At 21, Dane Milovanovic is the surprising old head in the Brisbane Roar Youth line-up, however the big central defender’s experience, leadership and impressive play has been one of the standouts for the team that is riding high at the top of the National Youth League table.
At 21, Dane Milovanovic is the surprising old head in the Brisbane Roar Youth line-up, however the big central defender-s experience, leadership and impressive play has been one of the standouts for the team that is riding high at the top of the National Youth League table.
The former Adelaide United Youth player made the move to Brisbane at the start of the season in search of a new challenge and so far has been a shining light for the Roar Youth.
Milovanovic said that while he enjoyed his time in South Australia, the move to Brisbane has really helped him find his best form and the side-s success this season has been a great reward.
“At the end of last season I was looking for a new challenge and the Roar was really great and gave me an opportunity to head up there and be a part of the youth setup,” Milovanovic said.
“The success that the club is finding this year in all competitions is really great, something that everyone in the club puts down to the new approach on and off the field.
“The club does things totally different to anything I have experienced before, the way one style of football is promoted through the entire club and how the coaches from the first team work with us Youth league boys.
“It has really helped my football.”
While the Youth side has found success with their attractive style of play, it has been the experienced Milovanovic‘s unheralded work in the centre of defence that has been the backbone of the Roar-s run to the completion lead.
The 21-year-old says he doesn-t mind the extra responsibility of being the oldest player in the squad and states that the mix of younger and older players is one of the team-s strengths.
“While there is extra pressure and responsibility on me it seeing I-m the eldest, it is something that comes with the territory and I don-t really mind,” Milovanovic said.
“While there is a group of really young guys in the side, they always ask questions and are always working hard and, just like the older players, are looking to improve their game whenever possible.
“There is a great mix and chemistry in the squad and that is something that is always great to have in a side.”
Although the Roar-s National Youth League title aspirations took a minor hit last week in a shock loss to his former club, Milovanovic said that his side is doing things a little differently this week when the fly to Perth to take on the Glory on Saturday.
“For the first time this season we are flying in a day before the game, John (Sime, Roar Youth Head coach) thought that it would give us a chance to rest up after the long flight to Perth and allow us to have the best possible preparation for the match,” Milovanovic said.
“After last week-s disappointing loss we need to ensure we don-t lose two games back to back, so the boys have been really working hard at training this week.
“We have two tough road games against Perth and Sydney ahead of us before the Christmas break so it will be a challenging fortnight, if we play the way we have been for the majority of the season I can-t see why we can-t come home with all six points.”
