It was a moment of individual brilliance that underscored Dusan Bosnjak’s quality in an otherwise frustrating season for the Oakleigh Cannons’ attacking midfielder.
In a Round 14 clash against South Melbourne, the 24-year-old received possession on the left-hand byline halfway up the pitch before embarking on a dazzling run past Tim Mala and Michael Eager, cutting back to Mirjan Pavlovic only for Jake Barker-Daish to turn the ball into his own net.
With Arthur Papas reinstated as head coach, one may have tipped a finals charge for Bosnjak and Oakleigh, but the campaign ended with the former Melbourne Heart youth captain struggling with injuries, and the Cannons battling against inconsistency.
However, atonement for an 11th placed league finish has been an FFA Cup foray into the quarter finals, with Bosnjak himself playing a part, converting an invaluable penalty against Far North Queensland in the Round of 32.
“We started the season poorly and were always chasing the pack,” Bosnjak says.
“Obviously the change of coaches mid-season was difficult, and the new signings didn’t quite gel in with the current crop.”
“Reaching the FFA Cup quarter finals shows the calibre of players we do have at the club and that on our day we are tough to beat.
“In general it’s a fantastic feeling to get through to the last eight, with both games being very difficult encounters and easily could have gone the other way, but thanks to the boys and coaching staff we came out on top.”
While the Cannons’ regular season ended a month ago, Bosnjak believes the extended break has provided the side an opportunity to recharge the batteries and work on their game ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.
“The break has been ideal preparation for us as it has given us the more time to work on certain tactics, which really could prove the difference in what I believe will be a very tight game,” he says.
Arthur Papas’ squad will be boosted by winger Goran Zoric, who has returned from overseas and is in contention to start against Hume.
Another player Hume will have difficulty containing is the enigmatic striker Mirjan Pavlovic, who joined the side mid-season and has impressed with a number of important goals, including a few resulting from neat interplay between him and Bosnjak.
“On his day Goran [Zoric] will decide a game on his own and has done so on many occasions for us over the years,” Bosnjak says.
“We have a link that few have in the league and our downfall in the league began when he left for overseas, which shows how vital he is to the team.
“He is Oakleigh’s most important player and in my opinion the best player in the league on his day.
“Pav [Mirjan Pavlovic] has been quality and has scored a fair few goals in addition to some assists in many of our big games,” he says,
“It shows that he has played at a higher level before and can easily do the job for us when called upon.”
Beyond the FFA Cup, Bosnjak hopes to overcome the injury problems that have plagued his 2015 campaign by finally getting a full pre-season under his belt.
“I’ve had ongoing hamstring tendinitis for the last two seasons,” Bosnjak says.
“At the start of this year it felt better, but as the season wore on I realised it was getting much worse so with the help of the medial team at the club I’ve been going into games at my optimum, playing a bit-part role as there has been no way that I could play out more than a half of football.
“It’s disappointing to be limited of match time due to the injury but it’s made easier when we are winning games and I endeavour to be back next season at 100% after some much needed rehab.”
The attacking midfielder’s injury woes have not helped Papas in his attempts to steer the Cannons to a top six finish after a disastrous start to the season, but the Oakleigh supremo is convinced his number 10 can come good on the night.
“From a purely technical point of view Dusan is one of, if not the most, talented players in the current NPL competition,” Papas says.
“It hasn’t been the easiest of seasons for him as he has had some physical struggles which have had to be managed, but overall he’s a player I’m convinced can have a major impact on Tuesday night, and if provided the opportunity can play at a higher level.”
That professional level has proved elusive for Bosnjak despite spending the 2011-12 season captaining Melbourne Heart’s youth team in the club’s inaugural season of the NYL, where he was coached by Papas.
He subsequently broke his leg and spent 2012 on the sidelines before joining the Cannons in 2013.
However, the civil engineer by trade has not given up on his professional ambitions, eve though a spate of setbacks so far in his career have halted his progression to the A-League.
“I definitely aspire to be in the A-League if given the right opportunity,” he says.
“In the last two seasons I have been injured when the season commenced and thus was prevented from attending a number of pre-arranged trials I had with an interstate A-League side, but I look forward to having a solid year next year and seeing what happens.”
While Bosnjak has come a long way since making his senior debut for South Melbourne as a fresh-faced 16-year-old in 2007 under John Anastasiadis, his journey is still far from reaching its peak.
While injuries have curtailed his progression, come tonight he’ll be a player to watch at ABD Stadium as Papas and the Cannons look to extend a difficult season by reaching the FFA Cup semi-finals, with more time in the national spotlight a driving motivator for all at the club.
Photos: Matt Johnson