Jordan Elated with History-Making Performance

Rory Jordan created history for the Northbridge Bulls at the weekend, scoring the first hat-trick for the club in National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition history.

The 22-year-old was crucial in his side’s victory over competition heavyweights Sydney United 58 and managed the hat-trick in the second half of the match, topping off his two in-game goals with a penalty in the 89th minute.

While he celebrated the impressive feat of a hat-trick on the pitch, Jordan didn’t know he had created club history until post-game.

“I actually didn’t even know until after in the change room when Mile told me,” he explained.

“It didn’t even click that I had the only hat-trick in the club but obviously it’s an honour and I hope there are more to come.”

The goal was not only the first in the club’s history, but was also Jordan’s first in his semi-professional football career.

“I’d say in the NPL it was definitely a first – if we’re counting under 12s I had a fair few – but in the recent career I’m pretty sure it’s my first,” he said.

Having missed a penalty against Wollongong Wolves last season, Jordan’s mental strength was tested when stepping up to the spot.

“I’ll be honest, I was getting Wollongong Wolves flashbacks from last year when I missed the penalty at WIN stadium,” he explained.

“I was looking around to see if anyone wanted it and everyone was like ‘oh, you have it’ and I was like ‘oh okay, yeah it’s fair. I’ll take it and if I miss I miss and if I score I score’ and luckily for me, it did hit the back of the net.

“Once I stepped up and scored it was a big moment of relief because it was the 89th minute and it was the icing on the cake for the team and myself.

“It was just a good experience to score the pen to get the hattrick and secure the win for the boys.

After three losses to start the season, the victory was a crucial turning point for the young team as they continue to battle in the league.

“I think it gives us the winning feeling which we hadn’t felt for the first couple of rounds and I think that’ll do us a world of good in terms of confidence,” the captain explained.

“It’s basically the platform we needed to lay for the rest of the year – if we do play like this, and we fight as hard as we did on the weekend, then we can win.

“At the start of the year, results in go our way and we were thinking we’re putting all this effort into it and we haven’t got anything to show for it but our coaches and our staff are telling us that we were close and we trust them and we believe them and we picked up a big result on the weekend.

“Not only did we win and we played pretty well against one of the front runners for the competition.

As a young side it can be particularly tough playing in a strong league like the NPL NSW Men’s, but the Bulls are up for the challenge under the leadership of former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski.

“I’d be lying to say it wasn’t a little bit tough, Jordan explained.

“We have a lot of boys that haven’t experienced this type of physicality before and are still getting used to it.

“I think it’s good that we’re young, we’re fit, we’re energetic, but I think it’s just a little bit of experience that can hurt us in just key moments.

“I think looking back at film and doing video sessions, especially after the win we’ve picked up, and realizing the stuff that we’ve done really well will help us mentally.”

Speaking about the valuable experience playing in a high-quality men’s league can be for young, developing players with big ambitions, Jordan explained that it can be a “massive” benefit.

“I’m the oldest in the team this year so I know what it’s like to play NPL at a pretty pretty young age – I was NPL2 when I was 17 and that’s, I would say, even a bit more physical,” he said.

“I think it’s good for you if you’re mentally strong enough, I think it can hurt you if you’re mentally weak, but I feel like if you know what you’re getting yourself into, and you’re not scared of the fight that the opposition was going to bring  think it will help you in your career greatly.”

-By Madeline Riley