Three things are certain in life. Death, taxes and Fraser Gosstray banging in goals for fun.
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Manoeuvring around the pitch with a sort of malevolent grace, opposition markers within his radius are filled with a sense of impending dread when he bears down on goal.
Shepparton Sports Precinct has become a playground for the malleable midfielder, and on regular occasion Gosstray twists and torments defenders to leave players littered in his wake.
The Youth Academy scouts met with Gosstray to discuss how he plans to jump into first team action and continue to conquer the footballing landscape.
McEwen’s maestro
The Orangemen’s home-grown whiz kid has climbed the club’s ladder, ripping the net in each and every age group, making him impossible to ignore from a senior coaching perspective.
Having already accrued more than 50 age group goals in a Suns strip at only 17 years of age, to say Gosstray has a bright future ahead of him is a criminal understatement.
Youth Academy: How has the season gone for you so far?
Fraser Gosstray: Well, I haven’t made any senior appearances, but I have played 20s. Five wins, five losses and looking to get another win this weekend.
YA: The under-20s have been a bit up and down this season, what do you put that down to?
FG: I wouldn’t put it down to the coaching, probably the players not performing, and some defensive errors throughout the game which can be fixed in training.
YA: Every young Suns player seems to have played every position on the park, what has your positional development been like?
FG: A couple of years ago in the state squads, I started off as a winger and then I changed to a striker. And now I have sort of developed into an attacking midfielder. I like playmaking and putting balls through, but striker is where I enjoy playing the most.
YA: What do you want to see develop at the Suns?
FG: Just a bigger crowd at games, fans getting down to watch us play. We had video coverage last year, but now it has dropped off. We can’t really watch back games and pick up what we did wrong.
YA: You are currently knocking on the door to the senior side?
FG: I have been training only with the seniors this season, just trying to get a place in the senior squad. I went down to Casey for the FFA Cup, but I actually popped my rib out just before the game.
My senior debut was in the FFA Cup last season where I actually scored. It was a good feeling, but we were already five goals up.
Definitely my fitness and my work-rate have improved. Craig (Carley’s) coaching has helped me step up to the senior level.
YA: What was it like playing at Coffs Harbour with the Victorian state side?
FG: It was a good experience, playing against a better quality of kids. I think we finished near last though.
Kicking: the habit
While breaking into the first team remains number one on the Gosstray agenda, the 17-year-old has his sights set on big things in his career.
The Victoria Country representative — and brother of former Sun Cooper Gosstray — saw plenty left to improve in order to achieve his dreams.
YA: You have grown up playing alongside your brother Cooper, what has that rivalry been like?
FG: Fighting on and off the field — a lot.
In games playing in the midfield together, we were constantly arguing who made the wrong decision. Now he has moved to America and is pushing on for college soccer.
YA: Do you think having an older brother to look up to helped you progress as a footballer?
FG: Yeah, it sort of tempted me to try and become better than him, perform better, always stay on top of him.
YA: Have you had any coaches or mentors who have influenced you throughout your journey?
FG: Probably Darrell Mills who was at Murray United, just his coaching style helped us refine our skills and make sure we were ready to perform on-field. And Stu Vance for getting me fit.
YA: What would you say your best attribute on the field is?
FG: Probably my decision making, and being able to take on players at the right time.
YA: Do you notice the difference between playing under-20s and seniors?
FG: Yeah, there is big difference in the quality of football. Twenties is still good, but then when you step up to the senior level it is like a much better quality. Quicker ball-movement, you have got to keep up with the pace of the game.
You have to make faster decisions when I am on the ball, taking a smaller amount of touches, those sorts of things.
Tiki-taka
YA: What has been your favourite footballing moment?
FG: It would probably be scoring a goal on my senior debut. We were playing a state league team and the ball just came across to me, it was a just a little tap-in — it was the easiest goal.
YA: What has been your least favourite moment?
FG: It was a couple of years ago against Bulleen, I fractured my wrist and was out for multiple weeks. I got tripped from behind and landed on it.
YA: Who is your footballing idol?
FG: Probably Lionel Messi to be honest, he is so quality on and off the ball. He is always in the right positions.
YA: If you could play for any team, who would it be?
FG: Oh, easily Manchester City. The club is so good, there are plenty of up and coming players like Phil Foden and Leroy Sane.
YA: What is next for you in terms of football?
FG: Well first I want to finish school, and then see where I can go from there. Maybe Melbourne, or go even further than that like college in America.
Youth Academy is an ongoing investigation into the Goulburn Valley’s footballing wonderkids. Each week we will profile an upcoming talent who has captured the attention of the local football scene.