As the curtain came down on one great Perth Glory career, another was hitting the spotlight in the club’s captivating 3-2 win against Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium.
As the curtain came down on one great Perth Glory career, another was hitting the spotlight in the club-s captivating 3-2 win against Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium.
While supporters cheered off legendary goal keeper Jason Petkovic, they were also on their feet at the awesome debut of teenage defender Scott Neville who produced a telling performance that fully deserved the ovation from the Glory faithful.
Handed a start at right back by Coach Dave Mitchell following an almost flawless season with the club-s youth team, Neville took his opportunity in the big time with both hands and gave the Melbourne attack a solid shake.
“It was the best experience of my life,” Neville said at Glory-s recovery session the following morning.
“I have been working hard to get an opportunity and Mitch just said to go out and play my game and that is what I tried to do and I was really happy that it all worked out.
“To be playing alongside some of the great players in this league is a fantastic feeling and after getting a taste for it I definitely want more,” he said.
Fellow defender and long time Glory servant, Jamie Harnwell, also had nothing but praise for the youngster who has also come through the ranks of WA State League club Sorrento.
“I’ve seen Scotty grow up for a number of years now, he has come from my old local club, so it’s a real pleasure to see him do well,” Harnwell said.
“He’s a really nice kid, he wants to succeed, he works hard and the best thing is he listens. I think he’s got a very bright future ahead of him and everyone is absolutely rapped the way he went about things.
“Some of the tackles and the headers he was winning were like a seasoned pro,” said Harnwell.
Neville made his Hyundai A-League debut as a second half substitute against Central Coast on New Years Eve before starting against the Victory where he displayed his full repertoire of pace and precision.
“It was great, he has come in with no nerves, his body position was right and he was fantastic – probably our man of the match,” Mitchell said.
“Hopefully (he is a future star) and hopefully we have some more pop through, we have got some good young boys there,” said Mitchell.
