A-Leagues: Macarthur FC’s Lachlan Rose to equal club’s top appearances

Two years ago when Australian football didn’t know his name, a young Lachlan Rose was determined to make his mark. When he next takes the field, he will become the Bulls’ equal most capped player.

Two years ago when Australian football didn’t know his name, a young Lachlan Rose with his flowing “sh*t” blonde hair was dedicated to making his mark in the round ball game.

After learning his trade in the semi-professional ranks and relative obscurity of the NSW NPL2 competition with Blacktown Spartans, this Sunday should see Rose become Macarthur FC Bulls’ equal most capped A League player along with Aleksandar Susnjar, the pair to surpass inaugural goalkeeper Adam Federici if they take the field on Sunday.

Lachlan Rose scored the matchwinner against Sydney FC. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Not only has the 22-year-old Rose become a fan favourite with the A-League’s youngest club, but he has started the season in red hot form with two goals from two A-League appearances.

The stunning rise of the Bulls forward has shocked most including former Spartans coach Brett Hewitt, who described Rose’s rapid rise into professional football as “a great example of perseverance”.

Rose’s work ethic sets him apart. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Rose in training. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Hewitt, now involved with NPL club Macarthur Rams, said he recalled a 20-year-old Rose arrive at Blacktown with the same “sh*t haircut” and “attitude”.

“The thing I love about Lachy is that he has an inner confidence in himself,” he said. “Even when things aren’t going that well he always believes.”

Hewitt said Rose was completing double the number of training sessions of his teammates and was dogged in his pursuit of a professional career.

The former Spartan coach said he understood Rose had shifted between a number of clubs across his junior career, trialled with Central Coast Mariners and explored opportunities in England which were thwarted by Covid-19 before ultimately grabbing his breakthrough with the Bulls.

Rose has fast become a fan favourite. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Such was the young forward’s focus on a professional career, Hewitt said if the Macarthur FC contract didn’t materialise he wouldn’t have been surprised if the X-factor player called up other A League clubs for a start, such was his self-belief.

“He’s gone from the second division in NSW to an A League contract,” he said. “For me, that’s unheard of.”

“(Rose’s) speed, his stamina, his work rate are outstanding. There’s probably a lot of other footballers who are more technically gifted than Lachlan, but the thing that separates him from everyone else is he’s just relentless and he does not give up.

“I don’t think we’ve seen anything yet to be brutally honest. He is still learning his trade, he is still a young footballer and this is just his second season in the A League in a professional environment.”

Media requests for interviews with Rose were declined by Macarthur FC this week with the club opting to keep the young striker out of the spotlight, which is shining brighter by the day.

The 22-year-old will have fans on the edge of their seats when his Bulls take on the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday for his 29th A League appearance, “sh*t hair” and all.

Originally published as A-Leagues: Macarthur FC’s Lachlan Rose to equal club’s top appearances