The very best of our young players need to leave early. If you look at our previous generations, few top class Aussies have left home after they hit 20/21. The long list includes the likes of Bosnich, Cahill, Kewell, Neill, Viduka, Okon, Moore, Grella, Bresciano... Only really Emerton and Popovic spring to mind as being exceptions. Goalkeepers like Schwarzer and Kalac should be expected to leave a tad later as keepers are able to enjoy longer careers. The A-League is shorter than most European leagues in games per season, not to mention, there are no proper cup competitions here either. The intensity of training and professionalism is not the same here; I am not just referring to stamina drills. We are still tactically and technically behind when developing youth. Our salvation is we have a country of hungry, determined, competitive young players who want to succeed. It is up to the players to remain focused, work hard and succeed. Some players will come back disappointed because they will realise they are not good enough for Europe so early on. The likes of Matt McKay and Aaron Mooy are not going to be the next Tim Cahill or Harry Kewell, however, they will have learnt with their experience abroad. They are as a result, more mature on and off the pitch. Who in this current crop of Socceroos

I dont think we should care if players of any age go overseas, if people want to turn up and play in the team they should be encouraged. Dont forget there is no age limit in NZ Football to play in the All Whites. I beleieve in south America there was a 50 year old in the Brazil team. Young doesnt always translate to good team playing. Some older fitter players are jsut as dangerous. Besides a mix of young and experienced players, multi cultural is the all Black Winning formula. No we have a dearth of refugees in Australia and NZ where football is prime focus some very talented African Asian Croatian Serbian..and not forgetting Indigenous Aboriginal Torres Strait PNG Polynesian Micronesian Melanesian people from The Homeless World Cup teenagers and adults flocking to football...so if people wanna go ..so what? we got plenty of others coming..up.For World Cup 2018 2022..not to mention the anti racist anti sexist anti ageist stance taken by FIFA....Its great to see the beautiful game embraced by both sides of the tasman..the multiCultural game in NZ and Ozzie getting rid of the crappy ideology the racist mental illness of last century. Go The Phoenicx Go FIFA

Ross, players should want to play in better leagues. Younger players should want to develop their game. I think you should maybe speak to players like mooy from WSW, and see why he gave up the great SPL or European League to come back to the A-league. Him (asset) has risen since being here and has given him a socceroo cap. Not bad for playing in the back water league in australia. Also they should not be going to catergory C leagues of europe. They should be going to developing football leagues. nothing else should be considered.

I believe the right time can vary with each individual. Some players are more mature to others and some achieve their potential earlier than others. The right time can vary a lot between each individual. Unfortunately most football careers are short lived. Thus if you cannot get some academic qualifications behind you you can easily find yourself on the dole not too many years after an unfortunately premature departure from professional ranks. Unlike many clubs who have the cash to import marquee players the Mariners rely on youth talent. They have a great knack of developing these youngsters. I would say to all young players that these days the world is at their feet. However before they sign their life away into a possible dead end laneway ensure that you get a good deal no only for the present but the future. make sure you have a backup occupation avenue if your dreams do not pan out. In Australia we have the talent. I would hope the FFA, the clubs and the players agents ensure that our local talent are not explointed.

You almost sound like Mitt Romney... "human beings are assests too. A football club is like a corporation. It does not matter if we constantly get ripped off, as long as market forces dictate it"

Ross - Brilliant - As a Mariners Member it's obvious that I would prefer the Mariners held onto Rogic, Amini, Ryan, Simon, Ibini etc. but I also want my club to survive, then grow and then prosper. We all need to look at the bigger picture for both the game in Australia and for the players involved. At the end of the day - When i'm sitting in Bluetongue Stadium I'll cheer, I'll yell and I'll support - I just want my team to be there.

Great article, Ross - good insight from someone who has been there and understands the working sof the industry and the realities of football. Too many commentators and fans just spout cliches and idealisms that dont reflect reality We are afeeder league along with every other league in the world outside the Big 4. So what? Clubs get paid a transfer fee (that no-ne force sthem to), or get compensated bia teh Training Compensation sytem if the player leaves on a free under age of 23 - what's tehy problem?

We have an average league English league 1 at best so I dont have a problem with players wanting to play at a higher level but move in the July/sept window as our league is different we have this stupid playoff system so the best team over a season doesnt win the major prize its just a lottery on who has the least injured players so give us all a chance keep players to the end of the season.

Ross, that was an enlightening perspective on the topic. Deep down we all wish the best for our Aussie youngsters to be able to ply their trade o/s, they're certainly up against it in Oz to be recognised for their talent against a back drop of well paid alternate footballing codes. I had never realised the EU passport issue. And it is easy to only see the headlines of them signing overseas, but how hard would it be to be for a young lad without their family support network in a foreign country; hats off to those that have the passion and belief to give it a crack. You only have to remember Matt McKay's tribulations with Rangers to know it doesn't go exactly to plan. Yes it is massively important they receive good guidance for their short careers. I guess there is no Football Managers facebook yet huh, so they can become friends and get a gig, assuming they haven't emabarrased themselves publicly;) Lets also not forget the clubs who seem to be up against it, when it comes to attracting and keeping talent. There's just no possibiity of maintaining a depth of talent for more than 3 years with all the pressures on the club's bottomline. Don't think mining magnate's are the only answer just quietly. A more integrated approach under international loan arrangements perhaps,there's bound to be some equally capable senior players in these countries who could do with a refresh in the A-league in exchange.