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GOLD Coast United boss Grae Piddick has entrusted two talented teenagers with one of the most important roles in his system.
Young fullbacks Zahi Addis, 17, and Lachlan Remmers, 19, will start against Olympic in United’s season opener on Sunday, in what shapes as a trial by fire against a perennial title contender.
Piddick’s fullbacks typically play high up the pitch, providing overlap run with the wingers and peppering the opposition box with crosses.
They’re asked to race forward and track back dozens of times a game, involved in both attack and defence, and Piddick has handed the pivotal role to the two youngest players in his squad.
“It suits my game,” Addis said. “I like to get forward a lot and his system gives you a lot of opportunities to have the ball at your feet.
“Defensively (Piddick’s system) has extremely good structure. I know where I have to be and what I have to be doing.
“He’s laid everything down to us – now it’s up to me to perform.”
Addis, a Year 12 student at Byron Bay High School, is a former Newcastle Jets Youth Academy product who gave
the game away for a few years before rediscovering his love of football with United two years ago.
He played a handful of senior games last season but hopes to play a bigger role in a better United side in 2021.
“Last year we experienced a lot of lows – losing streaks and some fighting in the changerooms … it would be nice to experience the other side (of football), by winning and making it a habit,” Addis said.
“We have a good group of boys this year; no big egos. I think this will be a different year for us.
“We have pretty high expectations and with confidence, I think we can make top four.
“I’m looking forward to this season, especially with Grae as coach. He’s added a new dimension to our club.”
Remmers played predominantly as a defensive midfielder for United’s under-20s last season but has been converted into a right back under Piddick.
His first competitive minutes in the new position will come opposed to Olympic’s Jez Lofthouse, one of the best wingers in the competition who has been dubbed the “NPL Messi” in some circles.
“Nervous and excited, I guess,” Remmers said of his impending senior NPL debut.
“(Olympic) might be the biggest challenge we face all year but I think we’re ready.
“Right back is a new position for me. I’ll be up against Jez Lofthouse, one of the best in the league … but I’m excited (to test myself).”
Addis boasts supreme pace and technical quality, while Remmers brings precision crossing and defensive nous to the position.
Piddick’s plan is for the two youngsters to terrorise the opposition’s flanks and provide top-tier service to United’s slate of quality forwards.
“With Sam Smith, Jarrod Kyle, Smeltzy (Shane Smeltz) … they’re all tall and fast players so crosses into the box will pay dividends for us this season,” Remmers said.
“If we can continue our preseason form and beat Olympic first-up that will be a big boost for us.”