Segreto shining at APIA

Jordan Segreto has had a scintillating start to life at APIA Leichhardt.

The active, young forward has been immense for his new side, combining his work-rate, versatility and technical quality with a clinical edge which has seen him score six goals in just eight matches to begin 2024.

After a long off-season, Segreto joined up with APIA for a strong pre-season, before starting for the reigning Champions against Blacktown City.

While APIA ended up losing that match 6-3, it took Segreto just 16 minutes to find the net for his new club, in a statement goal that began his rich vein of form.

“The adaption has been good,” said Segreto on the move to APIA.

“Overall, I try and just be consistent every week and not really overthink how I play, I just try and give the effort.

“If you’re always giving your best effort then rewards will come with opportunities to score or impact the game.

“I’m really happy to have scored six so far.

“I’m just getting used to scoring every week, I don’t even have a celebration so I need to figure that out!

Beyond his quality and goalscoring, an important attribute of Segreto’s has been his versatility, with the young star playing three different positions thus far in 2024.

Starting as APIA’s striker in their opening match, he then moved into an advanced midfield role, and has now spent the last few games predominately as a right-winger.

“I’ve had three different positions this year to try and get used to but they’re not new to me – I’ve played them all over the past few seasons,” said Segreto on his versatility.

“There’s definitely a shift in my mind in the tactical perspective before games, particularly off the ball.

“Playing as a striker, pressing is a big thing; you start the press with where you go and how intense your running is from the top of the field.

“I liked learning that position a lot because playing in the midfield, you can appreciate the work a striker does and how they like to be fed the ball.

“It definitely gives you a better perspective of a few positions so when you play in other positions you understand the field better.”

Interestingly, Segreto said he didn’t have a favourite position, with APIA’s free flowing, versatile football making the adaptions not a major issue for the forward, both in his output and enjoyment of matches.

Out of those three positions, I don’t really have a preferred, it’s weird,” he pondered.

“I feel like I don’t overthink the position, I just go and do what I’m told.

“Franco’s a big advocate for playing what you see and how you feel and not being too strict, so the restriction is pretty free.”

With APIA putting a focus on front-footed football this season – both with their relentless pressing and strong attacking intent, the freedom has led to some stunning goals – with two of the most significant highlights coming from the assertive attacker.

Segreto found the net against the Mariners with a stunning drive from deep into the top right corner in round two.

“For the Mariners goal, there’s a clear intent,” said Segreto.

“I was playing as a 10 and checked into a pocket of my space and checked my shoulder and I saw what I wanted to happen.

“I knew after I got on the halfturn, I wanted to take it forward and hit it as hard as I could, and luckily it went where it did.”

But last weekend, Segreto somehow topped his long-range strike, netting a stunning trivela to open the scoring in a 7-0 victory over the Sutherland Sharks.

https://x.com/NPLNSW/status/1774025404296400933?s=20

“On the weekend, I played a pass which actually wasn’t a great pass – it was behind Eddie and it bobbled up off his foot and it just bounced up,” he reflected.

“At that point you just kind of think, ‘do I hit this and does it go over the back fence or does it go in the top corner?’.

“It sat up really perfectly and maybe if I hadn’t been on such a confident run I would bring that ball down and pass it on, but I didn’t even think about it and I just hit it.

“It just sat up perfectly and I thought why not?”

Sometimes the most casual of thoughts lead to the most beautiful outcomes.

But despite his sensational early-season form, Segreto believes there is more to come both from him and his side.

The reigning champions are currently fourth in the ladder, hungry to make up the five points separating them and top spot.

“Obviously we’ve won some big games, and we’ve had a couple of other results that we’re not so happy with,” he said.

“We’re fourth and it’s in APIA’s DNA to be a top club – first is always where we want to be.

“We’re happy to be where we are but I’d say we’re still looking for a consistent string of full 90 minute performances because there’s been a draw and a loss in between two wins, so we’re still looking for that full consistent run.”

However, Segreto believes that consistency is just around the corner, citing the team’s spirit and positivity as a key factor in APIA’s bid for the title this campaign.

“The confidence is there and the belief is there with everyone, and there’s not one player who isn’t on board with that,” he proudly said.

“Everyone’s very positive and everyone’s very supportive.

“There’s still a fair while to go of the season and we believe we can go and win it again.”

Beyond the collective aim, Segreto has set his own goal as a mechanism to help his side achieve their success.

“At the start of the season I said I wanted to get 10 goals and 10 assists,” he said.

“Before each season I’ve had, I’ve always set myself goals but before this campaign we had a big team meeting where we said our goals to the whole team.

“I haven’t been thinking about it – I don’t want to put the pressure on myself, but I said to everyone I want 10 and 10 so that is my goal.”

At this rate, Segreto will far exceed that, with the forward currently averaging 0.75 goals per match.

However, the forward is not getting ahead of himself, and when asked about his future delivered a loyal, exciting answer for all APIA faithful.

“I definitely want to – beyond this season – be a part of the B-League with APIA next season,” he said.

“I would love to be in a team that’s experiencing that for the first time.

“I think there’s something special about being in the first year of a competition, that would be amazing to be a part of.

“I’m very much open to whatever happens, I just believe a lot in always putting your best foot forward in the moment, and believing that that will open doors along the way.

“But my main focus for next season is the B-League with APIA.”

Segreto will next be in action against Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium and live on Football NSW’s YouTube channel, with the forward then playing at home against Sydney United on Sunday the 14th of April.

-By Jack George