It has been a breakout season for Rhys Bozinovski, who has played a key role in Western United’s run to the Isuzu UTE A-League Semi-Finals. aleagues.com.au looks at the number’s behind the local product’s campaign.
Born and bred in the west, Rhys Bozinovski represents everything Western United stand for.
The local product was one of the first players to progress from the club’s inaugural Academy squad into the Isuzu UTE A-League side when he signed his first professional deal as a 17-year-old in 2021.
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Now, Bozinovski is a key pillar for a young and exciting team eyeing silverware in 2024-25. He is instrumental in the Green and Black’s Championship hopes this season heading into a blockbuster Semi-Final against rivals Melbourne City.
Unheralded by some, the 21-year-old has emerged as a genuine star amid a breakout campaign under John Aloisi, who believes the sky is the limit for the academy graduate.
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“I don’t want to put a ceiling on him,” Aloisi told reporters when asked about Bozinovski earlier this season.
“He’s definitely a player we’ve believed in for a number of years. Our only question mark was his body and getting him playing week in, week out. He’s been able to do that this season.
“We couldn’t be happier because we know Rhys is still learning and the game and there’s still so much more left in him.”
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Playing alongside star teammate Angus Thurgate, Bozinovski has flourished in midfielder this term. Just look at his performance in the Elimination Final win over Adelaide United – one Aloisi described as “outstanding”.
A late substitute in Western’s triumphant 2022 Grand Final triumph, the former Spring Hills and Caroline Springs George Cross junior – in the heart of the state’s west and not far from the Ironbark Fields facility in Tarneit – ranks equal first for possession won in the middle third at Western United.
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Bozinovski – the grandson of legendary former Malta international Willie Vassallo, who was regarded as one of the country’s greatest footballers before passing away recently – has been a standout among his teammates, with the youngster also second for tackles (64), tackles won (39) and possession won (151) in 2024-25.
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But there is more to his game. The Australia youth international is also a threat in attack with five goals from an Expected Goals (xG) of three. To put that into context, only star strikers Noah Botic (15) and Hiroshi Ibusuki (10) have scored more for Western.
Bozinovski’s numbers among midfielders across the entire competition also stack up well.
He is fourth for tackles won (39) and possession won in the middle third (88), and fifth for recoveries and possession won (151).
Bozinovski is also in the top 10 for possession won in the final third (19), total carry distance (2943.9), total carries (277) and interceptions (28). This is a player who is not only able to break up the play but progress the ball forward and score goals.
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“The ceiling is up to him where he wants to get to but he has all the qualities to be a top, top player,” Aloisi said.
