Midfielder Leigh Broxham believes Sunday’s workmanlike victory over Gold Coast could prove an important turning point for the Melbourne as they seek back-to-back away victories against Central Coast on Friday night.
Midfielder Leigh Broxham believes Sunday’s workmanlike victory over Gold Coast could prove an important turning point for the Melbourne as they seek back-to-back away victories against Central Coast on Friday night.
Victory have played some exciting football inside the first month of the season, but in the first three matches that only yielded a couple of draws. Broxham said Melbourne took a more blue-collar approach to Gold Coast and were rewarded with their first three-point haul of the season.
“The performance was a solid performance. It was a bit of a shift for the boys. It wasn’t as pretty as the other weeks when we he hadn-t got results. This week, we maybe didn-t have as many opportunities but it was good to see (Robbie) Kruse take his opportunity,” he said.
After managing 28 shots on goal against Fury the week before and failing to take home the win, Melbourne had just 11 against Gold Coast. Broxham said there was a real focus on both taking the opportunities that were created and putting up a stern defensive resistance.
“We didn’t concede off set pieces. We defended really well towards the end when we needed to,” he said.
The key change for Melbourne in terms of personnel ahead of that match was the return of Grant Brebner to play alongside Broxham in midfield. The 22-year-old said he relishes playing alongside the experienced Scotsman.
“Me and him are forging a good partnership at the moment. I’m enjoying playing with him. We started getting a good understanding towards the end of last year and we-ve continued it this year,” he said.
“He’s just always reliable. You know what you are going to get out of him. He’s just good to have in there with you. I’m enjoying playing with him.”
“I suppose this year, he’s sitting back a bit more and I’ve got a bit more of a free role. We’ve just got that understanding and the similar mindset of working hard and defending. I think we are both sort of team players on match day as well.”
“I think that goes a long way for us and our understanding. We don-t need to talk to each other on the park. We know where we are going to be and what our jobs on the day,” he said.
Broxham was this week nominated as one of ten players for the PFA’s Harry Kewell Medal for the best young player over the past 12 months. Broxham said he was honoured to be even considered in the same breath as the likes of World Cup squad members Dario Vidosic and Nikita Rukavytsya or European-based emerging stars like Rhys Williams and Shane Lowry.
“Being amongst the likes of some of those boys there who are playing their trade overseas and ones that have broken through the A-League and done quite well, it-s honour to be there,” he said.
“It-s a nice feeling.”
“Your friends, family and the players you play with, they know what you do. To be recognised outside of that by people whose opinions you value is a nice feeling.”
