FOR Blake Powell, this is an important junction in a promising career that has seen him progress from the state league to the national league and back again.
The striker has always been a player of great promise, nimble and sharp with an unerring ability to find the back of the net. He has made an impact in the state league during two stints at Sutherland Sharks, punctuated by a spell at Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Then came his big break, when Sydney FC came calling. In sky blue he was a member of the National Youth League squad in 2010/11 and 2011/12, before his good performances were rewarded with a full A-League contract in 2012/13.
Powell scored on his debut in a loss to the Newcastle Jets, a match in which Alessandro Del Piero (with his home debut free kick) and Emile Heskey were also on the scoresheet.
It was one of three goals in 18 first team appearances, half of which were from the bench.
His contract recently expired, which took the 23-year-old to APIA-Leichhardt, where he already shown his quality with three fabulous goals in the past two fixtures, as APIA drew with Sydney United 58 and then sensationally dethroned Blacktown Spartans.
Further performances like those will keep him in the shop window for when the A-League rolls around again.
"My contract is up at Sydney FC and I’m here, scoring goals," Powell said.
The talented forward is keen to play in his natural home at the pointy end of the attack, after he was often used in wide positions while at Sydney FC. At a shade under 5’10" he isn’t the biggest centre forward going around, but he is lively and a superb finisher when he gets even a sniff of goal.
He demonstrated those qualities with his brace at Blacktown Football Park last weekend, though he was keen to share the credit for APIA’s upset victory.
"When I’m playing up front, I can bring the sharpness in front of goal, as well as a high work rate off the ball, Powell said.
"It was obviously wasn’t just me. Andrew Bazi played a superb game and made a number of crucial saves.
"Everyone put in the effort and the boys gave 150%."
It is a two way street, as Powell brings his experiences of a whirlwind four years to APIA, while they look to provide his springboard back into the national league.
Playing with Del Piero, Ranko Despotovic and Richard Garcia has allowed Powell to learn on the job and he wants to use those lessons to improve as a footballer, and in turn push APIA up the table.
"I’ve been working with some top players and learning from them for the past few years," Powell said.
"I came to APIA because I knew some of the boys, and they only had good things to say about the club.
"I knew the playing style would suit me too, I wanted to play up front and to score goals and that’s where they’re playing me."
Powell’s contribution has already started to turn APIA’s season around and if he continues at this rate then there will be more to come from both the striker and the resurgent APIA-Leichhardt Tigers.
– By Matthew Lopez, National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Editor
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