If given the opportunity, Victoria’s Jamie Maclaren could prove a match-winner in the Socceroos’ final two group matches against Tunisia and Denmark.
The Melbourne City striker scored seven goals from 10 appearances in the national side’s qualifying campaign, however was relegated to the bench for the Socceroos’ first match of the campaign against France.
Maclaren’s former Victorian state coach John Campelj said the goal-scoring machine “has to start” against Tunisia.
"If we are going to score goals he might not get involved as much but he will sniff out a goal,” he said.
"His intelligence and his movement off the ball is just fantastic, he had that as a kid as well.
“He used his pace a bit more back then, but he still gets away from defenders with ease.
“He will snap up half a chance, I am really hopeful we will be positive and put Jamie on.”
Maclaren's journey to the World Cup started at his hometown club in Sunbury United. After starring as a junior, he moved to NPL side Green Gully before earning a dream move to Blackburn Rovers as a 15-year-old, following a successful trial.
With competition for senior spots at a premium, Maclaren struggled to break into Blackburn's senior side and was released after four seasons with the Club in 2013. Although football can be a ruthless game, this became a sliding doors moment for Maclaren, who went on to sign a deal with Perth Glory.
Despite scoring 11 goals from 30 appearances in two seasons for Perth, his game went to another level when he made the move to the Brisbane Roar in 2015, winning back-to-back Young Player of the Year awards and claiming the Golden Boot for the 2016/17 season with his strong form seeing him make his Socceroos debut against England in 2016.
Following the 2016/17 season, Maclaren secured a move to Europe, signing with German second-division club SV Darmstadt 98. Struggling to break into the first 11, Maclaren conjured a loan deal with Scottish side Hibernian for the second half of the 2017/18 season and at beginning of 2019 he returned to Australia and linked up with Melbourne City where he has won been prolific in front of goal, winning the past three A-League Golden Boot awards.
Campelj, who is also good friends with Jamie’s father Dom, coached the striker in the Victorian Under 13, 14, and 15 state teams from 2005-2007.
“From a coach's perspective he was like most footballers as he was highly respectful to everyone he came across,” he explained.
He was quick and took players on, we encouraged him to be passive and he lapped it all up.
“He was willing to do anything for the team, one of the tournaments (Under 14s) he ended up in goal in a penalty shoot-out to get us through. In the Under 15s, he suffered a serious ankle injury and ended up on crutches but was still in high spirits, getting amongst the team."
“Jamie, alongside his current Melbourne City teammate Curtis Good definitely stood out in those teams, they were a class above.”
After following his journey from the beginning, Campelj explained he wasn’t surprised by Maclaren’s rise to a possible World Cup birth.
“He has a twin brother who was a lot more talented than him, but Jamie’s determination and focus set him apart,” he explained.
“He would put in those hours by himself at the club and at home. It is no accident he is where is today, all his hard work paid off.
"I go to watch around half of his Melbourne City games, it is fantastic watching on. I feel very proud seeing him do so well.”
Campelj said despite having played abroad and won three A-League Golden Boots in a row, he has always stayed grounded.
“He is quite a calm kid and when we talk about all of his experiences, he just takes them in his stride,” he said.
“He gets on with all the boys at club land and the national set-up and is always really positive and never has anything negative to say.
“We enjoy our wine, and we talk about that a reasonable amount when he is able to have some downtime.
“I am a West Ham supporter and Jamie is an Aston Villa supporter and my red wine collection is booming due to him having to give me a bottle of red every time we beat them, I haven’t had to buy him one yet.”
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)