The QLD National Premier League club has been the centre of Australian football this week when it was revealed that Socceroo Tim Cahill would be making his debut for Melbourne City in the round of 16 clash.

Marshall, 18, has been one of the main focal points during the build-up of the blockbuster clash as the young defender has the task of marking the record Socceroo goal scorer. 

The high school student’s performances for the Strikers has helped the club to the top of the QLD NPL ladder and the teenager admitted that A-League clubs were keeping tabs on his development.

“I’ve heard that they’re keeping an eye on my progress from the start of the year to now and later on,” he said. “You always look forward as a football player and you want to make that next level to see where you can go.”

The Strikers 6-0 away win to Darwin Rovers in the round of 32 has paved the way for tonight’s dream home tie and Marshall says being involved in the FFA Cup carries a different feeling.

“Definitely there was more hype and more of a vibe before the game,” he said. “It’s a good comp to have in Australia. It boosts football and competing with the A League teams gives opportunities for the NPL teams to compete, to put their name out there. And it also provides pathways for the younger boys to make that next step.”

“The game against Darwin was a massive step from NPL games because there was there was so many people watching it, not only at the game but online as well. It’s been good. “

Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin Aherne-Evans paid tribute to the young defender’s partner at the back and says his young charger would flourish in Australia’s top flight.

“Jake Marshall has been outstanding one of the best defenders in the competition,” he said. “Between him and Greg Hensley in the central defender partnership they are up to 14 clean sheets.

“His ability to defend the box in critical areas – obviously it’s a key area of a centre back’s artillery and has everything you’d want in a central defender. He’s big and strong, consistent, vocal and has a real presence on and off the field. He’s going to be real leader of men.

Aherne-Evans, added, “Any opportunity to get into an A-League environment I’m sure he’d excel and go onto the next level in no time. Obviously he’d need to get up to speed. Because there is obviously a fair bit of work that has to go into somebody to get them right for A-League level and week in and week football, with that extra training load on the body.

“However, I don’t think it would take Jake long to adapt to the new environment and kick on again from there.”