On a cold autumn night at Somers Street, with the Knights in action against the struggling Oakleigh Cannons, skipper Tomislav Uskok forces his way into the box and knocks in his fourth goal of the season.
While the hosts ultimately fail to take all three points, it’s that sight of the imposing midfielder popping up and scoring another crucial goal for his childhood club that has delighted fans and seen the 23-year-old emerge as one of the standout players in this season’s NPL Victoria so far.
Currently leading the club’s goalscoring charts alongside Andrew Barisic, Uskok’s form helped Andrew Marth’s men to the top of the table with five consecutive wins to start the 2015 campaign, where the Knights will look to again find themselves after a couple of slip-ups this week.
“It has been a great start to the season as we have won five in a row but still have a lot to work on and improve on,” Uskok said.
“Overall as a team, everyone is happy and just wants to keep positive and strive forward together.
“I’ve just been in the right place at the right time, I’ve always strived to get into goalscoring positions when playing so it’s been down to hard work and the ball falling in the right place for me.”
A Knights fan from a young age, Uskok was able to fulfil his boyhood dream to play for the club in 2011 when he made the move from St Albans, and has this season been handed the added privilege of captaincy after taking on the armband from Ben Surey.
Uskok described leading the club as an “an honour”, often spurned on by the Somers Street faithful busting out the famous ‘Croajica’ chant in homage to the club’s heritage and tradition.
“There is not much better than hearing the stadium chanting that so hopefully we hear it more often this year and give the fans more reason to celebrate” he said.
“[The captaincy] has been good as I’ve enjoyed it so far, but it hasn’t been too different given I was in the leadership group last year, meaning I’d already enjoyed a senior role within the group.”
“Ben was a great leader and continues to be, while I just try to play my part and lead by example as much as I can in order to lift the boys when need be.”
Uskok also spoke highly of head coach Andrew Marth, who is into his fourth consecutive season at the Knights after taking over the reigns from Paul Magdic in 2012, explaining he enjoyed playing under the club legend and had built a good relationship with him.
“Stabba [Andrew Marth] is great, with him and Frank [assistant coach Frank Juric] both having fantastic relationships with the players,” he said.
“I enjoy playing under them, and [Marth] has proven himself with his results.”
It was a much more perilous scenario for Melbourne just 10 months ago, with one of the worst ever injury crises at the club taking its toll and sending it towards the wrong end of the table.
A mid-season resurgence and a memorable Cup run saw the Knights win the Dockerty Cup – with Uskok scoring the extra-time winner over South Springvale in the Final – and qualify for the inaugural FFA Cup, whilst finishing in a respectable 5th place in the NPL.
The Knights transferred that form into the 2015 campaign after the squad was also strengthened with new signings, and Uskok believes the sky is the limit for the club, which is gunning for its first league title since 1996.
“I think we had a very good team last year, but unfortunately we got struck by injuries which was something I hadn’t ever seen happen to a team [in such a capacity] before, and that really set us back,” he said.
“But I think the team we have this year has a lot of quality and a good mix of young boys and experienced players, so we should be right up there.
“I believe that we can once again go far and that is one of our priorities, so we’ll be looking to replicate that form and I think we are more then capable of replicating those achievements if not bettering them.”
Despite a few stumbles in the past week, losing to Bentleigh Greens and squandering a two goal advantage to draw against Oakleigh Cannons, the team needs no added motivation for this weekend’s blockbuster clash against fierce rivals South Melbourne.
The original Melbourne Derby is a fixture Uskok has been involved in countless times as both a spectator and a player.
One of his most significant contributions was scoring in Croatia’s famous 2-0 away victory over Hellas in last year’s Dockerty Cup quarter-final, a result which not only saw Andrew Marth’s men progress further into the competition, but also booked a spot in the inaugural FFA Cup Round of 32 at the expense of their rivals.
“Yeah it’s obviously a big game for both of the clubs and probably even bigger now considering where both are on the table,” he said.
“We always look forward to the derby and boys know what it means for the club and our supporters.”
“As for myself, I have plenty of memories both at Somers Street and even some with the MCF [Melbourne Croatia Fans] at Lakeside Stadium and Clarendon Street, so there is definitely plenty to play for.”
As for Saturday afternoon, having known the importance this fixture holds to the supporters, the fans can expect nothing less that 100% commitment from their new hero.
Melbourne Knights travel to Lakeside Stadium for what could potentially be the game of the season as second place Knights take on fourth place South Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00pm.