Vedran Rožić

NSL Career: Sydney Croatia 113 (0) / 1984 - 1989

Yugoslavia Career: 10 (0) A Internationals

The mastermind behind Sydney Croatia's early years in the NSL, Vedran Rožić was one of the highest profile signings in the history of the league. Playing at the top level in Yugoslavia for over a decade where he represented the national team, Rožić combined outstanding defensive skills with vision and technique.

Born in Croatia, Rožić was a junior at his local club HNK Trogir (known as Slaven at the time) before getting noticed by Yugoslav giants Hajduk Split. Rožić made his first team debut at the age of 18 and didn't take long to cement his spot in the side where he played alongside some of the club's greatest players such as Dragan Holcer, Jurica Jerković, Ivica Šurjak and Dražen Mužinić.

In what would become known as Hajduk's "golden generation", Rožić played in a variety of defensive positions before excelling as a sweeper with his ability to read the play and start counter attacks. Between 1972 and 1984: Rožić played in all of Hajduk's five winning Yugoslav Cup Finals, won the Yugoslav First League three times, earned 10 caps for the national team and became the club's appearances record holder in all competitions (still holds record).

Three months after captaining the club in their two-legged UEFA Cup Semi-Final loss to Tottenham, Rožić came to Australia to play for NSL new-comers Sydney Croatia late in the 1984 season. Rožić played six matches for the club before the Yugoslavian Football Federation withdrew permission for his playing clearance as Croatia sacked it's third coach of the season Harry Noon (Croatia's fourth coach overall as captain Bruno Vidaic stepped-in during the season).

Rožić became caretaker-coach for the duration of the season and helped steer the inconsistent side away from relegation. Back on the pitch in the 1985 season, the 30 year old, now player-coach, got to work on revolutionising the club - instilling new training methods, style of play and player recruitment. 

Operating in a sweeper role, Rožić usually started the play for Croatia from counter-attacks - utilising the pace of wingers Jimmy Patikas (signed by Rožić) and countryman Željko Jurin while his star signing Žarko Odžakov controlled things in the middle. Rožić's team found consistency that was lacking in their debut season in the NSL, scoring a league high 50 goals and conceding just 22 before reaching the Northern Conference Preliminary Final. 

Croatia lost the match to Marconi one-nil, however, Rožić's impact on the club was huge and he continued to improve the squad for the 1986 season by signing: young gun Manis Lamond to supplement the loss of Patikas, Socceroos left-back Graham Jennings and helped Wally Savor develop in to a top class right-back.

With Rožić controlling things in defence, Croatia maintained a strong defensive record, conceding just 18 goals (second best in the league) as the club finished first in the Northern Conference before Croatian import Ante Rumora took his place in defence for the finals. Croatia narrowly missed out on the conference grand final in consecutive seasons, conceding a late goal in a four-three loss to Sydney Olympic in the preliminary final.

Croatia finished fifth in 1987 season as the league reverted back to the first-past-the-post format before progressing to the NSL Cup Final in which Rožić captained the side to a two-nil victory over South Melbourne on aggregate. Looking to make up for their past short-falls, Croatia looked to utilise their damaging attacking trio of Lamond, Graham Arnold and Robbie Slater to get over the hill in the 1988 season. 

The side won a league high 15 games and fell just one point short of the minor premiership before turning their attention to the finals series. Rožić marked South young gun Paul Trimboli out of the qualifying semi-final before Croatia defeated Wollongong in a penalty shoot-out in the major semi-final to book their place in the grand final. 

The grand final against Marconi finished two-all at the end of extra time before Marconi won five-four on penalties. Rožić stayed on as player-coach for the 1989 season, playing 17 of the first 19 games before a recurring groin injury saw him make just two more appearances during the remainder of the season as assistant Ron Corry became caretaker-coach from round 20 onwards.

Rožić hung up his boots at the end of the season at the age of 34 and stayed in Australia until relocating back to Croatia in the early 1990s. Rožić later served a term as the mayor of his hometown Trogir and his Australian-born son Ante spent his youth career at his father's former club Hajduk Split before having stints in various lower-level European leagues and A-League club Gold Coast United. Rožić was selected as captain in Sydney United's 50 Anniversary All Stars Team.