TROY HEARFIELD came to the Wellington Phoenix as a goalscoring
midfielder, but it's in the club's last line of defence where he is
carving out a big reputation.
The 22-year-old Australian has taken advantage of Manny Muscat's
suspension to make the Phoenix's right back position his own in recent
matches, forcing the Maltese international into a holding midfielder's
role.
Hearfield's versatility will again be to the fore in the Phoenix's next
two matches, away to Perth Glory on Friday and then Melbourne Victory
the following Tuesday.
"All you can do is laugh, really," Hearfield said of his positional
switch from the midfield to the back four. "It's good for me in a way
because I'm getting to play first-team football. I did come to the
Phoenix as a midfielder but I'm seeing the benefits of being able to
play across all areas of the park. It's a plus to my game to be able to
play in several positions."
While Hearfield is carving out a big reputation as a gutsy fullback, his
attacking mentality remains strong and he has earned plaudits for his
willingness to get forward.
"Being a former goalscorer helps me with that mentality. I love to score
goals and I love to run at players and beat them - that's a big part of
my game. I enjoy getting in and around the box and getting some strikes
off."
Hearfield said he initially questioned coach Ricki Herbert's wisdom when
put into the back four.
"I didn't really understand Ricki's decision to start with but he spoke
to me about it and urged me to give it a go. Now I've found I've taken a
liking to it and that I have something to offer the team. That's the
mark of a good coach - Ricki saw in me an ability I didn't initially
think I had and backed me to play in a different role and to do well in
that role. Thumbs up to Ricki for seeing that in me and backing me."
Stoked to be playing regular first-team football, Hearfield was also
thrilled to re-sign with the Phoenix for next season.
"The club's looked after me and I'm happy here. Ricki's shown faith in
me and I'm willing to do whatever I can to help make the club
successful. It's very promising for us at the moment and to have the
core of the current squad coming back is great for the future."
"The guys here are amazing and to have a great team you need to build a
great team. Just look at the guys who have come to the club and want to
stay here - we've got a great bunch, the morale's high and I'm stoked to
be part of it."