Melbourne Victory utility Leigh Broxham is to lead the team out for the round one derby clash against Melbourne Heart at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
With an estimated attendance of up to 45 000, Broxham will wear the armband in lieu of Mark Milligan who is away with the Socceroos on international duty against France.
The 25-year-old had been leading Victory throughout pre-season due to Milligan’s absence, including the friendly against Liverpool at the MCG – a match that was played out in front of 95 000 fans.
“I think so” was Broxham’s response to whether he’ll be named captain.
“It’s what I’ve been doing and I have been stepping in for him this year. It’s not something that we really speak about, it’s just something Ange [Postecoglou] has asked me to do and I’m happy to fill in for Milsy” he said.
With the Melbourne Derby only two days away, the stand-in-skipper explained he was looking forward to the contest on the back of a long pre-season.
“To start the season with a derby, it’s always fantastic. Four months we’ve been off so everyone is eager and I think everyone is just ready to go.”
Despite the honour, Broxham explained the focus for round one was all about his side’s performance and ensuring the team kicks off the season with a victory.
“Nothing really changes for me whether I’m wearing an armband or not…It won’t mean anything without the three points. I don’t think about it too much at the moment. It’s something I might look back on a bit later and it’s something close family friends might be proud of. I’m still just pretty focused on my football at the moment,” he said
It’s somewhat of a feel good story for Victory’s No. 6; Broxham initially struggled for form and consistency upon Postecoglou’s arrival at the club, finding himself on the outer-fringes of the squad early last season.
“We lost our first three or four games last year so that didn’t help at all. Obviously on a personal level I had worked my way into the team preseason and when results don’t go your way it’s fair enough for players [to be dropped] and I was on the end of that,” he said
“I had to go away and work on things myself and be patient, which I was, and I eventually got back into the team.”
Utilized in a variety of defensive and central positions, Broxham now finds himself as one of Postecoglou’s most reliable players – integral to the starting eleven.
Broxham is tipped to line up alongside new recruit Mitch Nichols in the centre of midfield for round one, where the duo are expecting to go shoulder to shoulder with former Victory marquee Harry Kewell.
“I don’t think I’ll give him any extra attention” Broxham said.
“I think he was good for us when he was here and now he’s got a new beginning at Melbourne Heart. I’ll probably come up against him during the game. He won’t get any extra attention, we’ll just play as we do and it’ll be interesting to see him different colours.”