Blake Powell’s dreams have become reality, the Sydney FC youngster learning from a star whose poster once adorned his wall.
As far as dream debuts go Blake Powell-s first game in the Sydney FC senior team was well and truly up there, the Sutherland Shire youngster came off the bench and scored his first goal in the same game Alessandro Del Piero opened his Sky Blues- account, making it a memorable debut.
Not in his wildest dreams did Powell think he would make his debut alongside his childhood hero, much less end up sharing debut goals, but he did in Sydney FC-s loss to Newcastle.
Several days later and Powell is still pinching himself.
“It feels surreal. I get to come to training every day and train with a truly world class player, I used to have a poster of him up on my wall and now I get to train and play with him… it is a dream come true,” Powell said.
That dream becoming a reality also means Powell gets the chance to accelerate the speed of his progress by learning from a true legend of the world game and it-s one he admits he is not passing up.
“Obviously he has been at the top level for a long, long time, he has the experience and knows what it takes to get there, he teaches us some things, but to be honest we just sit back at training and watch him,” he said.
“One thing I can learn from him is how to be more composed on the ball. Everything he does, he does with ease, that-s a hallmark of a great player and something I am keen to work on.”
In many ways Powell-s debut was as good as it gets; a goal and witnessing an ADP special, but it was lacking one thing, a victory.
Two rounds in and Sydney FC along with the Victory are propping up the table, the pressure is building on Ian Crook-s men ahead of the derby with Wanderers FC and Powell admits a win is necessary, for better table position and bragging rights.
“There is a little bit of pressure, but we have seen improvement over the weeks. Obviously we didn-t have the ideal pre-season with a few games being cancelled but we have improved and hopefully we can continue to do that.
“The derby going to be a massive game for both clubs, it-s important to get those bragging rights, we need the three points but so do they, so it-s going to be a big clash.”
With such a big battle on the cards, it would be a tough call for Ian Crook to drop Powell after an impressive performance against the Jets and the striker hopes he can be involved in the derby and play a large role for Sydney FC for the rest of the season.
“I hope to be in the squad week-in-week-out which will be tough given our attacking strength, hopefully I can do well and Crooky will keep the faith in me.”
