ALM young guns eyeing grand final stage

If Jordan Bos’ number comes up in the A-League Men grand final, the 19-year-old Melbourne local is ready to embrace his moment on the big stage.

Bos watched on from the stands last season as Nathaniel Atkinson and Marco Tilio starred to help City clinch their breakthrough championship.

The highly rated left-back has since broken through to become a regular in City’s match day squads, predominantly off the bench and is poised to feature in Saturday’s grand final at AAMI Park.

“Everyone coming on or getting some game time, you want to be the hero of the final or just make a difference,” Bos told AAP.

“If I do get some minutes that’s what I’m aiming to do, help out the team as much as I can.

“I hope I can bring some X-factor to the grand final. But my main goal is just to do my responsibilities and my roles. Hopefully I can make a difference as well.”

Plying his trade for Western United is 22-year-old attacker Dylan Pierias.

A former City academy product, Pierias debuted as a 16-year-old in February 2017.

He signed for United ahead of their inaugural season and has been there through the highs and lows of three campaigns, typically making an impact with his scintillating pace.

“The beauty about playing young players is that they’re very hungry, and you’ve got energy to bring,” Pierias told AAP.

“Whether I’m starting or on the bench, I’ll be very happy to put my part in and give 100 per cent for the team.”

Pierias is still close friends with several of City’s young guns.

He has known Stefan Colakovski since they were 12, is close with Connor Metcalfe and also knows Tilio.

“Most of them that were there with me in the youth team are there now and I’m pretty good mates with them,” he said. 

“So it would be nice to beat them, actually.”

Meanwhile Bos, who will travel with the Olyroos for the U23 Asian Cup on Sunday, knows how a few magic moments in a big game can turn a career.

In the past year, Tilio earned Olyroos and Socceroos call-ups while Atkinson moved to Hearts,

“It’ll open so many doors. You always want to go on, even on the bench, and get as many minutes as possible, especially in the granny where there’s a lot of eyes on you,” he said.

“If I get some minutes and make the most of it then hopefully it’ll open up some pathways for me.”