Words & Image: Michael Flynn

Braedyn Crowley is looking to take his game to the next level after being recognised as PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2014 Young Player of the Year.

Crowley received the honour following a stand-out year for Northern Fury, scoring 17 goals in 24 games for the Townsville-based club - more than half of the side's total in 2014.

His returns brought him to the attention of Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets, who signed the 18-year-old for this summer’s Foxtel National Youth League campaign.

Crowley said he was delighted with the Young Player of the Year award, which added to his earlier acknowledgement as Fury’s 2014 Coach’s Player of the Year in September.

“To me it’s probably one of the biggest honours. After working so hard this year for Fury and not getting the wins that we wanted, it’s probably the best thing I’ve had this year,” Crowley explained.

“I just want to thank everyone from Fury and all my teammates,” he added.

Crowley also singled out the influence of highly-respected Fury coach Ian Ferguson for helping him to take his career to the next level in 2014.

“The year before I wasn’t playing that many games and they thought I was too young and not strong enough but when Fergie came in he believed he could work with me,” Crowley explained.

“He’s the one that believed in me and said I could play as striker and said if I could keep making runs then I would score goals.”

“Fergie’s been a big part of my game this year, he’s helped me a long way and I can’t thank him enough for that.”

Crowley, who previously played at community club Saints South Eagles prior to joining Fury, said Fury’s participation in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland offered a clear pathway for players in North Queensland to develop their game against regular, high-quality opposition.

“The NPL has been one of the best things because A-League scouts and coaches look at NPL to see if there are any players that can step up,” Crowley explained.

“I think there’s a lot of players that could potentially step up, so I think it’s a great pathway,” he added.

Crowley continues to push for a regular place with Jets’ NYL team this summer and, while he acknowledged a lot of hard-work awaits, he ultimately hopes to secure a Hyundai A-League contract in coming years.

“This year I just want to keep working on my game and really want to be pushing for training with the A-League team or sitting on the bench by next year,” he said.

Crowley added it would be fortuitous if Fury’s on-going bid to return to the national top flight coincided with the next stage in his career.

“At the moment I’m loving it here in Newcastle but I’m always missing home because my family is in Townsville.”

“It would be a dream come true to have Fury back in the A-League and hopefully go back and play for them one day,” he concluded.