It’s a familiar story, given the success stories of Shepparton forwards Garang and Alou Kuol, but the latest player to see his star rise operates at the opposite end of the pitch.
Goulburn Valley Suns fullback Israel Monga has been selected for the National Talent Identification Program — meaning, if all goes to plan, the teen talent could be throwing on national colours in less than a month.
Monga, 16, was identified at a trial game last week and was picked in a group of Victoria’s best prospects, aimed at identifying emerging talent for the Joeys, Australia’s under-17 side.
Suns coach Craig Carley shed light on how the situation came about.
“My phone was blowing up on the day from Anthony Frost, who’s the academy manager at Western United and John Grimaud, who’s a football agent,” Carley said.
“They were both present at the game on Thursday and said Izzy was head and shoulders above any other player on that pitch.
“Izzy was the only player there who is outside of an academy and, basically, (the program) is the best 20-25 players in Victoria of the age group of 2008 born and they’re looking for the next intake of players to represent the young Joeys at the next Asia Cup.”
The Joeys have qualified for the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia, which runs from April 3-20.
Should Monga make the grade, it would mark a stunning turn in the budding defender’s career.
The teen played his formative football at Wodonga Heart and Murray United in the Albury-Wodonga region before being recruited by the Suns in the most recent off-season.
As soon as he arrived at McEwen Reserve Carley knew he had a special player on his hands.
“We knew Izzy was a talent and he plays years above his actual age,” he said.
“You’ve got to remember he is still 16 years old and he’s excelling in our environment, so hopefully we can fast track development and help with his progression into the professional game.”
