Teenager Milan Ognjenovic is making plans to become a first eleven mainstay after breaking into the line-up with a handful of appearances. The towering defender started the year with the Under-20s before being drafted into Michael Garcia’s squad in May, gaining his first team debut off the bench against Armadale.

With his game tally now standing at five, 18-year old Ognjenovic is determined to further build on his experience over the closing stages of the season. “I feel there is a lot I need to improve to regularly be playing first team, but I’m confident and I’m prepared to do the hard work to earn my place in the side,” he said.

“First team football is full on. There is a lot of competition for the starting line-up and training is very intense. Games are more physical and a lot faster than the 20s. Overall I’m happy with how my season has gone, I was a bit shy to begin with being the youngest in the team but I’m fitting in quite well.”

Ognjenovic, a State Schoolboys representative, joined Inglewood last year after playing his junior football at Cockburn City. He is grateful for the opportunities he has been provided over the past 18 months by Garcia and his Under-20s counterpart Andrija Petrovic. “They’re both assisting me transition into first team football,” he commented.

“Andrija taught me a lot about improving my game to move on to bigger things. Michael demands a lot of his players in training because the way you train is the way you play on weekends. He finds out what your individuals strengths are and then introduces them into the way we play as a group.”

Ognjenovic intends to learn all he can from former Australian youth Garcia as he stakes a claim for a regular berth in the senior side. “As a young player you want to improve at everything,” he said. “You have a lot to work on and to become your best you have to work on everything from your first touch to your passing, positioning, fitness and a lot more.”

“As a club Inglewood is heading in the right direction with youth being given a chance in the first team and 20s, and a good structure in place to help players develop their game. I feel lucky to part of the first team at the age of 18 and I hope to play as many games as I can for Inglewood this season.”