ARCHIE Goodwin - like every kid he knew - dreamt of playing for the Newcastle Jets.
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After three formative seasons at Cooks Hill United, Goodwin joined the Jets academy in the under-9s.
Although still 16 and eligible for the under-17s, the fleet-footed striker has made five A-League appearances and is a strong chance to start against finals-bound Central Coast in the F3 derby in Gosford on Tuesday night.
"It's pretty cool, huh," Goodwin said when asked about being the first player to come right through the academy program to the A-League. "It's a dream for everyone. You just have to work hard.
"I'm only at the beginning. The sky is the limit for me."
Jets coach Craig Deans was previously in charge of the Academy - among a number of roles he has filled at the club - and has played a major role in Goodwin's development.
"He is a great person to get advice from. I'm glad he is coach," Goodwin said. "I was in under-16s last year and in the Joeys (Australian under-17s) extended squad.
"From that, Deansy gave me the chance to come in and train. After the COVID break, I trained with the senior squad for a bit. I went back to the youth team and played there, then got asked to come back in for the A-League pre-season."
Goodwin is on a scholarship contract at the Jets. He studies year 11 part-time at Newcastle High School and trains full-time with the senior Jets squad. Fellow scholarship players Jack Simmons and Blake Archbold have followed a similar routine in previous season.
"I'm doing two subjects a semester," Goodwin said. "It makes the workload I bit easier. My teachers work well with me."
Goodwin had not played against men until playing for the youth team in a shortened NSW NPL 2 season post the COVID-19 break last year.
Four months later, the ambitious striker made his A-League debut off the bench in a 1-0 over Melbourne Victory.
"I feel comfortable now," he said. "In the debut, I was definitely nervous coming on for the first time. I feel more comfortable now, using my speed and backing myself. The thing I have learnt is that age is just a number. You can do anything no matter your age. You have to push your hardest. Just backing myself at training, I get the confidence to go onto the field in the A-League. I try to use my speed and get in behind and cause some damage.
"I get tips from all the older boys. Roy O'Donovan is an incredible player. It was good having him barking orders to me. He encourages me to get forward and score goals."
By this time next year, Goodwin hopes to be a permanent fixture in the starting team
"That is the aim," he said.
In the A-League on Sunday, a dramatic penalty save by veteran goalkeeper Liam Reddy has secured Perth Glory a 2-2 draw in thriller against Wellington in Auckland.
The result leaves both teams' finals hopes hanging by a thread with Wellington seventh on the ladder, a point behind Macarthur FC.
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
