Watching from the stands at Suncorp Stadium was Shae Cahill’s well-known father Tim, who had a remarkable start in the A-League Men for Brisbane Roar.
During the Roar’s 2-2 draw with Western Sydney, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder Cahill senior just missed scoring on the day he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
When the teenager entered the game in the 75th minute, his late goal looked certain to go in, but a last-ditch save by a desperate Lawrence Thomas kept it out.
After four years in the Everton academy, Cahill secured a contract with the Brisbane Roar this year.
Tim, a former Socceroos player who had a successful career with the Toffees, was known for his excellent timing on the game and demonstrated it once more on Friday.
At midday on Friday, following his induction and subsequent media engagement in Melbourne, Tim boarded a flight to Brisbane.
He was on the ground watching his son when lightning and thunderstorms delayed play.
Cahill made an impression on Roar coach Ross Aloisi, who is supporting the young players in his squad.
“He had a great opportunity to score that goal and he was very good.” Lawrence Thomas made an amazing save,” Aloisi remarked.
“He put himself in a position where he could have scored a goal, which happens frequently inBrisbane Broncos training.
I am happy for Shae since he is a very good finisher. I’m happy for every player who enters the game and tries to play according to our playing philosophy.”
As a result of their Socceroos ancestors, the current crop of A-League heroes is leaving their mark.
Tony’s son Kristian Popovic plays for Macarthur FC, while Tony’s nephew Aurelio Vidmar plays for Western United.
Brisbane’s squad also includes 16-year-old Rylan Brownlie, a striker who is the son of former Roar striker Royce Brownlie.
In the injury time versus Western Sydney, Brownlie entered the game at the same time as Cahill and put the ball in the net for the eventual winner, but the referee correctly called him offside.
