Scott Galloway has been with the Central Coast Mariners since October and has described his move from Melbourne Victory as the best in his career.
At just 21-years-old, Galloway already boasts 72 Hyundai A-League appearances to his name, as well as a FIFA Under 20s World Cup campaign.
Debuting for the Yellow & Navy in round three against Brisbane Roar, Galloway has missed just one game and bagged two goals from left back. On Sunday against Newcastle it was a sweet strike from outside the area that earned the Mariners a point away from home.
“It fell for me perfectly outside the box and I thought I’d had a few shots in recent weeks that were nowhere near so I took my time with this one, caught it sweetly and put it in the back of the net,” Galloway said. “As soon as it came to the edge of the box I knew I was going to hit it first time – we had a few corners before and I was praying for one to come to the edge of the box and lucky enough this one did.
“Growing up my dad always drilled into me to use both of my feet and even the coaches I had growing up taught me the benefit of being able to use both feet. I guess that’s showing now because I can play on either side of the park comfortably which is a great thing to have,” Galloway said.
Galloway’s transition from Victory to the Mariners has been seamless and the young defender admitted that the move was for two main reasons: regular game time and to play under Paul Okon who he was coached by in the national team set up.
“I’m loving it,” Galloway said. “It’s the whole reason that I came here to play under Paolo and to get regular football so it’s been fantastic and I am loving every minute of my time here at the Central Coast Mariner, it’s the best move I’ve made.
“I’ve played under Paolo for a long time now and the things that I learn, the advice he gives you and calibre of coach – he is fantastic to play under,” Galloway said. “For him and the players it’s better playing for him in a club environment because you’re working with him every day rather than two or three weeks in every couple of months,” Galloway said.
Disappointed with their result against Newcastle, Galloway lamented the draw as two points lost rather than a point gained.
“We look at it and say it’s two points lost,” Galloway said. “For us we wanted the win but we came away from it with something whereas in the past we may not have.
“A point away from home in a derby is good but for us it’s not good enough we wanted the three,” Galloway said.
This Sunday the Mariners host Melbourne City followed by an away match against Sydney FC and the Australian Institute of Sport graduate said that every game from here on in will be treated as a final.
“We’re confident,” Galloway said. “I feel like both times we’ve played them we have deserved results against them so we will go out and play our style of football – City are a quality team so we will need to be on our game but I feel we can get a result.
“There are six games remaining this season and all six games for us are finals. We want the points and we need the points to make that top six which is our goal but we’re taking it one game at a time,” Galloway said.
Galloway switched the big city life of Melbourne for the idyllic beach back drop of the Central Coast and it’s a change that he is enjoying.
“I’m loving living on the Coast,” Galloway said. “I’m a pretty chilled person so compared to being in Melbourne which is a big busy place this is quieter but it reminds me of being back at home in Perth – really chilled, nice beaches and beautiful weather so it’s great,” Galloway said.
Match Details
Hyundai A-League 2016/17 – Round 22
Sunday 5 March 2017
Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne City
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Tickets: CLICK HERE
kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Official hash-tags: #CCMvMCY & #CCMFC
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Radio Broadcast: 96.3 Coast FM & 92.5 ABC Central Coast
