Fresh off being announced as Auckland FC’s latest signing, 2022 Johnny Warren Medallist Jake Brimmer opened up to aleagues.com.au about the decision to step out of his comfort zone and join the A-Leagues’ newest club in a bid to recapture his career best form.
New Auckland FC boss Steve Corica certainly didn’t mince his words when assessing the skillset Jake Brimmer brings with him to the Isuzu UTE A-League’s new boys: “He possesses immense talent that will take him beyond the A-League.”
In response, the 26-year-old former Melbourne Victory star was clearly taken aback by his new coach’s words…
“It’s overwhelming to be honest, like how well someone can speak about you,” Brimmer told aleagues.com.au.
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“I’ve known Steve and versed him quite a lot of times now and he’s just someone that is so driven to win and win trophies. That was the real turning point that sold me on coming here.
“Obviously the manager, with his resume and what he’s done for the A-League, as a footballer and a manager, was really the tipping point. Myself being a winner as well and wanting to win games and win trophies, that was probably the ultimate tipping point.
He added: “But also the owner, Bill Foley, and just the success he’s had, obviously in other sports and what his ultimate goal is in winning stuff, just his winning mentality.”
Signing number 17 ahead of their inaugural campaign, Auckland’s latest acquisition not only brings with him a wealth of A-Leagues experience but just as importantly, a desire to get himself back to the level which saw him awarded the competition’s highest individual honour back in 2022.
“I think it’s believing in myself firstly,” Brimmer said when asked how he gets back to the level which saw him claim the Johnny Warren Medal at the end of the 2021-22 season.
“Last year for me was more about the team and the team success, not saying that this year will be any different, but I know under Steve and what his plan is with me, getting me back higher up the field and being able to showcase what I can do in my preferred position.
He added: “I’ve heard nothing but good things that he’s said to me and what he wants from me and I know that with his backing behind me that I can reach the levels that I know I can.”
Asked how he sees himself fitting into Corica’s new-look Auckland outfit, Brimmer immediately pointed to the role performed by a bona fide A-Leagues icon during his time working under the decorated former Sydney FC coach.
“Yeah, most definitely, that Milos Ninkovic role,” said Brimmer when discussing his new position within the Auckland set-up. “Being that sole focus in attack, being able to provide other people with assists and obviously score goals yourself.
“You look at the the number 10s and attacking midfielders that he’s (Corica) had and the success that he’s had with them, the individual awards that have come with it – that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Despite making a career-high 29 appearances for Victory in 2023-24, Brimmer openly admits that he never felt he showcased his true ability in a season which saw the Melbourne club go agonisingly close to winning a first Championship since 2018.
Still feeling the long-term physical and mental affects of the knee injury which ultimately left the midfielder sidelined for eight months in 2023, Brimmer believes the move to New Zealand’s newest sporting club will give him a fresh perspective on both life and football as he looks to re-establish himself as one of the competition’s premier midfielders.
“It was definitely something that I’d spoken about and thought deeply about,” said Brimmer.
“I had to make quite a lot of sacrifices and leave a lot of things behind in Melbourne but I think in terms of progressing my career, it was the perfect time to go to the unknown and start a fresh.
“I see it as a fresh start and being able to get back to my best because last year was a difficult year. On a personal note a lot of things happened to me, coming back from my knee etc, but again it’s a fresh start for me this year and I just can’t wait for Round One to come and be able to showcase what I’m capable of doing.”
Smiling from ear to ear as he sat decked out in the soon-to-be iconic Black and Blue of Auckland FC, the former Liverpool youngster briefly took a moment to reflect on his time at AAMI Park.
Having amassed more than 90 games during a four-year stint at the club he openly professes to have supported as a junior, it’s only natural that the decision to leave Victory wasn’t one Brimmer took lightly.
In fact, there was a scenario where he could have remained in Victoria.
“I won’t go into too much detail but there were obviously talks at Victory with myself which didn’t work out, I’ll say…” said Brimmer when asked if he could have stayed.
“How I thought I saw myself at the club with what I did for the club… but then obviously this challenge arose. I did get offered a contract at Victory but this was a new challenge for me and one that I sort of said you know what, it’s a challenge that’s worth taking.
“With the the owner that’s now at Auckland and the manager that’s here, you know, all it takes is one good year and the sacrifice could be all worth it.”
As far as settling into Auckland life goes, Brimmer’s adaptation was somewhat initially stunted after going down with a bout of illness before his big unveiling could be confirmed.
Now fully on the mend though, the 26-year-old and his partner have set about embracing life both on and off the field as they begin their New Zealand adventure.
“I’ve played with a few of them or played against them,” said Brimmer as he discussed meeting his new teammates in a scenario that resembled a first day at a new school. “A lot of the boys have obviously played in and around the league so it’s nothing new to me.
“But everyone’s so welcoming. The place itself, Auckland, is beautiful. I’m really fitting in well, my partner and I have got a house now and we’ve started furnishing all that up- I’m fitting in really well, so really loving it.”
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No doubt itching to get going with his new teammates ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, Brimmer’s football fix, like most fans, has been obtained during the off-season by keeping one eye on the ongoing European Championships over in Germany.
But unlike 99.99% of football fans in Australia and New Zealand, the Auckland recruit has a very close link to the England national team, and in particular, a man he spent many years with as a junior whilst in the academy set-up at Premier League giants Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“For the three years I was there I was with Trent near enough every single day,” laughed Brimmer when talk turned to the Euros and the fact Alexander-Arnold scored the winning penalty which sent the Three Lions through to the EURO 2024 semi-finals.
“It’s funny because I keep telling everyone I was like ‘mate, he was no one! You wouldn’t pick him out of a hat – out of everyone that was there you go, alright, he probably won’t make it”
He added: “For me, because I was close with him at the time, you know, when we were there together, it’s good to see just how much his career has progressed and sort of how he’s become the player he is today.”
