One to watch: Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar)

What a start to his Roar career Maclaren has made. In just five games he has already repaid John Aloisi’s faith in bringing him to the club.

Earmarked as a star of the future when at Perth Glory, Maclaren is living up to the hype on a consistent basis so far in 2015/16.

So important to Brisbane’s rise to the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder so far this season, the 22-year-old has been involved directly in five of the side’s 11 goals this campaign.

He’s scored three times – including a double in the season-opener against the Wanderers – and also had two assists.

Maclaren has forged a thrilling partnership with fellow Roar youngster Brandon Borrello, the October nominee for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year.

Melbourne-born and raised, Maclaren spent four seasons in the youth set-up at Blackburn Rovers before returning to Australia and signing a deal with Glory in 2013.

He scored 11 times in just 38 appearances for Glory – most of them as a substitute – before opting to switch.

And the stats show it was the right move. As well as his goals and assists, Maclaren has had 13 shots on goal, created six chances and has a pass accuracy of 80.7 percent.

He’s already looking like a huge cog in the Roar juggernaut and definitely one to watch in the NAB Young Footballer of the Year race.