The life of a footballer can often be a whirlwind experience where change becomes an inevitable aspect of the trials and tribulations associated with following your dreams. Former Melbourne Knights captain Tomislav Uskok is one such example.
Twelve months ago he was leading his boyhood club as they looked to challenge for the NPL Championship. Nine months ago he had signed for Sydney United and had moved across the border in what was a step outside his comfort zone. Six months ago he signed an A-League deal with the Central Coast Mariners and was taking his first steps as a professional footballer. Just over three months later and he was back at Edensor Park after being released by the Gosford-based outfit and preparing himself for the rigours of top flight football in New South Wales.
Fast forward to today and he has become an integral part of Mark Rudan’s high flying outfit, who are sitting pretty at the top of the NSW NPL standings, in contention for cup honours while also embarking on their third successive FFA Cup campaign.
“The club has been fantastic so far as we’ve got such a talented squad with so many quality players it makes every session enjoyable,” Uskok said.
“The club is very professional with a great coach in Mark, as well as the rest of the coaching staff. All these things pieced together make for a positive environment and I have enjoyed it immensely so far.”
Since making his debut off the bench and scoring in Round 6, Uskok has gone on to start every league fixture – 12 in total – while also playing an integral role in the club’s run to the Waratah Cup final this week, where they face Manly United. Furthermore, his goals in the cup helped sealed national FFA Cup qualification.
“The season to date has been great but we haven’t achieved anything yet, so [it’s about] just continuing to work hard and try to achieve something with the team we have, which is our collective goal,” Uskok added.
The former NSL giant sits six points clear at the top of the NPL ladder, ahead of second placed Blacktown City – a club they face in the FFA Cup Round of 32 later this month, and Uskok finds there to be many similarities between NSW top tier with its Victorian counterpart.
“I wouldn’t say there is too much of a difference in the leagues as they are both very similar,” he said.
“Both have teams that like to play good football and some that are battlers, but there isn’t too much of a difference, with the only one in my opinion being the fact that many games here are played on an artificial surface.
“But overall they are quite similar as many players now go from one league to another.”
Among his teammates at Edensor Park is seasoned veteran Eddy Bosnar, as well as former A-League players Chris Payne, Panni Nikas, Peter Triantis, Nathan Sherlock and Robbie Mileski, while former Sydney FC captain and current Fox Sports pundit Rudan roams the touchline, with Uskok very impressed by his manager’s methods.
“I’ve enjoyed playing under Mark as he is a very driven and intelligent coach. From his sessions to match preparation he’s made it enjoyable for us players and kept us focused on the task ahead. It’s been good so far, but we haven’t achieved anything yet, and he constantly reminds of this,” he said.
Founded in 1958 by Croatian migrants, the club from Sydney’s west featured in the NSL from 1984 until its demise in 2004, with the former Melbourne Knights defender likening them in stature to his former employers, who are a sister club of United and take part in an annual Friendship Cup at the beginning of each season.
“Both are ex-NSL powerhouses, with both retaining a loyal following and great reputation, so I would say they are similar in that regard,” he said.
“The clubs also have a lot of respect for each other and this has made the transition easier also, with both clubs having a good relationship with one another.”
The 25-year-old made his senior debut at Richmond in 2009 before making a mid-season move to the St Albans Saints in 2010, helping the club win promotion to the VPL.
Another mid-year switch followed in 2011 as he joined the Knights, helping the club win the 2014 Dockerty Cup while totalling 86 league games at the two-time national champions.
After joining United at the end of September last year, Uskok’s time in Sydney was temporarily cut short in the middle of November when he agreed terms with the Central Coast Mariners for the remainder of the A-League season.
The Melbourne Knights junior made seven appearances for the club before being released by the 2013 A-League Champions in April, following the club’s dismal campaign under Tony Walmsley, which saw them finish bottom with a mere 13 points from 27 games.
“The experience was a learning curve and one which opened up my eyes to a lot of things,” Uskok reflects.
“In the end, I got to experience life in the A-League and spend some time as a professional footballer, so it was good. I try to look at everything in life as an opportunity and something positive, so I’ll definitely take the positives from the experience.”
He also spoke about the transition he had to make from playing part-time to having daily training sessions in a full-time, professional environment.
“I wouldn’t say it was too difficult as I adjusted to the workloads expected quite quickly. But in saying that, you don’t do much else than train unlike in the NPL where you are working, so there is plenty of more time to recover and look after your body.
“I think it depends on how you treat your body daily in the NPL system – if you’re able to maintain yourself and do the right things there, then the A-League makes it easier for you as the resources are greater.”
Despite getting a taste of life as a professional, Uskok is in no hurry to secure himself another A-League deal or an overseas gig, with his sights firmly set on claiming honours with Sydney United this campaign.
“At the moment I’m focusing on my career and personal life and enjoy playing in the NPL with Sydney United,which is where my head is at right now,” he said.
“The main thing is I’m enjoying my life in and out of football, and that is what gives me the most comfort, so I’m in a good place at the moment.”
Nine months since leaving his home town, the uncompromising defender, who is also comfortable in the centre of the park, admits he misses being around family and friends in Melbourne, a city he called home up until last October.
“It has been good albeit a little different to Melbourne, but overall a pretty positive experience which I’m enjoying so far. You miss family and mates but that’s life and it’s been good so far.”
Having been the inspirational heartbeat of Andrew Marth’s Knights outfit for the past few years, many at Knights Stadium and across Victoria will hardly be surprised at the seamless transition he has made to life at Sydney United Sports Centre under the watchful eye of one Australia’s most promising young managers.
Image: Brandan Esposito/Football NSW