Over the course of a 20-year period in the mid fifth century, the barbarian commonly referred to as Attila the Hun terrorised countless armies throughout Europe. The Ruler of the Hunnic Empire, a tribal confederation that ruled territory in Central and Eastern Europe, he spearheaded his band of warriors and conquered much of the Eastern Byzantine Empire and the Balkans amongst other areas. His attacks on the Eastern and Western Roman empires were at the time the most considerable threat to the powerful, which he failed to defeat, prior to his death in 1453.
Fast forward to the present and Whittlesea Ranges forward Atilla Ofli is proving to be a destructive force himself and a thorn in the side of many NPL2 opponents following his lethal start to the season. The 22-year-old striker has tallied an impressive 11 goals in seven league matches, in the process guiding the unfashionable Ranges to the top of the western conference standings after a five-match winning streak that followed their opening two draws of the season.
After initially breaking through at Hume City as a 16-year-old, Ofli is thriving at Epping Stadium following flirtations with the Western Sydney Wanderers and South Melbourne over the summer, in additions to overseas experiences in Greece and Turkey.
However, far from basking in the glory of his own individual exploits over the past two months, Ofli stresses that his performances can be put down to the hard work of his teammates.
“It has been a team effort without their support my tally would not be where it is at the moment,” Ofli said.
“We are all very pleased with our start to the season so far. I think our hard work, determination and commitment is paying off.”
The Ranges have been perennial NPL underachievers in the first two seasons of the NPL under the stewardship of two-time NSL Champion Vinko Buljubasic, and despite their fast-paced opening to the season the side remains grounded, according to Ofli, with talk of promotion unfounded in the dressing room.
“In the first two seasons we were still developing as a team, and with Vinko’s guidance we are becoming a stronger side,” he said.
“Right now our focus is to maintain our form and to keep on improving and we really have not thought about a promotion.
“I do believe any goal is realistic as long as you work hard as a team and give 100 per cent.”
Central to his early-season goal scoring exploits has been the work of teammate George Slefendorfas, whose number nine role and hold-up play creates space in behind for the former Hume City man to exploit. The Papua New Guinea international has scored four goals himself and the younger Ofli is enjoying his partnership with the more experienced striker.
“Prior to this season I had not had the pleasure to play with George but now that I have, I am very pleased with what he has brought to the team,” Ofli said.
“Like any other working relationship we are still getting to know each other and the more familiar with become with each other’s play, the better we become.”
The in-form marksman also credited the influence and leadership of fellow new signing Naum Sekulovski, with the former Perth Glory defender providing valuable contributions on both ends of the pitch – adding three goals so far this season.
“He brings plenty of leadership and experience as well as motivation,” Ofli said.
“We all respect him as a captain and the players look up to him as he leads by example, which I think is a very important quality.”
Whittlesea might consider themselves lucky to have retained the services of Ofli, who trialled with both the Western Sydney Wanderers and South Melbourne over the off-season.
While acknowledging he was not at peak fitness during his time at the 2014 Asian Champions League Champions, Ofli believes the experience of being part of a professional set-up was beneficial.
“I spent a short time with the Wanderers after an unexpected invitation during our off-season, and unfortunately I was not in my best form, fitness wise,” he said.
“I was given the opportunity to play in an intra-club game where I scored a goal and claimed an assist.
“Furthermore, I was able to experience and appreciate their professionalism and walked away with the knowledge that you never know when you will receive a call-up, making maintenance of high level fitness all year round a priority.”
Following his return to Melbourne, Ofli joined pre-season training at South Melbourne, who were in the process of trials as they intensified their attempts to find competition for Milos Lujic up front. The forward praised their professional demeanour and intense training, which he believes have played a role in his early-season form, before outlining why he did not become a permanent fixture at Lakeside Stadium.
“I spent a little more time at South Melbourne and it was a fantastic opportunity,” Ofli said.
“Their all-round professionalism and high quality training sessions helped me prepare for the season and I thank them for that.
“Unfortunately, what South Melbourne offered me did not suit my needs at the time, but I appreciate the opportunity that they afforded me over the summer.”
In addition to his interaction with the inner workings of a successful A-League side, Ofli has spent time overseas on two separate occasions, with the first of these seeing him sign a professional contract with Greek giants Panathinaikos.
However, EU restrictions prevented such a move from eventuating, with the teenager’s attempts to join another top flight Greek club frustrated further by complications from FIFA.
“My first overseas experience was in Greece, where at the age of 16 I signed a professional contract with Panathinaikos, but it didn’t go through due to me carrying a non-EU Passport,” he said.
“I then went over to Xanthi, who offered me a contract, which I accepted by signing a four year-deal with the club.
“We tried getting the deal over the line under the Balkans Agreement with my parent’s country Turkey, but unfortunately FIFA did not accept this, forcing the cancelling of the deal.”
Instead, he returned to Melbourne, determined to break through into the Hume City senior squad at a time of boardroom change at the club.
“I was at Hume as a junior around the same time Steve Kaya took over presidency of the club,” Ofli said.
“He saw potential in me and asked Andrew Vlahos, the player-coach, to give me an apprenticeship with the senior squad.”
Vlahos accepted upon a closer examination of the teenager’s talent, elevating him from the Under-16s side straight into the senior squad, where he served his apprenticeship under the likes of Vlahos, 2011 VPL Golden Boot winner Richard Cardozo, and seasoned campaigner Zoran Petrevski – a player Ofli credits as being fundamental to his development.
“It was an amazing opportunity for me a 16-year-old to learn from these talented and experienced players,” he said.
“Most importantly, I will never forget the opportunity presented to me by Steve, to whom I am forever thankful for; and Andy, who taught me the ropes of the business and always told me to take on players regardless of whether I lost the ball or not, as I’d always have someone to back me up.
“This advice helped me increase my confidence as I did not fear what would happen if I was to lose the ball, allowing me to play with no fear.”
That youthful enthusiasm and confidence was on full show when Vlahos’ men took on the Oakleigh Cannons in a qualifying final clash in the 2011 VPL Finals series, where the then 17-year-old stole all the headlines with a performance showcasing maturing beyond his tender years.
With the Cannons leading 3-2 and the game approaching the 80th minute, Ofli turned the contest on its head with two late goals to claim victory in a memorable clash at Jack Edwards Reserve.
After scoring 10 league goals in 43 appearances for City by 2013, Ofli departed for his second overseas odyssey by moving to Turkish second tier side Osmanlispor, only for injuries to cut short his time in Ankara.
“While waiting for the transfer window to open, I injured my back a few weeks before my transfer was to be finalised upon the opening of the window,” he said.
“I returned to Australia and was treated by prominent AFL doctor Bruce Reid. During my rehabilitation and recovery process, Osmanlispor were promoted to the top flight and embarked on a large squad turnover, which saw my services no longer required as the club wanted to recruit senior players who had prior experience in the Turkish Super League.”
Ofli left the Turkish capital and returned home to Melbourne before signing for Whittlesea last year through the work of then Ranges technical director, Savas Saglam.
“Savas asked me to come to the club, and I remain thankful to him for organising the move which has worked out well for me,” he said.
With injuries disruptions seemingly behind him and added experience to his name, Ofli’s heightened confidence has been on show in recent fixtures as the 22-year-old hopes to continue on his progression, chasing his professional aspirations after numerous prior setbacks.
Almost 1600 years since the full force of Attila the Hun’s armies was felt right across Europe, Ofli is himself terrorising defences across Melbourne’s suburban grounds, spearheading the Ranges rise to the top of the competition standings after seven rounds of the season.
Image: Mark Avellino