Goodwin Buys Into GVE's Jets
NEW JET...Goodwin has taken flight in pre-season
IF THERE was a 'player of the pre-season' award, new Newcastle Jets wingback Craig Goodwin would be in with a good shout.
The signing from Melbourne Heart has scored six goals in the Jets' various trial matches to date, including a long-range bomb as the second of a brace in their spiteful cash with Wellington on Saturday.
Goodwin, who famously burst on to the A-League scene in the third Melbourne derby last season, has settled in perfectly in Newcastle and looks set for a break-out year as part of Gary van Egmond's youth revolution.
While another young Aussie left back in Jason Davidson made his Socceroos debut in Scotland last week, 20-year-old Goodwin is merely preparing for his first season as a senior professional, so while it would be a stretch to compare the two, a look at Goodwin's rather unlucky career trajectory shows that he could be a sleeping talent in a problematic position for Australia.
“I trialled at Crystal Palace when I was 15,” Goodwin told au.fourfourtwo.com. “I did quite well for two weeks and they wanted to keep me longer, but Neil Warnock, who was the manager at the time, told the youth coaches he wanted a centre half and a striker, and those were the only two spots remaining.
“Later, I trialled at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Premier League and earned a contract.
“But they got relegated in the last game of the season. I got a phone call a couple of days before the flight there telling me they'd cut the youth system.”
The Adelaide boy had a couple of unsuccessful trials for the Reds' National Youth League squad before then-Oakleigh Cannons coach Arthur Papas tracked him down on Facebook to invite him to the VPL on the recommendation of a former team-mate.
Goodwin's impact in Papas' rookie season, which culminated in a Grand Final loss, prompted a call from now-promoted Heart youth coach John Aloisi, and his brief run in the A-League late last season earned him his first international call-up via the Olyroos and brought about interest from a number of clubs around the country.
Papas, who has since moved on to further his blossoming coaching career in India, had been plucked by the Jets when Goodwin followed but although Papas' presence played some part in Goodwin's move to the Hunter, the player insisted it was van Egmond's vision for the club that ultimately lured him in.
“Arthur was a factor in my decision to come to Newcastle but when I looked at all the things that Newcastle had planned going forward, the team they were assembling, the playing style, the facilities they have, I felt for where I want to be which is to eventually go overseas and hopefully play in Europe, I felt Newcastle ticked all the boxes,” he said.
“Gary's philosophy is to play a high tempo game with a lot of pressing, and also a short passing game. All the younger players he's recruited, they're not just young players coming through, they've represented Australia at different levels and they suit the style he wants.
“To me it seems like a great plan and so far it's going really well. When the season comes hopefully we can show other teams this plan's going to work.
“We'll have to see how it pans out but sometimes when you build a new team it doesn't click straight away. If we can keep this team together for a couple of years and grow and get to know each other as players and people we better be one of the best sides in the league. But you never know, we could have a great season here.”
Goodwin's man-of-the-match debut was highlighted by a left-foot rocket on the half volley that Ante Covic did well to keep out of Victory's net.
His goal-scoring feats in pre-season have proved that the shot was no anomaly. Goodwin revealed the secrets to a potency rare for his position, even in the modern game.
“With the formation we've been playing it encourages the fullbacks to get forward,” he said. “I've always been a player that whenever I get a chance to shoot I just take it.
“I used to do individual training with a coach called John Walker who sadly passed away a couple of years ago but it involved a lot of shooting and fitness. I'd hit a shot, and if he could catch it, he'd boot the ball away and I'd have to sprint to get it and come back.
“After training I still like to work on my shooting and it's something my dad's encouraged as well. He's always saying: 'You've got a great left foot so if you've got a chance to ping one, just do it!'”
http://www.au.fourfourtwo.com/news/2...gves-jets.aspx
Originally Posted by Gary Fish
:All I can say is thank god this lunatic is going. 
