He’s one of the form players in the Hyundai A-League, is leading Fox Sports' Alex Tobin Medal count and is sparking Newcastle Jets’ exciting finals charge.
Jets winger Andrew Nabbout has come of age in the Hunter in the 2016/17 Season and will again be crucial in the club’s massive clash with Western Sydney Wanderers in Campbelltown on Sunday.
It’s been an incredible campaign for the 24-year-old so far after returning to the Hyundai A-League after a season playing in the Malaysian second division alongside a host of Aussies at Negeri Sembilan.
Hyundai A-League preview: Wanderers v Jets
Nabbout has won five-man-of-the-match awards for the Jets and currently leads the votes in Fox Sports’ Alex Tobin award, ahead of the likes of Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic and Melbourne Victory duo James Troisi and Marco Rojas.
He's also been a regular in the www.a-league.com.au team of the week.
It seems everyone has been impressed by the former Victory man.
“I’m happy to be classed in the same level as some of those players at the top of that list, because they are unbelievable,” Nabbout told the Newcastle Herald.
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“But I don’t go out there thinking about it at all. I just go out there and do my job, put a smile on my face and enjoy it, and results will come if I do that.
“At the end of the year it will be nice to be up there with them, but it’s only halfway through the season and there’s a long way to go.”
Nabbout poised to reboot Newcastle's season
In 12 games this season, Nabbout has been the Jets’ most influential player, with a return of five goals and three assists.
His speed, movement and ability to beat his marker one-on-one makes him a dangerous opponent.
And he knows he’ll need to produce all that and more against the Wanderers, especially with fellow attacker Andrew Hoole suspended for Sunday’s match.
“I’m up for any challenge,” he said.
“I know they’ve got mobile wing backs and they love to go forward.
“My biggest thing is I love running at them and I love running in behind them, so if I can catch them on a counter attack and catch them while they’re forward, it’s better for me.”
Sunday’s game looms as a season-defining clash for both clubs. The Jets are currently in seventh spot on 17 points, two ahead of the Wanderers (15) and just behind Wellington and Perth (both 18) in fifth and sixth respectively.
“Our main objective is to make that top six and Wanderers are definitely one of our opponents,” Nabbout said.
“It’s a big opportunity to break away from them and consolidate that top-six spot.”
This is the second meeting between the two clubs this season, with the Jets fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Spotless Stadium in Round 3.