Leigh Broxham’s versatility makes him one of Melbourne Victory’s most valuable assets
He isn’t the biggest name at Melbourne Victory, but he might just be one of coach Kevin Muscat’s favourites. David Davutovic on Leigh Broxham, and why another positional change looms this weekend.
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Leigh Broxham starting the season on the bench for Melbourne Victory seems a distant memory — yet again.
Having filled more than half the first XI positions this season, another Broxham positional switch looms for the mega clash away to A-League leaders Perth Glory on Saturday.
After playing stopper the last few games, the smart money is on fullback or midfield, with James Donachie returning from suspension to likely partner German Georg Niedermeier in central defence.
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Fellow defender Thomas Deng returns from international duty and will be assessed in Perth, while midfielder Terry Antonis and attacker Elvis Kamsoba could return from injury.
A rare start on the bench remains a possibility for Broxham, who’s featured in all bar one game this season — the Round 2 home loss to Glory.
With his adaptability enabling Kevin Muscat to adopt positional switches without the headaches many other coaches face, in addition to the limitations a salary cap environment poses, Broxham is mounting a case as one of Victory’s most important players — at least behind star visa duo Ola Toivonen and Keisuke Honda.
“Started the season on the bench, had to be patient as usual. It’s happened — not every year, but it’s happened before,’’ Broxham said.
“I guess I’ve built a career on being reliable and adaptable. No different this year, and at the same time I’m pushing guys in their natural position.
“It’s competitive to win games and it’s competitive on a personal level too.”
Broxham’s break came in Round 4 when Jai Ingham was injured in the warm up. Broxham came into a side which romped home 4-1.
He’s started 17 of Victory’s 20 games since in all competitions, coming off the bench in the other three.
“I was due to play midfield 3-4 times or started there, but there’s been a send off or injury and (I’ve) ended in defence. There were a few illnesses,’’ he said.
“I shuffle a bit and then a longer term injury, then I’ll stay. There’s been so much disruption this year that I’ve kind of had to.
“You don’t have time (to think about it), you’re just thrust into it. It’s experience — I understand the game a lot more than what I used to.
“Just having an understanding of the game and thinking about it a lot more, understanding the game plan, as I become more versatile. Not just listening to where I am due to play, listen to what the other players are being told. So I’ve become a bit more comfortable when you have to move.”