Divide and conquer
Prolific scorer may be better in defence
SHE is among the leading goalscorers of this year’s FNQ Premier League, but a highranking local coach believes JCU Strikers young gun Astia Neckebroeck may be best suited to a defensive role.
Neckebroeck is among the large cohort of talented young female footballers coming through the ranks. She can play just about anywhere, and has done just that through her junior career, but in club football resides in the midfield for Strikers’ Premier League side.
But the teenager has evolved into one of the region’s most prolific and dangerous strikers of the ball.
She flexed that muscle last season, scoring 38 goals in 37 games across two women’s divisions, and has started this season with a bang.
She jagged a hat-trick in Round 1 against Innisfail, then slotted six against the lowly Stratford Dolphins before her side had the bye.
But Reggie Davani, the region’s technical director manager, said Neckebroeck was also just at home in the defensive line.
“In the TSP (Talent Support Program) side we’ve actually used her as a centre back,” Davani said.
Astia Neckebroeck has become one of the region’s most prolific goalscorers. Last year, she showed her finishing ability with an incredible 38 goals across two leagues. RISE OF THE STRIKER 2020: Nine goals, three games (Premier Women) 2019: 15 goals in 18 games (Premier Women); 23 goals in 19 games (reserve grade) 2018: eight goals in 18 games (Premier Women); one goal in 11 games (U15/16s Div 2)
2017: 11 goals in 12 games (U12-14 girls); two goals in three games (U14 B).
“She’s been top quality in her role. She can create opportunities and has shown she can score a lot of goals, but she’s also a very good organiser at the back.”
Neckebroeck slotted into the defender role due to the rep side’s overflowing number of midfielders, but she’s shown off with her ability to adapt to any role in which she’s been asked to fill.
And the skills she has crafted and developed throughout her career to date have only made the transition easier.
“Having those midfield skills, they certainly help when she’s distributing it from the back,” Davani said.
“The centre back is able to build momentum into the midfield. You can build an attack from the back – it’s the way of modern-day football.
“For a young player to have all of those skills, you’ve got a complete package.
“It also depends on the environment at the clubs. We had a lot of midfielders in the TSP so we used her at the back, but Strikers use her as a midfielder.
“I think she could play at six as well.”
Her inclusion in the Queensland Academy of Sport regional player program has allowed her more opportunities to develop her game, and be seen by some of the state’s best football coaches.
Her Strikers had the bye last week, but they will return to action in a high-stakes clash with the undefeated Mareeba United Bulls at Lindsay Australia Stadium on Thursday night.
Elsewhere, Southside Comets host Leichhardt at Edmonton tonight, while Edge Hill United host Stratford Dolphins at Tiger Park on Saturday afternoon.