This season has seen the emergence of a new generation of quality Brisbane Roar youngsters, paving the way for club success over many seasons to come.
This trust in youth, and willingness to allow them the freedom to play is inherent throughout the last decade of Brisbane Roar’s existence. Players such as Robbie Kruse, Michael Zullo, Dario Vidosic and Luke Brattan have all been graduates of a quality youth setup that has brought together some of the best young talent Australian football has to offer.
Four up-and-coming players have caught the eye this season and are now tantalising prospects on both the league and national frames.
James Donachie
Donachie is arguably the most well established out of this crop of players. Having played more than 50 matches since 2012, the 21-year-old has waited patiently for his waited his turn in the team. His season could not have started much worse after scoring consecutive own goals when beginning the season in the right-back position.
However, since being reinstated to his natural position at centre-back, following the conveniently timed departure of Matt Smith, he has matured into a defender in a similar mould to Rio Ferdinand, having been inculcated with a ball-playing distribution philosophy and an eye for an interception. So far this season Donachie has completed more interceptions (35) and won the same amount of tackles (22) as Melbourne City defender Patrick Kisnorbo, and yet has only featured in 16 games to Kisnorbo’s 24. Furthermore, he has completed only a fraction less passes compared to the City skipper (932 to 983) even though there is an eight-game difference in favour of Kisnorbo.
These statistics reinforce the potential of Donachie, and with the coach’s confidence he has been able to grow throughout what should be viewed as his breakout season. With more performances like we have seen this season, Jade North’s grip on his central defensive position may ben loosening with each week.
Corey Brown
Brown has proven this season to be a worthy replacement of club stalwart Shane Stefanutto. While question marks still hang around his weak foot ability, with critics believing he has no right foot capability, Brown’s tenacity and energy has been a welcome relief.
The evidence is damning. Over the 14 games Brown has played, compared to 13 for Stefanutto, the 21-year-old has made more interceptions (28 to 26), completed more passes (658 to 616) and has won more than triple the amount of tackles (35 to 10). These statistics show the ability of Brown and his breaking through into the Olyroos team, along with Donachie, is a welcome sign for all Brisbane Roar fans, as the left-back position looks in safe hands.
Brandon Borrello
Borrello has been arguably the find of the season when it comes to youth. Coming into the first team as an attacking midfielder or striker, he has made the right-wing position his own. Injuries to Henrique and Thomas Broich have allowed him continual time in the starting XI, displacing Dimitri Petratos, and, in turn, making himself an asset in the eyes of Frans Thijssen.
Borrello and Petratos have both managed to play 20 games this season, but the former has four goals to his name compared to Petratos’ one. More importantly, however, is the fact that the teenager has scored these goals from a total of 31 shots, while trigger-happy Petratos has taken a massive 52 shots for his single goal. What’s more is that Borrello has created more chances (24) than 22-year-old Petratos, showing his wide ranging ability to not only put the ball into the back of the net, but also to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Moreover, Borrello is quite similar to Kruse, another of Brisbane’s youth graduates. His pace and trickery has caused headaches for many a defence this season, however it will be important for him not to suffer from ‘second season syndrome’, as he looks to build on this campaign. This makes next season one of the most important in his career, as it could be the season Borrello takes his game to an all new level.
Devante Clut
Clut has emerged onto the scene very late in the season after warming the bench for what seemed like an eternity. He has excelled in the youth squad, having scored eight goals in 16 games this season, an impressive statistic for any midfielder, while his exploits in the Asian Champions League have caught the eye of many across the country.
In a midfield with the calibre of players Brisbane boasts, where hat-trick hero Steven Lustica is dropped the following game, the chances may be few and far between for the 19-year-old. However, with senior players such as Matt McKay in the team for Clut to look up to, there is no better place for him to learn his trade as he grows into one of Australia’s most promising prospects.
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