Alex Ishida-Livings is determined to keep his feet firmly on the ground following a whirlwind start to his first National Premier Leagues campaign.   Promoted to the senior squad late last season, Ishida-Livings entered 2017 with hopes of an occasional first team appearance as he gleamed all he could from his more experienced teammates.

But things don’t always go to plan and in the space of four short weeks Ishida-Livings has gone from the fringes of first team selection to being a key member of Taki Nicolaidis’ starting line-up.   On the weekend the 19-year old defender celebrated his third straight start by putting away his first senior goal in the 3-1 defeat of Subiaco AFC.

Not bad going for a player that a month ago had not made a first team appearance.   “Coming into the season I never expected to start the first three games let alone getting on the scoresheet in one of them,” commented Ishida-Livings, captain of last year’s Under-20s and recipient of the 2016 Rising Star award.

“To be honest, I’m honoured just to be a part of the squad with any first team game time a bonus.   I have to thank Taki and his coaching staff for giving me these opportunities and the lads have been fantastic in welcoming me to the team and giving me advice when I need it.   For that I’m really appreciative.”

“It’s been an amazing start to my first team career but at the same time I know I can’t get too far ahead of myself as I’m still young and have plenty to learn.   I need to keep focussed, work hard in training and hopefully keep on coming up with good performances on match day whenever I’m given the chance.”