Brisbane Roar defender Luke DeVere is determined to improve on his breakout season when his side kicks off their 2010/11 A-League campaign against Gold Coast United this weekend.
The 20-year-old was one of the standout performers in an otherwise disappointing season for the Roar, who finished ninth on the table and had coach Frank Farina sacked mid-season.
Already capped at youth international level, DeVere has already been touted as a future Socceroo and said he was hoping to continue his development this season.
“Obviously I had a good end to last season and I-m looking to try and carry on from there,” DeVere said.
“Hopefully I continue to improve and develop at the start of this season.”
“I-m feeling pretty fit and the squad has had a lot of successful pre-season performances.”
“We-ll just have to carry that into the season and get away to a good start.”
DeVere and his teammates will have their hands full first up when they travel to Skilled Park for the clash with Gold Coast on Sunday.
The Roar failed to grasp a single point against their M1 rivals last season, but DeVere said a new season would bring better results for Brisbane.
“The results against United might be in the back of some player-s minds but it-s a new season, a new team and a new outlook,” he said.
“And I think it will be about getting off to a good start more than anything.”
“It-s been a long pre-season and the boys have been working hard for all that time.”
“So everyone is itching to get onto the field and try to turn all that hard work into a win against United.”
So impressive has DeVere been, coach Ange Postecoglou has seen fit to include the young defender in the club-s leadership group alongside captain Matt McKay, vice-captain Shane Stefanutto and senior leader Michael Theoklitos.
DeVere said his promotion was a show of faith in the club-s younger generation.
“I guess it-s a bit of an apprenticeship,” DeVere said.
“I think with the leadership group, the boys were trying to involve someone a little bit younger and establish a link between the different age divisions.”
“And it-s an honour to be chosen by the boys to be in the leadership group.”
