Champions, relegation: It’s been quite a nine months for Victory’s James Donachie

In the space of little more than nine months, Melbourne Victory defender James Donachie has won a Hyundai A-League Grand Final, suffered relegation in Korea Republic and returned to Melbourne to regain his place in a silverware-chasing side. 

Such is the life of a professional footballer, particularly one who on his day is one of the best in his position in Asia. 

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Donachie returned to Victory in January, following his Korean side Jeonnam Dragons relegation to K League 2. 

“I went over there mid-season from the final, so it happened pretty quickly,” Donachie said.

“We were sitting 11th [of 12 teams] when I got there and we kind of stayed that way – relegation battle, ended up getting relegated. 

“So I said ‘look, I really enjoyed my time there, I learnt a lot’, but I didn’t want to play in the K League 2. 

“So it just happened that this was the best option for me to play some football and get some games in a system that was good for me.”

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Much like Korea Republic’s national team, the K League is renowned for technically gifted athletes whose engines run all game long. 

Donachie was prepared for the challenge, and believes the experience in such a high-quality league made him a better player when he returned to Australian shores.

“A lot of people talk about a lot of running in Korea, which I don’t mind, it’s kind of part of the game,” he said. 

But for me it was technically I had to sharpen up – they played a really high tempo there. 

“People ask which [approach] is better, because they’re so different, but the training is heavily based around technique so that helped me out a lot personally. 

“It was good to go there and play in a different style.”

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While Donachie may have been prepared to challenge himself technically, there were a number of cultural aspects for which he was not prepared. 

One standout for the 25-year-old was the way players had to stay on the club’s grounds while they fought for survival in the top tier. 

“It was pretty full on… we had to live at the clubhouse because we weren’t doing so well,” he said.

“That kind of comes from the club and the coach – little things like that you don’t expect. 

“It’s intense, especially for the Korean players, because their contracts can vary up to 30% if you go down or up.”

 

James Donachie; Patric

Ready for season-defining clash

Back on the domestic front, Donachie and his teammates turn their attention to Saturday night against ladder-leaders Perth Glory. 

Victory know anything less than a win all-but-rules-out their slim chance of a coveted Hyundai A-League Premiership, while a win puts the pressure on second-placed Sydney FC, who they face the following weekend in the Big Blue. 

But with Glory’s lethal trio of Andy Keogh, Diego Castro and Chris Ikonomidis on song, Donachie is likely to have his hands full this weekend. 

“Castro’s difficult because he’s a bit of a free role,” the defender said. 

“In terms of defending him you have to keep him quiet by following him around the pitch – he’ll go left wing to right wing.

“Those types of players are difficult. 

“Andy Keogh’s a top player up front – you try to keep him quiet as long as you can and then you’ll come out with a result.”

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