Soccer: Dreaded Brockie a lone Knight in shining armour

Jeremy Brockie (left)

It seems quite extraordinary that an 18-year-old dreadlocked apprentice has emerged as the 'star' of the show for the Knights this season.

In many ways it's a reflection of how poorly the Knights have performed on and off the field. But, among all the carnage, Jeremy Brockie is one Knight to make fans, and a fair few opposition defenders, take notice.

The strength of his performances in his seven appearances to date means the midfielder/striker can be assured of a contract next season. Few of his team-mates, and there are a number of seasoned pros in there, could say that with any great conviction.

It has been a rapid rise since he made his debut against Sydney FC in October. Two weeks later came the double he scored against Newcastle after coming off the bench with 21 minutes to play in his side's 4-2 loss.

His success has continued each week - culminating in his cracking late equaliser against Sydney FC on December 30. It means he's now the club's joint second-top goalscorer, even though he's started only four of the Knights' 16 games. Again, it needs to be kept in proportion considering they've found the back of the net only 12 times this season.

In reality, Brockie's success has caught many off guard. There was no doubt the New Zealand secondary schools and under-20 international had talent but few would have considered him among the best three under-20 players in the country when he was offered a contract by manager John Adshead last June.

He has a very direct style and it could even be described as a little ungainly. But it's effective. He's now talked about as one player who could be in line to benefit from the Knights' link with English Premiership outfit Charlton Athletic.

Brockie's success has certainly come as a surprise to him, as well as his under-pressure boss.

"No," Adshead said with a little chuckle when asked if he thought Brockie would play as often as he has. "I don't like what I'm doing to him now [by playing him so often]... because you can bollocks a young player up as quickly as you can make them. But every week he does something. He costs you things but he does enough each week to say 'pick me, pick me'."

Brockie played out last season with Canterbury United and was invited to trial with the Knights. He impressed but the phone call he so desperately wanted to receive from Adshead took months to come.

"I don't know why everything has gone so well," Brockie said. "It's been like that throughout my whole career so far. It just falls into place. I guess I just take my opportunities when they come along."

It's fair to say Brockie plays with the confidence of youth. If he continues to take his opportunities, a few more things might fall into place.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY