He’s seen the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and everything in between since Brisbane Roar began and tomorrow, Massimo Murdocca will make his 150th Hyundai A-League appearance against his hometown club Melbourne Victory.
He-s seen the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and everything in between since Brisbane Roar began and tomorrow, Massimo Murdocca will make his 150th Hyundai A-League appearance against his hometown club Melbourne Victory.
Now in his eighth season for the Roar, Melbourne-born Murdocca will become only the eighth player in competition history to hit the milestone and the first at his club.
A two-time Hyundai A-League Championship winner with one Premiership medal also to his name, Murdocca also sustained a career-threatening broken leg after a training mishap in January 2009, giving his 150 match landmark even greater significance.
“I-ve been through some dark times and to get to this time in the state that I-m in, this healthy state, is something that I-m proud of,” he said.
“It-s hard work, it-s discipline and doing the right things all the time, that-s all you can do.
“You just have to do your best and you-re either lucky or you-re not, I-m here now and I-m very happy about it.
“It-s definitely a goal of mine to get to 200, and you never know, maybe 250 – it-s a big ask but you never know.”
The Roar-s only remaining foundation player said when the time came, he-d be proud to finish his career in Brisbane as a one-club man, despite his Victorian roots.
“I think being here for so long and to see how many of the fans appreciate it, it helps me play better as well,” Murdocca said.
“When I do go out, I play for my family but I also play for the fans.
“If I can do it all at one club, that-s something I-d be really proud about at the end of my career.”
Head Coach Rado Vidosic, who, like Murdocca, has also been at the club since its inception in 2005, praised the 28-year-old for his consistent determination and workrate on the football pitch.
“He-s been with us since day one, he-s just got this battery somewhere inside and he-s been a fantastic servant for this club,” Vidosic said.
“I congratulate him and I wish him another 150 for us.
“If he-s playing, if he-s on the bench coming on or if he-s not starting at all, he-s always been there supporting us.
“You know when he starts or when he comes on that it won-t be anything other than 100 per cent.”
Brisbane travelled to Melbourne this morning ahead of tomorrow-s round eleven match against the Victory, who they beat resoundingly 5-0 two months ago.
A win against the third-place team in the competition could see the reigning Champions jump to the top six on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
Venue: AAMI Park
Kick off: 5:30 PM
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD and Sky Sports 3.
Melbourne Victory Squad: 1. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 5. Mark MILLIGAN, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Gui FINKLER, 8. Jonathan BRU, 9. Marcos FLORES, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Marco ROJAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Sam GALLAGHER, 16. Theo MARKELIS, 17. Jimmy JEGGO, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 21. Spase DILEVSKI, 23. Adrian LEIJER (c), 26. Andrew NABBOUT, 39. Nathan COE (GK) *five to be omitted*
Ins: Adama Traore (returns from injury), Spase DILEVSKI (returns from injury), Theo MARKELIS (returns from suspension), Archie THOMPSON (returns from international duty), Mark MILLIGAN (returns from international duty)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Michael Theo (GK), 2. Matt Smith (capt), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 4. Matt Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paartalu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 10. Henrique, 11. Ben Halloran, 13. Yuji Takahashi, 16. Do Dong-Hyun, 17. Mitch Nichols, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Matt Acton (GK), 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 24. Nick Fitzgerald. *three to be omitted*
In: Matt Smith (returns from international duty), Ivan Franjic (returns from international duty), Nick Fitzgerald (promoted), Do Dong-Hyun (promoted)
Out: James Donachie (calf – 1 week)
Unavailable: Nil
