Tara Murray
When new Western United coach John Aloisi approached Jamie Young to make the move down to Victoria he didn’t hesitate.
In the backend of his career, at 36, Young was keen to continue to be challenged and be part of something that was building at United.
“Football careers are so short and I don’t want to waste my time,” he said.
“I want to be spending my time playing in high demanding cultures and I want to be playing strong with leaders and characters.
“Here’s an organisation investing in very high level coaches like John. When John gave me a call I didn’t really hesitate.
“I knew there was going to be very high levels of expectations and accountability and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed that.
“I’m really interested in spending my time with people who are really excelling every day and that is really important.”
The Young and Aloisi partnership isn’t a new one, with the two working together at the Brisbane Roar.
Young said for Aloisi to put his reputation on the line to coach United was something that inspired him to join the club in just its third season.
“I know what he’s about and the thing about John is, we know what he’s done as a player and his club career and at the Socceroos. He has a high level reputation and for him to come to a club that aren’t favourties on paper compared to others, he’s putting his reputation on the line.
“I think we can see the character… He is easily one of the best coaches in the country and as a player when you see one of the best coaches put his reputation on the line that’s quite inspiring.
“I see that in other players in our dressing room who don’t stand on par with achievements, putting their reputations on the line for each other is really inspiring.”
The partnership has been a successful one so far at United. The team sits atop of the table and Young has been one of the best performed goalkeepers this season.
While in his first season at the club, Young said the way the group has come together on and off the field has been a big part of their success.
“I would summerarise it as an integrated and cohesive approach. We have competent people in administrative roles who have recruited a new manager, who has recruited new players.
“From there, there’s been high level coaching and players who can execute that coaching on the pitch and you can see how everyone is pulling in the right direction.
“It is so important when people are working in the same direction off the pitch how that transfers on, it’s like a domino effect.”
Defensively, Young was quick to praise the work of his teammates who are making his role easier.
Heading into the weekend’s game, Young led the competition in clean sheets and was equal top for the most saves.
“We’ve got a good defensive record,” he said.
“Before we step on the pitch there’s a very thorough analysis strategy that we put in place that may look like random chaos, it’s very strategic.
“I know goalkeepers associated with clean sheets. [But] case in point, the second half I didn’t really have a save to make.
“It shows the level the defence, the midfielders and strikers are playing at, where a goalkeeper doesn’t have to make saves, those guys in front of him are doing their job really well.”
