Central Coast Mariners Academy confirm Bradasevic signing
David Bradasevic has agreed to terms with the Central Coast Mariners Academy side and will ply his trade with the competition’s newcomers having spent the past three seasons with Central Coast’s National Young League (NYL) team.
The young shot-stopper was also involved with the Central Coast Mariners’ recent Asian Champions League campaign as well as the 2012/13 season, where he trained alongside Hyundai A-League counterparts Mathew Ryan and Justin Pasfield.
Similar to many of Australia’s footballing prodigies, David Bradasevic grew up in the epicentre of Australian football, specifically Liverpool, and began playing with Liverpool City Robins FC and AC United FC.
Bradasevic came up through the ranks at Blacktown City FC as well as some first grade appearances with the club, followed by last season’s stint with APIA Leichardt in NSW’s top-flight football competition.
Despite injuries to both ankles that stopped him from competing week in week out with his former IGA National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 clubs, this is the perfect opportunity for Bradasevic to get some quality game time under his belt and help Academy resurrect their season.
It has been a long time between drinks for Bradasevic who has not played a full 90 minutes since January but he is excited for the opportunity of being a first team regular to showcase his talent.
“It’s a great feeling, I haven’t had proper game time since the youth league so it’s great to know that I have some games to play this season and have some experience with the first graders,” Bradasevic told Football NSW.
The timing couldn’t be any better with the Central Coast Mariners Academy having picked up their first league win over South Coast Wolves on the weekend as well as individual openings for Bradasevic.
With last season’s Hyundai A-League first-string keeper, Mathew Ryan looking all but certain on a move to Belgium’s Club Bruge, the NSW Premier League offers Bradasevic the perfect platform to raise his hand and show why he should be Central Coast’s number one.
“Hopefully I will be around for the next A-League pre-season and train with them so I will have to see what happens there.
“You never know, they might bring another keeper in or they may decide to choose me.”
“Like every young boy, I want to get an A-League contract and even further than that, but at the moment I want to succeed with the academy and maybe from there I can get the A-League gig.”
One of Bradasevic’s main motivators has been the vested confidence he receives from John Crawley, the current Central Coast Mariners’ goal keeping coach and one of Australia’s finest.
“I have known JC since I was about 12 so I have known him for about 8 years now and he has pretty much taught me everything I know when it comes to goalkeeping,” he said.
“JC also got me the gig with the NYL Team on the Coast so for the last three years I have been with the Mariners Youth team,” he said.
Last season Bradasevic had his first taste of Hyundai A-League action in Round 9 as he sat on the bench for the Mariners’ 2-1 victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, which left him hungry for more.
The IGA National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 is a breeding ground for talent and Bradasevic knows that he is in a perfect environment to enhance his skills and further his career.
“I see the signing as a reward, with the Youth League we just missed out on the Championship and it was great to be involved with the ACL for a few months and see how everyone worked.
“It’s a great league; there are plenty of former A-League boys and plenty of boys that have played in Europe so it is a very good standard which is why I really want to play in it,” he said.
Pending a clearance from Football NSW as well as selection by coach Mark Jones, Bradasevic may see himself in the side as early as this Saturday where all eyes turn to Pluim Park for Academy’s clash against Sydney Olympic and a chance for the new boys to make it two wins on the trot.
-By Tyson Scott
