After just a handful of A-League games for the Central Coast Mariners, Tom Rogic has been hailed as a future Socceroo.

A late bloomer, the dynamic midfielder with the futsal background has already won admirers like Arsenal stalwart Arsene Wenger and former Socceroos mentor Guus Hiddink, and been the target of an English Premier League club ... all at the tender age of 19.

What's His Story?

The tale of Tomas Petar Rogic reads like a fairytale. Promising footballer is rejected by the AIS for not being athletic or strong enough. The ACT-born playmaker, who is overlooked for junior national teams, seems to be going nowhere at 17 and concentrates on playing futsal, the indoor five-a-side version of soccer. Then the skilful kid is invited to enter The Chance, a global soccer talent search competition run by Nike. Rogic wins the competition and, along with seven others, is named as one of the best young footballers on the planet, beating 75,000 others to secure a contract with the Nike Football Academy in the UK. He is then offered a contract with Premier League-bound Reading FC, but is unable to get a work permit, so returns home to join the Mariners and dazzles the A-League in just a few matches. Rogic is quickly selected for the Olyroos, receives offers from rival clubs and becomes one of the most in-demand local teenagers in the beautiful game.

To Ron Smith, the doyen of Australian player development and former head coach of the AIS’ football program, Rogic’s rise comes as no surprise. Smith had been alerted to Rogic when he was still a young kid and had recognised the Canberra product’s ability. “Even as a youngster, you could see he had good qualities,” Smith says. “He could beat people. Anyone who can beat people

is exciting.”

It was Smith ‒ who helped developed the likes of Mark Viduka, Ned Zelic and Lucas Neill ‒ who nominated the Futsalroo for The Chance. Rogic raves about the experience. “It was unreal,” he says. “I think I’m a much better player for it. Although it didn’t work out in the end how I would’ve liked, I just learned so much in my six months there.”

Rogic admits he was “pretty disappointed” he couldn’t join Reading FC, but has set his sights on building on his impressive A-League debut and becoming an integral part of the Mariners’ minor premiership defence. “I was pretty distraught when that happened, but I guess it’s funny how football works,” he says. “It turned out pretty good when I came back here, so I can’t really have any complaints.”

Who's He Like?

Part of the hype around Tom Rogic is because of his amazing technique – there are few Australian soccer players who have the passing, long-range shooting and dribbling ability the 19-year old possesses. The gangly Rogic is also 188cm and growing; rare height for a classic No. 10. “He’s built like Dennis Bergkamp,” says Smith. “The level he could aspire to or reach is the very top.” Mariners coach Graham Arnold, himself a former Socceroo, likens Rogic in part to Viduka. “His feet are as quick as Viduka’s ... Technically they’re very similar. Tommy’s a fantastic talent.” Paul Okon, regarded as one of the most technically-gifted soccer players Australia has ever produced, is another with big raps on the attacking midfielder. “He’s shown he can score goals from his own actions, which gives him a bit of an X-Factor,” Okon says. “As for Socceroo potential, that depends on his progression over the next couple of years. He has every chance of it happening.”

What Do They Say?

“He’s got all the talent in the world. I’d be extremely disappointed if I didn’t seem him in a Socceroo shirt one day.” Graham Arnold, Central Coast Mariners head coach and former Socceroos coach.

“Tom has a big future. He’s a humble, level-headed kid, which is essential for a young player to learn his trade.” Paul Okon, Young Socceroos head coach and former Socceroo.