Loyalty is becoming a fast eroding concept in a footballing world full of constant change and revolving transfer windows.
One player going against the grain is Melbourne Knights’ star striker Stipo Andrijasevic, who joined in 2014 and has re-committed to the club for the 2016 NPL season despite interest from rival NPL clubs.
After the Knights’ finals elimination to Hume City, the 22-year-old was a player in demand following his blistering late-season form, netting nine times in 10 games.
However, the former Melbourne Heart youth team member – based in the South East suburbs – rejected more lucrative offers or moves that would have brought him closer to home, out of devotion for his current employers.
“I had a few offers from a few clubs,” Andrijasevic says.
“I took some time, didn’t rush into any decisions and I made the decision to stay on for another year with the Knights.
“It wasn’t easy, but it felt like the right thing to do and I don’t regret it at all.”
The decision to extend his stay at Somers Street was made easier by Andrijasevic’s support of the Knights in his childhood, acting as a spiritual home for the Croatian youngster.
“Growing up as a kid from the South East I always supported two clubs in Chelsea Hajduk, where I played majority of my juniors, and the Melbourne Knights,” he says.
“As a Croatian it is surreal to be able to represent one of the biggest clubs in Australian football that has produced so many talented players over the years.”
Andrijasevic moved to the club mid-way through the 2014 NPL campaign after a frustrating spell in Shepparton with the Goulburn Valley Suns, and has since excelled for Andrew Marth’s men by netting 15 league goals in 38 games.
Despite his promising late-season form in 2015 that helped the Knights record victories over South Melbourne, Heidelberg United and Hume City in quick succession – as well as earn a point away to the Bentleigh Greens – the team’s barnstorming run came to a heartbreaking end via a penalty shootout defeat to City in the qualifying-final.
The result has left Andrijasevic with redemption on his mind for the upcoming campaign.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey for me since moving to the Knights last year,” he says.
“The club, the coaches, the players and especially the supporters have accepted me, and walking out onto the park each week knowing you’ve got 10 brothers out there with you.
“It is a feeling like no other and that’s why I love it here.”
“The way the season finished was shattering, especially after the way we had been playing and I honestly thought we were in with a chance,” he says.
“But that’s football, so we’ll be back next season with the same intentions of finals football and try to go one step bigger this time and who knows, maybe even lift that trophy.”
The former Rowville Academy of Sport graduate spent the first half of 2015 playing on the wing either side of experienced striker Andrew Barisic, whose subsequent mid-season move to Hong Kong allowed Andrijasevic to move into a central position, where he flourished in a role he describes as his most preferred.
“When Bara [Barisic] moved to Hong Kong it gave me the opportunity to play a more central role as a false nine,” he says.
“That’s where I believe I play my best football and that showed itself on the park with my performances.”
Having been part of Melbourne Heart’s NYL team for a number of years, as well as recently seeing former captain and good friend Tomislav Uskok make the step up to the A-League, Andrijasevic harbours similar ambitions for the future and believes the best way to do that is to continue his development and goalscoring form at the Knights.
“Being involved with the Melbourne Heart youth was a pleasure and something I’ll never forget,” he says.
“Of course my goal is to one day play in the A-league and further pursue my career, with Tomi’s signing with the Central Coast Mariners an indication that it can happen, as long as you perform week in week out.”
Andrijasevic hasn’t forgotten his roots, regularly returning to his childhood club Dandenong City and keenly observing his former home’s progress in the second tier of Victorian football.
The then 15-year-old made his senior debut for Hajduk in 2009 under Toby Paterson, scoring six league goals.
He spent much of the next season partnering former Socceroo and current national team assistant Ante Milicic up front, before returning once more to Frank Holohan Soccer Complex in 2012 to be coached by former Knights players Joe Biskic and Kruni Razov.
While City have made steady progress over the years, Andrijasevic remains hopeful that the club can earn promotion to the top flight in the near future, setting up a potential clash with his current employers and sister club.
“It would be great, I’ve been a supporter my whole life and attend nearly every home game,” he says.
“For a club that has never played in the highest Victorian competition, I wish them all the best for the 2016 season.”
But for now, Andrijasevic’s immediate focus is continuing his progress at Somers Street and helping a more youthful looking outfit achieve success in 2016.
Having lost experienced heads Tomislav Uskok, Chris May and Anthony Colosimo, the club’s stocks have been replenished with Nikola Jurkovic, Stefan Cali, Dean Campelj and Nick Glavan – all of whom are under 21-years-old.
With the striker well aware the Knights’ fortunes will largely depend on the goals he can provide, he’s relishing the challenge at the club he calls home.