Having captured 26 league trophies in their illustrious club history, Canberra Croatia entered the 2024 campaign with their usual elite standards, desiring back-to-back NPL Grand Final triumphs.
After clinching the title on penalties last year in the final against O’Connor Knights, the side have their sights set on becoming the first team to win two Grand Finals on the trot since Canberra Olympic in 2015 and 2016.
The reigning holders of that trophy initially struggled on their road to retention, winning just once out of their first five games in the league this season.
“I think I’d have to say it’s been turbulent so far. We’ve obviously had an interesting start to the year as we’ve had some staff changeover.” said starting goalkeeper and Canberra Croatia stalwart, Sam Brown.
“But more recently I think things are coming together, we’re now three points off the top and there’s been some results swing so we’re probably blessed this year that we can get away with the fact we didn’t start the way we needed to.”
Following the Deakin outfits lacklustre beginning to the year, they are now undefeated in their last six, picking up 16 points out of a possible 18. Their most recent 2-4 victory away at O’Connor in a rematch from last year’s final, leaves them third on goal difference, just two points away from leaders Gungahlin United.
Brown outlined the team’s high expectations and how they must take advantage of the fortuitous results around which have permitted the side to still be in such a high position on the ladder even after their sluggish start.
“I don’t play to come second, “Brown said. “I don’t think anyone does, so realistically like I said we’ve been really lucky.”
“There have been some results that have fallen our way which keeps us in the mix, so I think obviously it’ll be a challenge given our start of the season but we want to win the league and win the grand final. That’s what’s up for grabs for us.”
After a recent changeover in some of the staff at the club, Brown assures the atmosphere at Canberra Croatia is positive with the perfect mixture of amusing camaraderie and heightened commitment.
“It’s a special place, there’s expectations but Dean and Andy Rakic have created a really, really enjoyable vibe to be around,” said Brown. “We trained on Friday night and the intensity was there and all the boys were just having an absolute ball so the culture is second to none.”
Despite the high standards at Canberra Croatia, Brown reaffirmed the club’s deep unity which still attracts those former players to watch games at Deakin stadium even after many years of retirement.
“Everyone’s here to be in the mix and you know, come the pointy end of the season we’re going to be there or thereabouts.”
“I think it’s a club where you get what you give. If the boys put their body on the line, the club’s going to give you back tenfold, we get a lot of older men here every week coming to watch. They love the club and it’s really special for us.”
The objective for the club is no different to any other season, win trophies and nothing else is acceptable. Knocked out of the Australia Cup by Monaro, the team are determined to avenge this loss by adding both another premiership and grand final to their historic set of accolades.
“In reality this is a club where you can’t exceed the expectations, you walk away you can go undefeated, great, that’s expected, if you walk away with the treble same thing,” said brown.
“It’s not in a way arrogant but that’s what’s expected from us,”.
If results go their way elsewhere this weekend and Brown’s side get a victory over Canberra Olympic, their first few losses will all be forgotten as they could find themselves top of the NPL table.
Words: William Rumgay
