North Geelong Warriors

‘Marki’ Makes Emotional Debut

For someone who dutifully sticks to a pre-match routine, the lead-up to Marko Stevanja’s first senior start for North Geelong Warriors FC was anything but ideal.

Already feeling some nerves in the lead-up on Monday night, Stevanja was visibly edgy in the warm-up after it was discovered his match shirt was left in Geelong, meaning he would have to play in his training top.

The Bell Park local might as well have been on the training ground, because he showed an invigorating calm in testing situations for the Warriors on debut.

Including a stunning reflex stop in the 72nd minute, Stevanja came up with multiple saves and was ultimately critical in North Geelong claiming a 1-1 draw against Kingston City.

Heading into Saturday’s clash with Bulleen, the 20-year-old goalkeeper couldn’t hide his satisfaction, but maintains he cannot rest on one performance.

“It was a fantastic feeling. From a personal standpoint, I could not have asked for a much better debut but from a team point of view, it felt like two points dropped instead of one gained,” Stevanja said.

“At the start you’re always a bit geed up for a debut, and not that it was out of the blue. I expected to be nervous, because it’s my boyhood club, but it felt great to be out there.

“Now, the most important thing for me is, can I back that up? Can I maintain a spot? Everyone works for each other, and all I can do is put in the same effort.”

Following the match, Stevanja took to social media:

Amazing feeling to make my @nplvictoria debut with childhood club @NGWFC. Love this club and couldn’t be prouder to wear the shirt.

— Marko Stevanja (@Mstevanja) February 27, 2017

Along with Henry Durr, who also made his first senior start at right-back, the defensive unit was tested by a direct and dynamic Kingston attack.

It was a baptism of fire for Durr, who had to mark the switching Erhan Yalaz and Mouad Zwed.

Warriors captain, Matthew Townley, was highly pleased with the two debutants however.

“Marko made a couple of phenomenal saves and kept us in the match. I thought he was composed, communicated and distributed well. He did all the things we would expect from the keeper,” Townley explained.

“H had a tough job out there, marking the team’s quickest players. I wouldn’t like to play 90 minutes and have a ball pinged over my head all match.

“Fair play to H, Yalaz did not get the better of him too many times. I thought they both did very well.”