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Jed Drew aware of previous Aussie experiences as he begins Austrian adventure

  • Writer: Ian Pulczynski
    Ian Pulczynski
  • Mar 7
  • 6 min read

Fresh from lighting up the A-League Men's competition for Macarthur FC, Jed Drew has now set his eyes on a new European adventure. He is hopeful that a move to the Austrian Bundesliga will help him gain valuable minutes and experience.

Front Page Football Jed Drew

Jed Drew signed for Austian Bundesliga side TSV Hartberg in January. (Image: TSV Hartberg)


Playing under Dwight Yorke and Mile Sterjovski, helping lift two Australia Cups, and playing in the AFC Cup, it's fair to say Jed Drew had a memorable time with Macarthur FC. The Canberra-born attacker, whose father used to be a professional rugby league player, spent his youth days in England and for Blacktown City and Sydney FC before featuring for Macarthur's NPL NSW side led by Sterjovski at the time.


Although his father used to play in the National Rugby League and Super League competitions, he loved football. He always supported Drew's choice of going down the football path instead of a presumed rugby league career.


As Drew gained experience and exposure in the NPL NSW, he was rewarded with an A-League Men's debut in October 2022 against Adelaide United. A few weeks after his first taste of professional football, Drew started and scored the winner in a frantic 3-2 away victory over the Central Coast Mariners. For Drew, that specific match will remain a lifelong memory no matter where his football career takes him.

Then, after hitting red-hot form in the domestic competition and lifting the 2024 Australia Cup, Drew's efforts were noticed as he secured a mid-season move in January to TSV Hartberg, a club in the top tier of Austrian football. Drew believes the guidance and advice he gained from learning under a former English Premier League winner and a former Socceroo helped him become the footballer he is today.


"They both helped me in different ways," Drew told Front Page Football  when asked about playing under managers Dwight Yorke and Mile Sterjovski.


"Having someone like Dwight, it's not every day you get coached by a name like that; he put a lot of faith in me by playing me. I wasn't expecting to play a lot (in the 2022/23 season) coming from the NPL, but he backed me, and it was a great experience.


"I had Mile before in the NPL team in the first year I was there, and later I transitioned into Dwight's team. Dwight was such a good people person off the field; he really got along with all the players, he was very loud, and he had great banter. Then Mile came in, and he is a bit more quiet, but we just know the job to do with him; he's very good tactically. He really made a big impact last season, helping us get to the finals."

Jed Drew was always one to watch in Bulls colours due to his pace and eye for goal. Although he did feature in plenty of matches previously, it wasn't until the 2024/25 campaign that he shifted into another gear. Before he departed Australia, Drew had six goals and seven assists in just thirteen league matches. His scintillating form gained the attention of many clubs, mainly in Europe. He was also one of three Bulls players who secured overseas moves in January. Oliver Jones signed with Randers in Denmark, and Ariath Piol moved to the MLS to sign with Real Salt Lake.

Despite interest from other countries, including clubs from the Swedish top flight, the attacker secured a move to Austrian Bundesliga side TSV Hartberg. The Austrian first tier might not be in the spotlight compared to other European leagues, such as the English Premier League or Spanish La Liga. However, it has progressed, as evidenced by a competitive Austrian men's national team and several Austrian sides playing in European continental competitions. Clubs such as Red Bull Salzburg, Austria Wien, and LASK have a history of playing against Europe's best, which attracted Drew to the league.


Leaving Australia to move abroad is usually an easy decision for young Australian players as they are eager to grow and test themselves in an international environment and put their name in the spotlight for a potential Socceroos call-up. However, securing the right move abroad remains a challenge as many youngsters tend to leave the A-League Men at an early age and return a few seasons later after their move has not worked out the way it was first envisioned.


Looking back at how other young Australian players have been thrown around to different parts of the world, Drew understands the importance of playing in a competition like the Austrian Bundesliga. He believes he can develop his career and earn consistent minutes in the league.


"I think the first move to Europe, you've got to make the right decision," Drew said.

"I wanted to go somewhere to get minutes. Sadly, a lot of Aussies are going overseas, and they're not getting the minutes they deserve. I just think for me, I wanted to go somewhere where I can test my level and get the minutes I'm after. I think it's a perfect stepping stone at the moment for my career, and hopefully, I can build further in Hartberg."

"Even last match, the speed was much quicker, I felt (compared to Australia)," Drew added when talking about the level of football in the Austrian top flight.


"Physically, and how quickly they put pressure on you, you could feel a massive difference in that. Most of the defences here are big boys compared to a lot of A-League sides. There are a lot of young boys coming through now, so it's great for Australian players. But over here, there are a lot of experienced defenders, physical and big, too.

"It's something I will have to get used to, and hopefully, I can bring what I was doing in the A-League over here."


Drew now calls the Austrian town Hartberg home. It's a small place in the southeast of the country, closer to the Hungarian city of Szombathely than the Austrian capital of Vienna. The population is approximately 6,700 people, and TSV Hartberg's stadium capacity is around 4,600. Despite the town's small size, its love for football is similar to the rest of the country.


"Football is massive over here," Drew said.


"I'm in a small town, and all the people here talk about Hartberg, and they want to see the team do well. It's not the most spoken-about league but there are massive teams here like RB Salzburg, Sturm Graz, and Austria Wien, and they're big clubs with massive fanbases. I'm really excited to play against those sides because the atmosphere looks incredible. Football is all over the TV as well.


"It's been a big change for me as a 21-year-old moving over here by myself. Living in Sydney, there's so much to do, many social activities, beaches, the weather. I come here, and it's very small and quiet, which is nice. It's pretty cold, but I'll get used to it. It's exciting, and it's something every young player dreams of doing, playing in Europe and I'm just soaking it all in at the moment."



Regarding Australia, the 21-year-old has represented the country as a Young Socceroo and Olyroo as he featured in the 2023 U20 Asian Cup and friendly matches against Vanuatu. Drew played a significant role in Australia's run at the 2023 U20 Asian Cup, which saw the Young Socceroos progress from their group but lose on penalties in the quarter-finals to hosts and eventual winners Uzbekistan.


With caps already at those youth levels, the next step in his international career is representing the green and gold of the Socceroos on the world stage. That goal is something Drew keeps in his mind, and he is hopeful that he can fulfil his dreams.


"It's always exciting to represent your country," Drew said.


"It's everyone's goal; it's definitely on the back of my mind. I've just got to keep playing positively and keep building on what I did in the A-League. It's not all about stats, but they did well for me - I just have to be consistent.

"I'm young, still so much to develop in my game. Hopefully, and eventually, I can put on those colours; it's something I am playing for and working for to get that call-up."

 

READ MORE ON FPF

 

Jed Drew's move to the Austrian Bundesliga could serve as a stark reminder for many other young Australian players who want to move abroad that sometimes leaving home early or going to a big-name club can have its consequences. Drew recognises that some Australian youngsters, especially those moving from the A-League Men, haven't had the experiences abroad they had hoped for. Players like Marco Tilio and Daniel Arzani did not live up to the hype when they first left Australia for Europe.


Australian football fans want to see our players, especially youngsters, do well outside Australia, but making the right first move abroad is crucial. Many Australians have found clubs that aren't very popular, yet are gaining regular minutes, for example, Max Balard at NAC Breda or Gianni Stensness at Viking.

Finding the first appropriate move abroad is a challenge for Australian players. But if they can get it right, it can progress a player's career and, in turn, the national team. Drew will hope he has done so with his move to Austria.


Click here to read more of Front Page Football's Aussies Abroad coverage!

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