A-League not just ADP - we've got young guns as well and here are ten to watch
Focus is on the stars, the big stars in Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey, but for many fans of the A-League seeing the young players develop is equally, if not more, exciting.
We've seen heaps of players leave for better contracts over the years. Tommy Oar, Matthew Leckie, Luke De Vere, Nathan Burns, Mustafa Amini and many many more and who didn't want to watch these guys?
Well the A-League keeps producing them and here they come.....again.
1. Marcos Rojas - possibly the best thing about the Wellington Phoenix and now he is settled under a coach who understands Youth, Pace, Confidence and Skill. This guy could fly.
Don't miss this Melbourne Victory talent. Expect him to be excitement plus this year Excitement Potential 9/10
2. Terry Antonis - Sydney FC. If Antonis can produce his early season form of last year it won't be Del Piero we'll be salivating over but Antonis. At his best he's fit, fast, mighty skilful and he can run beyond the strikers. If he's settled, not injured, and not disrupted by his U20 Aussie appearances he should have a great year.
Excitement potential 9/10
3. Tom Rogic - The Canberran turned into a Central Coast Mariner. Tom set the A-League on fire last year, and that from a no.10 role. What young player walks into that role and makes a huge impression? Rogic will be faster, fitter and stronger this year. He's sure to take the league by storm before he heads overseas as many predict.
Don't miss this guy develop.
Excitement potental 9/10
4. Joel Chianese - he scores goals. After a stunning end of season last year the Sydney FC striker running on to passes from ADP should frighten the whole league. Who wouldn't want a young guy with pace, nous and ability to score in front of ADP?
Excitement potential 9/10
5. Nick Fitzgerald - he's not a name on everyone's list but he has power and strength to frighten any team. A forward with pace and skill should get a few Roar fans out of their seats this year, providing he cracks the team. A big if seemingly.
If he does he will excite 8/10
6. Jesse Makarounas - Perth Glory - this guy is young, very young but he should be around for a few years in the A-League. May not get much game time this season but when he does he's sure to interest you. Composed, with an eye for a forward pass and a goal or two, will be interesting to see him progress.
Excitement potential 8/10
7. Aziz Behic - Melbourne Heart. Renowned for their youth policy it will be a while before a new crop break through at the Heart. They've nearly all be sold to Korea, EPL, Newcastle Jets or Serbia! Aziz got left behind? But he will continue to excite. A forward turned into an attacking left back and he can attack. Great to watch - he should improve further this year.
Excitement potential 8/10
8. Ben Halloran - expected to get more game time than Fitzgerald and clearly one to excite given his explosive pace. Gold Coast recruit who should flourish in a better team this year. Clive Palmer did something right - he signed a heap of quality youth players and because he spent up in the early seasons all these guys got A-League games last year. Nice one Clive!
Excitement potential 8/10
9. Jimmy Jeggo Impressed last season with Melbourne Victory - may take some time to get game time but will be good to see on the field in the final third. Not as eye catching as many of the above but a rising star...possibly. 7/10
10. Heaps more. Well there are a number of others who will excite you, Bernie Ibini-Isi (Mariners) Craig Goodwin, Mitch Cooper, Connor Chapman, Taylor Regan and James Brown - take your pick - at the Jets, Julian Davies at Victory, Evan Kostapoulos and Iain Ramsay at Adelaide United, Luke Bratten at the Roar, and so the list goes on.
There'll be others break through many who disappoint but one thing's for sure we'll keep producing exciting young players for the A-League.
