FPF's Aussies Abroad power rankings: Week 1

Australian footballers are always contributing in different corners of the globe, from Europe and beyond, and this week was no different. A young duo in England kept their names in lights, a Scotland-based Socceroo eased early frustrations, and a Championship veteran reminded everyone of his value. The mix of youthful emergence and experienced reliability will shape Front Page Football's  new Aussies abroad power rankings. With that in mind, let's dive into this week's top five.

Adrian Segecic on the ball for Portsmouth in their 2-1 defeat to Norwich over the weekend. (Image: Jason Brown Photography)

1. Adrian Segecic - Portsmouth

Adrian Segecic scored two goals in two league games for Portsmouth. But even his late strike couldn't prevent a 2–1 defeat to Norwich City.

The 21-year-old rifled home a fizzing left-footed effort from outside the box in the 84th minute, creating something out of nothing after what had been a quiet first half.

The Portsmouth News  captured it well, noting Segecic "had been anonymous in the first half, [but] created something out of absolutely nothing with a low left-footed shot from the edge of the box."

Although it's still very early in his life abroad, that consistency is rare, and it is no wonder he is already becoming one of the most talked-about young Aussies in Europe.

It is the kind of impact that underlines why Pompey fans are already so excited about their new signing. He has now produced three goal contributions in three games and has not missed a single minute since arriving in England.

Fellow Aussies Thomas Waddingham came on in the 70th minute, while Hayden Matthews remained unused on the bench.

Portsmouth face West Brom next, offering another chance for Segecic to build on his blistering start.

2. Nestory Irankunda - Watford

Nestory Irankunda's hype has followed him to England, and he is already backing it up.

He grabbed his first assist for Watford in the Championship, helping them to a 2-1 victory over QPR on Saturday.

Bursting down the left flank after being released into space, the 19-year-old whipped in a low first-time ball that Luca Kjerrumgaard tucked away in the 19th minute.

It was Irankunda's first league start since arriving in England, and he lasted 56 minutes before being withdrawn.

For a 19-year-old in one of the most physical leagues in the world, this was an impressive statement of intent and a glimpse of why the hype around him continues to grow.

Watford now travel to Swansea, where Irankunda could go head-to-head with fellow Aussie defender Cameron Burgess.

3. Callum Elder - Derby County

   
   

Defenders don't often make these rankings on the back of goals, but Callum Elder forced his way in after a rare strike in Derby's 5-3 thriller with Coventry. 

Slotting home from left back was a moment to savour to level the scoring, but perhaps more telling is his ironman record; he has played every available minute so far this season.

For those unfamiliar, Elder isn't the flashiest name in the Socceroos conversation. But he is very much part of the furniture, albeit with just the singular cap for the senior side.

Think of him as the steady frame of a house, often overlooked compared to the shiny fixtures, yet essential to holding it all together.

He made his senior debut in 2021 and has been in and around the extended squad since, the type of player coaches know they can plug in with confidence when called upon.

With this positive performance being said, the Rams may need to tidy things up at the back. But Elder's consistency makes him a cornerstone for both club and potentially country when depth is tested.

Derby head to Bristol City next weekend, and Elder's durability will again be vital as the Rams search for points in a demanding Championship campaign.

4. Jed Drew - TSV Hartberg

   
   

Momentum is everything for attackers, and Jed Drew is steadily building it. 

Back-to-back goals in Austria, including one against heavyweight RB Salzburg, have underlined his growing influence at Hartberg. Even in a 2-1 defeat, Drew's sharpness in the final third stood out.

Just three years ago, he was still playing in the NPL; now at 21, he's scoring against one of the country's biggest clubs.

His rapid rise from local football to the Austrian Bundesliga is one of the more remarkable Aussie stories abroad right now, and with confidence flowing, there's every chance this is only the beginning for him.

Hartberg face Noah Botic's Austria Vienna next, and if Drew keeps up this form, there is no reason he cannot extend his scoring streak to three straight games.

5. Kusini Yengi & Nicolas Milanovic - Aberdeen

   
   

Sometimes it takes just one game to change a storyline.

For Kusini Yengi, it may have just been Aberdeen's 3-0 Scottish League Cup win over Greenock Morton, where he finally opened his account for the season. 

The striker had been copping plenty of stick on social media for a slow start, but silenced critics with a composed finish, made even sweeter by fellow Aussie Nicolas Milanovic providing the assist.

Both players are still finding their feet in Scotland, but seeing them combine so early is encouraging. 

For Yengi, the goal is a weight off his shoulders. For Milanovic, the assist is a reminder that he's ready to make an impact of his own.

Keep an eye on these two in the coming weeks for Aberdeen. They take on FC Steaua București over two legs for a spot in the League Phase of this season's Europa League.

6. Sam Silvera - Middlesbrough

   
   

Transitioning into a new role at right wing back, he’s impressed with his work rate and adaptability, adding defensive bite to his natural attacking instincts.

7. Jordan Bos - Feyenoord

He's made a fast start to life in the Netherlands, featuring in every game available to him. Midweek, he played 90 minutes at left back in the Champions League Third Qualifying round and then 57 minutes in the league against Excelsior.

8. Alessandro Circati - Parma

Played 90 minutes at centre back in the Coppa Italia as Parma beat Pescara 2-0.

9. Fran Karacic - Hajduk Split

Played 90 minutes in Hajduk's 3-0 win over Slaven Belupo, earning himself a match rating of 8.6 from Flashscore.

10. Connor Metcalfe - St Pauli

Substituted on in the 91st minute of St Pauli's DFB Pokal win against Norderstedt. The game went to extra time and penalties as they progressed to the next round. Jackson Irvine remains absent through injury.

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On the rise

Lewis Miller - Blackburn Rovers

Although Blackburn have started their season with two losses, Miller has featured in both league games and 90 minutes in the EFL Cup.

He's been deployed as a centre-back in a back four in the games he has played.

Slipping down

Zac Sapsford - Dundee United

Not so much slipping down, but some bad news for one Aussie abroad, as Dundee United's new man, Zac Sapsford, is facing time on the sidelines as he was withdrawn from their game against SK Rapid at halftime.

Head coach Jim Goodwin has said that "it's a strained ankle ligament injury, so those types of injuries can take anything from two to four weeks."

An injury that could potentially rule him out of the next Socceroos camp in September.

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