Brisbane Roar’s 18-year-old striker Thomas Waddingham showcased his rare goalscoring talents with a double in the 5-1 thrashing of Melbourne City, with coach Ruben Zadkovich warning the teen is just scratching the surface of his ability.
After netting four goals in the pre-season Australia Cup campaign, where the Roar made the final, Waddingham had previously scored his only ALM goal against Central Coast in round four.
Saturday night was the first time the Young Socceroos star had scored at Suncorp Stadium in his short 14-game career - and it surely won’t be the last.
The 185cm tall Waddingham showcased his physical presence, eye for goal and growing composure in his best game in Roar colours. He has looked good before, but this time he found the back of the net twice and made it look easy.
There was a brutish aspect to his second goal where he dispossessed Curtis Good like a thief in the night, steadied and shot with his left foot past goalkeeper Jamie Young with a thunderbolt.
"Young Tommy, up top, I thought he was outstanding," acting Roar head coach Zadkovich said.
"Not just because he scored but because of his ability to take on information. I gave him a lot and he executed really well.
"He has got the athletic profile for a number nine and is a bit of an old-fashioned number nine. With his presence and his size, he is still learning how to use that.
"We have been giving him some information and ways that we can help him as coaches. What is nice is that Tommy gives you everything he has got.
“He has great attributes and a lot of areas he needs to improve, and because he is so willing he is going to keep growing as a player,” Zadkovich said.
“That is our job as a club to nurture him and help him fulfil his potential.”
The Roar moved to 21 points, two points behind sixth-placed Sydney FC with the win over a City outfit who beat them 8-1 in their previous encounter.
They take on Perth Glory away on Saturday, the club Zadkovich coached last season.
He said it would not be personal for him. As the Roar's fourth head coach this season, Zadkovich just wants another effort like the one against City.
“I am encouraging them to stay focused on being the best of themselves and putting that into a collective to make sure of our work rate, spirit, our energy and togetherness. It is about whole of club,” he said.
“It was nice that the guys stuck to the game plan and got the reward from it. That drives momentum and it drives belief and that is exactly what this club needs.
“I am just trying to add stability to the club and playing group and give them the foundation to go out there and perform.”
