What seemed like a routine substitution for Western United was actually a historic moment for football in Australia.
As Western United introduced 20-year-old midfielder Jordan Lauton off the bench in the 65th minute of their clash with Sydney FC, the young gun was making a debut that carried great significance across the histories of the National Soccer League and the A-Leagues.
In making his A-Leagues bow, Lauton became the 4000th player to feature in the men’s national league in Australia, dating all the way back to the inception of the NSL in 1977.
Paramount+ commentators Teo Pellizzeri and Teresa Polias were blown away by that statistic as they called the historic moment.
“This moment here for Jordan Lauton – a big thank you to Andy Howe, statistician and guru for Football Australia and the APL – there is the 4,000 mens national league player, dating back to 1977 and the start of the NSL,” Pellizzeri said.
“Jordan Lauton the 4000th player to play in the mens national league in Australia. What a milestone.”
Polias responded: “What an incredible stat!”
Lauton played 25 minutes and completed 12 of his 18 passes as Western United went on to draw 2-2 with Sydney FC in Hobart.
John Aloisi’s side remain bottom of the Isuzu UTE A-League, sitting seven points adrift of their nearest rivals Perth Glory after taking eight points from their opening 14 matches of the campaign.
