Oakleigh Cannons
Seeking a change, Matkovic moved to Oakleigh Cannons in time for the 2009 season, as the club led by John Anastasiadis looked to win an elusive VPL title. “Oakleigh approached me when I was at the Knights, and being from their side of town it made it easier in terms of the travelling,” he says. “Johnny was a good coach but we did not get the results we quite wanted, but in terms of the professionalism and the people around the club, they were great.”
Matkovic started off his Cannons career with a bang, scoring the first goal of the 2009 VPL Season in a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Heidelberg United. But the results dipped as the season wore on, with Oakleigh once again underachieving to finish mid-table. Despite the inconsistent results on the pitch, the move to play for a Greek club was a “good experience” that forced Dario out of his comfort zone, after having previously plied his trade with clubs primarily backed by the Croatian community.
With his professional full-time career demands intensifying, Matkovic made the decision to step down two divisions and join his childhood club Hajduk, which was embarking on an ambitious new era at their new Endeavour Hills base.
Return to Dandenong City
20 years after embarking on a football career as a junior for the club, Matkovic finally made his senior debut for Dandenong City. However, a talented squad only managed a disappointing 7th place in the third tier of Victorian football. It was not only until the season later, with the appointment of Matkovic’s former Knights mentor and legendary club player Joe Biskic, that City earned promotion to State League One. The midfielder provided plenty of goals and assists as his side comfortably topped the ladder.
The next couple of years saw the club see-saw between the two divisions under Matkovic’s old VPL stomping ground, relegated in 2012 before earning promotion again a season later. Dandenong City entered the NPL era under Ivan Duzel with added optimism, as a star-studded squad spearheaded by players with top flight experience such as Matkovic, Topalovic and Alex Rojas looked to earn the club promotion. Despite some promising results, the club finished the season below par in 10th place on the ladder.
An improved start to the 2015 campaign under the guidance of former Melbourne Victory assistant Aaron Healey has City well placed to finish in the top half of the table, potentially even vying for a promotion spot. Results aside, Matkovic believes the club is in good hands both on and off the pitch. “I think the move to the NPL has attracted a few decent young players and hopefully in a couple of years they can move onto the senior team,” he says. “Our goal here at Dandy City is to get promoted from NPL1 and one day become a powerhouse in the NPL.”
“Aaron I believe is the right coach for the club as he has brought a lot of professionalism into the club and things are starting to pick up. With added help from the council, I think the club can make even greater improvements in terms of things like lighting, but currently it is pretty good with the three pitches up there.”
With Hajduk enjoying its new era and looking towards its leaders to nurture the next generation of stars, there is no better place for Matkovic to continue plying his trade. After a career to date comprised of quality performances, injury adversities and a serious health scare, one of Dandenong City’s favourite sons is still ever-present at one the region’s proudest clubs, helping it find its feet in an exciting new era in Victorian football.
Feature image: Jarrod Potter