Brandon Borrello: Facing the challenges of professional football

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Images courtesy of Western Sydney Wanderers

2023 was shaping up to be one of Brandon Borrello’s most successful years until his whole world came tumbling down on November 25th when he was felled by a tackle from behind by Sydney FC hardman, Luke Brattan, in the Sydney derby.

Unbelievably, the misdemeanour by Brattan escaped any sanction from referee, Alex King, but left Borrello with a fractured foot which would exclude him from playing in the Asian Cup during January, 2024. It enforced a three-month layoff before he returned to the field with Western Sydney Wanderers.

Borrello had made several appearances for the Socceroos in 2023 and when he moved to the Wanderers in 2022/23 season after a five-year stint in Germany, his life in football had never looked brighter.

However, Borrello has not dwelled on the incident and approached his rehabilitation in a positive mindset while trying to regain the form which he exhibited before the foot injury.

Until Saturday’s derby with Sydney FC, Borrello was re-establishing his presence in the Wanderer’s frontline before he incurred a hamstring injury which saw him leave the field after 17 minutes with the prospect his season is finished.

Frustratingly for Borrello, he was sitting on the bench watching his team-mates concede defeat in the 97th minute after they missed a number of good chances on goal which should’ve paved the way for victory in the match.

However, after signing a three-year deal recently with the Wanderers, Borello can look forward to better times with the club.

In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Brandon Borello discusses his early days at Brisbane Roar, the German experience, the impact of his broken foot enforcing his omission from the Asian Cup and life at the Wanderers.

ROGER SLEEMAN

Can you relate your experience at Brisbane Roar and the main influences?

BRANDON BORRELLO

After the family moved to Brisbane in 2012, I attended the Queensland Academy of Sport and was coached and eventually drafted into the Roar National Youth League squad.

The following year, I was included in the first team squad under coach Mike Mulvey.

I was training with household names of the club including, Matt McKay, Matt Smith, Luke Devere and Thomas Broich.

Day in and day out I learned from these players and I was glad I hadn’t gone to Germany a year earlier.

Even as a senior player at the Wanderers, I have learned so much from seasoned campaigners – Ninkevic and Marcelo.

At the Roar, I was playing on the right while Broich operated from the left and I admired how he drifted with elegance like Ninkevic.

These players move so easily which is not common in our game and you pick up new tricks every day.

Their understanding of football and body movement left me with a lasting legacy.

R.S.

When you went to Germany in 2017 to play for Kaiserslautern, outline your initial experiences and what did you learn from the other clubs you played with in your five-year stay?

B.B.

You had to fight for your spot because you were taking somebody else’s food off the table so the other players weren’t your friends.  It was really cut-throat.

I had to improve my sharpness because when you lost the ball, you may not get it back until your opponents scored at the other end.

You have to take your chances which I worked hard on despite initially struggling, but in time I scored four goals and provided some assists.

I quickly realised you had to be on your toes all the time and you couldn’t afford to be lazy.

Critically, it was important to learn the language because I wasn’t South American or European. Being Australian, I wasn’t recognised so I had to communicate with my team-mates.

When I sustained a cruciate ligament rupture in my right knee in April 2018, I stayed in Germany to rehabilitate but at the end of the season, the club was relegated to the 3rd division.

At the other clubs Freiburg, Dusseldorf and Dresden, I experienced a multitude of situations which are well documented but most importantly I was living my dream playing professional football in one of the toughest environments in the world.

R.S.

What were the lessons you learned playing in Germany, particularly in improving your technique and your general approach to the game?

B.B.

If you’re fighting for a spot in the team, off the ball work is critical.

If you work early, you work less so there is the mental side of the game which has to be tuned to adopt these good habits.

Also, you need the consistency to take chances.

I worked constantly on a better first touch, dropping the shoulder before receiving the ball and improving body shape.

Borrello breaks clear of Newcastle’s Mark Natta.

R.S.

In your first season with the Wanderers in 2022/2023, you formed a great partnership with the Tunisian international, Amer Layouni.

Can you relate that experience?

B.B.

Although, he didn’t join the club till just after Christmas of 2023, Layouni was a pleasure to play with as he always knew where I would be making my runs and we formed a telepathic understanding.

In the first match he played against Adelaide United,  he scored a goal and set up mine.

He knew exactly where to be on the pitch and was a deadly finisher.

He was also a great character to have in the team but it’s hard to attract players like him from Europe due to the salary cap.

R.S.

You started the current season in a flurry before your injury against Sydney FC on November 25th.

How devastating was this for you and was Brattan lucky to get off scot free for the tackle?

B.B.

I heard the click immediately and it was a huge setback so early in the season.

However, to be out for three months with the fractured foot was not as bad as the ACL injury I experienced in Germany when I missed nine months playing.

I bore no remorse to Luke Brattan because I played with him at the Roar and he always played the way he trained.

He’s the sort of player you like to have in your team, not play against.

Brandon Borrello competes with Rhyan Grant in the Sydney Derby.

R.S.

How much did you miss playing in the Asian Cup?

B.B.

Obviously it was a huge disappointment because I’d played for the Socceroos in World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers, but not in the Final tournaments.

R.S.

People believed you were badly missed up front in the tournament due to your speed, ability to run across the lines, getting into good positions beyond defences and finishing prowess.

Your comment?

B.B.

I suppose I may have added some energy to the front third but Kasini Yengi and Mitch Duke did run their hearts out.

We had our chances against South Korea but it just didn’t happen for the team.

R.S.

How did you rate the overall performance of the squad in the tournament?

B.B.

The problem with these tournaments is the best available players are brought together but the cohesion required to succeed is often lacking because of the limited time the players have together.

Even European teams playing against Asian opponents in tournaments like this would find it hard because they fall down and bunker down in defence.

Borrello looks on for the Socceroos.

R.S.

How hard was it for you to settle back into the Wanderers squad after you returned from the injury to your foot?

B.B.

In the first three weeks, I was attempting to exert my energy with pressing and running  and had to take a few deep breaths through the game to regain my composure.

The other players were 100% match fit while I was only 95%  by this time but before the derby last Saturday, I was feeling totally confident about my general movement and fitness levels.

We had a thorough warmup before the start of the match and my hamstring injury was just one of those unfortunate events.

R.S.

A lack of consistency has been ever present in the Wanderer’s game during the last few matches, including the late losses to Brisbane Roar and the Sydney derby last weekend.

How can this be reversed?

B.B.

We need to win more personal duels to gain more possession and create more domination of games.

As the first line of defence, the strikers have to press hard on the opposing defence and as Mark Rudan has said, the team needs to follow game plans and not replicate mistakes.

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Building from the Ground Up: Banyule City SC’s Ambition to Grow

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Image Credit: Banyule City SC Facebook

Six years ago, Banyule City Soccer Club had big ambitions and a whole lot of challenges. Taking the reins during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee worked behind the scenes to keep the club connected, focusing on long-term goals that are now beginning to take shape.

Under his leadership, the club has seen the return of a senior women’s program — one that’s rapidly climbed the ranks to the Victorian Premier League and the growth of a strong junior base with nearly 200 players. As Banyule prepares for major upgrades at two of its key grounds and sends its U16 girls’ squad to the Borneo Cup in 2025, the club is entering a new chapter.

Speaking with Soccerscene, President of Banyule City SC Nasr Said reflects on his leadership journey, the club’s community-first values, and how Banyule is building pathways that support players from grassroots to elite levels all while staying true to its inclusive, family-oriented roots.

Can you share some insight into your role as President and how Banyule City SC has evolved since the beginning of your presidency?

Nasr Said: I took over running the club six years ago, after playing at Banyule for about four years. I’ll be honest it hasn’t been easy. The first couple of years were tough, especially with COVID hitting just as I stepped into the role. We couldn’t even get a proper season going, but we did what we could off the field — sharing content on social media, keeping the kids engaged with soccer drills from the coaches we had. It was a difficult time for every club.

Once we got through that, I had goals and ambitions for the club one of the biggest was to rebuild the senior women’s program as there hadn’t been a women’s team here for over a decade. Since then, we’ve had incredible success. The women’s team went from State League 4 up through the ranks — State 3, State 2, and then straight into the Victorian Premier League (VPL). They won the league four years in a row, went undefeated during that time, and now they’re playing in the second-highest division in Victoria, just under the NPL.

Image Credit: Banyule City SC Facebook

On the men’s side, we’ve had our ups and downs, one year we nearly got relegated, and other years we were close to promotion but we continue to push forward.

As President, I work closely with our committee, the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and support them however I can. My role is about bringing in resources, building a strong structure, and making sure the club runs smoothly. I’ve put in a lot over the past six years. We’re in a good place now, but there’s always room to grow.

The Council’s planned upgrades at Banyule Flats Reserve and Yallambie Park are exciting milestones. What kind of impact will these developments have for your players, members, and the broader community?

Nasr Said: Yallambie Park has been meant to get rebuilt for the last 25 to 30 years. We haven’t had a proper home ground for the past two years and it’s had a big impact on the club. Banyule Flats Reserve isn’t suitable for matches it has two cricket pitches which make the ground too small for football. And Yallambie Park has been deemed unsafe for play both this year and last year. 

The good news is Banyule Flats Reserve is scheduled to be rebuilt in September, and that’s a massive step forward. The council built a new pavilion there five or six years ago, it’s state-of-the-art, on par with NPL-level facilities. Once we have a proper ground there, it’ll be huge for the club.We’ve got an industrial-grade canteen and proper change rooms that will help us attract spectators, generate revenue, and give us a real home base.

As for Yallambie Park, the council has said for years they’ll fix the facilities and just recently, a council rep told us work will begin within weeks. All we can do now is hope. If both grounds are upgraded, it’ll be a game-changer financially and in terms of creating a safer, stronger environment for our members and players.

With nearly 200 junior members and growing senior squads, how do you ensure that every player has access to a clear development pathway from grassroots to competitive football?

Nasr Said: We have around 200 junior players, which is a great number for us it allows us to manage things properly and ensure quality across all levels. As a community club, we’re open to everyone. We don’t hold trials; anyone who wants to play is welcome, regardless of their experience. We’re not at NPL level, so we focus more on inclusion and development than elite selection at the junior stage.

That said, we still place a strong emphasis on growth. Our junior coordinator and technical director work closely with coaches to identify areas for improvement both for players and coaches. We have kids at all levels: some very talented, some still learning the basics.

This year, I’m starting to run the Banyule City Academy that is run through the club to support players who are more advanced and want to pursue football more seriously. It’s not about excluding others, but offering additional development to those aiming to go further. We teach our coaches, aid them in gaining proper accreditation through coaching courses. Through that, we guide them in working with these players in smaller groups, helping them refine their skills and understand our playing style. 

One of our key goals is consistency from juniors through to seniors. We guide our coachesby saying ‘This is what we want your players to do’ and teach a playing style that mirrors what our senior teams use, so when juniors progress, the transition is smoother. Ultimately, we want to give kids who are serious about football every chance to succeed – and maybe even play professionally one day.

The U16 girls heading to the Borneo Cup in 2025 is a big moment. How did this opportunity come about, and what does it signal about the club’s ambitions in developing female footballers?

Nasr Said: The Borneo Cup opportunity actually came about through a good friend of mine, who was coaching at Watsonia Soccer Club. He’s really well connected in Australian football and knows a lot of players who’ve played internationally. He mentioned his under-16 girls’ team was looking for a better environment and that they weren’t happy at their current club. So we had the conversation, and those girls ended up coming across to Banyule.

Now we’ve got a strong under-16s girls squad around 17 or 18 players and while there’s still plenty of development ahead, they’ve got a great opportunity in front of them. The Borneo Cup is a serious international tournament, with high-level academies and teams from all over. We’ll be one of the only Melbourne clubs — possibly one of the only Australian ones taking part.

It’s a big deal. For many of these girls, it’ll be their first international tournament. There’ll be an opening ceremony – we’ll be walking under the Australian flag it’s going to be unforgettable. And more than that, it’s a huge step forward for the club. Not many local teams get the chance to represent on an international stage, so this says a lot about where we’re heading and what we want to build for female footballers at Banyule.

Looking ahead, what are your key priorities as President for continuing to build a club that’s competitive, inclusive, and deeply connected to its community?

Nasr Said: My number one priority is making sure the club’s doors are open to everyone—no matter who they are. Inclusivity is massive for us. I really want to build a strong foundation for our junior players, because at the end of the day, they’re the future of the club. My goal is to see our men’s team reach NPL or VPL level, and our women’s side competing in the NPL too. But more than that, it’s about creating a club where families and members genuinely feel welcome.

I make it a point to connect with parents whether that’s at training on a Tuesday or Thursday, or just having regular conversations to check in. I’ve seen clubs where that connection is missing, and I never want that to be us. The role of President isn’t about being above anyone—it’s about building a culture and a reputation that people talk about in a positive way.

Of course, growing our sponsor base is another key part of the vision, because to compete at higher levels, you need the right support structures in place. But whether it’s juniors or seniors, men’s or women’s football we treat every team the same here. It’s all part of the bigger picture. We’re not there yet, but I really believe we’re on the right track. These things take time. You can’t build something lasting overnight but we’re getting there.

Young Kiwi talent shines at Auckland FC’s first development camp

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Auckland Talent
Image Credit: Auckland FC

New Zealand A-League club Auckland FC has hosted its first Development Centre training camp as the club continues to elevate the standards of New Zealand football and foster young talent.

Through Auckland FC’s Youth Development Club Partnership programme, the training camp ran welcomed 26 players aged 14-16 from 12 partner clubs to participate in a three-day programme.

Auckland’s Youth Development Club Partnership aims to guide young players and build relationships with communities across New Zealand’s Northern and WAIBOP regions. Via this, clubs affiliated with the club’s Talent Devlopment Programme (TDP) from Auckland and areas such as Hamilton and Tauranga were represented at the training camp.

During the training camp, players had the opportunity to experience a professional sporting environment as they competed. Additionally, players were involved in educational workshops which relayed key information about fitness, mental resilience and Auckland’s Black Night Football philosophy.

Furthermore, players also met and learnt from senior coaches and players.

Head of player recruitment Doug Kors explained how important the training camp was for both the young players and the club.

“It was great for us to get at a look at the young players coming through. We’re a club dominated by local talent, it’s part of who we are and what we set out to do in terms of providing pathways into the game. I don’t see that changing anytime soon,” he said in a press release.

“For players it provides them a chance to understand what it takes to make it professionally.

“Yes, it requires skill and talent, but also eating right, a tactical understanding of the game, as well as level of mental resilience. We try a provide all the players who come through with a basic understanding of that.”

Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker highlighted how valuable the Youth Development Club Partnership was for the club.

“There is a huge amount of untapped talent in New Zealand,” he said via press release.

“Thanks to the relationships we have with partner clubs, Auckland FC can become a vehicle that helps talented young boys and girls realise their potential and make it at a professional level, right here in Auckland. That’s huge for the development of the game.

“Beyond that, our ownership structure means the connections exist to for the most talented of professionals to try to make it in Europe.”

The first of Auckland’s development camps represents an impressive series of development for the A-League’s youngest team.

Last month the club celebrated its first birthday and currently leads the A-League Men’s ladder with a solid four-point lead.

Key to the club’s success has been its ability to extract the best out of local talents, reinforced by the callup of six players to the All-Whites in the most recent international window, double that of cross-country rivals Wellington Phoenix.

If Auckland is to continue to rely on home stars, then continued investment in local football is necessary.

Auckland FC first launched the Youth Development Club Partnership in October 2024, creating the first step for athletes to become professional footballers via a defined pathway of the Rebel Sport Development Centre, reserves and then the first team.

Now, the programme unites 18 TDP clubs in fostering emerging talents. In creating partnerships with clubs across the country, Auckland FC is building a network of valuable win-win relationships that allow each organisation to develop and play the best talent available.

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