Over the years the Socceroos have been blessed with very dependable right-backs – players who are just as comfortable defending as they are attacking.
But with the World Cup less than eight weeks away, the position of right-back appears to be one of the most hotly contested for a seat on the plane to Qatar.
Graham Arnold favourite Rhyan Grant will soon be 32 years old and won’t have played any matches until the A-League season starts in October.
Fran Karačić has played several games for Brescia this season as they fight for promotion, but offers very little attacking-wise and has made crucial mistakes in recent Socceroos matches.
The fan favourite for the position, the attack-minded Nathaniel Atkinson, has underwhelmed for a Hearts side sitting in third place in Scotland.
This has now opened the door for a fourth player to try and cement the troublesome position as his own – 25-year-old Ryan Strain.
Coventry-born Strain spent time on the books of Aston Villa’s youth team before moving to South Australia with his family as a 17-year-old.
He was quickly signed to a scholarship deal by Adelaide United and had a fantastic season with the youth team in the SA NPL in 2016, scoring several goals and being widely regarded as the best NPL-level Australian right-back in the country.
Strain was then offered his first professional contract, leaving the SANPL behind to play A-League with Adelaide United.
The attacking impetus that Strain was known for in the SA NPL seemed to evaporate once his professional career began, though.
(Photo by Roddy Scott/SNS Group via Getty Images)
While right-backs who attack are the current rage in world football, Stain concentrated on the long-forgotten part of that role – defending.
After three seasons of working on the attacking aspects of the position, his final season with Adelaide in 2020 was his best.
United finished fifth in the regular season and were cruelly knocked out in the semi-finals, but the campaign will be remembered for the outstanding form of Strain.
Strain never got the plaudits outside of South Australia – with rival fans believing he was overzealous in tackling, feigned injury and was constantly chatting to match officials.
He was statistically the best-performing right-back that season and deserved selection in the team of the year.
He was regularly bombing forward and providing crosses to finally register his first assist at the professional level and was incredibly unlucky not to score – after missing several great opportunities over the course of the season.
Strain’s form earned a move to Europe, signing with Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Haifa.
His one season at Haifa will be remembered more for being on the treatment table than the pitch, however there was still significant European interest in the player – in 2022 Strain signed for Scottish club St Mirren, where he has a close family connection to.
Strain’s grandfather Gerry Baker is a club legend, scoring 40 goals in 60 matches for the Paisley side.
His grandson has found his attacking verve in Scotland, registering two assists – including one in a victory against Celtic over the weekend, that saw Strain awarded player of the match.
St Mirren have been a surprise packet in Scotland so far, sitting in fourth place and realistically are in the running to play in a European competition next season.
If Ryan Strain’s form continues, there’s a very high chance he will move on to a third European club in three years – St Mirren have already fielded enquiries from glancing admirers for his signature.
The call-up for the Socceroos friendlies against New Zealand is well overdue for Ryan Strain. Statistically, he is the best-performing Australian right-back this season.
Based on form persisting and doing well against New Zealand, it looks likely that Ryan Strain will be selected as one of the right-backs the Socceroos bring to the World Cup.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Strain's team beat Celtic with Mooy starting, I dont know how Strain performed, but Mooy is now the feature of the new style of articles, the one player who was rubbish style articles.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Isn’t Guus royalty? He’ll be there tonight.
Tigertown
Guest
The ABC are only worried about the Monarchy.
Garry
Roar Rookie
As mentioned in another article Ive complained to the ABC re lack of coverage of tonights game
Grem
Roar Rookie
I was worried Frank was irreplaceable, but maybe not. Perhaps the two of them together, if possible, would have had a very positive effect on our game.
AGO74
Guest
Right back and Left back are the two weakest positions in our team besides a goal-scoring centre forward. Can't say I've seen Strain playing in Scotland this year but I did hear about his match last week. He could be hitting form at the right time which is crucial for any player who wants to go to a World Cup. If it was 12 months ago - you would be saying Nathaniel Atkinson would be a shoo-in based of his Olympic Games performances, but he has gone way off the boil and if Strain's star continues to rise, he could come in at the expense of Atkinson. I heard that of the 30 players selected only about 20 are going on to NZ whilst the other 10 or so will fly back to Europe tomorrow. That's a smart move in my view. Its obviously going to be the 'locks' for selection who will return home early (e.g. Boyle, Sainsbury, Ryan etc). Let them go home - especially for guys at new teams like Hrustic (promising that he started last week for Verona). Let them get back to Europe a week before next club to recuperate, train with team and be ready to get back into Euro action and peak form with their club, game time etc. Seems like sunday will be a lot more based around the Possibles v Probables for World Cup selection.
Sports
Guest
Seems to be making the most revolutionary changes to the game since Frank.
Grem
Roar Rookie
JJ seems to be doing a great job. His 11 principles to drive Australian football are appearing to be more than just words. He appears to be really building something and building finances is obviously a big part of that.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Its his fault though what was it with the rubbish he produced at the Wanderers. Certainly last year under Aloisi was a come back even though he missed a lot of the season.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont see how Strain has ever been any good in the first place, as a thug he can dominate some players like Ikonomidis, against good players he is vulnerable. Atkinson could have been someone special was sensational in 2021 but as we saw on the trip back from Tokyo what his problem is, his performances in the qualifiers were weird. Karacic has some quality on the ball and with his passing but dodgy in defence . I would have picked none of them. Grant and Risdon are better than those three but getting on. I would actually go for Lewis Miller and Zyballa. Lewis Miller goes to Scotland and has gotten 16 minutes what is with that. Maybe his team already have an established right back and he was a fool to go there. Zyballa is under the coaching of the security guard dresser Moonshine so imagine if he was under a good coach.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
The dingo is a also a scavenger. A prized characteristic in a striker who needs to bang in a goal or two :stoked:
Tigertown
Guest
Speed, agility, and stamina! Who could blame the guy, the Aussie dingo is awesome.
Grem
Roar Rookie
With extra finances the FA needs to get some new indigenous programs happening NOW. We have people like Craig Foster and Adam Goodes who could really make an impact. Get players to visit rural areas and ensure our culture in football really supports indigenous players. Now is the time to move.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Cumdog has changed his nickname to Cumdingo.
Grem
Roar Rookie
The finances of FA are picking up, which is good for all our teams - mens, womens, youth and the NSD.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You’re doing a great job advertising this game on many sites! Good on you.
Ten Tribes of Texas
Guest
Josh Risdon - the forgotten right back of Australian soccer
Ten Tribes Of Texas
Guest
And Alex Gersbach has played every game for 90 mins at left back for Grenoble in the french league 2 in the last 2 seasons and never gets a look in. I sincerely hope Arnold's contract is not renewed beyond the Asia Cup.
Tigertown
Guest
The Jason Cummings footlong memes have already started on Twitter. The wonders of the Internet. Eat fresh!
Tigertown
Guest
Here’s hoping for a clear sky tonight! We’re fortunate to have a holiday, & Australia’s sporting eyes will be on the Socceroos. ...Anything to take the attention away from the toxic & segregated AFL, void of inclusiveness.