Murfy1 Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Wanderers Green with envy August 11, 2012 Sean Downie He's a Dominos dough boy who just finished school, but Canberra youngster Jack Green could be rubbing shoulders with Socceroo Michael Beauchamp as part of the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League next season. Green, 18, is poised to reject youth contract offers from Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart to take up a one-year deal with the new franchise, where his chance to cement a first-team spot would be the greatest. The Belconnen United defender's only dream was to get an opportunity, so he is taking everything in his stride. ''I'll probably start off in the youth team then hopefully build my way up from there,'' Green said. ''Of course if you grow up as an Australian boy wanting to play soccer, you want to play in the A-League. ''To play alongside and learn from guys I've watched on TV would be amazing.'' In Beauchamp, Green would have the perfect player to learn his trade from. Both are central defenders but at vastly different stages of their careers. Beauchamp was a part of Australia's squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and has made 22 appearances for the Socceroos. The 31-year-old had stints in Germany and the Middle East before returning to the A-League with Melbourne Heart in 2010. Belconnen coach Steve Forshaw has no doubt Green has all the tools to succeed at an elite level. ''Jack plays beyond his years - he's strong in the air and his distribution is excellent,'' Forshaw said. ''He's a great prospect. If he reaches his potential he'll play A-League at least''. Former Socceroo Ross Aloisi holds the same opinion, having compared Green to A-League sensation Curtis Good, who recently signed with English Premier League club Newcastle. Green has already represented the AIS in matches against the youth teams of Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. For now, he is focused on creating history with Belconnen United after learning his craft with Belwest. Green has been a pivotal factor in the Blue Devils' charge to the top of the table. They have conceded a mere 21 goals from 18 games this season, and another stoic defensive performance will deliver the club its first ACT premier league championship since 1998. Belconnen United can wrap up the title with all three points against Canberra City at McKellar Park today. In the weekend's other games, Canberra Olympic can consolidate third spot when it hosts Canberra FC, Woden Valley will be desperate to keep its finals hopes alive against Cooma, while Tuggeranong and Monaro battle it out in a match of the minnows. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/football/wanderers-green-with-envy-20120810-2403a.html#ixzz239FVNsP6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted August 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Some quotes about him (from Jan Versleijen, so maybe take them with a grain of salt): ''[He's] very consistent with his play, very reliable, good left foot - you don't find many left-footed central defenders - he's good in the air, his passing from the back probably can be a little bit better but I'm very happy with him,'' He's very composed, very serious with his football. I see for him, if clubs are watching him, I think he can be an interesting player,'' he said. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/football/green-sees-ais--team-as-stepping-stone-to-pro-ranks-20111126-1v2zh.html#ixzz239HhX3mH Sounds like a decent player. Although, unfortunately, like Craig Goodwin he's narrowly pursued a club that will provide game time, but probably won't have a very good season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Che Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 (edited) Further proof of Canberra being the Per-Capita Football Factory of Australia and being able to sustain an A-League Franchise. FFS FFA. But anyway, good luck to him, sounds pretty decent. Edited August 10, 2012 by Che Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Some quotes about him (from Jan Versleijen, so maybe take them with a grain of salt): http://www.canberrat...l#ixzz239HhX3mH Sounds like a decent player. Although, unfortunately, like Craig Goodwin he's narrowly pursued a club that will provide game time, but probably won't have a very good season. Seriously are you related to this kid? We hardly missed out - The kid has not even shown he can play A League hence why two other clubs also only saw fit to offer him only a NYL contract opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted August 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Seriously are you related to this kid? We hardly missed out - The kid has not even shown he can play A League hence why two other clubs also only saw fit to offer him only a NYL contract opportunity. I just said he sounds decent. He's only 18 and three clubs (Jets, Sydney FC, Heart) were offering him youth contracts, despite him only playing a fairly limited amount of games with the AIS. Wanderers also were prepared to immediately have him compete for a spot in their A-League team. Ross Aloisi compared him to Curtis Good and Jan Versleijen gave him a rave review. When you sign young players they by definition haven't shown they can play in the A-League (e.g. Vrankovic), but that doesn't mean at all that they don't have the potential to play at A-League level (e.g. Vrankovic). We tried to sign him and we missed out. On the available evidence he is at least decent. I just thought I'd mention a player Heart were trying to bring over the club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Thanks for sharing. I found it interesting to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 We can't expect to sign every player we'd like to have. We're not exactly the most prestigious club in the League. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 (edited) We can't expect to sign every player we'd like to have. We're not exactly the most prestigious club in the League. Club pedigree isn't a big factor in where players want to go in salary capped leagues. It's more where the biggest paycheck is and which city the club is based in for the International/Established players. For youth, like Green, it's where the game time is and the teams history developing youth, and we're fast becoming the most "prestigous" in that regard. Edited August 11, 2012 by Jimmy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 I just said he sounds decent. He's only 18 and three clubs (Jets, Sydney FC, Heart) were offering him youth contracts, despite him only playing a fairly limited amount of games with the AIS. Wanderers also were prepared to immediately have him compete for a spot in their A-League team. Ross Aloisi compared him to Curtis Good and Jan Versleijen gave him a rave review. When you sign young players they by definition haven't shown they can play in the A-League (e.g. Vrankovic), but that doesn't mean at all that they don't have the potential to play at A-League level (e.g. Vrankovic). We tried to sign him and we missed out. On the available evidence he is at least decent. I just thought I'd mention a player Heart were trying to bring over the club. Look this is a no-brainer... Its no secret WSW are struggling to find quality players - Its why they are hot favourite to come last, and why unlike the other three A League clubs listed its also why they could offer this kid a senior contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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