A box-to-box midfielder for the majority of his youth career, Thurgate has filled a variety of roles in his 23 A-League appearances for the Jets.

However, his days as a utility appear over.

Thurgate was deployed as a striker for a fourth straight game in the Jets' 4-0 loss to Melbourne City at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.

But coach Ernie Merrick believes Thurgate has the attributes to make it a permanent shift.

"I don't think he has ever specialised in one spot," Merrick said. "He has all the basics. First of all, he is coachable, but he also has pace and acceleration, he has ball control and good technique and his decision making is first class.

"I think he is going to nail that position. I have been very impressed with him."

Merrick is not the only coach who has taken notice.

"I have heard from Ronny Smith, who worked with the [Australian] under-20s and is one of the best coaches in Australia. He rates him very highly as well," Merrick said. "We are both on the same page there. We think he has a big future as a striker."

Thurgate has replaced injured striker Abdiel Arroyo (hamstring), but is playing a different role to the Panamanian, who's game is based on pace and power.

The 19-year-old has played deeper as a false number nine, almost alongside Dimi Petratos, with wide men Jason Hoffman and Nick Fitzgerald pushing higher.

He scored the match-winner against Western United (1-0), scored one and set up the other in the 2-0 win over Wanderers and was unlucky not to hit the target in the 2-1 loss to Adelaide, where he had two shots cleared off the line.

"He mixes it up so well," Merrick said. "He can play with his back to play in the penalty box and keep possession. He can turn and shoot and he can run in behind. He has a real mixed bag of skills in his pocket, and he delivers."

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