American Workhorse Shines on Debut with Cringila Lions
The ?fitness fanatic? has fit in well since his arrival at Crehan Park from his home town in Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
Adapting to the physical side of Australian football, Roberts has settled into playing a wider or more defensive midfield role for his new club, despite having always been a defender back home.
According to club secretary, Robert Bozinoski, the 24-year old has more than enough speed, fitness and crossing abilities to be a real asset for the club.
?Justin is moulding in well with Cringila. His fitness and ability to find his man off crosses is very good,? said Bozinoski.
?I can see us using him on the wing for most of the season however he can be helpful in linking up in the midfield as well.
?He has a fantastic attitude, continuously works hard and has shown that he can communicate well with his teammates,? he added.
Bozinoski is not the only one who has taken a liking to the young American?s abilities; his teammates have also recognized his enormous talent.
Former West Sydney Berries and Manly United midfielder, Cameron Jones, is just one of many within the Cringila ranks that are happy to have the American workhorse within the team.
?Besides being genuine and a nice guy, Justin definitely has one of the biggest engines I have ever seen in a player,? said Jones.
?He always gets up and down the line and as far as a right sided players go, he is excellent.
?I can see him having a very good year with us this season,? he added.
Having played in the competitive college system in the USA for four years, Roberts recently applied his trade for an American club team called MS Brilla FC. The Mississippi outfit takes part in the Premier Development League where all the top college players play during the summer.
Roberts will be hoping that this experience can help him deliver yet again when Cringila?s take on Dandaloo in their opening match at Win Stadium.
?It is a unique opportunity to play Dandaloo in the first round because I spent two weeks training with them when I arrived in Australia,? he said with excitement.
?They are an excellent side and I am very motivated to play well in order to get the win.
?We have a good mix of young talent and players with experience and will therefore fight for each other and make it difficult for Dandaloo to get another result against us,? added Roberts.
While they may not be the global football phenomenon compared to the likes of Brazil, Spain or Germany, there is no doubt that an array of talent certainly exists in America. For now, Cringila are just happy to know they have found themselves one of them.
-By Caetano Lima
