Striker Jeremy Brockie is ready to take on the responsibility of becoming Wellington Phoenix’s main goal-scorer this Hyundai A-League season.
The former Jets striker is determined to bounce back from a lean 2013-14 Hyundai A-League campaign, which netted him just five goals, and fill the void left by Belgian Stein Huysegems.
Huysegems was the club’s leading scorer last season with 10 goals but has since moved on after two years at the Phoenix.
Brockie showed in the 2012-13 season he has the calibre to match it with the best in the league after grabbing 16 goals, the best tally in his Hyundai A-League career.
“You always probably need one striker to dominate the goal-scoring tally and I’m happy to take that pressure,” said the 26-year-old All Whites forward.
“It was disappointing the amount I got last year. But I pride myself on scoring goals and that’s what I’ll be doing again this year.”
He came close against English Premier League side Newcastle United during the recent Football United Tour only for keeper Rob Elliot to produce a couple of superb saves to deny him.
“I would have been much more disappointed if I’d played a couple of games and didn’t get any opportunities,” Brockie said.
“I’ll just keep working hard and save (the goals) for the (FFA) Cup competition and the A-League season.”
Brockie’s first chance to get his season’s tally underway comes tonight (Tuesday) away to Adelaide in the FFA Cup round of 32 match.
But he admits making the trip to Marden in Adelaide will be strange after the hype and experience of playing Newcastle and West Ham United.
“But the boys are definitely up for it,” he added. “The boys are on an absolute buzz from the two Premier League games. We want to do well in this Cup.
“It’s a great opportunity to carry on that momentum gained from the two EPL games.
“We can’t rest on our laurels. This is a knock-out competition. This is for real now.”
Albert Riera and Manny Muscat will be missing from the line-up on Tuesday night as they are with the Foxtel A-League All Stars side preparing to take on Italian giants Juventus.
It will be the first match for fullback Tom Doyle since he signed a two-year deal with the club last week after impressing throughout pre-season.
Wellington Phoenix memberships for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season are now on sale! Click here for more information and to sign up today.
