Barisic earning his keep for Knights
Premier League at the Croatian Sports Centre tonight (6.30 kickoff).
Canberra born and raised, Barisic is this season’s leading goalscorer with 27 strikes and forms a formidable partnership up front with Teddy Watson, who has scored 16.
No matter what money the Knights give to Barisic, results show he’s earnt it.
“Obviously people are saying that I’m getting the biggest money,” Barisic said.
“But at the end of the day it’s not about what I’m on, it’s more about me giving back to the club for giving me the opportunity to come back (to the Coast) because I could have kept playing overseas.
“Let the critics have their own views and opinions.”
Barisic was on the original roster put together for the illfated Gold Coast United in the Clive Palmer era.
He has since spent seven years in Hong Kong, India and Indonesia in between Melbourne Knights stints.
Barisic said the Knights go in confident today knowing they have scored and conceded less than any rival.
“We’ve won the league and have to be confident of getting the double,” he said.
Of his prolific scoring partnership alongside Watson, Barisic said the partnership has been smooth.
“I think it’s that we’re both unselfish,” he said.
“It has not just about scoring it has been assisting each other and other players.”
Season statistics show there is nothing between the Knights and United.
“Broadbeach beat us 4-0 at their ground, we won 4-0 at home, then back at Broadbeach we drew 1-1,” he said.
“So we both deservedly finished top and second.”
Last season’s grand final winners Surfers Paradise take on Burleigh in the knockout semi-final at Lex Bell Oval on the Isle of Capri (3pm start).
The Apollo will be without the Yorulmaz brothers Tolga and Burcin and Japanese Mikiya Yamana.
Burcin is out for a weird reason, red-carded and banned over sideline comments made when coaching a midweek women’s team. PETER Skapetis only wanted to play for Brisbane Roar when he decided to return to Australia to resurrect his career.
The 22-year-old Skapetis has been rewarded for his impressive pre-season form with an A-League contract upgrade.
Having come to the club on an injury-replacement deal as cover for Daniel Bowles (knee), attacker Skapetis has signed a permanent deal keeping him at the Roar at least until the end of the season.
Melbourne-born Skapetis moved to England as a 16year-old and later signed with Premier League club Stoke.
But two major knee injuries hurt his progress, and he’s now back home and grateful for the opportunity given to him by Roar coach and former Socceroos striker John Aloisi.
“I told my agent that I wanted to play for Brisbane because of the style of football they play and because of who their manager (Aloisi) was,” Skapetis said.
“I want to repay the faith the club has shown in me.”