RIVALRY EMBRACED
Rather than fear the competition, Dylan Wenzel-Halls is relishing the addition of Scott McDonald to Brisbane Roar’s attacking ranks.
It has been a test of patience for Wenzel-Halls this season after a breakthrough 2018-19.
The 22-year-old former Western Pride goal machine has started in just three games and spent lengthy periods on the bench.
Wenzel-Halls’ resolve was further tested last week when he seemingly slipped further down the pecking order following the Roar’s signing of former Socceroos marksman McDonald.
The ex-Celtic star was rushed straight into the squad for last Saturday’s match against Wellington, named among the substitutes with Wenzel-Halls.
The scene seemed set for McDonald to score the winner when he entered proceedings at 0-0 in the 55th minute.
But instead it was fellow replacement Wenzel-Halls who made the decisive impact, scoring his first goal of the season and the game’s only goal in his first appearance since December 13.
“For any player that is in and out of the squad, it’s tough,” Wenzel-Halls said.
“In the back of your head you’re a little bit worried and anxious about wanting to take that chance because you don’t know when the next one might be.
“I knew I had to come on and make an impact, try to score a winner and I did that, thankfully. I made the most of my chance and that’s all I can do as a substitute.”
Whether he’s starting or on the bench again today when the Roar meet the Mariners in Gosford, Wenzel-Halls wants to further improve his contribution and believes that having McDonald as a teammate will help him.
“Scotty’s a good player and has a good pedigree in football, so him coming in was only going to add more quality to the team and competition for places,” he said.
“The quality of the attacking power has gone up, so it’s obviously going to be very competitive at training, but with Scott McDonald here, to play with him, and train with him, all of us younger players will learn a lot ... it’s always good to learn off a seasoned pro such as himself.”