Jamie Maclaren is scoring goals at a rate the Hyundai A-League has never seen before, but the Melbourne City striker says the Golden Boot race is a mere afterthought as he sets a much bigger goal firmly in his sights.
The 26-year-old has 10 goals to his name so far this season, sharing the lead for the Hyundai A-League Golden Boot with Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre.
But what Le Fondre has done in nine games Maclaren has done in just six, as he became the fastest player to reach 10 goals in a Hyundai A-League season when he netted against Newcastle Jets last Sunday afternoon.
It’s quickly shaping as a career-best season for Maclaren in terms of scoring output alone, but the Caltex Socceroo is not going to let his pursuit of individual accolades overshadow his ultimate goal.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about the golden boot, but I would definitely swap a golden boot for a title,” Maclaren told a-league.com.au.
“I’ve got one golden boot in my cabinet and I’m so proud to achieve that but as a player you do want to win things as a group.
“A big reason I came to Melbourne City was to win something.
“We fell short in the FFA Cup Final but this year I do smell something brewing and a really good opportunity for us to go close.”
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A blockbuster Melbourne Derby awaits City on Saturday afternoon where Maclaren will be looking to fill his boots once more in an attempt to pull clear of Le Fondre who is on a red-hot goal streak of his own.
It’s not the first time Maclaren has shared the spotlight as the league’s best marksman; both he and Besart Berisha shared the 2016/17 Hyundai A-League Golden Boot scoring 19 goals apiece for the season.
But Maclaren looks set to beat that mark with ease as he sizes up a huge scoring haul, and he credits his City teammates for helping him get it done.
“I’m just full of confidence,” he said.
“It’s a great position to be in when you go out on the pitch and you feel full of confidence and you think things are going to go your way – that’s not always the case.
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“I’ve had a few games where I’ve been a little bit disappointed with my performances but as a striker you’re paid to score goals and this season has been really good in front of goal.
“I’ve always said the guys behind me are producing the ammunition and I’m only as good as the guys that support that.
“It’s been a good season so far but there’s long way to go.”
City currently sit five points adrift of league leaders Sydney FC in second place on the Hyundai A-League table.
The challenge of keeping pace with the Sky Blues continues this Saturday when City host Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park (5:00PM AEDT).
Their local rivals have struggled of late, slumping to eighth on the table with just two wins to their name, providing City the perfect chance to compound their misery while strengthening their own position on the table.
It’s a special fixture for Maclaren in many ways as the fierce rivalry divides not only the city, but also his family.
“My sister works for Victory,” Maclaren said.
“Ever since my little niece was born I gave her an ‘Uncle 9’ jersey from Melbourne City on behalf of us to say ‘you’ve chosen the wrong team’.
“It’s great to have a family divided because it brings that bit of rivalry.
“Saturday will be a great game and all my family will be there, supporting me of course and us in light blue.”
“We pride ourselves since pre-season to be the team in Melbourne that team want to beat – so far we’ve done that.”
Saturday, 21v December 2019
Kick-off: 5.00pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast: ABC TV, FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports, ABC iView
