He’s lit up the Queensland NPL in recent years with his displays for Olympic FC, leading many observers to deem him an ‘A-League player in waiting’.
That wait for Jez Lofthouse is now over with Brisbane Roar announcing his signature this week on a two-year deal.
Since joining Olympic back in 2018, the 21-year-old has chalked up 114 appearances, 44 goals and 34 assists- featuring in the NPL team of the season for three years running.
With his pace, balance and close control, Lofthouse has won plenty of plaudits, and Olympic FC head coach Ben Cahn told me he has no doubts his outgoing forward has the tools to make the transition into the professional ranks.
“It has been a tough year for Jez to get his body right,” Cahn explains “He suffered a stress fracture to his back at the end of last season, which carried into pre-season.
“A lot of credit must go to our physio, Andrew Shaw, who’s worked extremely hard with Jez and done a great job, and much to my dismay, had him sidelined for large parts of this season!
“He’s recovered to a good level and started to hit form in the past few weeks. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to reap the rewards from that, but it’s going to be hugely exciting to see what he can do in the A-League.”
Lofthouse joins Roar for the upcoming A-League campaign (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
With his long blonde locks, Lofthouse – a Sunshine Coast native – looks like he could have stepped off the beach at Noosa Heads, but Cahn warned: “Don’t let that surfer boy exterior fool you, there’s a real drive and determination with Jez, he’s his own biggest critic and very honest with where he’s at in terms of his progression.
“Jez is an elite-level athlete, there won’t be many players in the A-League who can compete with him physically. People would have seen that when we played Adelaide United in the FFA Cup a couple of seasons ago (Olympic were narrowly edged out 3-2) he caused them a lot of problems.
“Of course, there may be time needed for adjustment, but I’ve no doubts given that time he will adapt and excel.”
Cahn also paid tribute to Lofthouse’s family as being a great source of support for the youngster.
“He has a terrific family behind him. They’ve guided him when he’s needed it and not put any pressure on him. The result of that is an outstanding young man and footballer.”
Lofthouse will be joined by attacker Henry Hore, the 22-year-old reuniting with Roar boss Warren Moon. The pair enjoyed success together previously in the NPL with Lions FC.
For Olympic FC, they must go into their final four games minus their key man. Cahn’s side have finished runners up in the NPL the previous three seasons, but currently lie sixth on the ladder and in danger of missing out on a top-four spot.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult year both on and off the pitch,” Cahn admits. “We’ve tragically lost three highly-valued people within the club in the last 12 months, which has taken its toll.
“It’s certainly showed us there are things far more important than football, but I’m extremely proud that we’re still in there and fighting.”
Despite only suffering three defeats all year, a number of draws have hamstrung Olympic, leaving them four points off another finals berth.
“A lot of sides have sat deep against us, and we’ve struggled to break down teams who are putting ten men across their own box. We haven’t really got the profile of player to change our approach,” Cahn states.
“I won’t go as far as calling it a transitional year, but we’re probably a few players short.
“We’ve got four games left and we have to win them all to stand any chance. We’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
Meanwhile, Lofthouse can look forward to making his highly anticipated A-League debut, with the Roar due to kick off against defending champions Melbourne City on November 19th.
Jared Proellocks
Guest
Watched a lot of NPL the last 3 years. Lofthouse a great talent but has had a quiet year. Mind you, so have Olympic despite the names in their line up (Cernak, Mundy, Anderson, Brady, all ex a-league). But IMO the best player in the Qld NPL is Daniel Leck. Everything at Olympic flows through him and he moves around as a winger, striker or midfielder at times. He looks a class above the others in finishing, touch, vision and fitness. He always looked good while at Brisbane Roar (often coming on in last 15-20 for Borello). Surprised he hasn’t got another crack but would encourage a club to have a look. Zac Anderson also bossing teams around. Both would easily handle the step back up to a-league.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
theres a very good chance adelaide will play brisbane in the fa cup quarters, both on the same side of the draw and should comfortably dispatch our opponents in the next round
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
he scored in last night's friendly v Capalaba FC, on debut for Roar. Wasn't there and not seen the video, but still a good start.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Moon has never played long ball and I don’t think he’ll start now. The new fella looks like a “holding 9” most likely there - as you say - to receive, hold, then release the ball to fast paced wide Mids. Jez fits the model nicely hence my thinking he’s going back to 4-2-3-1
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
brisbane will trouble a lot of teams this season, even if they will struggle to score goals 100% he has the skill to 'make it", not a starter for me though just yet - i think he can cause a lot of damage against tiring defences coming on for the last 15-20 mins. big fan of lofthouse, will be keeping a keen eye on his progress
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
ivanovic is more 'filled out' than lofthouse, if lofthouse can put on 3-5kg of muscle i'd be interested if he'll lose some of his explosiveness the kids always had an x factor about him, but like i said earlier - he'll be targeted by bigger bodied defenders
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
hes 6'2/6'3, 80+ kilos - perfect to be a long ball merchant lol brisbane have to play that way, get the ball to the big man - hold it up, then depending on the sytem you'll have 2 zippy players either side of him and one behind or 3 zippy players behind him (it looks like brisbane will go with the later option based on thier hit outs so far)
Franko
Guest
It's becoming more and more important isn't it, the physique if the player. Take a look at Ligue1, it's a million miles away from where it was in the 90s, all teams are now almost full XI of big, strong, fast guys often of African background. We're seeing it here as well, particularly with African contingent out of Adelaide.
Waz
Roar Rookie
AA Moon coached “positional fluidity” last season (something doing the rounds in the coaching community, think flavour of the month) but his signings point to a return to his preferred 4-2-3-1 As fas as Jez goes, he should be given a chance, our AL should open doors for young talent even when there is a “but” attached, as there is here.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Funnily enough the new striker is built like a brick outhouse
chris
Guest
AA is he built any different to Ivanovic? Roar is going to have a very light framed forward line. Good luck to the lad.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i had a conversation with Waz on here several weeks ago about Jez. He has been on the periphery of joining an a league club for a few years now, he's constantly been watched over the years by multiple clubs. I had an interstate colleague fly over to watch him one afternoon, he reported back to an a league (wont say which club though lol) that he has "the body of a 10 year old boy" and gets 'muscled off the ball too easy" lol those were the exact words - that a league club never pursued any further interest after that report. He has a waife like build and struggles when being dispossed from a strong tackle - so what he said was harsh, but wasnt that far from the truth. but he also has an x factor that you cant coach and that will always have a team tracking you, sometimes all you need is a coach to invest time in you. i'm not certain that he is the type of player brisbane actually need though - theres plenty of tricky attacking players with pace there already (milusenic, ivanovic, parsons, lofthouse) lets see if my initial report on him comes true.......
Franko
Guest
It's more valuable getting a coach from the NPL or national Youth set up in my opinion than a foreign coach. Moon has done a good job washing some on the NPL talent with what he inherited from Fowler.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Its not about good luck, you need some talent but its mainly about what you do with the extra time you have as a professional footballer. If you work hard and use the extra time you will succeed provided you dont have injuries. Some players instead of improving with an A-league contract they look promising at first then go down hill. Most NSL players they improved out of sight when they went to Europe with full time training, they didnt go there on any money , if they didnt succeed in with tough competition you didnt get a pay check it was live on the streets or come back home. a lot of the skills of these young players in the A-league are very good. The commitment and hard work is whats missing.
Chopper
Roar Rookie
Brisbane are not afraid of trawling the NPL in their quest to find talent. Moon has shown he will give them game time and with the addition of these two strikers creates competition for the forward line to keep them all fighting for a place in the tream. At the moment I believe Roar need a creative midfielder to challenge O'Shea and build some squad depth however this long break between seasons is helping Roar assemble a reasonable young team.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Good luck to the young man