NPL Queensland has delivered its first graduate to the A-League with exciting Moreton Bay United Jets talent Josh South joining Wellington Phoenix for the upcoming A-League season.

The 20 year old South inked a one year deal with the club after passing a medical on a groin strain he suffered early in his extended trial period with the club.

The right-sided defender will be guided by two time A-League Grand Final winning coach Ernie Merrick in the New Zealand capital, and be partnered on the pitch by high profile international players like Carlos Hernandez (Costa Rica), Paul Ifill (Barbados) as well as All Whites representatives Jeremy Brockie, Glen Moss and Leo Bertos.

South made seven senior appearances for the Jets this season before taking up the trial at Phoenix, scoring three goals. He also made 11 appearances for the Jets Under 20’s, where he also netted on eight occasions.

Moreton Bay Jets Head Coach Terry Kirkham said South was one of the quiet achievers of the league and his contract with Phoenix was just reward for his commitment and talents.

“He’s been a work in progress for three or four years, it just hasn’t happened in five minutes,” said Kirkham, who identified South’s spark at 16 as a junior at North Pine.

“I went deliberately after Josh, I identified him a number of years ago,” Kirkham said. “He was the fourth senior player signed at Moreton Bay.”

“He’s stepped up this year at Moreton Bay and is one of the quietest achievers in the league and (signing with Phoenix) proves that.”

Kirkham further explained that South progression through the development pathway provided a solid endorsement of the National Premier Leagues aims.

“Because he’s been given the opportunity he’s been sighted and scouted. And that’s what the NPL system is designed for,” Kirkham said.

“He’s come through the junior system at North Pine, into the youth development system at Peninsula Power and he’s come into the senior development system at Moreton Bay.”

“So when you look at the pathway system and what it’s intended to create, Josh is the perfect example of coming through a junior system to a youth system to a senior system - and the system has worked.”

“In my view, all three clubs should be pleased with this outcome,” he added.

Kirkham said he expected South to make the most of his opportunities with Phoenix, and identified his versatility as a key component of his progression through the ranks.

“I think his versatility shows that he understands the game,” Kirkham stated.

“He reads the game very well and he thinks about the game, so you can put him into different positions and give him different roles and he’ll understand what role he needs to play and he’ll execute it.”

“It’s not just about his football talent, it’s about his thinking ability as well. And I think that’s what he’s learned since he came into the senior side of football.”

Wellington Phoenix open their A-League campaign against Queensland’s own Brisbane Roar on October 13, and Kirkham said he would be eager to see South get a chance to shine early in the season.

“I’ll be supporting the Roar, but I’m just hoping Josh has the opportunity to play against them, because Roar have a big focus on where the kids are getting developed from,” Kirkham added.

“These kids can come under the radar, they don’t have to come through the QAS system, they can come from under the radar and people like me are in that stepping stone position of identifying and getting them to a certain level.

“And then, like with Josh, someone at a higher level gives them a shot and then you never know where they can end up.”

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
Image: Moreton Bay United Jets