The Socceroos’ midfield is looking competitive ahead of the World Cup in November.
With Jackson Irvine performing week in and week out for St Pauli, Aaron Mooy getting quality minutes in Glasgow, and Riley McGree becoming a household name in Middlesbrough, Australia could be spoilt for choice.
With selection not guaranteed and injuries potentially becoming a factor, one other person should have a ticket to the Arabian Gulf already booked.
Jake Brimmer simply must go to Qatar in November.
The Melbourne native excited A-league fans when he became a Perth Glory player in 2017, considering his youth level experience with Liverpool, however he was slightly underestimated.
Described as an ‘all action’ midfielder upon arrival in Perth, he only managed to play just over 1300 minutes for the West Australian outfit in his first two seasons, without providing an assist or goal for one of the best Glory sides we’ve seen.
While both minutes and contributions increased when Brimmer moved back to his hometown team in Melbourne Victory, an abysmal season for the navy blues in 2020-21 saw him again fly under the radar.
It must be said that his playing style didn’t go unnoticed by anyone who watched that truly horrible Victory side, but many may be forgiven in thinking that his 2021-22 player of the year campaign came out of nowhere.
When Popovic arrived in Melbourne, Brimmer was given the opportunity to play a more advanced role in the Victory midfield and was encouraged to express himself, as any young player should be.
This resulted in five goals and seven assists, establishing himself as one of the A-League’s brightest stars, leading to multiple Asian and European clubs enquiring about the 24-year-old’s availability.
However, Brimmer cited personal reasons for staying on at the Victory.
His dynamic presence will surely be considered for upcoming international friendlies in New Zealand and the World Cup. He can produce eye-catching moments on a much higher stage than the domestic game.
While Tom Rogic will hopefully soon find a suitable team, Brimmer is almost a like-for-like replacement as he is superb on the ball, with an extensive passing range, and can score from anywhere within 35 yards.
A good performance in Qatar immediately, followed by a brief transfer window, would surely convince Brimmer that his immense talent is far beyond the A-League, and an opportunity will be ready and waiting.
Ten Tribes of Texas
Guest
Brimmer should certainly be considered for Qatar and the Asia Cup that follows shortly after but so should others. Injuries are now proving a problem for the Roos. Goodwin and Aitkinson have grown injuries, Rowles a broken foot, Souttar has not recovered and will not play a game before the WC. Gersbach, Armenakis, Luongo, Franscois and Risdon need to be brought in for the nz games. Franscois seems an obvious replacement for Rogic not Brimmer and is Australia's best performing junior. He was the best player on the park in all games during the recent Asia u23 World Cup. Australia's defence has been most affected by the recent spate of injuries and the deficiencies on the left side have worsened with the injury to Goodwin. King should be looked at as a left cb because he has very ordinary pace as a left back but could work as a cb. Gersbach should be brought back in to the left back position and Armenakus brought in as a left footed left winger. Armenakus should be in the side anyway because he is a far better player than Goodwin
Grem
Roar Rookie
Sorry about that Jack. I thought it was a Brendan Brumby article - my apologies.
Jack Twohill
Roar Rookie
Also my name is Jack…. I majorly confused about this comment ????
Jack Twohill
Roar Rookie
In preseason I mean
Jack Twohill
Roar Rookie
Brimmer hasn’t featured much, I feel like he could be on the move
Jack Twohill
Roar Rookie
No worries had a few ideas
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Has just completed an excellent season, was definitely a shining light for the Victory (in what was, by my own estimation, a fairly mediocre team for the most part). He needs another good season to consolidate his reputation. Midfielders can really start hitting their straps in their mid 20s. I can recall Matt McKay, who had previously been an ok player with Roar, hit new levels of performance around the age of 26/27. Of course, it helped Matty that he had some excellent players around him (and a good manager) at that point of his career.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Yes, I nearly fell off my chair sipping my coffee this morning.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
90% of players only come good about 23-24 mark. Thats one of the biggest issues I see in the A-league throw in the teenager and then abandon them to Npl and dont go back. Simon Goodwin again? Brimmer actually was a failure scoring wise came good in the finals, he scored 5 goals in the regular season but 3 were penalties. Brimmer needs to score more general play goals during the regular season. I see Brimmers biggest problem is Nani , if Nani takes Brimmers spot where does he go.
Grem
Roar Rookie
At any point that your game is on the up you can be called a rising star! If I took up lawn bowls I might be a rising star there! Goodwin – an established star who is an excellent A League player and a Socceroo. Perhaps a soon to be World Cup player and Johnny Warren medalist for this season. Brimmer – a top A League player, with hopefully great things ahead – he is a star. I do understand your points – especially about consistency.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
not sure if rising star is the right term for him (editors may have altered your title) he’s 24 year old and been around a while, granted he had his big ‘breakout’ season last year as one of the best players in the league (however was lucky to win the johnny warren medal over goodwin last season – who beat him in most stats and was more influential for his team) the test will be if brimmer can back up this season, especially since i dont think he’ll be banging in as many long range missiles as he did last term
Grem
Roar Rookie
2 football articles on The Roar today - what a good day today is. Thanks for your contribution.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Sorry Brendan but I’m in a mood this morning. Football needs to promote itself better! If we are to copy AFL and NRL - he is already a star. He is one of the best of the 2 million participants who play football. He is a great leader, he has a real combative aspect to his game and when you combine that with his skill with the ball and goal scoring ability he is a star. He is so good that he may go to a World Cup and could end up in a European team where he has gone past the 250 million people who play football! That would make him a superstar! Imagine the headlines if an AFL or NRL player could do that - there’d be a ticker tape parade! And then we can add Devlin into the midfield possibilities and we have 2 new “Mini Vinnies”. Great article Brendan - he is indeed a very talented player who is flourishing under Popovic.