Sharp-shooting striker Jamie Maclaren has revealed a mid-season re-evaluation of his personal targets helped inspire his amazing goal-scoring feats that have steered Brisbane to a shot at the Premiership.
The Roar host Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon (5pm kick off) and another three points will seal Brisbane’s most successful home season ever and keep them in the hunt for a final-round shot at the Premiers’ Plate.
Maclaren has thrived in his first season at Brisbane under the guidance of legendary Socceroo striker John Aloisi. He has 18 goals so far, the most scored in a single season by an Australian in the history of the Hyundai A-League.
The Roar’s No.9 is just three goals short of Besart Berisha’s club record season total (including finals) and four behind current 2015/16 Golden Boot leader Bruno Fornaroli (Melbourne City).
Maclaren revealed that when he moved to Brisbane from Perth six months ago, he set himself a target of 10 goals in his first season with his new club.
When he raced to double figures before the season was half over, it was the experience and encouragement from Aloisi that inspired Maclaren to take his game to a new level.
“I sat down with the Boss and he made me understand that I even though I had reached my target of 10 goals, that wasn’t good enough,” Maclaren said.
“He set me a new target of 15 and now I have 18, the target is 20.
“I realise now I can never be satisfied with what I have already achieved. John (Aloisi) has taught me that I’ve got to keep pushing for more – week in, week out.
“Twenty (goals) is close now and I just want to keep going.”
While Maclaren has dominated the score sheet, he is the first to acknowledge the support and assists he has received from his team-mates.
“I walk on the pitch full of confidence from the team-mates that I’ve got behind me and what the Boss says to me,” Maclaren said.
“I feel like every time I go out there, I have a chance to score a goal.”
Maclaren hopes he can add to his tally on Sunday against the Jets, but the entire Roar camp knows they are in for a tough game against Scott Miller’s Newcastle.
“They will be hurting for not making the finals,” Maclaren said.
“They’ve got some good players and I will be up against two good centre backs in (Daniel) Mullen and (Nigel) Boogaard, who are proven A-League defenders.
“It’s a good test for all of us and we have to show our character like we did last week.
“We’ve all worked so hard to get to where we are now but the job is not completed yet.
“We’ve got two games to win and then we can focus on the finals.”
This weekend’s Match Day Community Partner is Epilepsy Queensland.
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