Words & Image: Michael Flynn

Northern Fury striker Braedyn Crowley is embracing the opportunity offered by the NPL Queensland pathway after earning a trial with Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets.

Crowley came on midway through the second half for Jets in Saturday’s clash against a North Queensland All-Stars side in the Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup.

The 17-year-old earned the chance to show his wares for the former A-League Champions with stand-out performances against Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar earlier in the tournament.

Speaking after the match, Crowley expressed his delight at the opportunity and standard of football Jets provide.

“It was unreal. We trained on Friday and it was all one touch but going out there and finally playing with them was crazy – getting the balls that you want and everything is so much quicker,” he said.

Crowley said he wasn’t overawed by playing alongside players he had previously watched on television growing up.

“To be honest, I remember watching Joel Griffiths ages ago and the moment I was in there he was real nice to me. He just said keep your head up if you make a mistake, just keep going,” he explained.

“Every single one of them was nice and welcoming and it was just unreal to be there.”

Jets coach Phil Stubbins said he was impressed with Crowley’s efforts and suggested a bright future possibly awaits.

“The kid did fantastically well. He’s got a really strong constitution and hopefully things work out where we’ll be able to have a further look at him down the track,” Stubbins said.

He added: “For a seventeen year old kid he has a lot of promise.”

While acknowledging the step-up, Crowley said his experiences training and playing with Fury this year provided a solid platform for him to take the next step towards a professional football career.

He singled out the guidance of highly regarded Fury coach, Ian Ferguson, as being particularly beneficial to his development.

“Training with Fergie all the time, his coaching has been awesome, and now I know I can step up to that level,” he explained.

Crowley acknowledged that he was only taking the first steps on his football journey and that he had to continue to prove himself every day.

“We’re going to talk about going down to Newcastle for training and if they’re happy I’m going to move down there.”

“But I have to keep working hard because this is what I want more than anything,” he added.

Crowley expressed his disappointment that his teammate and close friend, Kevin Fraser, was unable to join him for Jets in the game after being ruled out with injury.

“He rocked up for training and he was gutted because he couldn’t run at all,” Crowley explained.

“I was sad for him because if I’m here then he should be here as well. I honestly think he is a great player,” Crowley concluded.

Crowley is the second NPL Queensland attacker to trial with Jets ahead of the upcoming Hyundai A-League season, with South West Queensland Thunder’s Ryan Ensor also coming to the club’s attention in recent months.

Crowley rounded out his NPL Queensland season on Sunday, scoring in Fury’s 1-1 draw with finals bound Olympic FC in Brisbane to extend his season’s tally to 17 goals in 24 games.