In football, there exist stories aplenty where those involved in the game triumph over adversity and hardship to fulfill their dreams. On the other hand, there are also examples where circumstances outside the individuals’ control derail their career to the point where their potential is never fully realised.
The plight of Port Melbourne Sharks assistant coach Semi Sivic, 27, is one such example. The up-and-coming star had progressed through the elite Victorian youth system and was on the books of the Melbourne Victory before a shocking injury put an end to any greater aspirations. However, to define a career by one incident would be a disservice to the popular Sivic, who is embarking on the next stage of his football journey by making the foray into coaching.
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Junior Days with Brox
Sivic was born in Yugoslavia in 1987 before migrating with his large family to Australia as a two-year old. Football immediately became central to his integration into Australian society, as Sivic began playing the round ball game at four-years-old while spending many weekends watching uncle Huss Skenderovic represent the likes of Melbourne Knights and St Albans Saints. His junior career was spent at Nunawading City and Bulleen Lions, before his talents were recognised with selection to the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) as a 14-year-old.
In primary school, the then seven-year-old formed a childhood friendship with one Leigh Broxham, a bond which 20 years later sees the two VIS graduates still maintain a relationship as best friends. “We’ve been best mates since we were kids and we have gone through primary school and high school together and I was his best man at his wedding,” Sivic reveals.
“We played football together and we are extremely close as he is like my little brother.” The two Scoresby Secondary College students excelled together at the VIS under the stewardship of Ernie Merrick, with current Socceroo Matthew Spiranovic and Bentleigh Greens forward Daniel Visevic two notable teammates.
“It was a good period as we were all coming through once the A-League started. Ernie took me Broxy, Spira and Vise on board as train-on players for the Victory in the first two seasons of the competition.”
Along with his role at the Victory, Sivic also embarked on his senior career in the Victorian Premier League, making his debut as a 17-year-old for the Frankston Pines in a clash against South Melbourne. He followed this up with a winning goal in his starting debut for the Pines in a victory over St Albans Saints. 13 appearances in a breakthrough season saw the teenager attract plenty of interest around the league, culminating in a move to the newly-promoted Richmond in 2006.
A budding career progresses at Richmond
Under the guidance of Dean Hennessey, the attacking right-back featured alongside the likes of James Robinson, Graham Hockless, Steve Burton, Veton Korcari and fellow youngster Visevic, but the club struggled with the rigours of top flight football. The mid-season arrival of new manager Phil Stubbins sparked a resurgence in form for the Eagles, with Sivic rounding off the season with a memorable double over Bulleen.
“I was in-and-out of the squad that year under Dean [Hennessey], but once Stubsy [Stubbins] took over, I took my game to a new level and continued on from there,” he says. He became a regular starter for Richmond in his second campaign at Kevin Bartlett Reserve, as an attacking outfit finished mid-table.
Over at the Victory, Sivic’s good friend Broxham had secured a senior professional contract, while Sivic took over his role as the club’s kit man, combining his duties as a trainee at the then A-League Champions. His excellent state league form continued on into the 2008 season, as new manager Michael Chatzitrifonas instilled an attacking philosophy into the side. Richmond subsequently finished the year as the highest scoring team in the league. Sivic was an integral part of that squad, and with the Victory on the look-out for a new fullback after the release of Joe Keenan, the Richmond right-back became a suitable candidate to sign a professional contract with the club he had been training with for the past three seasons. All was set for Sivic to sign for the Victory, before a heartbreaking cruel blow saw that dream torn to shreds.