Special Feature: How Robbie Younis turned 2012 around

One is that the 26-year-old Bonnyrigg striker will probably score.
The other is that there?s between 20 to 30 members of the Younis family in the crowd cheering on his every move.
But in February, Younis lost the most important and vocal member of that fan club, his father Tony. Tony Younis was diagnosed with cancer in December and died in February, leaving Younis incredibly shocked and saddened.
“I couldn?t believe it. It was such a tough time for my family”, Younis said.
“My dad came to every match. Along with my mum, they were my number one fans.??
But Younis never thought about throwing in the towel, even though he was battling injuries at the time. He was determined to give it a go with his new club Bonnyrigg after playing with APIA on and off for the last eight years.
Despite missing seven weeks of pre-season training, Younis has begun season 2012 in scintillating fashion- the 26-year-old is in the form of his career.
He?s bagged 11 goals in eight games including a hat-trick against Marconi last weekend.
His coach Brian “Bomber?? Brown says he?s still not up to full fitness.
What a frightening prospect Younis will be when he?s 100%.
“I feel like I?ve still got some improvement in my game and I?m always looking at bettering myself as a player and person. There?s better times ahead,?? Younis said.
Younis hopes those better times will bring plenty of silverware for Bonnyrigg, and another crack at the Hyundai A-League when the NSW Premier League season concludes.
“The goal is to win the lot. We all play football to win so we want to win the Waratah Cup, Premier League and the Grand Final. We?re all striving to work as hard as we can to win everything.??
Younis is hoping that his status as the NSW Premier League?s top striker has caught the attention of Tony Popovic, coach of the new Western Sydney A-League side.
“I would love to get the call up to play for my hometown. I?ve lived in Parramatta my whole life – it would be phenomenal to play for the new Western Sydney side. Being a local and having the support of my family coming to the games.??
Younis said not having that family support led to his undoing when he had his first shot at the Hyundai A-League with Adelaide in 2008.
“My time at Adelaide was tough. I was 23 at the time and I?m a very family orientated person.
“Being Lebanese, I was used to doing everything with my family and friends, so it was tough being away from them. I felt like I was on the other side of the world and my motivation wasn?t as high as it should have been, because you only get one chance.??
But Younis is hoping for another shot.
“I want to prove to everyone that I can and do belong in the Hyundai A-League.
“First time didn?t go to plan. I?ve learnt a lot since then and it?s more to do with watching the game and having a bit more of a passion to succeed and I think I?ve grown as a person.
“ Now is the time to impress. There?s so many players in the NSW Premier League that can make that step up and it comes down to a mixture of luck and performance. If you perform well at the right time they?re bound to pick some players and hopefully I?m one of them.??
Younis feels he?s been given the best chance possible with the dazzling form of the White Eagles.
Brian “Bomber?? Brown has insisted on free-flowing, attacking football. The White Eagles are five points clear at the top of the league and Younis said Bomber won?t let them rest until they?ve taken the lot.
“It was very tough for me to leave APIA but it was time for a change. I came to Bonnyrigg thinking I was joining a competitive side, but I never thought we?d be this far ahead so early in the season.
“I thought we lacked a bit of experience but it goes to show with our systems and the players that we have we?re pretty balanced across the park and it reflects with where we?re sitting on the table.
“It?s a fantastic club with such vocal, passionate fans and a professional set up from the board through to the coaches. I couldn?t have asked for anything more.??
2012 could shape up to be a watershed year for Younis. Things are looking so positive for him on the pitch, even though the year started so badly off the pitch.
“It was very tough losing my father and not having him at my games. But he?s my inspiration.
“Before every game I think of my father. I say a little prayer right before we walk out and I pray that he?s watching me. That?s my motivation.??
-By Alex Zerafa