Aussie young guns on the rise in A-League

Roar Pro

By Eamonn Flanagan, 21 Jan 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: A-League, Brett Emerton, football, Mark Viduka, Ned Zelic

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Each year, the A-League supplies an increasing number of young Australians who start to shine. And this season is no different. In fact, I’d say we have more quality young guns coming through than ever.

In the old NSL, Mark Viduka (Croatia Zagreb), Brett Emerton (Feyenoord) and Ned Zelic (Hamburg) shone. They were so good, they went straight to big clubs in Europe.

So who are the newbies and how far can they go?

Of course, each young gun will need injury free periods, luck and a good transfer. But mostly they need to play well, very well, in the A-League, and as often as they can.

Here’s my list of those who may go on to bigger and better things based on the glimpses we’ve had of the mainly new entrants in Season 5.

Definite future Socceroos:
Matthew Leckie (Adelaide United striker)
Mitch Langerak (Melbourne Victory Keeper)
Kofi Danning (Sydney FC winger)
Ben Kantarovski (Jets defender)

Stars of the A-League who may well go further. Much further:
Tommy Oar (winger, Brisbane Roar)
Michael Marrone (Midfield, although age is against him at 22)
Todd Howarth (Perth Glory, left-sided attacker)
Anthony Juric (Perth Glory midfielder)
Adam Sarota (Midfielder Brisbane Roar)
Sean Rooney (Newcastle Jets, striker)

Other stars who’ve made an impression this year:
Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Victory winger)
Chris Payne (Sydney FC)
Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory)

Jury still out:
Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)
Anthony Golec (Sydney FC)
Scott Neville (Perth Glory)

Feel free to add or change the above.

I haven’t included any overseas young guns. But the great thing is that there’ll be another list as long as this next season. And the one after that.

Aussie football is on the rise!

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The Crowd Says (98) | Page 1 of Comments

andrewMc said | January 21st 2010 @ 3:13am | Report comment

The big issue though is their next transfer. If they have a bad transfer, they can stuggle for first team action, distrupt their development and eventually end up coming back to the A-league at the age of 28 and having never represented the socceroos.

I am sick of seeing prominsing young footballers drfit into oblivion. I hope these young lads have a good head on their shoulders, observe and learn from others who have made bad decisions, and eventually reach their full potential.

Good article Eamonn!

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- Al said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:22am | Report comment
  
  David Williams is one that springs to mind. Was touted as a potential superstar, went to Denmark and is now back in the A-League and not looking as great as first thought. He still is relatively young however.
  
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  - AndyRoo said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:13am | Report comment
    
    Dave Williams is a good example on the difference between potential and reality.
    
    I think he had like one A league goal under his belt and left because…. he had potential.
    
    Dukes won 2 golden boots before he left….that’s reality
    
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- cab711 said | January 21st 2010 @ 11:27am | Report comment
  
  Im hoping one day our local league will be as competitive and financially well off as overseas clubs which will be the most ideal outcome. Its nice to atleast know we have some talented aussie kids out there.
  
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george said | January 21st 2010 @ 4:36am | Report comment

Young Mustafa Amini who has joined the mariners from the AIS is one to watch in the future , watch him play for blacktown city as a youngster ( which he still is at 16 ) a great talent with great ball control and an eye for goal .

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Punter said | January 21st 2010 @ 6:42am | Report comment

Eammon, I think you have covered most of the top young guns who have made it to the A-League in the last 18 months. Most of these players have ability & hopefully will be our stars of tomorrow. However, we still lack that playmaker, or cultured player, the closest we have in our youtrh today is a Mitch Nichols, though he is still lacking. I will be happy when we start producing young Febregas, maybe not of the same quality, but players of his irk.

One player you did miss was Luke Devere, Brisbane has a whole host of good young players

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Punter said | January 21st 2010 @ 6:46am | Report comment

Eammon, I think you have covered most of the top young guns who have made it to the A-League in the last 18 months. Most of these players have ability & hopefully will be our stars of tomorrow. However, we still lack that playmaker, or cultured player, the closest we have in our youtrh today is a Mitch Nichols, though he is still lacking. I will be happy when we start producing young Febregas, maybe not of the same quality, but players of his irk.

One player you did miss was Luke Devere, Brisbane has a whole host of good young players

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Punter said | January 21st 2010 @ 6:53am | Report comment

Sorry for the double post.

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Al said | January 21st 2010 @ 7:57am | Report comment

Rhyan Grant is an excellent prospect who has extreme potential. He will be capped in the future.

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TheMagnificent11 said | January 21st 2010 @ 8:54am | Report comment

Kofi Danning and Tommy Oar should swap places on this list. Danning has great speed and acceleration but his first touch isn’t the best. Oar is much better on the ball and is probably the best crosser in the whole league. Let’s not forget, Oar is only 18 and has performed well in an under-performing Roar team.

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- Realfootball said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:47am | Report comment
  
  Oar lacks pace, and this weakness undid him in the U20 WC completely, and undid him against Hearfield recently, when he wasn’t sighted all game. If he is to progress to the highest level, he needs to become more of a midfielder and less of a winger. It takes a lot more than the ability to cross a ball to make a top winger. Compare Oar to Kewell at this age. Oar simply isn’t in the race, literally.
  
  For the pace reason alone, Danning has the potential to go further than Oar. I feel for Tommy Oar – all manner of unrealistic expectations are being lumped onto his shoulders – the deadly “Next Kewell” effect, as it is known to science.
  
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  - andrewMc said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
    
    Ah yes! The “Next Kewell” label. I think commentators should be banned from using it. It is the kiss of death
    
    Reply
  - TheMagnificent11 said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
    
    Oar’s pace isn’t lacking; he’s pretty quick (but not as quick as Danning). And, he isn’t just a good crosser, he is an excellent dribbler. Okay, he isn’t as good as Kewell was, but my point is that he’s a far better prospect than Danning. His main issue at the moment is consistency, but that should improve as he gains more experience. However, your point on his needing to be more than a winger is spot on, but again I think he should be able to develop this with time (he could make a decent striker when there are two up-front).
    
    Reply
    - Realfootball said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:04am | Report comment
      
      “Pretty quick” isn’t quick enough for a winger. Oar simply isn’t quick enough to play this role at a top level, and I think that is clear now that other teams see him as a known quantity. Agree he is great on the ball, shoots well and has excellent crossing ability. To me he looks like a superb left side midfield prospect. It is interesting how much quicker Zullo is than Oar when they play together – the difference is very marked.
      
      Reply
      - whiskeymac said | January 21st 2010 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
        
        the next peter beardsey then. i’d be happy with that for the roos.
        
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  - Towser said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:04am | Report comment
    
    I wouldnt say he lacks pace ,what he lacks is close control at speed. Something Stanley Matthews espoused as the key to his success. Also his decision making is immature at times. This could of course be rectified by time,but whether his technique can be improved so he can imitate Stanleys “Skill at Speed” mantra is another issue.
    Zullo looked the same initially. Unless the balls on a string when running at speed, its easy after a few matches for a defender to predict his(Oars) moves.
    Frankly despite the Roar being a producer of youth players,none really indicate to me that they have what it takes to ever make it in the top European leagues, or even the J-League
    
    Reply
    - Realfootball said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:11am | Report comment
      
      Oary failed to make an impact in the U20 WC, because he was unable to outpace his fullbacks. Hearfield was markedly quicker when the Roar were in Wellington, and I watched Pantaledis outsprint Oar at Skilled Park. Oar looks fantastic against slowish defenders, but up against real speed he simply disappears from the game. He is very easily negated by opposing teams at the moment. The curse of the “Next Kewell” strikes again.
      
      Partly I think the whole Oar phenomenon indicates the desperation with which our game is looking for the kind of charismatic, game breaking ability Kewell once had. He was a once in a generation player and we may be waiting a long time to find a player of similar talent.
      
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      - Towser said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:34am | Report comment
        
        Agree the ” Next Kewell” tag is a bit of a curse for our young players. Particularly as he was an idol to many. In fact I beleve Oar has stated so himself.
        Definitely a once in a generation player. But there will be other Kewells in the future ,of that I have no doubt.
        
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    - Saji said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:53am | Report comment
      
      Vidosic was a Roar player and he’s doing reasonably well in Europe. However, he’s more a product of the Qld Lions who used to own 30% of the Roar. The Roar’s NYL team has struggled this year and I think the lack of connection the to Qld Lions is part of the reason. Lions’ wealth and quality of coaching meant most of Brisbane’s best U15/16 players went there. I think their fallout with the Roar has lead to them playing hard ball with the Roar (that’s just my theory).
      
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  - Greg said | January 21st 2010 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
    
    I hope Oar isnt a one trick wonder, he got out played by Newcastle who didnt give him much room, I noticed that they shut him down quite well. Another issue with the young players is thier lack of strength on the ball. Oar isnt the biggest lad can get knocked off quite easily.
    
    The thing is once a player knows he is being targeted he has to use his sklill and football brain to rise up to the challenge and to over come the problem. One thing that can hurt a player is the statements like the next Harry Kewell some times the football talent is often only match by thier ego.
    
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  - jimbo said | January 21st 2010 @ 4:06pm | Report comment
    
    Oar doesn’t lack pace, he still hasn’t developed the skill and confidence to dribble at speed – there is a difference.
    
    In a flat foot race Oar and Zullo would leave most of the A-League defenders behind them.
    
    They need the skill to control the ball in front of you and dribble at pace, while conscious of where the defenders are – it takes time and practice.
    
    Reply
- AndyRoo said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
  
  I also think Oar seems more likely, he has already been called up and unfortunately danning started to struggle a bit and now has to get over a serious knee injury.
  
  SFC have a host of prospects that haven’t really exploded but their are sure to be one or two that really kick on after another year under their belt. A few others from SFC will end up at other clubs I suspect and end up having good a league careers.
  
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  - Davstar said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:14am | Report comment
    
    I think Danning done much better then Ora at the U/20 world cup however Ora probably ruined his Career this TR window he could went to a big club in Germany im hits are Wolfburge or Byren Munich but he decide to stay in the A-league. Poor decisions destroy our youth not going to europe if fine if you dont want to go to Romania or Belgium weak leagues but if Germany, England, Italy, Spain or France come knocking you go right away players need to “know not when to go to europe but where t go in europe.” If your good enough for the Everton reserves you go play for everton however if they want you to play in league 2 england then you stay in the A-league.
    
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Fisher Price said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:21am | Report comment

Ned Zelic – Hamburg?

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- markwakefield said | January 21st 2010 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
  
  surely eamon meant dortmund…
  
  fancy a beer?
  
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- jimbo said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
  
  Ned played for 3 German clubs but Hamburg wasn’t one of them.
  
  He went to Borussia Dortmund as a 20 year old after an excellent FIFA U20 World Cup. He won a Bundesliga title and UEFA Cup runners up medal with Dortmund.
  Then Eintract Frankfurt a few years later and TSV 1860 Munich.
  
  In my opinion one of the best players to wear the green and gold and captained every national team he played in.
  
  Such a great shame he had a problem with the Socceroos management team and didn’t play for the Socceroos – one of the reasons why it took 32 years to qualify for another WC Finals without him.
  
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  - dannyshepherd said | January 22nd 2010 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
    
    hogwash jimbo,
    
    he fluked a cross into the net in the qualifier against holland and had a good stint in dortmund but apart from that he’s done what?
    
    nothing
    
    Reply
    - jimbo said | January 25th 2010 @ 10:12pm | Report comment
      
      I’m not surprised people have a difference of opinion but to say Ned Zelic did nothing in his football career is a shock. Hogwash indeed.
      
      How could Ned Zelic’s slide rule finish against The Netherlands in 1992 an exceptional effort talked about of one of Australia’s best ever goals, be “a fluke”
      
      I’m starting to wonder if you are talking about the same Ned Zelic I remember.
      
      Zelic started his career in the old Australian National Soccer League, at 17 years of age, where he played with clubs Sydney Croatia and Sydney Olympic.
      
      Zelic spent most of the 1990s playing in Europe, most notably for Borussia Dortmund, where he reached the UEFA Cup Final in his first season with the club, losing to Juventus Turin of Italy. In Dortmund,Zelic was coached by Ottmar Hitzfeld and in 1995 won the German Bundesliga title. He had a small stint in the English Premier League for QPR, moving for £1.3 million, which was beset by injury and discontent.
      
      Zelic went on to play for Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany and AJ Auxerre in France, where he replaced Laurent Blanc, who moved to FC Barcelona.With AJ Auxerre,he participated in the UEFA Champions League.
      
      In July 1996 Ned Zelic was selected to play for a World All Star team vs. Brazil at Giants Stadium New York. The All Star team was coached by Euro 92 winner with Denmark Richard Moller Nielsen and consisted of such players as Juergen Klinsmann, George Weah, Marcel Desailly, Lothar Matthaus, David Ginola, Fernando Redondo.
      
      In 1998,Zelic decided to move back to Germany and went on to make 102 appearances for 1860 Munich in the Bundesliga.
      
      In 2002,Zelic moved to Japan to play in the J-League,where he stayed for 2 years. In Japan he played under Dutch coaches Hans Ooft and Wim Jansen and won the Japanese Cup, with his club Urawa Red Diamonds.
      Zelic signed for FC Wacker Tirol of Austria in July 2004 and stayed there for one season.
      In 2005, Ned Zelic agreed terms to a two year deal to captain the Newcastle Jets in the Hyundai A-League where he played out the whole season from central defence. The Jets finished fourth on the league table and lost to the Central Coast Mariners 2-1 on aggregate over two legs in the Minor Semi-Final.
      
      After being granted a work permit, he signed a one-year deal with Dutch side Helmond Sport in August 2006. In Helmond he worked again with his former 1860 Munich team mate Gerald Vanenburg, who was trainer there. He left Helmond however after only 2 months, due to knee problems and was considering retirement.
      
      In January 2007, Zelic joined Georgian club FC Dinamo Tbilisi on a free transfer,where he played under former Czech National Team coach Dusan Uhrin. He announced his retirement from football in May 2008,after winning the Georgian Championship with Dinamo Tbilisi.
      
      He has played for the Australian Youth,Olympic and Senior teams but made himself unavailable in 1999 in controversial circumstances, after disagreements with coach Frank Farina.
      
      Upon announcing his retirement, Zelic was quoted as saying “I love Australia and love playing for the Socceroos but I refuse to play for Frank Farina”. Zelic was captain of the Australian team.
      
      Zelic has won numerous awards around the world and was selected in Four Four Two Magazine’s Top 25 Australian Footballers of All-Time.
      
      But apart from all that, what has Ned Zelic ever done for the Romans?
      
      Nothing!
      
      Reply
      - markwakefield said | January 27th 2010 @ 10:46am | Report comment
        
        “In my opinion one of the best players to wear the green and gold and captained every national team he played in.”
        
        i ackknowledged his fluke of a goal against holland… slide rule indeed… and the spell at dortmund
        
        the nothing is relative to your claim above that is not evident from the history you copied out…
        
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Australian Football said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:52am | Report comment

Nice article Eamonn; I was really hoping that SFC’s Kofi Danning after a wonderful first season last year, he was going to step up for this year—has not happened and apart from his injuries he started to look a bit confused from some of the games I saw him play in for the u20′s wc… I think he has been confused with different manager styles that of Lavika and the under 20′s Dutch manager how to play his wide position… I think he would shine under say a Brazilian mentor then a Dutchman or Cech..

~~~~~~~
AF

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Realfootball said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:53am | Report comment

A year ago I would have had Tahj Minniecon at the top of this list. One of the disappointments in a fascinating A League season has been Minniecon’s dramatic loss of form at GCU. I watched him from the sidelines against Newcastle and he barely ran when he came on. ON the breaks, while Culina and Smeltz were tearing upfield, I watched Minniecon literally jog along the right touchline, making no attempt to join the break, as any flanker – particularly with his pace – should have done. He looked lazy and uninterested. Sydney FC – make the boy and offer, fast.

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- Australian Football said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:20am | Report comment
  
  Yes I have wondered why Tahj Minniecon changed from being a player once full of zest to a lazy looking player as well… Miller coming to the squad seems to have changed him… Maybe some friction at the club he is not happy about..
  
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