Flashback time. Here's a hopeful post from 2006 about our "wonderkids". What a sad state this list ended up. Most of these guys were the "go to" players in the early Football Manager series haha.
Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn Rovers – 17):
The 17 year old midfielder, with Blackburn Rovers, is quick and reasonably tall, he has skill on the ball and lethal finishing. He is currently one of the best English youth league midfielders, and has been rewarded by being promoted to the Blackburn Rovers Reserve team, where he played 9 matches scoring 1 goal. His career has so far spanned 16 games for a return of 6 goals in two seasons at Blackburn, hindered by a broken leg. Wales are currently trying to “lure him over”, and at 16 years of age, there was reports of him being selected for their senior national side. A representative of Australian national youth sides he is definitely one of Australia’s young guns, and a star of the future.
James Wesolowski (Leicester City – 18):
Australians may argue that Kilkenny is Australia’s best current prospect, because of his experience in the top division. However critics both in England and Australia have earmarked this man as the “next big thing”. He only made 4 brief appearances in the English Championship this season, so unlucky, suffering two broken legs, one in the pre-season against Celtic, then after 4 games coming back from the first broken leg he broke his second against Brighton. However, in the brief time between the injuries Wesolowski made enough of an impression, to become the unconditional crowd favourite at Leicester, having 2 brilliant assists in the 4 games he played. A graduate of Westfields Sports High School, like so many Socceroos, his ex-coach’s have been quoted as saying that he is the best player ever to come out of the school, the same school Harry Kewell attended.
“"Freak, the best kid we have ever seen here. I don't know if I could even compare Harry to him. Play him anywhere you like. He played Commonwealth Bank Cup at 13 in year 8, he's been playing 19's for Leicester City in England and he's only just turned 15. He's hardworking, mature and intelligent", says Morgan with sheer pride.
"if anybody was going to make it, you'd put your money on James. He is far superior to most players and exceptional in his dedication. You've got a kid in year 9 who's the best player in the senior team", says Barrett, who has seen many a player in his time.”
The answer of Wesolowski vs. Kilkenny may come quicker than some may have thought when the two young-guns match up for their respective sides next year in the Championship, due to Birmingham’s recent relegation.
Cameron Watson (FC Porto – 18):
Undoubtedly the hardest “young-gun” to recover information on, an AIS graduate, Cameron first showed his abilities, when he continued to score for the AIS on its tour of Argentina. Currently in the Australian U-20 side he was transferred to Portuguese giants FC Porto in July 2005. A quick attacking midfielder, with sublime finishing skills, as Cameron looks to apply his skills in Europe, the rest of Australia will be looking on in interest.
Kristian Sarkies (Melbourne Victory – 19):
Could potentially be one of Australia’s best players come 5 years time, he is oozing raw talent, and is one of Australia’s most technically gifted players. Lethal dead ball finisher, and with a pinpoint cross and creative passing, he has all the makings of an Australian David Beckham. At home most as an attacking central midfielder, Guus Hiddink saw enough in the teenager to be placed as a standby for the World Cup squad. Kristian has now seemed to have adapted to the right side of midfield, under the mentoring of Hiddink, with a solid first season in the A-League, the boy from Dingly, whom represented South Melbourne at the age of 16 in the old NSL, he could well be the A-League’s first real prodigy, after his debut cap against Liechtenstein in June of 2006
Kaz Patafta (Benfica – 17):
One of Australia’s most publicised young talents. But undoubtedly one of Australia’s top young talents, Patafta originally from Canberra, the Joeys U-17 Captain is a star in the making. A string of clubs were chasing Patafta, including Guus Hiddink, after he saw the player’s skill when he trained with the Socceroos prior to their matches against Uruguay. Originally overlooked by A-League clubs, Portuguese giants Benfica won his signature in November of 2005. Described as a cross between Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill, he is intelligent and hard working. The ultimate warhorse for the future Australian midfield, Patafta, who trained with the Socceroos prior to the World Cup, may well see action sooner than he thinks, with the Asia Cup qualifiers looming large on the horizon, many will not be surprised if Kaz Patafta is a sneak selection.
Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City – 19):
Unbeknown to Neil, when he pledged his allegiance to Australia, and tied himself by debuting against Liechtenstein, he took on the hopes of a future nation. Supremely talented, the England U-19’s player made 25 appearances in England’s top flight in 05/06, and duly won the Birmingham young player of the year award. With a great passing game, and decision making beyond his years, it was no wonder Australian full-back Stan Lazaridis, jumped out of his seat when he heard he had grown up in Australia. Expected to form the nucleus of the team for the next decade, Kilkenny will look to stamp his mark as more than a “potential” star when he will attempt to help his side Birmingham City reach promotion in the English Championship next season.
David Williams (Brondby FC – 18)
Would be possibly the quickest player in Australian football, from aboriginal decent this player has just recently been transferred from Queensland Roar, to Brondby FC in the Danish top tier. A very respectable club Brondby boasts one of the best lists in Scandinavia, where David will hopefully be able to hone his skill better. As with Sarkies, possess the raw talent to be something truly special, Williams is in the same mould of Samuel Eto’o, as he is an out and out striker, who breaks the lines and punishes defences with what can only be described as breath taking and obliterating play. An unknown to a lot of the Australian public, David Williams will sure become a household name in Australia in the next 5 years.
James Troisi (Newcastle United – 17):
The Striker/Winger is very much in the mould of Harry Kewell, loves to dribble, with blistering pace. Near unstoppable at youth level where Troisi is averaging a goal a game. He was promoted to the reserve side, where he continued to net goals, even though he was being played further up the field. Described as a “spark”, Troisi can bring life to any attack, and torments defences with extremely intelligent runs, but due to his blistering pace, and knack in front of goal, he is seldom caught. An Australian U-17 representative, Troisi’s star is expected to rise, especially if he is given the chance on the world stage, like the upcoming Olympics in Beijing.
Scott Jamieson (Bolton Wanderers – 17):
Scott could be described as the quiet achiever of the Australian “wonderkids” group. With neither the hype of Kilkenny, Patafta or Sarkies, the versatile midfielder/full back’s achievements are just as impressive. An Australian U-17 representative and another
graduate of Westfields Sports High School, he has made the startling achievement of braking into the Wanderers senior side at the age of 17. All be it a friendly, his impressive performances in a wing-back role in the reserves put his name in selection criteria more the once during the season. The rare ability for a fullback to deliver good crosses from deep positions, Scott also has the uncanny ability to run forward and find himself on the end of a cross from his team mates at the far post. A versatile option once the likes of Emerton retire, Scott will be staking his claim even harder in the 06/07 season.
