and taken on board all the things I said to him in terms of adapting his game,” said Farina. “He has continued to improve and shown great determination to stick at it and wait for his chance to come along.
“Hard work pays off in football and he deserves the opportunity. He is still young and can push Liam (Reddy) all the way for the number one spot.”
Ham faces full shoulder reconstruction surgery and a lengthy lay-off, expected to be around eight months, leaving the door open for McMaster to fill the breach.
McMaster has trained with Queensland Roar since the start of the Hyundai A-League as well as plying his trade in the local competition with Mount Gravatt. He jumped at the opportunity to take a full-time role on the Roar roster.
“I was absolutely delighted when the coach told me I had this chance to take up a full-time contract” he said. “All you can do as a player is work hard and I feel I have done that.
“I’ve trained with the squad for the last two years and now it’s down to me to make the most of this opportunity. Obviously I’ve benefited from that training and I’ve tried hard to add things to my game. Working alongside Liam Reddy has really helped too.”
Roar Coach Frank Farina said McMaster had earned his chance with some sterling efforts in training over the last few months.
“Griffin has worked hard and taken on board all the things I said to him in terms of adapting his game,” said Farina. “He has continued to improve and shown great determination to stick at it and wait for his chance to come along.
“Hard work pays off in football and he deserves the opportunity. He is still young and can push Liam (Reddy) all the way for the number one spot.”
