Image: Kevin Juggins/South Melbourne
Sometimes you have to spare a thought for Australian footballers. In most other countries, simply moving teams or dropping down a division would never mean leaving the country and travelling thousands of kilometres overseas.
Despite the arduous nature of moving from Brisbane to Wellington to Melbourne within two years, there are certain things Ben Litfin can feel thankful for.
The current generation of NPL Victoria players are somewhat different from their forebears, with vast amounts of A-League experience complimenting an array of international talent, a by-product of football’s globalisation, playing at clubs increasingly professionalising – often offering pay and conditions similar or better than A-League counterparts.
Ben Litfin’s recent journey from Wellington Phoenix to Bentleigh Greens is proof of the growing maturity, status and quality of the competition. The NPL is now seen as a viable alternative for young players, rather than a last resort.
Although never securing a first team place under Ernie Merrick, the former Gold Coast City goal machine is a highly regarded product of Brisbane Roar’s youth system and, at 21, still has extensive room for development.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be this good,” Litfin says, remarking on the quality of his new competition. “I’m really happy to be here because I’m going to have to work really hard and it’s going to make me a better player.”
With progression Litfin’s priority, Bentleigh and the NPL may be the perfect pathway. There are few managers in the A-League who can boast a level of success and experience that outdoes Bentleigh’s John Anastasiadis.
It may be the perfect time for a change of scenery and coaching approach. Merrick may not have lasted much longer than Litfin for the Kiwis, but it fails to take away from the fact 2016 was a sparse year for the young striker.
With only seven appearances spattered amongst Wellington’s senior and reserve sides, and zero goals to show for them, Litfin has good reason to be excited for a year of significant progression.
“I was talking to Bentleigh last season and I was almost going to come down halfway through the season but things didn’t really work out,” Litfin says.
“I got a really good opportunity with Wellington but things didn’t really work out there either. But Bentleigh got me down straight away and got me into the action so I’m really appreciative.”
Finally, things seem to be working out for the young attacker. The NPL should be the perfect test of how far Litfin, two years after scoring 19 goals in 20 league appearances for Gold Coast City, has come.
“I think Victoria’s a more professional league (than Queensland). It’s a lot older, there’s a lot more fans and a lot more passion,” Litfin says. “I’m really excited for that. I want to score goals and play as good as I can. The NPL’s getting better and better and people are taking notice, so you never know what’s going to happen.”
Interestingly, more than a thousand kilometres’ distance didn’t stop the NPL from playing a distinctive role in Litfin’s journey to the New Zealand capital. South Melbourne coach Chris Taylor had originally recommended that Merrick take Litfin on trial.
Remarkably, in his first competitive performance for the Greens, Litfin once again affirmed Taylor’s belief by playing a big role for Bentleigh in the win over South Melbourne the 2017 FFV Community Shield. Taylor’s confidence was, begrudgingly for him, justified.
The Greens’ victory over last season’s champions speaks volumes to the confidence within Litfin’s new side. Anastasiadis was particularly impressed with his new signing.
“(Litfin’s) role will be as a number 10, he can cause problems coming from deep into the box, so it’s pretty pleasing to have him on board.”
“The fact that he went to the A-League and didn’t get a gig surprises me but each coach to their own taste, I guess.”
While Victoria will test his maturity, if Litfin experiences similar success here to his time in Queensland, he should suit the taste of many A-League coaches.
Should he prove to be as prolific in Melbourne, it will speak volumes to his continued development across the Tasman. However Litfin is understandably considerate, as footballers with such fleeting experiences of a professional career tend to be.
“From my time in Queensland everybody’s saying Melbourne’s the place to be, it’s the crowds, the standard,” Litfin says.
“There’s not a player in Queensland who wouldn’t want to come down and play,” Litfin continues. “There are really good things coming from interstate about Melbourne.”
Ben Litfin is certainly aiming to be one of them.