It was a happy homecoming at Western Eagles Football Club last week as it welcomed back former junior star and now Melbourne Victory youth team captain Thomas Deng.
Deng put the next generation of Eagles’ players through their paces with a number of training drills and provided insights on what it takes to make it to the next level.
Western Eagles youth co-ordinator Peter Marmura said it was a fantastic night for the club.
“Thomas was very happy to be there and everyone at the club was really excited to have him back, especially the players,” he said.
“You should have seen them training and how enthusiastic they were. It was unbelievable.
“We introduced him to the entire group and, after that, he went around to each team and did a couple of drills with them.
“He was working with the different players and different teams, and it was great.”
For Melbourne Victory, 18-year-old Deng is a lead defender, holding down the right back and central positions.
His natural leadership has also helped the Victory take top spot in the NPL1 East competition, with the club enjoying seven wins from its eight games this year.
Marmura said it was always clear Deng was going to progress to great heights in the game.
“As a junior, he came into the club and because of his talent was put in the senior team straight away,” Marmura said.
“I think he was only about 15 or 16 then. He was playing in the midfield and could just run all day. He had amazing skills.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a fitter player come through the club. We knew he was extremely talented.”
Western Eagles have now turned their attention to finding the next up-and-coming stars from the western suburbs.
Marmura said the club had put a huge focus on its juniors in the off-season, seeing this as the best way to compete with a number of its Brimbank rivals.
“We’re surrounded by these bigger clubs, but we’ve been around for a long time and are one of the oldest clubs in Victoria,” Marmura said.
“The club was established in 1950. It’s done very well in the past and we’re trying to provide a good family club.
“For some clubs, the juniors can fund the seniors. For us, we want to put that money into training them from an early age and develop them for years to come.
“Hopefully, with that approach, we can keep climbing the ladder.”
