Riley McGree has completed a dream March by winning this month’s nomination for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year.
The Adelaide United teenager was the bolter in Ange Postecoglou’s Caltex Socceroos for World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and the UAE.
Adelaide midfielder nominated for NAB Young Footballer Award
Click here for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year HUB
While he didn’t take the field in either game, Postecoglou said he would have no hesitation in handing the 18-year-old an international debut if the circumstances were right.
McGree impressed Socceroos icon Tim Cahill during his debut camp with the national side.
“Riley’s ability is exceptional – he has amazing feet, he’s good on the ball, confident and very forward-thinking,” said Cahill, who mentored McGree on the plane trip to Tehran.
McGree’s call-up came off the back of some strong Hyundai A-League performances for the defending champions.
He started eight straight matches for the Reds before missing the weekend’s win over Central Coast through international duty.
His first A-League goal came in a 2-2 draw with Wellington Phoenix at the end of January.