Andrew Nabbout

LESSON FOR THE NEXT GEN: Regroup and return

Melbourne Victory 2012-15
Newcastle Jets 2016-18

Socceroos debut: 2018

It’s often remembered as his debut, but Nabbout’s spectacular appearance for Victory off the bench against Sydney FC in 2012 was actually his second game for the side. His debut came in a crushing 5-0 defeat to Brisbane Roar…but fast forward a month, and Victory were losing again, down 2-0 to their big city rival. Nabbout joined the action in the 66th minute, scored 12 minutes later and then grabbed the winner in the 91st for an unforgettable 3-2 win. After the game, he said the coach had told him to make an impression…and he did. But his form slipped in the ensuing years and he struggled to even get a contract in Malaysia before a return to the Hyundai A-League and Newcastle Jets where he turned his life around. A starring role in their 2017/18 campaign helped take the side to the Grand Final and saw him land a move to Urawa Red Dragons, and the main strikers’ role with the Socceroos at the 2018 World Cup.

Robbie Kruse

LESSON FOR THE NEXT GEN: Focus on what you really want in life

Brisbane Roar 2007-09
Melbourne Victory 2009-11

Socceroos debut: 2011

While Kruse had obvious raw talent at Brisbane in his early years, he also had distractions off the field that were getting in the way of his development. A move to Melbourne Victory (and away from those distractions in Brisbane) saw him focus on his football – and take him to the next level. Although a constant target for hard tackles and rough treatment, Kruse frequently rips through defences to deliver the ball into the box time after time. His ability on the wing has seen him swap the Hyundai A-League for some of the biggest clubs in the Bundesliga and play in the last three Asian Cups and the 2018 World Cup.

Awer Mabil

LESSON FOR THE NEXT GEN: Football can take you anywhere

Adelaide United 2012-15

Socceroos debut: 2018

His Sudanese family fled civil war which meant Mabil first kicked a ball as a five year old in a refugee camp. Today he plays in Europe and represents Australia on the world stage. He joined Adelaide in his mid-teens and his talent was obvious from the start, making lightning fast mazy runs up the wing to either shoot himself or deliver the assist. Although undoubtedly talented, that skill needed refinement and after 47 games (and 8 goals) for the Reds, it time to make the move overseas in a reported $1.3m switch to Danish club FC Midtjylland. His form overseas finally earned him a Socceroos call up under new coach Graham Arnold and he made an instant impact, scoring on his debut against Kuwait. Since then, he’s earned another eight caps, for three more goals.