The past few weeks have seen a number of changes in coaching and player ranks at the club. Throughout the world of football this is commonplace when new coaches and Boards of club management are appointed. In the harsh reality of life at a football club and a wonder life in general essentially that the only thing that is constant is change.
Whilst it is too early to speculate on the exact extent and ultimate impact of these transitional changes as these are clearly ongoing and yet to be finliased we can report however on some that have come to light recently.
Two eternally popular brothers Vas and Miki Vujacic the “Montenegrin Blue Bloods” have been notified that their services are no longer required by the club.
This has prompted the current blog entry "Brothers in Arms".
In what is hoped to be the first of two blog entries of the brothers V - Athenista firstly catches up with the younger two Milorad “Miki” Vujacic to review his time at the club.
It is estimated that Miki to date has played around 250 WAPL matches of which approximately 150 were in the blue and white stripes of Floreat Athena in all competitions. This makes him at the end of season 2011 one of the longer standing servants at the club and a member of the club's leadership group in an overall young squad.
An instinctive creative midfielder is an apt description of Miki as a player. On the park Miki presents himself as a silky, pretty or even a sexy player who has the innate ability to wriggle his way through the midfield and slip past opponents to put himself in a position to beam in a rasping shot at goal.
Or at other times a clever player having the vision to deliver a field splitting final pass for the striker to line up the trigger in his feet towards the goal. For much of time at the club he had been the designated set piece exponent who skills were often on display for free kicks and also when sending in his trademark curling corners that would prove a handful for opposition defenders and goal keepers. An unselfish team player always ready to play whatever role he was asked to by his coaches.
Miki is a bona fide young football tragic. He lives and breathes our game and he has long expressed his love affair with Athena and he had the right to comment and reflect on his departure after five years at the club. Off the park he is known as an intelligent young man always looking for a positive spin on his take on the complexities of the beautiful game. Away from football he is a devoted, loyal and always generous family and friend centred individual.
On the breaking of the news he has privately expressed his feelings about the Club's decision to not reappoint him in the playing squad for 2012. He is clearly disappointed to not have had a chance to work with the new coach during this new phase at the club, after declaring his interest to remain at Britannia Road and initially feeling that he was in the coach's plans.
However, on the breaking of the news Miki has responded in a mature and almost philosophical manner when he said… “But I guess that’s football, and I have to accept it……. Probably more disappointed with the fact that the decision appears in my mind that it may have been more politically motivated rather than purely based on my footballing ability - whilst I am not certain of this, it is just the instinctive feeling that I have"
As an important member of the 2007 championship side under Michael Roki – not surprisingly Miki notes this as being amongst a major highlights of his overall career to date when he said, “......without a doubt the undefeated season of 2007……I don’t think many players will ever get to experience that in their careers - ...... Also the 2011 Night Series victory was very sweet considering we were against the odds”
As an important member of the 2007 championship side under Michael Roki – not surprisingly Miki notes this as being amongst a major highlights of his overall career to date when he said, “......without a doubt the undefeated season of 2007……I don’t think many players will ever get to experience that in their careers - ...... Also the 2011 Night Series victory was very sweet considering we were against the odds”
During his time at Athena Miki has he earnt the reputation of being a tireless worker behind the scenes for club events - none more so than the once famous club cocktail parties that generated huge accolades from everyone who attended and beyons. In the cut and thrust of life as a WAPL player in contemporary times this ethic is a rare and greatly valued human commodity.
Always at the social centre of the Clubs heart the Miki also rated as a highlight - the camaraderie and enjoyment of fun times with players at all levels and supporters as being something that he will miss as he moves on … “Oh and of course the beginnings of the phenomenon that is Thursaturday, which I am proud to have been a ‘founding father’ of!”
Having played under two coaches at Athena - Roki and Kovacevic - Miki expressed views on the future plans the club is currently undertaking – “Contradicting views of the club’s direction from different people in power at the club has left me a bit confused. Let’s just hope the changes pay off in the long run….The club has a very close spot in my heart and always will so I really hope it turns out for the best - I am an Athena Fan.”
The blogger fielded many questions from members of WA football family at the recent Gold Medal event regarding Miki's future. So where to now for Miki V? – “There have been a number of offers since the end of the season (and during the season and past seasons) but at the moment I’m just enjoying the break. I still have a good few years at Premier League level and would like to see myself tested and challenged in a new environment. So we’ll see what happens".
Having played under two coaches at Athena - Roki and Kovacevic - Miki expressed views on the future plans the club is currently undertaking – “Contradicting views of the club’s direction from different people in power at the club has left me a bit confused. Let’s just hope the changes pay off in the long run….The club has a very close spot in my heart and always will so I really hope it turns out for the best - I am an Athena Fan.”
The blogger fielded many questions from members of WA football family at the recent Gold Medal event regarding Miki's future. So where to now for Miki V? – “There have been a number of offers since the end of the season (and during the season and past seasons) but at the moment I’m just enjoying the break. I still have a good few years at Premier League level and would like to see myself tested and challenged in a new environment. So we’ll see what happens".
On behalf of the Athena faithful it is appropriate that respect is given towards Miki's time at the club. M. Vujacic has been a valuable member of the Floreat Athena squad for the past five years under two coaches and he has contributed admirably to much of the clubs recent success. The new coaching staff have chosen to take a different path regarding the positions covered by the player. It is every coaches prerogative to make these hard decisions and I have no doubt that it would have been a difficult one to make. Miki is a popular person and clearly has football talent and ability. As a past club man of the year recipient his honour and service to our club extends beyond football and Floreat Athena wishes good fortune to the young man in his chosen future endeavours in WA football.
It is fitting and appropriate that we reflect on the form and talent of the player that he exhibited to be named in the 2004 WA All Stars team – two seasons before being signed by Athena from Swan IC.
Three cheers Milorad Vujacic!
Miki VUJACIC (Right Midfield) - Exciting young midfielder Miki Vujacic was the unsung hero at Swan I.C. The versatile 20-year old arrived in the Swan Valley on a free transfer from Adelaide City and immediately began producing the sort of form which made him a regular for Future Glory in 2002. Vujacic's sublime skill and electrifying pace are best utilised on the right flank, although he's also proven just as effective when operating from the centre of the park. Prominent in mid-season fixtures with Inglewood United (R8) and Perth S.C. (R13), Vujacic moved up a gear for the Boral Cup Final in which he orchestrated Swan victory over Fremantle City by laying on the opening goal for David Foster and then netting the game's deciding goal himself.
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