A new wave of young Australian strikers are emerging in the Isuzu UTE A-League, though do not expect Bruno Fornaroli to be taking a backseat any time soon.
Speaking ahead of Victory’s clash with Newcastle Jets on Sunday, the Melbourne Victory veteran welcomed the challenge of the next gen.
Olyroos star Noah Botic is the face of a new-look Western United this season and the 21-year-old scored in last week’s season-opening win over three-time reigning premiers Melbourne City.
There is also Brisbane Roar prospect Thomas Waddingham, who is threatening a breakout season on the back of his historic Australia Cup campaign. The 18-year-old scored his fourth Australia Cup goal in as many games at Allianz Stadium on October 7, becoming the youngest cup final scorer since the tournament recommenced in 2014.
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As new faces continue to emerge, Fornaroli – the subject of this week’s A-Leagues All Access episode following his goalscoring exploits in Round 1 – was asked whether the 36-year-old had a point to prove.
“Of course, every single week you have to prove,” Fornaroli told reporters ahead of Sunday’s showdown against Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park.
“For me, it’s good because that pushes me to the limit, it pushes me to keep training hard because kids are coming.
“They are faster and stronger. At the same time it’s something I want to see.
“I want Australian football to grow and when you see kids with that potential, it’s great. I hope to see more of them. They will help to put the league on top.”
Fornaroli and Victory will play their first home game of the season following last week’s successful trip to Allianz Stadium.
Victory’s redemption season, after finishing second from bottom in 2022-23, started with a 2-0 triumph away to rivals Sydney FC in the ‘Big Blue’.
Fornaroli is now fourth on the all-time Isuzu UTE A-Leagues goalscoring charts, with his 90th A-Leagues goal moving him level with Archie Thompson after opening the scoring against the Sky Blues.
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The Uruguayan-born Socceroo is relishing Victory’s return to AAMI Park.
“I can’t wait to score one in front of them,” said Fornaroli, who also spoke about Victory playing with a lot more freedom this season.
His response prompted a funny exchange between himself and a reporter.
A journalist jokingly asked, “only one?” to which Fornaroli replied with a smile: “We have to start for one.
“You can’t score three if you don’t score the first one. Lets say one and see what happens.”
A-Leagues All Access is back for episode two on Thursday in the new, easy to consume short-form format.
From 7:30pm AEDT on aleagues.com.au, fans will be able to tune into the latest episode – Anything is Possible – centred on Fornaroli.
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The second episode of the season is a look at Fornaroli’s journey to Australia and how he became a Socceroo.
“They will see a little bit more the real Bruno,” he said. “Who I am outside of football. Different feelings that I have and what I got through to be a footballer.
“I’m excited to watch it too. I hope fans enjoy it.”
Asked whether he planned on scoring against Sydney to make the episode better, Fornaroli laughed and said: “That was good actually. Great timing.
“I didn’t think about that but I hope they put it in. I’m not sure.”
MATCH DETAILS
Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
Sunday, October 29 2023
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+
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