THEY'RE almost the ideal package deal. Yin and yang.
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While Luke Stevens will bring the x-factor for Wagga City, midfield partner Anotidaishe Matowe is the hard-working, dependable rock.
The Wanderers are hopeful those traits will prove the ideal recipe as they look to take the next step by making the National Premier League ACT finals for the first time this season.
The 17-year-olds were hugely influential in spearheading Wagga City to the under-18 championship last year, and are expected to play key roles in their maiden full first grade campaign.
Wanderers coach Michael Babic believes Stevens has benefited from watching player-assistant coach Michael Menser up close, and will relish not having to be the 'go-to' player every week.
"In school football he's expected to be the man and there's a lot of pressure, whereas in first grade he's just another player. There's not so much pressure on him to do those amazing things he can do," Babic said.
"He enjoys that side of it where he can just go out and play, and if he doesn't do the magical game-winning thing he can still go out and have a good game.
"Watching Matty Menser and the way he picks his moments is a good eye opener for him. He just cruises around, but then there's this explosion when he sees an opportunity.
"For Luke it's the learning experience of you can't do it for 90 minutes. You pick your moments to explode, that's what it's about."
Stevens showed his more than ready for the next step after backing up a brilliant goal with a game-clinching penalty in a game against Southern Tablelands last year.
"Mick understands the young core of the club. Ano and myself have been at the club for a long time and we're challenging for first grade spots and he's done a great job in promoting the young guys.
"When Ross (Morgan, former coach) was here he was also very supportive of the young talent, and some of the best football I played last year was in the first grade squad.
"Getting the opportunity to test myself at that level was really good and definitely beneficial for my development."
Stevens and Matowe have been playing representative football alongside each other since they were ten.
They know each other's games back to front and after claiming silverware last year, want to use their first grade elevation to take the next step.
"Players like myself and Ano have got aspirations of playing at a higher level hopefully at some point in our careers," Stevens said.
"Taking that one step further and getting that (first grade) experience early on is really vital for later on when we trial for clubs in Sydney, or wherever it may be.
"Especially last year when we won the premiership he (Matowe) is rock solid. As a midfielder you know you have that support behind you, he's more a defensive player and he's tenacious and wins the ball.
"Even against bigger blokes he puts in really firm challenges."
Stevens and Matowe have played under-18s for the past three years, and have long been regarded among the best young talents in the Riverina.
"We definitely work off each other. He's creative and I like to win the ball back put myself in the right position at the right time and my passing (is a strength)," Matowe said.
"Getting that first step (18s premiership) in our journey was a big thing, understanding what it is like to be part of a team, and also leadership.
"When we were talking to Mick he said he'd give us time to build into the role because he sees Luke and I playing a big role, and because we complement each other so well you can't have one without the other."
Stevens' skills have already been on display this year through the Football Wagga Challenge, where players were asked to submit videos of them practising skills during isolation.
Stevens won the competition after artfully juggling a toilet roll for several seconds.
"I saw a few footballers doing it over social media, and based on our current situation I thought it would be a fun idea to try. It ended up working out well," he said.
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