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Roaring before their 20s: Brisbane's teens tearing up the A-League

Brisbane Roar are on the top of the A-League table heading into Week 7 (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Expert
18th March, 2015
20

When it comes to taking chances, there are few more adept than Devante Clut. On debut for Brisbane Roar in January 2014, the then 18-year-old scored a cracking volley from distance to level things at 1-1 against Wellington.

On Wednesday night, his first start of the season, he again rewarded his boss.

This time, Roar manager Frans Thijssen was the beneficiary as Clut scored a brace, the second of which sealed a 3-3 draw in an enthralling Asian Champions League match on the Gold Coast.

With his only other senior appearance coming as a substitute against Phoenix in January this season, that’s three goals from as many matches for the 19-year-old.

His impressive debut wasn’t enough to etch his name into Mike Mulvey’s plans last year, but there’s not much more Clut could’ve done to impress Thijssen.

It would have been no easy decision for the Dutchman to rest marquee man Thomas Broich, who has seemingly grown weary after featuring in all eight games since the Asian Cup break. But it appears Thijssen’s fears were quickly allayed by the direct replacement at his disposal.

Clut bagged 11 goals in 15 appearances during the 2014-15 National Youth League competition, steering the Roar to second place, behind champions Melbourne City only on goals scored.

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His technical ability, confidence and playmaking prowess made Broich’s omission a far more acceptable prospect.

Following the draw with Suwon Bluewings, Thijssen told Fox Sports, “He did well of course. He’s in the youth team playing the same position every week, it’s better we look to him than to put somebody on that position.

“If you change players in the team, the position game, it’s not the same anymore. If you play with the same team it’s always better. Changing a lot of positions doesn’t help.”

Of course, Clut wasn’t the only member of Roar’s next generation to shine on Wednesday. Fellow teen Brandon Borello continued his breakthrough season with the opener, just a fortnight after scoring the winner against Urawa Reds. It takes the 19-year-old’s goal tally to five from all competitions this season, giving rise to optimism for the Roar’s attacking stocks post-Besart Berisha.

In their midst, the three-time A-League champions have a true goalscoring midfielder and a clinical striker, both of whom will undoubtedly be in the mind of Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar for future campaigns.

In relative terms, the youth of Australia have been largely neglected by the A-League since its inception – an odd tactic considering recent developments.

The FFA have proposed for NSW’s National Premier League Youth Divisions 1 and 2 to merge and split by geography, eliminating the presence of relegation and promotion. The objective of this is to supposedly replace the thirst for results with a focus on player development.

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Considering there is no such fear of relegation from the A-League, you’d think clubs could afford to take a chance on youngsters and cast an eye on the future more often. But winning still appears to be the most valuable commodity and it’s refreshing to see the newest crop of talent making their mark and changing the mindset, even if it takes banging down the door to get a look in.

Western Sydney’s heavy workload this season has forced Tony Popovic to use a mammoth 33 players; the most recent debutant being 18-year-old Jonathan Aspro.

Jaushua Sotirio has also been given his chance to impress at the Wanderers, while Awer Mabil, Scott Galloway and Daniel De Silva have all continued to establish themselves in the A-League.

But for every success story, there are many talented teens left in the lurch across the NYL and National Premier Leagues. If Clut’s mature performance teaches us anything, it’s that the risk of picking a bright-eyed youngster is very often outweighed by the reward.

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