Amidst the chaos around the River City as the clean-up from last week’s devastating floods continues, injured Brisbane Roar defender Ivan Franjic has been overawed by the response from the squad as they prepare for their final four Hyundai A-League fixtures.
According to Franjic, the ideal balance between helping throughout the community while maintaining their professional edge has been achieved as the chance of securing this year-s Premier-s Plate looms in the not-so-distant future.
“The boys have been very professional,” he said.
“Everyone has been affected and it is sad to see what has happened.
“For us, we-ve got to get back on the track and focus on the football, we-ve still got a few big games coming up and finals.”
One of the few Brisbane players who didn-t travel to Gosford last Tuesday due to a niggling quad strain, Franjic was happy to play his part in the clean-up process as the worst of the damage was unfolding around his adoptive hometown.
“I went out sandbagging with a few people in Bulimba and went around asking people if they needed help,” he said.
“It was good to get out there and help the people who had been badly affected or were about to be affected.”
Franjic hasn-t featured for the Roar since the thrilling 2-2 Boxing Day draw against local rivals Gold Coast United but has high hopes of taking part in Brisbane-s fixture next week, the date and venue of which is yet to be determined.
While some of his teammates may think of this weekend-s bye as a slight detriment to their recent momentum in the competition, the 23-year-old said he would enjoy the luxury of a weekend off alongside fellow injured teammate Henrique, who is nursing a groin injury.
“For me and Henrique, I think the bye this weekend is a good thing but when you-re playing games, you just want to keep playing, especially when you-re in the rhythm,” Franjic said.
“I-m hoping I-ll be back next week and if all goes well in training, I should be back.
“I-ve had a few injuries this year and coming back through the rehab again, sometimes it feels like it-s never ending.
“It-s hard when you-re not out there because you just want to get out there and play.”
Franjic-s possible return to the Brisbane squad will be timely, as coach Ange Postecoglou will be without the services of defender Milan Susak who will serve a one match suspension after receiving two yellow cards against Central Coast Mariners last Wednesday.
While he began the season with a regular starting berth in the Brisbane side, Franjic concedes it may not be easy to win his spot back given the outstanding defensive performances the current back four have put on show in recent weeks.
“Milan has done an excellent job, he-s probably one of the players on the ball in the team,” he said.
“We-ve also got Matt Mundy who can play in that position so I-ll have to work hard in training and it-ll be up to the gaffer to who he chooses.
“Winning my regular place back, that-s my goal – I-ve just got to work hard and hopefully it comes.”
