Kennedy is an interesting one who toughed it out and the Dresden move is what finally saw him kick on. After that is was a reasonably good Bundesliga spell and then he was excellent in Japan.

We dont have a lot of precendent for what makes a good striker. There is aloisi who left too early to read any lessons into (with modern rules about u18s transferring). Then viduka who was an outrageous ohtlier then little in between. Nit even mark viduka went to the epl straight away. So as u say that first big move needs to be right

Frank farina is probably the best example for this new crop of really good but not viduka level strikers. Left at 24 and went to belgium

Just looking at Taggart's career. Did well to get into the 2014 WC squad albeit we had slim pickings and I'm just reading no Kennedy was in Brazil and withdrew to injury. 

It's what follows that maybe stuffed things up. The Fulham move. Zero games then 7 on loan for Dundee United. Was he injured for part of the time? Too many players move to this big name clubs and are just another number. Once he came back he's had a stellar scoring record. If he were Serbian or Brazilian scoring in the K League like that then European clubs are all over him. Given he's definitely more comfortable being the big fish in a small pond, his finishing when presented with chances is among the best of Australian strikers. Frustrating injuries and maybe hitting the post Japan away was the sliding doors moment.

These young players in any position need to play 4-5 full A League seasons then move to a reasonable level overseas. Too many throwing away careers by big club hoarding programs which use bright lights to blind them.

I’ve been obsessed with this topic for over a decade.
In the Golden Generation, we were insanely lucky to have a quick succession of elite strikers like Viduka, Aloisi, Kennedy and Cahill.
As they started retiring we all expected someone else to come along. But it’s been 10-15 years and still nothing close to comparable.

I’ve just been suggesting in another thread that this new generation of players coming through is a cut above the quality of youth we saw in last 10-15 years. However, the clear and obvious weakness is still the #9 Striker position. There’s certainly a lot more potential than we’ve seen since the golden gen. But no one stands out as an obvious superstar.

So, I decided to channel my Australian Striker search obsession into this analysis and see what really are our options + what do the stats tell us?
Note on stats: I don’t beleive in including penalty kicks in goal stats. So all goalscoring stats are excluding PK’s.


1) New generation natural Striker options:
So many young strikers have at least started getting game time. So there’s a lot to consider, but so far no clear stand out favourites.

Kusini Yengi
Age: 24.8
Height: 6'2
Summary: Looked promising in the A-League and has upped it during his short stint for Portsmouth in League One which has earned his first cap for the Socceroos. Physically strong and fast player. Fingers crossed he can maintain this level of productivity and convert it to higher levels of play.
2023-24 | League One: Portsmouth | 136 minutes | 2 Goals | 0 Assists | 1.32 Goals/90 | 1.32 G+A/90
2022-23 | A-League: WSW | 827 minutes | 4 goals | 2 Assists | 0.44 Goals/90 | 0.65 G+A/90
2021-22 | A-Leauge: Adelaide Utd | 386 minutes | 1 Goal | 0 Assists | 0.23 Goals/90 | 0.23 G+A/90
2020-21 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 760 minutes | 4 Goals | 2 Assists | 0.47 Goals/90 | 0.71 G+A/90

John Iredale
Age: 24.3
Height: 6'2
Summary: Been kicking around Europe on our radar for years. Finally made it to a good level at 2. Bundesliga, but yet to score a goal.
2023-24 | 2. Bundesliga: Wehen | 277 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2022-23 | 3. Liga: Wehen | 912 minutes | 6 Goals | 1 Assist | 0.59 Goals/90 | 0.69 G+A/90
2021-22 | 3. Liga: Wehen | 390 minutes | 3 Goals | 0 assists | 0.69 Goal/90 | 0.69 G+A/90

Al Hassan Toure
Age: 23.5
Height: 6’1
Summary: Included more for comparison sake with his younger brothers further below.
2023-24 | Turkish 2nd Div | 483 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2022-23 | A-League: Macarthur | 1259 minutes | 3 Goals | 5 Assists | 0.21 Goals/90 | 0.57 G+A/90
2021-22 | A-League: Macarthur | 825 minutes | 2 Goals | 2 Assists | 0.22 Goals/90 | 0.44 G+A/90
2020-21 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 555 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2019-20 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 633 minutes | 2 Goals | 1 Assist | 0.28 Goals/90 | 0.43 G+A/90

Alou Kuol
Age: 22.3
Height: 6'0
Summary: Promising start to his career but went to Europe early where it didn’t work out for him. Since overshadowed by his younger brother in midfield, but has plenty of time to get himself back on track and compete for National Team selection.
2023-24 | A-League: CCM | 214 minutes | 1 Goal | 0 Assists | 0.42 Goals/90
2022-23 | Bundesliga: Stuttgart | 5 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2021-22 | 2. Bundeslinga: Sandhausen | 11 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2020-21 | A-League: CCM | 911 minutes | 7 Goals | 2 Assists | 0.69 Goals/90 | 0.89 G+A/90

Noah Botic
Age: 20.8
Height: 6'0
Summary: Currently first choice striker for the Olyroos which means he’s highly rated by Australian management, despite a poor start to this season for both Noah and his team.
2023-24 | A-League: Western Utd | 274 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2022-23 | A-League: Western Utd | 879 minutes | 6 Goals | 0 Assists | 0.60 Goals/90 | 0.60 G+A/90
2021-22 | A-Leauge: Western Utd | 23 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists

Mohamed Toure
Age: 19.6
Height: 6’1
Summary: To some people, Mohamed is out most promising future Striking talent. His stats below on the A-League and Ligue 2 speak for themselves. Physical thread and has a knack for goal. But can he get more game time in France, be consistent and step up to a higher level of play?
2023-24 | Ligue 2: Paris FC | 146 minutes | 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 0.62 Goals/90 | 1.23 G+A/90
2022-23 | Ligue 1: Reims | 23 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2021-22 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 475 minutes | 3 Goals | 0 Assists | 0.57 Goals/90 | 0.57 G+A/90
2020-21 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 357 minutes | 3 Goals | 1 Assist | 0.76 Goals/90 | 1.01 G+A/90
2019-20 | A-Leauge: Adelaide Utd | 150 minutes | 1 Goal | 0 Assists | 0.60 Goals/90 | 0.60 G+A/90

Archie Goodwin
Age: 19.0
Height: 5’10
Summary: Prolific goalscoring at youth level and seemlessly adapting to Senior level. Already clinical numbers infront of goal. One to watch as he starts to get more minutes.
2023-24 | A-League: Newcastle Jets | 0 minutes
2022-23 | A-League: Newcastle Jets | 144 minutes | 2 Goals | 0 Assists | 1.25 Goals/90 | 1.25 G+A/90
2021-22 | A-League: Newcastle Jets | 175 minutes | 2 Goals | 0 Assists | 1.03 Goals/90 | 1.03 G+A/90
2020-21 | A-League: Newcastle Jets | 298 minutes | 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 0.30 Goals/90 | 0.60 G+A/90

Thomas Waddingham
Age: 18.6
Height: ?
Summary: Brand new senior debutant who's off to a promising start to his career.
2023-24 | A-League: Brisbane Roar | 202 minutes | 1 Goal | 1 Assist | 0.45 Goals/90 | 0.89 G+A/90

Luka Jovanovic
Age: 18.5
Height: 5’9
Summary: Showed he has a knack for goal last season with 3 goals at only 17 years old.
2023-24 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 45 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2022-23 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 372 minutes | 3 Goals | 0 Assists | 0.72 Goals/90 | 0.72 G+A/90

Max Caputo
Age: 18.3
Height: 5’10
Summary: Young debutant Striker with a goal to his name in a small number of minutes.
2023-24 | A-League: Melbourne City | 47 minutes | 0 Goals | 0 Assists
2022-23 | A-League: Melbourne City | 12 minutes | 1 Goal | 0 Assists | 7.5 Goals/90 | 7.5 G+A/90 (LOL)

Musa Toure
Age: 18.0
Height: 6’0
Summary: Youngest of the Toure brothers and the most technically gifted of the three. His 1.5 years older brother Mohamed is still ahead, but definitely has potential to overtake him. Some call Musa the most talented brother.
2023-24 | A-League: Adelaide Utd | 119 minutes | 1 Goal | 0 Assists | 0.76 Goals/90 | 0.76 G+A/90

We only play one striker up top so it won't happen unfortunately. And FWIW, I think Luka could play in a big 5 league, same as Mohamed Toure. The latter however, needs to get his body right and go on loan to a club that will play him.

Would love them to both start. Toure, goodwin, jovanovic, waddingham and caputo look like they are all good enough to start for 5-8 seasons in a 2nd teir league and we will have great competition for spots

I definitely agree that this crop of strikers is much more promising than what we've had in the past. As an Adelaide fan, we will have both Jovanovic and Goodwin competing for a starting spot, so both should get plenty of minutes and will hopefully really kick on. 

Just need more of these players to become first team regulars in the next season or two which is why I think Musa Toure's impending moce to Europe is far too early.

partial update, I think those born 2004 onwards have in new territory that we haven't seen in the a league era. However, none are in the class of aloisi or viduka. Mo Toure's stats are a bit misleading as he has been injured and has started games in ligue 2 this year whereas most a league era strikers are lucky if they start often for a single season abroad, even if they are standouts. I suspect strikers won't improve to the mark viduka level, but more having careers like aziz behich where they are consistent performers in 2nd teir leagues for many years and do a better job than what we have at international level. If we are lucky we might get a late bloomer chris wood style

A Goodwin

November 2004 8 goals at 1162 minutes

Nabout as of Nov 2012 0 goals at 63 minutes

Taggart as of May 2013 3 goals at 1182

T Waddingham

April 2005 11 goals at 1775 minutes

Taggart as of june 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

L Jovanovic

May 2005 7 goals at 1286 minutes

Taggart as of May 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

M Caputo

Aug 2005 3 goals at  766 minutes

Taggart as of March 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

Musa Toure

Nov 2005 1 goal from 202 minutes

Taggart as of Jan 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

M Glasson

May 2006 0 goals at 173 minutes

R Brownlie

Feb 2007 1 goals after 184 minutes

To look at, taggert seems to trot around doing his hair. Looks like he's more worried about swanning into a bar after the game. Constantly on his heels and a ludicrous heavy touch...but that's just me and what do I know

.However this season I watched quite a few PG games and he seemed to be moving across the pitch and dropping back between the lines giving his team mates better passing options.

To look at, taggert seems to trot around doing his hair. Looks like he's more worried about swanning into a bar after the game. Constantly on his heels and a ludicrous heavy touch...but that's just me and what do I know

partial update, I think those born 2004 onwards have in new territory that we haven't seen in the a league era. However, none are in the class of aloisi or viduka. Mo Toure's stats are a bit misleading as he has been injured and has started games in ligue 2 this year whereas most a league era strikers are lucky if they start often for a single season abroad, even if they are standouts. I suspect strikers won't improve to the mark viduka level, but more having careers like aziz behich where they are consistent performers in 2nd teir leagues for many years and do a better job than what we have at international level. If we are lucky we might get a late bloomer chris wood style

A Goodwin

November 2004 8 goals at 1162 minutes

Nabout as of Nov 2012 0 goals at 63 minutes

Taggart as of May 2013 3 goals at 1182

T Waddingham

April 2005 11 goals at 1775 minutes

Taggart as of june 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

L Jovanovic

May 2005 7 goals at 1286 minutes

Taggart as of May 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

M Caputo

Aug 2005 3 goals at  766 minutes

Taggart as of March 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

Musa Toure

Nov 2005 1 goal from 202 minutes

Taggart as of Jan 2012 1 goal at 298 minutes

M Glasson

May 2006 0 goals at 173 minutes

R Brownlie

Feb 2007 1 goals after 184 minutes

Your partnership with Bobby Despotovski became legendary - why did it work so well?We just complimented each other. We were very different - Bobby was very technical and came short. I played on the shoulders of defenders - we didn't get in the way of each other. We understood where each other would be running. Bobby was a true number 10. He could hit a ball with both feet, and he could turn on a dime. It was a pleasure to play with him.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/simon-hill-chats-to-damian-mori-about-his-career-in-the-nsl-and-a-league-and-his-coaching-ambitions/news-story/43a6fbdf493ba8a1a4f0fb94d23be4ff

Your partnership with Bobby Despotovski became legendary - why did it work so well?We just complimented each other. We were very different - Bobby was very technical and came short. I played on the shoulders of defenders - we didn't get in the way of each other. We understood where each other would be running. Bobby was a true number 10. He could hit a ball with both feet, and he could turn on a dime. It was a pleasure to play with him.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/simon-hill-chats-to-damian-mori-about-his-career-in-the-nsl-and-a-league-and-his-coaching-ambitions/news-story/43a6fbdf493ba8a1a4f0fb94d23be4ff

To be fair, outside Aloisi and Duke, we have produced only two other strikers of world class IMO, Frank Farina and Ray Baartz ... whereas keepers we have produced plenty.... lack of strikers arguably coms down to lack of coaching knowledge  ... mids a heap arguably lead by Kwell & Cahill.and backs a plenty...

Excellent topic, as an aside, I recall being at Football forum back in the mid 80's and the whole emphases was we should move to the 'total football" style... a sorta of shift away from coaching of positions.

The post has made me think, and across my entire Football experience, I understand were keepers, backs, mids etc should play and move off the ball, whereas in strikers its always been hang on the shoulder of the last defender.... further the back to goals striker who can hold a ball up front , play others in, is rare in Australia, Jason Cummings could do that but arguably lacked the speed that great strikers need... 

Out of left field maybe FA should appoint somebody to develop a strikers program to be introduced Australia wide... 

Because he was never even given one chance, we'll never know.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Porta

"He is a two-time golden boot winner, having won the award whilst at River Plate and most recently at Nacional in Uruguay's Primera División."

yes therefore striker coaching gets right down to SAP up..
All my years with my boys from that level on (> YL) has had no training or even shooting practice or attacking crossed balls.
All too late introducing this for NT level.

I heard that the main skill strikers need and are jidged by is their ability to manage space aroubd defenders. By that criteria all of our strikers are a bit remedial and id love a specialist striker coach be appointed by the fa

 id love a specialist striker coach be appointed by the fa

I wanted to also look at touches per 90 since for the national team it tends to matter how involved the player is when not scoring goals. When maclaren doesn't score it is like playing with 10 men

Jamie Mclaren:19.8
Duke 47.1 (last a league season)
Taggart: 29.7
Juric: 32.3 (20/21 season)

One player who I’ve noticed who seems to be flying under the radar on this forum is Luka Jovanovic. I can’t recall a striker coming through that is so technically good but also so lethal in front of goal. For me, he is the most promising striker playing in Australia right now with Archie Goodwin in second. 

To be fair, outside Aloisi and Duke, we have produced only two other strikers of world class IMO, Frank Farina and Ray Baartz ... whereas keepers we have produced plenty.... lack of strikers arguably coms down to lack of coaching knowledge  ... mids a heap arguably lead by Kwell & Cahill.and backs a plenty...

Excellent topic, as an aside, I recall being at Football forum back in the mid 80's and the whole emphases was we should move to the 'total football" style... a sorta of shift away from coaching of positions.

The post has made me think, and across my entire Football experience, I understand were keepers, backs, mids etc should play and move off the ball, whereas in strikers its always been hang on the shoulder of the last defender.... further the back to goals striker who can hold a ball up front , play others in, is rare in Australia, Jason Cummings could do that but arguably lacked the speed that great strikers need... 

Out of left field maybe FA should appoint somebody to develop a strikers program to be introduced Australia wide... 

When in form he's certainly a great player... but very rarely does he track back and do the hard work/intelligent pressing. etc... Not the best example to learn from for a modern day forward.