IT was while running toward his own goal during the opening game that Tyler Rayson truly felt like the midfielder he had started the season hoping to be.
After Mildura City led 1-nil at half-time, the Irymple Knights had equalised and were on the attack. Rayson, who was in his second year at the club, found himself chasing. He ran to put his body beside the Knights attacker and stuck his toe across to stick the ball while his opponent’s momentum took him forward.
Quickly he pivoted, and put City into attack. It was an “unparalleled” feeling.
And for Rayson, who ran the 2021 Football Federation Sunraysia (FFS) S-League title winner’s midfield, his performance earned him the 2021 FFS Best and Fairest award.
Rayson said he used his offseason to watch videos of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, preparing his play style by learning how the former Barcelona greats ran and moved the ball.
“I just wanted to be that box to box midfielder, working from the back and playing through everyone as a team,” Rayson said.
He focused on awareness, kept open to different options across the pitch and, as his confidence grew, tried to play the game a “few steps ahead”.
“I never knew I could play that position until they put me there,” the former striker and defender said.
Rayson’s mindset this year was the biggest difference from the 2020 season, said Mildura City coach Simon Trembath.
“He’s the kind of player who would actively seek out critique and feedback. He (would) want to know: What do I need to do to improve my game?” Trembath said.
Although Rayson had been at times “too conservative” 12 months earlier, Trembath said Rayson helped City by bringing more creativity to the side.
“He’s technically solid. He’s work rate is extraordinarily high. And he’s someone who has the creativity to see passes that maybe others don’t,” the coach said.
He said Rayson had gone “out of his way” to mentor juniors, demonstrating his leadership skills at training and on game day.
“The way he’s gone about it this year has been really high quality from our perspective.”
Mildura City finished the S-League season with nine wins, one draw and a goal difference of plus 42. Rayson, who finished the season with a goal and zero yellow cards, said City’s “spirit” had ultimately steered him to the personal award.
“Going into the season, we just had such confidence,” he said. “We have such a great team. We had no doubts. Everyone trusted each other on the pitch.”
