ONCE considered a makeshift centre-back, Jacob Pepper is pushing hard for a permanent spot in the heart of Brisbane Roar’s defence.
Pepper’s days as a holding midfielder seem over after his largely successful switch to the Roar’s back four last season.
While that started off out of necessity because of a crippling injury toll at the club, Pepper impressed sufficiently for him to now be considered a defender rather than a midfielder in Brisbane’s squad.
The 26-year-old former Newcastle Jet is well and truly in the mix to be one of the Roar’s two starting central defenders in Brisbane’s A-League season opener against Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium on October 21.
At the moment he seems ahead of former Socceroo Luke DeVere, who has had less game time than expected in the pre-season, and level pegging with the reliable Daniel Bowles.
Avraam Papadopoulos is perhaps the only Roar centre-back that can consider himself a certainty to start against the Mariners – provided the ex-Greek international gets enough game time between now and then in his return from a broken ankle.
“There are four or five of us, and that also includes (teenager) Aaron Reardon who are in the mix, and it’s great having that competition for spots,” Pepper said before the Roar’s behind-closed-doors trial against Melbourne City on Tuesday at City’s La Trobe University base.
“Hopefully I can build on what I did playing in defence last season.
“I’m feeling more comfortable there but I’m still learning about what’s required in the role.
“It’s about positioning and knowing when to push up and not being caught out of position.”
Despite his utility value, Pepper vowed not to ever take his spot in Brisbane’s squad for granted.
It’s one of the reasons he has signed three one-year deals in succession with the Roar rather than put pen to paper on a longer contract.
“I don’t want to get to the stage where I relax due to having the security of having an extended deal,” he said. “I do my best when I’m kept on my toes.”
Pepper said the Roar had enjoyed their best pre-season in terms of preparation since his arrival at the club in July 2016.
“It’s been a lot better and I don’t think you can beat the team chemistry that we’ve got, so that’s a good sign going into the season,” he said.
