All across the A-League there are players of either great quality or real potential warming a bench where they could easily get game time at another A-League club.
Debate will go on, and jokes continue, about the A-League ‘recycling’ players. But these five players could be handy additions to any A-League squad.
Today, The Football Sack looks at the top five players warming the bench who could easily get a gig elsewhere.
5. Joe Champness
Signing with the Newcastle Jets in 2017, Joe Champness has showed signs of promise in just 17 A-League appearances for the Jets.
The winger, who suffered an injury setback at the start of the season, has failed to break into Ernie Merrick’s side with the star power of Dimi Petratos, Jair, Vargas, and Roy O’Donovan headlining the attack.
If the 21-year-old and Australian U-20 and U-23 representative can’t break into the first team with all that star power around him, perhaps a move to another club could help advance his career.
4. Nathaniel Atkinson
The young 19-year-old was promoted from Melbourne City’s NPL squad in 2017, and has featured in 30 matches for the senior side.
However, under Warren Joyce, Atkinson has been warming the bench more-often than not, with experienced import Ritchie De Laet returning to the right-back role after a brief stint as the Melbourne City striker.
The Australian U-20 representative wouldn’t find it too hard to crack into a team without a recognised right-back, with perhaps Sydney FC being the only exception as they have Socceroo Rhyan Grant.
3. Tom Hiariej
The Dutchman arrived on the Central Coast in 2017, signing a two-year deal with the Central Coast Mariners.
In his first season in Yellow and Navy, the Gosford faithful quickly got behind their new import who bossed the midfield with his technical abilities alongside fellow countryman Wout Brama.
However, his career at the Mariners has been hampered with injuries, and as such found himself out-of-favour with former boss Mike Mulvey, but still remained a fan favourite.
As @CCMariners Foundation Member #16 I implore Mike Mulvey and the club to re-sign Tom Hiariej. He is the type of player needed to rebuild the club culture around. #AnnounceHiariej @Mike_Phelan_1
— Michael Kmet (@Marinermick) February 18, 2019
Hey hi good afternoon happy Wednesday @CCMariners look now that Mulvey is out of the picture let’s get around to the important stuff like #AnnounceHiariej okie dokie thanks babes x
— Pete Prizzle (@priorpeter) March 13, 2019
Should Hiariej leave the Central Coast, any other club in the league would be silly not to try to sign him. At 30-years old, the Dutchman still has a lot to offer the A-League.
2. Riley McGree
It baffles me how a player of his talent can’t break into the starting side for Melbourne City. McGree has just one start in the last five games, with four bench appearances.
City manager Warren Joyce has had his moments with star players at the club, with Luke Brattan sidelined for a period before earning his spot back in the starting side, as well as the very high-profile falling out with Tim Cahill and Bruno Fornaroli.
I know he’s only on loan to City, but Riley McGree is a real difference-maker for that Melbourne City side who often struggle to break down their opposition. On top of that, McGree probably has the brightest future ahead of him out of any Australian currently playing in the A-League.
He would slot into any A-League team very comfortably if he returns to the A-League again next season.
1. Mark Birighitti
The 27-year-old goalkeeper signed with Melbourne City at the start of the 2018/19 season, presumably with the expectation of being the number one goalkeeper for Warren Joyce’s side.
However, Joyce has preferred veteran gloveman Eugene Galekovic all season, with Birighitti yet to make an appearance for the club.
Ever since he left the Newcastle Jets in 2016, Birighitti has had failed stints with Swansea City in the English Premier League, and Dutch club NAC Breda, before returning to our shores at the start of the season.
At the age of 27, Birighitti is in the peak of his career, and deserves to be playing regular football. If Melbourne City can’t offer him that, I suspect he may look elsewhere. Perhaps a return to the Jets or a replacement for the ageing Ben Kennedy at the Central Coast Mariners could be on the table.
Either way, any A-League club would benefit from his services.
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