When Massimo Murdocca walked off the park after his side’s comprehensive 5-1 victory over Oakleigh Cannons in the penultimate game of the NPL season, the mood was a complete contrast to the capitulation at home just four days earlier against former club South Melbourne.
Anthony Barbieri’s side conceded seven goals in its worst defeat of the season, but managed to respond in resounding fashion, with Murdocca running the show in midfield as a Jacob Colosimo hat-trick dismantled the Cannons.
“[The South result] wasn’t good and certainly not a culture we expect at Avondale, and I’d been trying to work with the club and squad on that and there had been progress, so that game was a big backwards step for us,” Murdocca says.
“It was nice to come out against Oakleigh and show all that hard work that we’ve done since I’ve been here hasn’t gone to waste, and it was a great response from the boys and I’m happy for them.”
The rollercoaster nature of the two consecutive results is reflective of the Melburnian’s career in recent seasons, fluctuating between a championship with Brisbane Roar and a period of struggles in the A-League thereafter.
Murdocca, who turned 31 last week, was not offered a new contract by Melbourne City in May after an injury interrupted second season restricted him to just seven starts at the club.
Instead of taking some time out to assess his options, the midfield workhorse made the surprising decision to immediately join Avondale FC for a ten-game guest stint.
Murdocca’s first game for the club was a shock 1-0 FFA Cup defeat away to Frankston Pines on a bumpy Monterey Reserve surface, with the former Brisbane Roar midfielder admitting that the early days of his tenure in the state leagues were a shock to the system.
“When I first arrived it was a big shock to be honest, as just those little things you take for granted [in a professional setting] added up very quickly, with it being a bit of an eye-opener of how nice I had it in the A-League,” he says.
“I guess the biggest surprise when I came into the competition was that there are great players down here and it’s amazing how they haven’t had a shot and been given the opportunity to play at the highest level.
“I’m a bit dumbfounded by it and if there’s any advice I’d give to A-League clubs is to go and watch a few games and see the talent on offer as there’s definitely 10 players at least that I’ve encountered who could easily play in the A-League.
“However, the intensity in transition is weaker in the NPL, with the defensive pressure not up to standard from a number of clubs, as I found myself having a lot of time on the ball,” he adds.
“If clubs put greater emphasis on improving those aspects of their game by making it harder for a team to hold possession of the ball, then they would be right up there at the same level as the A-League.
“It’s probably going to take a few more little tweaks but in saying that, that is probably the hardest part of the game – the defensive side of it – pressing and things like that being very difficult, and in my opinion that’s what NPL coaches and players needs to work on to raise the level of competition even further.”
The 206-game A-League veteran has not ruled out another stint in the league, but admits the circumstances must be right for such a move to eventuate.
“Obviously it’s a goal of mine but the circumstances have to be right as well, and it’s very difficult for all those factors to match when clubs might have one thought and I have other thoughts as I’ve got to take into contemplation my family and kids,” Murdocca says.
“In order to pack up and go again it all has to math with my needs and criteria, and that is not easy at the moment.
“At the end of the day the hope is there and I still believe that I have got a lot to offer and I feel like I’m at the top of my game at the moment.
“Thus it would be disappointing not to get another opportunity, but if that’s the way it going to go, then so be it.
“I have to look at other options, whether that’s Asia or elsewhere, as the next couple of months will determine where I end up and I’m just hoping it’s a good outcome for all parties concerned.”
10 games after joining Doyle street and Murdocca – alongside former former A-League pre-season acquisition Francesco Stella – left his footprint at the club that less than 18 months ago were predominantly unknown to much of the Victorian football community, aiding them to secure mid-table safety comfortably in their first season in the top flight.
Regardless of what the future holds for the former South Melbourne midfielder, Murdocca remains grateful to Avondale for the opportunity to keep playing the game he loves while helping raise the profile of the NPL in Victoria.
“It was a good test for me to push all that [A-League] stuff aside and to think about the reason why I came down here, which was to keep fit and to make an impact for the club,” he says.
“I guess I can say I’ve done those two things and am quite happy with the way it went as there are great people down at this club and it was fantastic how they welcomed me from the beginning.”
“They have been so hospitable this whole time and I can never take them enough for accepting me during this time where I’m wondering what my future is and I’ll never forget the assistance I have received from the club.”