Olsen ready for the challenge

Sutherland Sharks’ Nick Olsen, at the tender age of 17-years, has already made a huge impression in his first year at Premier League level having made his debut earlier in the campaign after spending time with current A-League Premiers West Sydney Wanderers.
“I trained with the first team at Wanderers a lot and gained a lot of invaluable experience whilst I was with them. The biggest challenge I’ve found now, making the step up this season, is playing against more senior players.
“I’m only 17-years old and still young but I have to say this has been a good change for me as it’s improving my game and I feel like I am playing better because of that, especially when it comes to playing regularly so I am very happy about that and very excited.”
There has been much speculation about the goal he scored versus Blacktown City in midweek which has been variously described as a ‘hit and hope effort’ being anywhere from thirty to 70-yards out, a chipped, lobbed volley on the spin in the centre of park near the touchline so how does this youngster describe it.
“To be honest I just put it down to instinct because I did have a couple of volleys during the game and when the ball came to me this time I was feeling quite confident.
“I did hit it sweet and it went in so I am very happy with that.
“I’ve been told it was thirty yards but I cannot say to be honest as I simply saw the ball and had a go and it went exactly where I wanted it to.”
Speaking with several witnesses afterwards they all had one thing to say about it, a contender for Goal of the Season but as the years roll by is it to be one of those goals that gets scored from further and further out.
“I hope not, I’m happy for it to stay at thirty yards,” he chuckles before continuing.
“That sounds good for me so we can leave it there thanks.”
A local junior who played for Oatley RSL U/12s side at Renown Park before trying out for the Sharks U/13 team, getting in and being there ever since however, having had that taste of A-League football with the Wanderers it is surely something he wants to experience more of in the near future.
“My aim at the moment is just to prove myself at Premier League level and the spell I had with West Sydney has certainly given me something to strive for but at the moment it is just to prove myself at this level.”
The more experience gained at Premier League level will stand the lad in good stead down the track but how hard has it been to adjust to the step up.
“As I said earlier, playing against grown men has proven the hardest to adapt to but I don’t mind getting stuck in so it has been good.
“The older players such as our captain Nick Stavrouakis and a few others in the team have helped me with their experience and have shown me ways and told me things I can use to improve my game particularly when I am coming up against players who are bigger and stronger than me. They’ve given me tips on how to get around that obstacle course and its helped me out and is working.”
The toughest part of the game has to be the no-nonsense tackling of the senior players in competitive games.
“Probably the aggressiveness of the game takes some getting used to. The tackles that come in are far stronger than I have experienced before and the things I have to deal with during game day too but that is part and parcel if you want to progress in this sport and hopefully I am learning in every match I play and that is starting to show in my performances.”
The final word goes to Olsen when asked whether the next aim was to score another winner or perhaps a hat-trick he responds.
“No, I am just looking forward to the next game and hope that I have a good one, that’s all.”
Our advice at Football NSW is to watch young Olsen now before he makes a permanent move to the A-League and beyond – a great prospect indeed.
-By Micky Brock