Robbie Fowler on Australia’s Next Generation of Football Talent

Robbie Fowler’s interest in Australian football has outlasted his time in the A-League. The former Liverpool striker sees a growing group of Socceroos with the composure, technique and work rate to advance in European football, with Hull defender Lucas Herrington and Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree among those he believes could reach the Premier League.

Fowler spent time with North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory as a player before taking charge of Brisbane Roar. His 14-month Brisbane tenure, from April 2019 to June 2020, included 22 matches. He remains attentive to players coming through Australian football, including some he encountered early in their careers.

Herrington’s composure stands out

Herrington was 13 and part of Brisbane’s academy during Fowler’s spell at the club. Fowler doesn’t recall much direct interaction with him at that age, but he has followed the defender’s progress since. Now at Hull and established with the Socceroos, Herrington has made an impression through his calmness under pressure.

“You know what, I really like the kid and the composure he shows at such a young age,” Fowler told Football360. He praised Herrington’s performances at the World Cup and his apparent comfort at Premier League level, adding that the defender has worked exceptionally hard to get there. Fowler’s assessment is that Australia’s defensive future looks in capable hands.

Fowler knows the demands of early promise from his own career. He broke into Liverpool’s first team at 18 and went on to score 183 goals across two spells at Anfield. His praise for young Australians is grounded in the qualities he believes help prospects turn into senior players: sound decisions, composure and the ability to keep improving in demanding competitions.

Robertson and McGree offer different routes forward

Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson has caught Fowler’s attention over several seasons, including during his time at Portsmouth. The 23-year-old was absent from Australia’s latest squad for personal reasons, but Fowler sees the potential for him to become a long-term Socceroos presence.

Robertson’s loan spells from Manchester City took him to Ross County and Portsmouth. Fowler likes the midfielder’s range: he can disrupt opposition attacks, cover ground and contribute goals, while bringing technique and intelligence to his work. In the Championship, he has room to refine those strengths against strong weekly competition.

“There’s that song ‘The Kids Are Alright’ and Alex fits right into that category,” Fowler said. He views Robertson as part of the next wave of Australian players, and believes the midfielder could eventually earn a move to a higher level as his game develops.

McGree’s case is more immediate. At 28, the Middlesbrough playmaker is an influential figure in a side that sat second in the Championship after 15 games. Fowler believes McGree has the technical quality to adapt to the Premier League, and says his consistent chance creation makes him stand out whenever he plays.

Fowler points to Middlesbrough’s missed chance to reach the top flight after losing last season’s play-off final to Hull. McGree might already have made the step up if Boro had won, in Fowler’s view. He also believes the midfielder’s ability will attract Premier League interest even if Middlesbrough don’t earn promotion.

McGree missed the World Cup through a hamstring injury, and Fowler felt Australia lacked his contribution. His praise reflects both McGree’s value to the national side and the possibility that his club performances could open another door in English football.

Toure’s scoring rate makes an early case

Norwich City striker Mohamed Toure had scored six goals in nine appearances before a shoulder injury sidelined him. Fowler admits he has seen only flashes of Toure since the move to England, but the numbers and the striker’s movement have been enough to draw his attention.

Fowler rates Toure’s pace and positional sense, especially the speed with which he gets away from defenders. Those traits make him difficult to manage in the box, and Fowler hopes the 22-year-old can resume his progress when he returns in the New Year.

Toure made his Adelaide debut at 15, and Fowler remembers noticing his potential then. His development since has reinforced Fowler’s view that the A-League can prepare players to push into stronger overseas competitions. The immediate question is how quickly Toure can regain his form after injury.

Scotland and the wider Socceroos pool

Fowler has also followed Zac Sapsford at Dundee United. Since joining from Western Sydney Wanderers in 2025, the 24-year-old has recorded 17 goals and five assists in 58 games. His six goals in 15 appearances this season, along with important strikes against Celtic and Rangers, have helped make a case for a Socceroos call-up.

Fowler values Sapsford’s contribution with and without the ball. He describes the striker as willing to work, strong enough to compete physically and productive in front of goal. Scotland’s football can be direct, Fowler acknowledges, but he says the league contains quality and offers a useful test for Australian players.

That includes Cameron Devlin, whom Fowler likes for his relentless running and combative approach. He remembers the midfielder from his time at Wellington Phoenix and rates the commitment he brings to his role at Rangers.

Fowler’s eye for Australians extends beyond those currently pushing for Premier League moves. He remains a fan of Kye Rowles, now at DC United after spells with Central Coast Mariners and Hearts. Rowles may have slipped down the Socceroos pecking order, but Fowler recalls a defender who was composed in possession and effective at starting attacks from the back.

Brisbane years still shape Fowler’s view

Fowler takes particular satisfaction in seeing Aiden O’Neill establish himself as a Socceroo. O’Neill arrived at Brisbane from Burnley, and Fowler believes the club helped him build on his existing strengths as a midfielder: moving the ball well while remaining ready to tackle.

“I’m not saying I made him the player he turned out to be,” Fowler said, describing Brisbane as a platform that helped O’Neill progress and establish himself. He also gave Kai Trewin his debut in 2020. Trewin has since continued his career with New York City FC, and Fowler is pleased to have contributed to that first step.

For Fowler, age alone shouldn’t determine whether a player gets an opportunity. That belief links his memories of young Brisbane prospects with his current assessment of Australians abroad. Herrington’s calm defending, Robertson’s all-round midfield game, McGree’s chance creation and Toure’s finishing each point to a different kind of progress. Their next seasons will show which of those strengths can carry them to another level.