The NPL Queensland development pathway is delivering results for the state’s elite young footballers, with several of the league’s up and comers featuring in Brisbane Roar’s first National Youth League fixture on Saturday at Goodwin Park.

Amongst the familiar names on hand for Roar was young Queensland Academy of Sport talent Sam Cronin, who came off the bench for the hosts in the highly entertaining 3-3 draw against Melbourne Victory.

The 18 year old, who originally hails from the Sunshine Coast and joined Roar’s youth programme in January of this year, said the National Premier Leagues provided an excellent grounding for progressing through the ranks.

“The way QAS play it’s like Brisbane Roar, they like to pass around, so transitioning wasn’t too hard,’ explained Cronin.

“It’s just the intensity (that’s higher), but QAS sets you up pretty well for coming into Brisbane Roar youth.”

Cronin proved a standout for the Academy team over the NPL season, scoring three goals in a defensive midfield role.

Cronin explained how he came to the attention of the Academy programme three years ago, “I started off at Buderim juniors and then into the Sunshine Coast Rebel Under 13’s. Then, in Under 14’s, I got into the Queensland side and onto QAS from there.”

Several of Cronin’s Academy teammates also feature in the Roar youth squad this season, including Mitchell Hore, Fraser Chalmers and Shannon Brady.

Cronin said the influence and experience of QAS head coach Josh McCloughan had proved invaluable, “Josh played with Roar, he knows how it all works. It helps a lot when he knows what to do.”

While ostensibly the National Youth League is for players 21 and under, each side is allowed to field four over age players in the match day squad – offering the chance for younger players to test themselves against some of the A-League’s best.

“I’ve played against the likes of Sergio Van Dijk with Adelaide,” Cronin said, “Trying to defend against him, it was a really good experience.”

“But just playing and training with A-league players and getting experience like that is great. Also, the travel is a great experience,” he added.

Extensive travel is part and parcel of becoming a professional footballer in Australia, and Cronin said NPL Queensland’s state-wide format offered players to chance to get to grips with the logistics of air travel earlier in their careers.

“You have to learn to prepare yourself for travelling. When you’re flying out, you have to get to the airport at 6 in the morning, maintaining your nutrition and also sleep as well – you got to get used to that,” he said.

Cronin further explained the importance of good nutrition for elite footballers, “If you’re eating bad it shows on the field. You have to keep on top of that and keep your hydration going as well.”

“We weigh in and weigh out (at Roar), see how much we’ve lost, and have to refuel ourselves after each training so we’re ready for the next day.”

Roar’s nutrition and fitness came to the fore on Saturday in the match against Victory as they staged a comeback from two goals down in very warm conditions in Brisbane to eventually split the points.

Cronin said he was happy with his performance in the match after coming on as a substitute with thirty minutes remaining.

“You’d rather start, but when you come on you really got to make an impact for yourself and the team,” explained Cronin, who forced a save from Victory goalkeeper Keegan Coulter from his deep midfield role.

“I came on second half, so was a bit more energised than the rest of them but it was even hot sitting on the bench there,’ Cronin said of the conditions.

Despite his progress so far, Cronin said he intended to take his football even further, meaning he was unsure where he will ply his trade next season.

“I’m not a hundred per cent sure (about next year). We’ll see what happens this year with the Roar and we’ll see from there,” he said.

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
Image: Football Queensland