Danny Vukovic hasn’t decided if Central Coast’s grand final triumph was his final bow but the veteran goalkeeper at least feels he’s completed his own redemption arc.
Fifteen years ago, Vukovic slapped referee Mark Shield’s hand in the Mariners’ grand final loss to Newcastle.
It was an embarrassing brain snap which earned him a straight red card and lengthy suspension, hurt his reputation and cost him a shot at the 2008 Olympics.
On Saturday night, after the Mariners thrashed Melbourne City 6-1 to claim their first championship in 10 years to cap off Vukovic’s return season, the captain couldn’t help but relish the moment.
“I’m feeling really good,” Vukovic told reporters, grasping a plastic water bottle filled with beer.
“I’ve had some heartbreak at this club and I’ve embarrassed this club in the past and this is a dream come true.
“I wanted to come back to the coast and be successful and 6-1, it feels like a dream.
“Honestly, everything kind of went right for us. But we deserved it.
“We played well, we grinded it out when we had to. It was ugly at times, but sometimes it has to be that way. Super proud of the boys.”
Vukovic’s 307 ALM games include six seasons at the Mariners, one at Wellington, four at Perth Glory, one at Melbourne Victory and another at Sydney FC, where he won a premiership-championship double in 2016-17 before heading to Europe.
But succeeding with the ALM minnows clearly stood out.
“It means so much,” he said.
“They were close to folding a few years ago.
“A couple of wooden spoons there and a lot of disgruntled fans – and now we’re here, champions of the A-League.
“The story behind the team: youngest team, lowest budget and champions now. It’s just amazing.”
Vukovic provided an amusing highlight – superstitiously turning his back on play for both of Jason Cummings’ successful second-half penalties.
“I’ve done it all season and I don’t think we’ve missed a penalty this season since I’ve done it,” he said.
“I was just waiting for the roar of the crowd and I backed Cummings to do what he does best.”
The 38-year-old has retired from Socceroos duties but was unsure whether he’d call full-time on his club career.
“It’s something I need to go back and talk to the family about,” he said.
“That was so good tonight. Like I don’t know how I can sit out. I don’t know – we’ll see.
“Look,the body’s not what it once used to be and every morning I’m sore and whatnot, but I still love it so much.
“So it’s something to think about.”
Australian Associated Press