Words: Nick Crockford, Moreton Bay United
Image: Moreton Bay United

Moreton Bay United juniors and coaches received a master class from one of Australia’s best defenders recently when Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith guided a session at the club’s Brendale training ground.

Smith, who led Roar to a dramatic A-League Grand Final win last month, worked with Jets’ Under 15 players as the club’s coaching staff looked on.

The evening session was put together by Smith using experiences from his career to maximise the development and potential of young players.

“The aim and directive came from Salvo (Jets Technical Director Salvatore Sottile) to put a defensive tactical session on line with some areas the team were looking to develop on,” Smith explained.

“I have used and trained with some of the components from the session,” added the three-time Socceroos representative.

“We worked particularly on pressing and how to do it, individually and then collectively in small-sided possession games. We then transposition into attack versus defence to finish off.”

“I was impressed with the concentration and willingness of the players to attempt the session. Like most things, key parts of the game need repetition and the more the team works on pressing situations the better they'll become.”

“I was the impressed with the overall standard of the players and their mind-set to try and play football.’’

Smith is set to start to start pre-season training at Roar at the end of this month, but suggested further sessions remain a possibility.

“I am sure that in the future I'll be down assisting the great coaches whenever needed,” he said