Remember him? Signed with Southampton as a 16 year old, was meant to be the next great Australian hope. Then he was back with Marconi a few years later. Is he still playing?

He was rated a better prospect than Kaka.

Funny stuff.

Edited by Draupnir: 26-8-2010 09:12:05

nope.

dont know he is the only player i have not heard of in this 2005 young oz squad

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_OFC_U-20_Championship

all others are in europe of HAL or have previosly been in HAL

also what has happened to chris tadrosse from that team last year with NQF

Was at Dulwich Hill this year.

I know this is a silly question, but any prospect of getting back to the big time? He had absolutely massive wraps back in the day... surely not all just smoke and mirrors...

Nah. Everyone caught up to him. Good at Super League level but thats about it. Might play Premier League again but thats it.

Edited by simmo_1988: 26/8/2010 09:43:38 PM

So he just stopped developing? Sucks.

Jesse Pinto, Allan Pickenm what happened to them?

Yeah I was wondering this too and a shame, yeah. But he's still 20 something and he had the potential and probably still has. Half of it is just about the confidence isn't it? He's probably long since lost the motivation, confidence, discipline, fitness levels etc... and has probably long since established a career outside of football aswell. For some he may just be another statistic, and sure not everyone is Harry Kewell, but he gave it a go and so it didn't work out, maybe it wasn't to be - same goes for others. The production line isn't from point A-B, there are many tricky turns between those two points, it can be a long journey too and many don't even make B, or the B is something else, like another career, ofcourse.

And if we're going to make it like a memory wall - There's that former Marseille youth, Adam Hardy - featured on SBS as a 13 year old, snapped up by Marseille soon after, but apparently from what little I could gather, he left Marseille by his mid-late teens and ended up back in Australia, mainly due to persistent troubles with injuries, and those injuries killed his career by his early 20s apparently. Like Lucas, he doesn't even play State league I think?

Another is Matthew Christensen, another much hyped at 14 or so, signed by Southampton youth, Coventry or whoever it was, but fell from the radar a couple years later. He was a QLDer from the QAS I think and he certainly represented the Joeys at one of those World Cups, earlier this decade. Again I have no idea where he's at now, but at one point alot was predicted of him - Apparently one of the most talented of the Joeys squad at that time. He was part of the 2003 Under-17 WC side, one of our stars along with Sarkies, Captain Timpano (Who also had very big wraps at the time ofcourse) and co.

Cameron Watson I might've mentioned, BUT, he has been working hard, keep at it, in the VPL the past few seasons and after a few trials with various A-League clubs over the past few seasons, FINALLY secured an A-League contract with Adelaide United! In his mid-late teens Watson was with the AIS, then FC Porto's youth set up for a season or two and then spent a season in the Dutch league with VVV-Venlo. Young Aussie footballers with that sort of football education, are no chumps and it's good to see some still have a chance, even now as they approach their mid 20s.

I might mention Matthew Danskin too. There are plenty of West Aussie blokes who went over to Europe, especially the UK, in their mid teens, only to return by their late teens, about 20. The only ones who haven't come back are the Rhys Williams', Shane Lowrys' and Chris Herds'. Anthony Danze is perhaps the most high profile, but he's just one of many names. Danskin is one who spent his mid teens with Werder Bremen no less, back circa 00-03 or so. He was also always about our Joeys team circa mid 00s. He returned to play in the WA State League in 2004 and has been there ever since. Apparently he's been amongst the league's leading players a few of those seasons too. He's mid 20s now, but if he can really push through in the WA State League, then he could still get a look in at A-League level. Heck it may even be worth him trying a season in the VPL or NSWPL, to get more notice, like how Dino Djulbic and some other West Aussies have, in the past. Djulbic actually played with South Melbourne, so if he can manage a stint with a club like that, it would do his A-League prospects no end of good.

Though given it took Watson soo long to crack the A-League, no wonder guys like Danskin, with Glory's thick squad, have trouble getting even a look in. Though to be fair to Glory, other State League stars like Todd Howarth and Tommy Ampthlett have not only gotten a look in, but have become established players for the club now. So there's still always a chance for WA State League boys.

Edited by GloryPerth: 27/8/2010 03:39:47 AM

Well done, Good read up. I like how you pointed out that development isn't an A to B process. I am suspect that going overseas even to join academies can hamper youth development, there are the exceptions of course. However, I imagine if you miss out on big chunks of your adolescence being in a foreign country trying to figure yourself out and being surrounded by strangers may not be conducive to development. Whereas, if you are in Australia surrounded by family and friends and having a 'normal life' psychologically it may be better for young players. This is just my opinion, but it would be interesting to hear what others think.

Edited by michaelb: 27/8/2010 07:56:07 午前

I think he even played some games for wollongong before he left when Wollongong were if not the best pretty close to the best team in the NSL.

Excellent post GloryPerth it's always interesting to find out what happened to these youngsters.

MichaelB. Disagree slightly in that football at the higher levels is a tough & competitive business and the desire to succeed must outweigh all other considerations - whatever your age. However, having said that, if the youngsters parents (one or more) can also go to Europe, as some have done, it does make the experience that much easier and enjoyable.

This. Just ask Messi!

FIFA states that a player under the age of 18 shall only go to an overseas club with parents in tow. And even then the player cannot move for football purposes alone, it is relevant that the parents have moved overseas for work purposes and that football is a byproduct of this move.

GloryPerth:: Fine post once again, hats off to you. =d> =d> =d> =d>

Edited by spathi: 27/8/2010 04:14:24 PM

https://www.transfermarkt.com/jay-lucas/profil/spieler/128831

Just heard about him on the Scott McDonald podcast. He just didn't seem to reach the level required at that critical time. Had never heard of him. 

I was only thinking the other day about many of the young guns that have gone overseas ...Pasquali, Theoharus,and many others whose names I have forgotten . Wonder what they are all doing now and are any making progress ?
BTW I am not of the opinion (like many ) that theses guys are "failures" if they don't succeed in Europe ....a failure would be not trying it in the first place.
Good on 'em for having a crack !

The reality is there are thousands of Jay Lucas and Joey Dilorio's out there but only few make it.  When all is said and done not good enough.

Cameron Watson is now 31.

He played for Adelaide United 2011-2015, and he was crap. God knows what he is doing now.

Like iv said in another thread there is little difference between our best and the rest. The biggest reason they don’t go on is that these players don’t bring it (often enough) on game day. The ones who make it are accountable and put pressure on themselves to impact games. So it’s 100 pct mental.

Players need individual coaches and mentors even if they play in a team environment. Lots of work like visualisation, positive self talk, the ability to quickly move on from a mistake, are all things taken for granted yet few pro’s actually do this stuff.

He has been playing in India for a couple of years now I think.