INSIDE LINE
BIG THINGS
GROW
Isuzu UTE A-League star Connor Metcalfe gives back to his grassroots community.
“EVERY SOCCER CLUB dreams of
having a player under their tuition who goes on to bigger and better things,” says Valentine Eleebana Football Club committee member and sponsorship coordinator Paul Gaden. “To have someone like Connor Metcalfe, who started in the Under 6s here and has gone on to reach the highest level in Australian football… we’re just so proud.” Metcalfe, 22, has been on a tear. The talented midfielder has been a big part of Melbourne City FC’s back-to-back premierships in 2020-21 and 2021-22,
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MAX*D GO YOUR OWN WAY
helped the Olyroos to victory over Argentina at the Tokyo Olympics, and was awarded the Harry Kewell Medal for best young player of the year for the 2020–2021 season. He’s already a crucial player for the Socceroos and recently signed a three-year deal with German club FC St Pauli. He finished the season with an impressive passing accuracy of 85.3%, made 33 key passes and showcased his work rate from box-to-box, also having 25 clearances and 29 interceptions. Then, in May, Metcalfe won the Alex Tobin medal, the most coveted accolade
WORDS KIRK OWERS
in Australian football. The $10,000 individual prize goes to the player who demonstrates “leadership, achievement, commitment and service to the club and game”. And it comes with a bonus: a brand new Isuzu D-MAX X-TERRAIN awarded to the winner’s chosen junior club, thanks to the partnership between the A-Leagues and Isuzu UTE Australia. “What a way to top off the normal season,” says the 22-year-old Newcastleborn footballer. “Premiers, and then, for myself, the Alex Tobin medal—I’m very, very grateful.”
