Northcote City haven’t had much to shout about so far this season, but one bright light in the gloom surrounding Jon Cain Memorial Park has been the emergence of Wade Dekker.
Dekker has started all three games so far this season, and has notched up two goals and two assists, playing either out wide or through the middle up front.
Having stepped up into the first team following a couple of prolific seasons in the U20s for Northcote, Dekker is just looking to stay in the starting line-up.
“I feel good obviously individually but it’s all about the team, it’s all about results,” Dekker said.
“I got the stats but it doesn’t really matter to be honest to me, it’s about the team.
“I’m happy to play so I’ll keep working hard and hopefully I can stay there.”
The young forward has also admitted to being a bit overawed playing alongside his more experienced teammates, but has thanked them for aiding his transition into the senior squad.
“It’s fantastic,” he said.
“It’s been a big step. It’s obviously much harder, physical but the guys are great and they’re helping me along really well so I can’t complain. I love the support that they’ve given me.
“They’re great blokes and they always help me out. I look up to them it’s great to be able to play by their side.
“[I was] definitely starstruck – [but] they were straight there to help me out and are always giving me tips to improve my game.”
As with any youngster coming through to senior football, Dekker knows he has a way to go before he realises his potential, and has pinpointed some areas of his game to sharpen up.
“I could always be a bit fitter, [quicker], just decision making as well,” he said.
“There’s always heaps of room for improvement so I just got to keep working hard.”
Ultimately though, Northcote are in a sticky situation, having failed to get anything at all out of their opening three fixtures.
Dekker is keen to help the club correct their slump in form, insisting the need for results holds more importance than his own personal goals.
“First of all to just get a win,” he said.
“It doesn’t really matter about me personally.
“For me it’s about the team and about getting a win and hopefully making the finals so even though that’s far ahead we still need to get a win.”
Northcote get the opportunity to take their first points for the season against Pascoe Vale on Friday night. Kick-off at Hosken Reserve is scheduled for 8:30pm.