Future to hinge on a downshift

the boots for the Saints Soccer Club, then made his senior debut locally as a teenager for the newly merged Edge Hill Saints in 2001, concluding in a grand final appearance.

However, it was November of that year that proved especially significant.

While enjoying schoolies, Thwaite watched as the Socceroos failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, going down to Uruguay in a two-leg qualifier.

“I decided then I wanted to be part of that … part of getting to the World Cup,” he said.

He fulfilled that dream, making 13 appearances for the Socceroos, significantly as part of the squad that qualified for the 2006 and 2014 World Cups.

However, disappointingly, a World Cup call-up eluded him.

In 2002, Thwaite moved south to study and while playing for Sydney University he was scouted by former Socceroos boss Raul Blanco, who was then coaching the Marconi Stallions.

After a successful trial he signed with Marconi Stallions in the defunct National Soccer League, a move that launched a professional career and had him signing several A-League contracts.

At the end of the 2017-18 ALeague season, Thwaite was released by A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Although available to play the club’s final match, a mustwin affair against Adelaide with a finals spot on the line, Thwaite was left on the bench.

Wanderers lost 3-2.