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Whether it be on the international stage or at home in one of our eight states and territories, Australia has a reputation for sport, and for doing it well.
From the quality of play to the spectator’s experience, a love of sport is ingrained in Australian culture and is a way of life.
There are many young Australians coming through to help uphold that reputation, whether they be turning it on in the domestic comps, or doing us proud in a foreign land, here are six of the most promising up-and-coming sports stars to carry on Australia’s proud sporting heritage:
Bernard Tomic
By the time he hangs up the racket, whether Bernard Tomic has won no slams or 10 is entirely up to him. His latest victory over Novak Djokovic proves it.
While he has previously suffered from a true blue inconsistency, Tomic must sacrifice the partygoer lifestyle that has previously gotten him in trouble.
You see nothing of the sort in the lifestyle of such international tennis successes as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, all multiple slam winners, all world number 1s.
If Bernard Tomic wants to have any sort of chance at that kind of success, and become the next Australian no. 1, he’ll have to address his narcissism. If he can do that, he can beat just about any other player in the world.
Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch is finally being rewarded with his first ODI match against Sri Lanka at the MCG on Saturday. And it’s about bloody time.
Many could argue Finch has been the MVP of Big Bash League II, posting the highest total of 111 and the second-most runs of the comp with 309, only 19 behind Shaun Marsh. He is also the only player this year to miss out on a six after he hit the roof of Etihad Stadium. Is that a good thing? Well no, but still impressive.
He averages the third most runs in the league, only 12 behind the leader of the comp. All this has resulted in a grand total of ODI appearances as of today, and if the Melbourne Renegades’ captain is sure to have plenty of runs in store for the Sri Lankans on his debut.
Trent Cotchin
Many of those old Tiger faithfuls believe we are seeing the second coming of Jack Dyer. Many believe this man is already the best player in the AFL, and was robbed of this year’s Brownlow. And the Tigers believe he is the best leader on the squad, handing him the famous no. 17 captain’s jersey for 2013.
So what exactly could this kid turn out to be five years down the track? It’s the stuff of nightmares to think – for the rest of the comp.
Cotchin no doubt has the ability to become one of those once-in-a-generation type players – types such as Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Dane Swan, etc. The question is, can he return the Tigers to a relevancy not seen in a long time?
Christian Lealiifano
Take your pick of just about any current Brumbies player, but before he went down with an injury, Christian Lealiifano was already in the fitting room trying on his Wallabies no. 10 jersey.
Let’s hope he can regain that kind of form this Super Rugby season, as I’m sure (Robbie Deans?) will be hoping to blood a few new cubs against the British and Irish Lions this season – and Lealiifano could be one of them.
This kind of exposure at international level will be a massive challenge for any young budding Wallabies fringe player looking to break through, but this can be just the kind of thing Lealiifano needs to make up for lost time. We’ve already seen his clutch ability, kicking the winning goal against the Cheetahs in Canberra.
Can Lealiifano regain that Wallabies form this year and break through for his first cap, starting of a limitless Wallabies career? Here’s hoping.
Ben Barba
This past year, the NRL recognized Ben Barba as the Dally M player of the year – at age 23. If you’re not excited by this kid, you don’t like rugby league.
Despite this article being titled ‘future stars’, this guy is a star now. Over his career, which could still have a good 15 years left, Barba will provide headaches for opposing nations, NSW Blues fans, and the entire competition.
So far, he has scored 61 tries in 77 appearances and twice finished as the competition’s top try-scorer, with years of 23 and 21 tries.
I can think of nothing else but for Barba to shine on the international and origin stage, win premiership(s) with the Bulldogs, win more Dally M fullback and player of the years and set more try-scoring records. When you do it that young, you usually do it for the rest of your career.
Emily Seebohm
Whatever you think those Olympic tears represent – a sweet little darling who is in love with her country or a poor display of arrogance, Emily Seebohm is the future of the Australian swimming program.
The 2016 Rio Olympics will be very daunting for the entire Australian team, but most daunting for the questionably performing swimming team.
I’m not one to criticise our performance in the pool at London, but there’s no doubt there will be a lot of hype surrounding our follow-up performance in Rio, and the team will need to be headed by a strong-minded, tough-skinned competitor, and hopefully Emily can step up and become that transcendent person, because by that time she could be the best swimmer in the squad.
We’ve already seen the young superstar potential of the best of the rest of the globe – and at that, it’d be an understatement to say we have a hell of a job on our hands. Can Seebohm produce, both in and of of the pool, what is needed of her? Time will tell.
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