RESPECTED Australian soccer commentator Craig Foster lavished praise on the Oakleigh Cannons and their former winger Craig Goodwin after his stellar A-League debut for Melbourne Heart on Saturday night.

Foster also warmly criticised those A-League clubs who looked overseas for players instead of promoting equally talented Australian-born footballers.

Goodwin moved to the Cannons before the last Victorian Premier League season from his native South Australia to take his game to the next level.

Under former Cannons boss Arthur Papas — now coach of Newcastle Jets Youth League side in the A-League — Goodwin elevated his game and was an important part of the Cannons' run to the VPL final.

He then earned a contract with Heart’s youth league side where he has starred, leading to his senior debut against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

Goodwin, playing left back and setting up numerous scoring chances with his deep runs down the left flank, was man of the match as the sides drew 0-0.

Foster, a former Socceroos midfielder, played in a five-a-side tournament at the new Knox Regional Football Centre on Sunday and, while speaking with the Weekly, called Goodwin’s debut the best he had seen at A-League or NSL level in a long time.

“Credit to Oakleigh and credit to the VPL – the message from his debut is that there are good kids out there,” he said.

But Foster, who is also a senior football analyst and news reader for SBS television, was scathing about A-League clubs who continue to sign below-standard imported players instead of promoting young talent like Goodwin, whom he described as “composed and intelligent”.

“I would say 70 per cent of imports at A-League level are well below standard,” he said.

“It’s an indictment on the recruiting of some clubs and I’ve been screaming out for years for Australian kids to get promoted because you find kids like Goodwin who is a wonderful talent.”

Goodwin had twice trialled with Adelaide United but had failed to earn a contract, something Foster was also critical of.

“Clubs have a lot of work to do — we need to ask why he fell through Adelaide’s net,” he said.

“Sydney FC is the same – they have missed 15-20 local prospects.

“We have a small playing population and there are not as many Goodwins out there; we can’t afford for one talent to miss out.”

Foster also praised the Heart’s Youth League for its integration with its senior side.

“They have a very good model for all Australian clubs because they train with the same methods and use the same system so it makes the transition for young players much smoother.”