Djulbic shows he has more to give
DINO Djulbic isn’t sure what the future holds.
All the former Socceroo is focusing on is this short spell with Melbourne Victory which has seen him come in as stopgap injury replacement player.
The 34-year-old made his Victory debut in the 1-1 draw with Central Coast Mariners at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, getting 81 minutes under his belt in the centre of defence before getting subbed off as Victory searched for a winner.
Djulbic, who has been without a club since playing in Malaysia’s Liga Super with Felda United in 2017, said he had no immediate plans once his spell with Victory came to an end.
“I want to get some games under the belt and hopefully help the team achieve their targets. After those three games we will see what’s going to happen in the future,” Djulbic said.
“I’ve got to reassess my future and what I want to do, and the club has got to see what they want to do.
“At the moment I’m happy here, I’ve fitted in really nicely. The boys have been excellent, they took me in like I’ve been here six months.”
Djulbic brings a hard edge to the Victory defence. He’s uncompromising and physical.
And if you needed any more proof of that, then all you had to do was listen to the Victory terrace’s chant for him on Saturday night.
“He comes from Serbia. He’ll f****** murder ya. Dino, Dino, woah.”
Djulbic showed no real signs of rustiness on his Australian return, partnering Socceroo Mark Milligan in the heart of the Victory defence.
The veteran put in a crucial challenge in the second half to deny the Central Coast in the 52nd minute.
“I haven’t played in two months, so it was my first game back in a while. But I felt all right,” he said.
“I’m a still a bit behind with training and that. But I felt I fitted in well with the team.
“I played with Millsy in the national team so we had good communication throughout the game. It’s just unfortunate we copped a silly goal, but it happens some times.”
It’s the second time Djulbic has played in Geelong, representing Perth Glory in the 2-1 win in stifling conditions in 2015.
It meant he knew exactly what to expect when the mercury hit 44 degrees in Geelong on Saturday afternoon.
“I enjoy playing here,” he said.
“I was successful here with Perth and it was a hot day that day. So I’m used to it when I come to Geelong.”