By Matthew McNamara

Jordan Wilkes is a busy young man.

While keeping up his law studies at La Trobe University, the Northcote City defender has been busy putting in strong performances for his club, which has earned him the Rising Star of the Month award for February/March.

Wilkes spoke to Matthew McNamara about receiving the accolade.

MM: What's it like to be a youngster in a squad like Northcote?

JW: Well first of all I'd like to say thank FFV for getting this accolade. I was quite surprised to get the call as there are a plethora of talented young players at Northcote, let alone the whole league, who have also performed well so far this season.

Being a fairly young squad as is at Northcote, I don't feel as young as I'm maybe considered in a broader sense. The coaching staff have made it crystal clear that age is no factor. But still being one of the younger players at the club, it's great being at Northcote. The club have shown in the past, and this year, that they are willing to stick by their young players so in that regard its a privilege to be at the club.

MM: How's it been slotting into a key role in the back, despite being a youngster?

JW: Honestly, it's nothing too foreign to me, as I played the last 2 seasons at Heidelberg predominantly as a centre back. I think as a centre back you have to mature quicker, you can't get away with the whole 'he's young, he can be quiet and let's be lenient'. So I try not to see myself as a young defender, my teammates need me to pass on info to them as much as possible, something Gaspa (Marinos Gasparis) keeps in my ear about too.

MM: How's he found the season so far?

JW: Season 2015 has been a mixed one for the club. On our day we've shown we have more about us than some people give us credit for, but on other days we resemble a side not matching our true qualities. But as a club, from the players to Kotsy (Peter Kotsiris), we are working hard to get Northcote higher up the table. We know it's not down to 2 or 3 players at the moment, we must all take responsibility for results and drive the club forward.

On a personal note, after having a slow start I feel as though my performances are picking up and I'm helping my teammates. With the help of the staff and players, I'm working hard and improving on my weaknesses to help better myself as a player, but most of all to help the boys out on match days.

MM: What's it like juggling school and football?

JW: Being a law student at La Trobe can be pretty time consuming at times, but I like to think I'm quite organised so I'm usually pretty stress free and not up till 4am finish assignments. I'm working too in between football and uni. I like to keep busy so I'm enjoying it all at the moment.

Photo: Mark Avellino