Krešimir Marušić

NSL Career: Melbourne Knights, Sydney United, Carlton, Northern Spirit, Sydney Olympic 138 (21) / 1994/95 - 2001/02

In an era when Australian football had developed enough pathways and talent to exclusively give Australian-born or Australian-raised players a Socceroos cap, Krešimir Marušić could have been the last foreign NSL star to be selected had it not been for that fateful night in November 1997.

Marušić defined the playmaker role - constantly making one-touch passes to keep the ball moving for his team. A deadly accurate crosser of the ball, Marušić was also an accomplished free-kick taker and was always a step ahead of the opposition, knowing exactly what to do with the ball before he received it.

The Croatian native came up through the youth ranks of one of Croatia's biggest clubs Dinamo Zagreb before moving to Radnik Velika Gorica in the Croatian First Football League seeking first team action. Marušić became Radnik captain at just 22 years of age but joined Segesta Sisak the following season before getting suspended by the club during the 1994/95 CFFL season after a falling out with the coach.

In Australia, Melbourne Knights had lost club legend Josip Biskić to an overseas club and coach Mirko Bazić, who had coached Marušić at Radnik, brought the playmaker to Australia where he made a key contribution to the side's maiden NSL Championship, playing in their grand final win over Adelaide City.

Following the grand final, Marušić returned to Croatia where he spent a season with Inter Zaprešić before Croatian-Australian coach Branko Culina brought the talented midfielder to the NSL's other Croatian club, Sydney United. Marušić blossomed at United, running the show in midfield with his vision, control, passing range and dead-ball prowess.

Marušić won the Johnny Warren Medal before helping United reach the 1996/97 NSL Grand Final, losing to Brisbane Strikers in front of a NSL record crowd (40,446). Marušić joined Carlton's inaugural team for the 1997/98 season where he played alongside rising stars such as Simon Colosimo and Mark Bresciano.

The Croatian star again inspired his team as he played in his third grand final in as many seasons with his third NSL club, but was unable to get them over line against South Melbourne. Northern Spirit joined the NSL for the 1998/99 season and were quick to sign Marušić, who went on to have his best season in front of goals (eight) and helped the side qualify for the finals series.

Marušić's form in Australia earned him a move to the Belgian Pro League with SK Lommel where he played 14 league games before rejoining Branko Culina at Sydney Olympic towards the end of the 1999/00 season. Marušić helped the side reach the semi-finals and remained with the club for another season, helping them reach the preliminary final for the first time since the 1989/90 season.

Following the 2000/01 season, Marušić followed Culina back to Sydney United where he made just 13 league appearances before moving to his original NSL club Melbourne Knights halfway through the season. Marušić helped the side reach the elimination finals before retiring from the top flight.

Marušić had a short stint with Hurstville in the NSW Winter Super League before hanging up the boots at the age of 33. Marušić's short stints at Sydney United left such an impression that he was selected in the club's 50th Anniversary All-Stars team. With aspirations to represent Australia during his time in the NSL, then Socceroos coach Terry Venables offered Marušić a spot in the squad if Australia qualified for the 1998 World Cup... a case of what could have been.