The rising star of Nathan Sherlock

A breakthrough season with Sydney Olympic in the top flight of state football and a possible treble for a player who a virtual unknown at the beginning of the Telechoice Premier League season.
The rise of one of the nation?s most promising young players has been a meteoric one over these past few months.
Football NSW this week catches up with NSWIS graduate, former Joey and Sydney Olympic right-back Nathan Sherlock, a teenager whose composure on the pitch and humility off it is nothing short of a fully-fledged professional.
FNSW: Nathan, this has been a very successful season for you personally, one in which you certainly grabbed the opportunity that was presented to you when Shannon Cole succumbed to that unfortunate ankle injury fairly early on in the campaign. It must be a bitter sweet taste to have taken advantage of a team-mate?s misfortune?
NS: Yeah it is to be honest but Shannon?s injury is just part of football. I was given my opportunity and I made the most of it and I thank Milan Blagojevic and everyone at Sydney Olympic who helped me on my way.
FNSW: You?re now set-up to play a key role for Olympic during the finals, is there going to be added pressure having to perform at the most crucial time for the club?
NS: I don?t think there is really much pressure, you just go out there and do the job, every time you go out onto the pitch you just concentrate on performing your role completely right and the rest falls in place with other people?s performances contributing as well.
FNSW: How important has Milan Blagojevic and the club been for you this year? Have you felt comfortable at the club, what?s the vibe been like within the club and the team?
NS: Sydney Olympic have been great for me this year, it has been a great experience. Not only with Milan Blagojevic, but with all the coaching staff, including Manny Spanoudakis, Danny Silvestri, Craig Duncan, Chris Trevors, Pat Rando, all the players have been great mentors ? particularly the likes of Peter Zorbas and Mirko Jurijl.
FNSW: Looking towards the finals now, perhaps it is a little bit ironic that the man you initially replaced during the season ? Shannon Cole ? is now being supported by you on the pitch?
NS: I think Shannon is a great player and I think he?s helped a lot of players at the club develop with his experience and now just playing behind him, I realize there isn?t much of a replacement for him.
FNSW: Nathan, thanks for your time and best of luck with the finals series and the Tiger Turf Cup Final.
NS: Cheers.
-By Chris Paraskevas