Time for Tyson to step up

Jerrad Tyson spent two seasons in the considerable shadow of Ante Covic, but the 25-year-old goalkeeper is convinced his time has come.

A-League Rd 26 - Western Sydney v Brisbane

Jerrad Tyson says he has done his time as a number two goalkeeper, and is keen to be first choice at Perth Glory. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

Tyson played only one A-League game at Western Sydney Wanderers as Covic held an iron grip on the No.1 jersey.

The club's success in that period is well documented and Tyson, lack of game time notwithstanding, was a fan favourite for the manner in which he supported Covic and the club.
Covic may have been the undisputed first choice in Western Sydney, but now they have been reunited at Perth Glory, Tyson said he intends to fight on an even plane.

The veteran keeper has just turned 40, making him 15 years Tyson's senior.

But the younger of the two knows it will take plenty of hard work to be chosen ahead of someone who has made 460 senior appearances in an illustrious career between the sticks.

"I want to be the club's number one," Tyson said.

"Ante will be great competition for me, to make sure I do my best, and work hard every day.

"I took a lot from working with Ante at Western Sydney; the mental processes he takes on the field with him, how he prepares and how he looks after himself.

"I'll continue to learn a lot from him in how he trains and I will continue implementing some of the things I've learned, in my own game."
Like any footballer consigned to the bench, Tyson craved game time, and so after leaving Wanderers he took the road less travelled, heading to Hong Kong to play for Hong Kong Pegasus.

It may seem off the beaten track, but Tyson said it was an important move for his career.

"Hong Kong was fantastic for me," Tyson said.

"When I left Wanderers I had a real focus on playing football, and I wanted to look for opportunities where I could play.
"When I received the phone call I wanted to go there as soon as posssible. I really enjoyed the experience of being the number one and getting regular game time, particularly after spending two seasons on the bench at Wanderers, I really wanted to step up.
"I feel like I did the apprenticeship as a number two goalkeeper and it was the right time to step up and be the number one, and to see my game develop and improve."

It wasn't long before Perth Glory came calling.

Danny Vukovic and Jack Duncan had both left, to Melbourne Victory and Danish club Randers respectively, and a yawning chasm existed where two goalkeepers once stood.

Tyson signed a two year contract, and he would be forgiven for thinking Covic is following him around, for not long after Tyson put pen to paper, Covic joined too.

It was the chance to stake an early claim for the No.1 shirt which attracted Tyson to Kenny Lowe's side.

"The fact they were looking for two goalkeepers attracted me to Perth," Tyson said.

"Usually you have one keeper who has been there for a long time, with a track record at the club.

"Covic and I get on fantastically well. We achieved a lot of success together in the first two seasons at Western Sydney.

"We respect each other. Unfortunately for me, he was in career best form, so I had to appreciate the situation I was in.

"I'm confused by the decision to let him go, but Wanderers' loss in Perth's gain."


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3 min read
Published 20 August 2015 4:15pm
Updated 20 August 2015 4:56pm
By Matthew Connellan
Source: SBS

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