Andrijasevic expects tough match

Matthew Galea

July 26 2014

Shepparton News

Stipo Andrijasevic will be a face more familiar than most to Goulburn Valley Suns tonight.

Andrijasevic was a foundation player at the Suns until Melbourne Knights came knocking during the mid-season transfer window, prising away the former Melbourne Heart youth player to Knights Stadium.

‘‘I had a chance to go previously, but I was at Goulburn Valley and I wasn’t sure whether to go or not,’’ Andrijasevic said.

‘‘When they knocked on the door again during the season, I thought it was the best thing to do.

‘‘It was a bit frustrating at the Suns. I don’t mean any disrespect because I had a great time playing there and I loved the boys and the coaches, but it was frustrating at times.’’

Andrijasevic — a central striker by trade — proved his versatility at the Suns being asked to play on the wings, in the middle of the park and even at centre back, but said he wanted to make a return to playing as a central striker.

‘‘I played everywhere at the Suns but Knights called and they said they wanted to play me as the striker week in, week out,’’ he said.

‘‘It was frustrating having to play everywhere, because striker is my preferred position, so it made my decision a bit easier.’’

A consistent run in front of goals has proven exactly what the big front-man needed, after he failed to score a goal for the Suns.

Since signing for Knights, Andrijasevic has bagged four goals in six games.

‘‘That first goal was the hardest part, but after that it’s gotten a lot easier,’’ Andrijasevic said.

He returns to McEwen Reserve tonight to take on his former teammates and while the Suns are themselves much changed from his time at the club, he knows one thing will not be different.

‘‘I’ve told my teammates that Goulburn fight right to the end, and they’ll give us a tough match,’’ Andrijasevic said.

‘‘They’ve got a lot of pace up front and I’m looking forward to playing against (Simon) Colosimo at the back.’’

Suns coach David Davkovski could probably use Andrijasevic in his team tonight, with Craig Carley suspended.

Davkovski worked with Andrijasevic during Melvyn Wilkes’ reign as senior coach and said he had all the attributes to go far.

‘‘He’s one of my favourite players going around,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘He’s nice and strong and he’s big and agile, he’s the perfect mould for a good player, so we’ll have to be careful of him.’’