The Nation’s Capital is used to producing good footballers. And quite a few of those end up at the Central Coast Mariners. That’s hardly surprising considering the link provided to link to the Isuzu Ute A-League side provided by Canberra’s own Andy Bernal, one of the pioneer’s of exporting Canberra talent abroad, a road he himself trod onto stardom with Sporting Gijon in Spain and Reading in England.
Bernal was instrumental in the career of one of Canberra’s biggest and best, the incomparable Tom Rogic. The Socceroos attacking sensation was but a mere fledgling, fresh from stints in the ACT Premier League with ANU FC and Belconnen United, when Bernal paved the way for a trip up the Hume highway and a career kick-start with the Mariners.
Rogic, of course, went on to win six Scottish Premierships, five Scottish Cups, and a further five Scottish League Cups whilst dismantling defences in the green and white hoops of Glasgow Celtic. At international level there was 53 caps for his country, and ten goals, as well as an appearance on the global stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Mariners continue to provide opportunities to the Capital’s finest with a quartet of player’s currently pulling on the yellow shirt, or grey in the case of the goalkeeper in the midst. Step forward Dylan Peraic-Cullen, Harry Menham, Mate Busek, and Michel Paragalli. Spotted whilst playing for the Capital Football All-Stars in a friendly against the professionals, the young talent has taken to the next stage in their development like the proverbial ducks to water.
Peraic-Cullen has taken huge strides since making his bow in the friendly fixture, and the young custodian is thoroughly enjoying the ride so far. “It’s been an exciting challenge,” Peraic-Cullen said. “I have loved my time at the mariners so far. From the get-go it’s been about improving and getting better each day. And you’d be hard pressed to find a better environment to do that than the Mariners.”
Life as a footballer is one of a grind of daily training and putting in the hard yards at every opportunity, so it’s important that players understand their commitment when making the step to the next level. Peraic-Cullen explained his daily routine as an example.
“My daily routine for the most part revolves around training,” he revealed. “Report is 9am. We’ll have video most mornings at 10am before heading out to the pitch. After training boys will often hang around the pitch for a bit longer doing extras heading to gym afterwards.
Depending on the day we spend different amounts of time at training usually not getting home until 3 o’clock. By that time, it’s time to eat and rest at home, before managing whatever errands or activities the day holds.”
Being spotted is only half the challenge. Once a player has been given the opportunity, it’s up to them tom take the next step, to take their game to the next level. For Peraic-Cullen, it’s as much mental as physical.
“If a player is making a move to an A-League set up, it’s usually a given that they have some sort of potential,” the goalkeeper commented. “What will keep them there is a solid and grounded mindset. Keeping a level head with an ambition to grow and learn will give players the best possible chance to make it. Still there are no guarantees.”
For Peraic-Cullen the next stage of his career trajectory is clear in his own mind, and he is focused on making the improvement necessary tom keep him in the elite game, progress through the ranks at the Mariners, and see where he can go from there. The sky may be the limit for the Canberra local.
“My ambition is to make a career out of football,” Peraic-Cullen said. “For me, I love the game, I love improving and working at my trade and all round having an enjoyable time out on the pitch. So, if I can do that for my career , I couldn’t ask for much more.
“My advice for any younger players seeking the same pathway is always to be ready for your chance as it can come at the most unexpected of times as it did for me. Things can change so rapidly. So long as you’re ready to embrace change, learn and improve you’re going to make it far in whatever you choose.”
