He admits leaving Wellington Phoenix mid-season wasn’t ideal but Dario Vidosic has paid tribute to Melbourne City for making his transition to a new club as smooth as possible.
Vidosic, along with his father Rado – an assistant coach at Phoenix – both started the season in Wellington but departed the club just prior to Christmas following a falling out with then-head coach Darije Kalezic.
Dario was quickly snapped up by Melbourne City and the 23-cap Caltex Socceroo hasn’t looked back.
The attacker has netted five goals in 12 appearances for Warren Joyce’s side and his red-hot form has helped propel City to third spot on the ladder with two rounds remaining.
And the 30-year-old has opened up about his excitement about joining City and the ease in which he made the switch to the Victorian capital.
“Obviously it’s never ideal that situation how it all panned out. Unfortunately, we were made the scapegoats for poor results,” Vidosic said.
“That’s all in the past. Once I received the phone call from Melbourne City it was a great present for Christmas at the time.
“I was really excited about. I’m always big on making a good first impression and that’s something I tried [to do].
“The coaching staff and the boys were very welcoming and helped me out a lot in that first week.
“I think it’s easier once it’s in season. Your straight into games and there’s not much time to think. You just get in and do the best you can…it’s been really enjoyable, I can’t deny that.”
Sitting third with two rounds to go, City are in the box seat for a home Elimination Final and right in the mix for a maiden Hyundai A-League title.
Vidosic was a part of the Wanderers side which lost to Adelaide in the 2015/16 Grand Final and he admits it’s a memory which he’s determined to extinguish with City.
“I want to be a Champion. I want to win something. I lost [a Grand Final] one time and I hate that feeling,” Vidosic said.
“That runners-up medal it’s something I’ve kept and that I’ve looked [at] at times. I want to get the gold medal and the one that says Champion on it.
“It’s always nice to contribute and score goals but it’s the team achievements that we’re searching for.”
Melbourne City play host to bottom-placed Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
